While Paul Schrader wrote many great movies about abandoned men looking for a purpose, he has edged into self-parody. His latest pseudo-trilogy pushes audiences to develop empathy for troubled men. However, even a war criminal and an eco-terrorist priest have nothing on the Joel Edgerton-led Master Gardener. Schrader's latest film lays on heavy commentary about … Continue reading Review: ‘Master Gardener’ – Paul Schrader Courts Outrage Once Again
Review: ‘Sisu’ Thrills as an Old School Action Bloodbath
In 1967, The Dirty Dozen rocked movie theaters as a pure action spectacle. The story of twelve men conducting a covert exercise likely to end in death scored across all audiences. It grossed over ten times its budget and ushered several iconic action stars into the mainstream. In many ways, Sisu is the perfect spiritual … Continue reading Review: ‘Sisu’ Thrills as an Old School Action Bloodbath
2023 Florida Film Festival: ‘Unicorn Boy’ Presents a Trippy Restart to Life
After a breakup, we often need a moment of reinvention. However, getting transported to a mythical world is not usually in the cards. Unicorn Boy, a new animated feature from Matt Kiel, pushes its protagonist into chasing a new life. Using themselves as a model for its protagonist, Kiel pushes the visual envelope while maintaining … Continue reading 2023 Florida Film Festival: ‘Unicorn Boy’ Presents a Trippy Restart to Life
Review: ‘Somewhere in Queens’ – Ray Romano Explores Complicated Sports Parents
As a comedian, Ray Romano already conquered the world. Everybody Loves Raymond earned its place as one of the comedies of its era. His standup earned him acclaim and regular appearances on The Late Show. Now, he’s stepped into the director's chair to open a new chapter. His directorial debut Somewhere in Queens plays on … Continue reading Review: ‘Somewhere in Queens’ – Ray Romano Explores Complicated Sports Parents
2023 Florida Film Festival: ‘Minnesota Mean’ Celebrates the Glory of Roller Derby
With fun puns and punishing action, roller derby has maintained a place in the world of women's sports. Unfortunately, the amateur and semi-professional teams rarely get the funds to run without sponsorship. In most cases, the leagues require players who pour passion into their performances. Minnesota Mean follows one of those teams. Featuring interviews while … Continue reading 2023 Florida Film Festival: ‘Minnesota Mean’ Celebrates the Glory of Roller Derby
2023 Florida Film Festival: ‘DID I?’ Struggles With Storytelling, Despite Incredible Style
Emotional trauma has become the backbone of visual storytelling in recent years. Explorations of characters struggling with the fallout of horror have popped in every medium, from short films to long-form television. On the one hand, this has resulted in increased attention to mental health. However, sometimes the tropes become a dangerous subject matter to … Continue reading 2023 Florida Film Festival: ‘DID I?’ Struggles With Storytelling, Despite Incredible Style
2023 Florida Film Festival: ‘Out There: A National Parks Story’ Explores Beauty and Devotion
Traveling to the National Parks in 2020 became a highlight of my time in lockdown. Trips to Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Zion, and the Grand Canyon will stay with me forever. For the centennial celebration of the Parks Service in 2016, Director Brendan Hall traversed nearly 10,000 miles of the American landscape. With his childhood … Continue reading 2023 Florida Film Festival: ‘Out There: A National Parks Story’ Explores Beauty and Devotion
2023 Florida Film Festival – Shorts: ‘Sulam (Ladder)’ Examines the Difficult Moments for Mothers and Daughters
Every family struggles when parents and children do not see eye to eye. Yet, for immigrant families, seeing eye to eye tends to lead to intercultural misunderstandings. As a result, many children of immigrant parents attempt to assimilate to "be normal," unaware that their cultural upbringing will be far more important in the long term. … Continue reading 2023 Florida Film Festival – Shorts: ‘Sulam (Ladder)’ Examines the Difficult Moments for Mothers and Daughters
2023 Florida Film Fest: ‘Immediate Family’ Gives the Spotlight Background Musicians
As the story of modern rock music continues to evolve, a strong spotlight has been placed on those in the shadows. Documentaries like 20 Feet From Stardom and Squaring the Circle: The Story of Hipgnosis have highlighted these contributions. Immediate Family looks to do the same. Putting session musicians into the spotlight is not a … Continue reading 2023 Florida Film Fest: ‘Immediate Family’ Gives the Spotlight Background Musicians
2023 Florida Film Festival – Shorts: ‘Really Good Friends’ – An Explicit Moment of Control
Explicitly sexual documentaries often find themselves pushed out of the mainstream. Yet a short like Really Good Friends opens the door for honest discussions. In Florida, sexuality among older populations remains taboo. Yet these relationships continue to occur. Really Good Friends does not need to be expanded into a feature to be powerful. In a … Continue reading 2023 Florida Film Festival – Shorts: ‘Really Good Friends’ – An Explicit Moment of Control