While the 1999 Wachowski film The Matrix looms large over the cyberpunk genre, directors and artists have long been interested in the subgenre. After all, as computers gained a foothold in American culture, the figures that promoted them became fascinations. Through various projects, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Paul Allen became integrally tied to the … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 23: ‘So Unreal’ – Cyberspace and the Digital World on Film
TIFF 2023: ‘Summer Qamp’ – A Free-Flowing Portrait of LGBTQ+ Youth
While some states have seemingly taken on war against young LGBTQ+ individuals, other locations have become havens. In the case of Camp fYrefly, some youth in Canada have the freedom to find their voice. The documentary Summer Qamp examines a seeming paradise for teens who will have to return to the difficult lives they lead. … Continue reading TIFF 2023: ‘Summer Qamp’ – A Free-Flowing Portrait of LGBTQ+ Youth
TIFF 2023: ‘God is a Woman’ – Memory and Tradition Framed Through Cinema
The power of film on the collective memory of a community can rarely be understood. Documentary remains one of the most impactful ways to remember a place, a time, and a culture. Yet the true power of these films stems from the emotion that rises naturally over their runtimes. While God is a Woman begins … Continue reading TIFF 2023: ‘God is a Woman’ – Memory and Tradition Framed Through Cinema
Review: ‘BS High’ – A Stunning Vision of Greed In Youth Athletics
After a series of scam documentaries took the world by storm, the "Scam Culture" genre was born. With successful shows like The Dropout, Super Pumped, and WeCrashed, many tried to find the next big story. Oscar-winning directors Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe circled the sad tale of Bishop Sycamore. The fake high school, whose … Continue reading Review: ‘BS High’ – A Stunning Vision of Greed In Youth Athletics
TV Review: In Season 3, ‘How to With John Wilson’ Remains as Funny and Weird as Ever
The small absurd oddities of life often go unremarked upon. Yet some find ways to turn the seemingly banal into an artistic endeavor. No one in entertainment seems as great at bringing this to life quite like John Wilson. While some audiences are aware of the incredible How to With John Wilson, the series has … Continue reading TV Review: In Season 3, ‘How to With John Wilson’ Remains as Funny and Weird as Ever
Review: HBO Doc ‘After the Bite’ Depicts a Town Struggling with Its Future
In a film like Jaws, filmmakers must balance genuine tragedy with excitement. However, even a story that fascinates audiences does not compare to the real-world impact of these events. Sharks have long been the subject of filmmakers, both for conservation and cultural impact. After the Bite, a new documentary from director Ivy Meeropol, examines the … Continue reading Review: HBO Doc ‘After the Bite’ Depicts a Town Struggling with Its Future
Review: ‘The Deepest Breath’ – A True Story Of Going In Too Deep For Glory
Freediving, the sport of diving under the water without any breathing assistance, is as dangerous as going climbing without the use of a harness as seen in Free Solo. It's a sport where you ask why would anyone be willing to do any of this. One slight problem could result in death. In Laura McGann's … Continue reading Review: ‘The Deepest Breath’ – A True Story Of Going In Too Deep For Glory
Review: ‘Sharksploitation’ – Explore the Phenomenon of Jaws and Sharknado
Few films launch entire subgenres. Yet it's hard to dispute the power of Jaws in this sense. The iconic feature from Steven Spielberg was not the first or even the second shark film. However, it was a turning point for creature features in the mainstream. Not only did it launch dozens of movies using the … Continue reading Review: ‘Sharksploitation’ – Explore the Phenomenon of Jaws and Sharknado
Review: ‘Stan Lee’ – A Glossy Look at Marvel’s Biggest Champion
The story of Marvel can scarcely be told without some focus on Stan Lee, the man, the myth, the mascot. The eponymously titled Stan Lee, a new documentary by David Gelb, flips this script to focus on the life of a true comic book giant. Told primarily in the first person, Gelb focuses on the … Continue reading Review: ‘Stan Lee’ – A Glossy Look at Marvel’s Biggest Champion
Review: ‘The Stroll’ – A Documentary Concerned with Trans History
For decades, Cis history has dominated the way history becomes fact. However, the ideological apparatus that defaults to this thinking has found more challenges than ever. Features, like HBO's recent documentary The Stroll prove that with diversity comes new approaches to filmmaking. The personal story from director Kristen Lovell about her time as a sex … Continue reading Review: ‘The Stroll’ – A Documentary Concerned with Trans History