Dad had gotten home from a business trip. As he said hello and hugged me, he pulled out a new toy from his briefcase. It was a Ninja Turtle. Four-year-old me had no idea what this thing was, but I was immediately enthralled by how awesome it looked. (It was Metalhead, for all you curious … Continue reading Review: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ – Heroes in a Heart Shell
Fantasia 2023: ‘The Primevals’ Celebrates the Tangible Crafts
Few films in 2023 carry a story like The Primevals. The action-adventure channels excitement and thrills through the lens of Ray Harryhausen. The iconic stop-motion and visual effects artist behind Jason and the Argonauts left an indelible footprint in the industry. David Allen, the director of The Primevals, drew heavy inspiration from Harryhausen. Allen earned … Continue reading Fantasia 2023: ‘The Primevals’ Celebrates the Tangible Crafts
Fantasia 2023: ‘The First Slam Dunk’ – A Gorgeous Basketball Emotional Drama
Few films can capture the pure beauty of basketball at its peak. Yet even fewer can showcase the intensity and violence of the game when played at the highest levels. The First Slam Dunk finally arrives in the Western Hemisphere and immediately showcases why it was a sensation in Japan. Featuring unbelievable hand-drawn and CGI … Continue reading Fantasia 2023: ‘The First Slam Dunk’ – A Gorgeous Basketball Emotional Drama
Review: ‘Nimona’ – A Raucous Anthem for Acceptance
“Pedal to the floor, hardcore, I don’t go slow. Future on my mind I’m leaving the past behind.” rocks K. Flay as the end credits roll. Her rock anthem, “T. Rex,” perfectly sums up the convictions of Nimona. Nimona keeps the pedal to the floor during its nearly 90-minute run time. It is a hardcore … Continue reading Review: ‘Nimona’ – A Raucous Anthem for Acceptance
TV Review: Netflix ‘Skull Island’ – Lots of Monsters and Plenty of Humor
The Monster-Verse continues to expand its lore and its storytelling. After successful films Godzilla in 2014, Kong: Skull Island in 2017, and Godzilla vs. Kong in 2021, many questioned why Legendary would let their cash cow fall apart. Sure enough, they found a way forward, setting up a live-action series with AppleTV+ and an animated … Continue reading TV Review: Netflix ‘Skull Island’ – Lots of Monsters and Plenty of Humor
“The Greatest Good You Are Ever Gonna Get” – A Pixar Ranking
With Elemental in theaters, I could not help myself. It’s time for a Pixar ranking, one that I’m sure will be very cool and not upset anyone. The animated studio is responsible for a minimum of 5 all-time classics and seems to be in a down period with audiences (even if critics are higher on … Continue reading “The Greatest Good You Are Ever Gonna Get” – A Pixar Ranking
Review: Elemental – A Feel-Good Romance that Boasts Pixar’s Signature Beautiful Visuals
Some say that Pixar films are in decline after their latest releases. This criticism does not hold up when looking at the individual films. Onward, Soul, and Turning Red each explored different stages of life (and death) in unique and creative ways. Luca and Lightyear comparatively were misfires but, when viewed independently of the Pixar … Continue reading Review: Elemental – A Feel-Good Romance that Boasts Pixar’s Signature Beautiful Visuals
SHORT – ‘Starling’ – An Emotional Powerhouse of Love and Grief
The loss of a child has destroyed marriages and lives for some couples. The sheer grief it creates cannot fully be healed, and the simple sight of the person you share that loss with can be overwhelming. Yet many other couples press on, hoping to find a way to keep love alive through it all. … Continue reading SHORT – ‘Starling’ – An Emotional Powerhouse of Love and Grief
SHORT – ‘A Cow in the Sky’ – The Powerful Story of Life Despite Hate
Increasingly in animation circles, artists refuse to adhere to traditional structure. The power that animation has always offered its artists is unbridled creativity. In the case of A Cow in the Sky from directors C. Fraser Press and Darren Press, archival footage blends with prose. The true story behind a hate crime in Portland is … Continue reading SHORT – ‘A Cow in the Sky’ – The Powerful Story of Life Despite Hate
Review: ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ – The Godfather II of Animated Films
Few sequels match their predecessor in terms of quality. Even fewer elevate the quality of the original to stand alone as a “best of” for their given genre. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse does this and then some. It’s better than the first film, better than any other animated feature in the last decade, and probably … Continue reading Review: ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ – The Godfather II of Animated Films