The gang is back in taking second servings for DC's more family-friendly comic book film, Shazam! Fury of the Gods. That is if you can define this as "family-friendly." Considering the content is slightly darker than the first film, I doubt you can. As children-turned-muscular adult bodies, Billy Batts (Asher Angel/Zachary Levi) and company find … Continue reading Review: ‘Shazam! Fury Of The Gods’ – A Sequel That Doesn’t Strike Twice
TV Review: ‘Yellowjackets’ – Season 1 – Lost in the Woods, But Finding a Way Through It
Creating the bonds of friendship in high school already sucks. Yet, if you're a member of the Yellowjackets, that friendship has been pushed to a new level of sacrifice. After all, it's not every day that your plane crashes in the woods, and you're forced to eat your friends. The dramatic mystery series revived Showtime … Continue reading TV Review: ‘Yellowjackets’ – Season 1 – Lost in the Woods, But Finding a Way Through It
Review: ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’
It's hard to believe that it has already been nine years since Keanu Reeves took on the titular character and stormed through multiple chapters as the hitman who took on everyone. Yet, here we are, the fourth (and possibly final) film with director Chad Stahelski and the movie at its longest, a full 169 minutes … Continue reading Review: ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’
SXSW 2023: ‘If You Were the Last’ – A Lovely Lo-Fi Sci-Fi Romance
In a post-Covid world, the concept of isolation is all too real. However, even in the most dire circumstances, we reach out for connection from those around us. If You Were the Last takes this idea a bit further. Director Kristian Mercado delivers one of the year's cutest and most unique visual spectacles. His lo-fi … Continue reading SXSW 2023: ‘If You Were the Last’ – A Lovely Lo-Fi Sci-Fi Romance
SXSW 2023: ‘The Herricanes’ is a Triumphant Sport Documentary
Bringing a sports story to life, especially those focused on women, has rarely been easy. Sadly, most women's sports never feature the record keeping of men's sports. In the case of The Herricanes, the process seemed even more difficult than normal. Yet director Olivia Kuan connected with the material more than the regular documentarian. For … Continue reading SXSW 2023: ‘The Herricanes’ is a Triumphant Sport Documentary
SXSW 2023: ‘Raging Grace’ Tells an Immigrant Story In a Haunted House
The immigrant and low SES horror film continues to gain traction in recent years. In the past few years, Nanny and His House were among the best films of the year, and struck to the heart of anxiety of moving to a new world. Director Paris Zarcilla shows a ton of potential with Raging Grace. … Continue reading SXSW 2023: ‘Raging Grace’ Tells an Immigrant Story In a Haunted House
SXSW 2023: ‘Appendage’ Literalizes the Monster Inside Us All
Those who struggle with negative self-talk know that it's difficult to overcome. Simply saying nice things about oneself can help. Yet, even that process feels impossible if you are inclined to beat yourself up. Writer/Director Anna Zlokovic brings this struggle into the real world. In Appendage, a young woman is forced to confront the monster … Continue reading SXSW 2023: ‘Appendage’ Literalizes the Monster Inside Us All
SXSW 2023: ‘Riders on the Storm’ Delivers a Harrowing Look at the Fall of Kabul
For decades, athletics have been used to signal a belief in national pride. The Olympics, World Cup, and World Baseball Classic allow athletes to become international celebrities. For Kalakov Mulakhil and Khaiber Azbarzada, the stakes are far higher. The nephews of a famed athlete who was executed in Afgahnistan's Civil War, they hope to bring … Continue reading SXSW 2023: ‘Riders on the Storm’ Delivers a Harrowing Look at the Fall of Kabul
Review: ‘One Fine Morning’ – A Choice Between Love and Responsibility
Few directors quite hit the heart of an internal struggle like Mia Hansen-Løve. Her film Bergman Island was sneakily one of the best films of 2020. Her quiet ability to put her protagonists through mental and emotional anguish makes her stories feel remarkably human. This case proves true again for One Fine Morning, her latest … Continue reading Review: ‘One Fine Morning’ – A Choice Between Love and Responsibility
SXSW 2023: ‘Swarm’ Thrills with Bloody Extravagance and Explicit Sexuality
The anti-hero has long found a place on television. From Walter White to Tony Soprano, series focusing on men misbehaving have long found success. Unfortunately, for women, this approach has been poignantly less effective. Yet, in the last five years, some of these swings have brought a more experimental and funny approach to television. Created … Continue reading SXSW 2023: ‘Swarm’ Thrills with Bloody Extravagance and Explicit Sexuality