One of the cinematic triumphs of the 1990s is the fast-talking sports comedy White Men Can't Jump. Director Ron Shelton surprised the world by crafting a story about two hustlers who join forces to win big money. White Men Can't Jump helped highlight emerging hip-hop culture while also telling a unique story. Its status as … Continue reading Review: ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ – A Breakout Star and Some Clever Jabs(teps)
Review: ‘Chevalier’ – Nice Time for a Personal Revolution
Even during revolutions, some who break the most barriers find themselves deemed too radical. During the French Revolution in the late 18th Century, new democratic ideas spread throughout the country. While many new ideas led to enlightenment within the country, the door for upward mobility cracked open. However, racism still held firm, leaving the works … Continue reading Review: ‘Chevalier’ – Nice Time for a Personal Revolution
TV Review: ‘Dave’ Returns with Its Most Stylistic and Emotional Episodes
The idea of building a series around Lil Dicky seemed absurd when it first found its way to FX. However, three seasons into the series and Dave Burd remains as interesting as ever. While more straightforward than other comedies, Dave continues to dig into the persona of its star. Based on the three episodes provided … Continue reading TV Review: ‘Dave’ Returns with Its Most Stylistic and Emotional Episodes
Review: ‘Rye Lane’ Charms Your Pants Off as the Rom-Com Returns
The rom-com, as we once knew it, died years ago. Now every version seems to embrace the meta-storytelling of women who know they’re in a rom-com. In many other cases, they’re relegated to romance novels, which have delightfully found a resurgence in recent years. Yet while we wait for the IP-inspired rom-com revolution, viewers disappeared … Continue reading Review: ‘Rye Lane’ Charms Your Pants Off as the Rom-Com Returns
TV Review: ‘Great Expectations’ Gets Into the Dickensian Mud to Mixed Effect
Steven Knight creates very dark shows, and the world of TV has stumbled into greatness because of it. Series like Peaky Blinders provided showcase exposure for highly talented performers. In many cases, those fringe players moved onto superstardom. However, Knight's aesthetics will push some audiences away from his messages. Rarely has this been more evident … Continue reading TV Review: ‘Great Expectations’ Gets Into the Dickensian Mud to Mixed Effect
Review: ‘Boston Strangler’ – A Solid Film That Fails to Make the Headlines
Serial killers have long been a subject ripe for picking for dark yet intriguing Hollywood productions. Done right, they expose the dark side of human nature and the perseverance of the human condition. The protagonist often isn't fighting to survive, they are fighting for what's right, for the truth. In the case of true crime … Continue reading Review: ‘Boston Strangler’ – A Solid Film That Fails to Make the Headlines
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: ‘Flamin’ Hot’ – A Crowd-pleasing Tale of Innovation
Stories of triumph over adversity have long been the bread and butter of Hollywood. Films like On the Waterfront, Chariots of Fire, and Rocky have often broken through on the biggest stages. However, rarely do stories of success from Latino stories get the same celebration. Actress turned director Eva Longoria looks to change that with … Continue reading SXSW 2023: ‘Flamin’ Hot’ – A Crowd-pleasing Tale of Innovation
Review: “Rosaline” breathes new life into a tired story
The story of Romeo and Juliet has been told and retold, adapted, modernized, reversed, gender-bent, Gnomified, and otherwise produced ad nauseam for over four centuries with varying degrees of quality, originality, and artistic value. Now along comes Rosaline, a new take on the story that not only introduces new characters but also subverts expectations regarding … Continue reading Review: “Rosaline” breathes new life into a tired story
Review: ‘Hellraiser’ Returns With Gritty and Psychodelic Flair
When one imagines the Hellraiser franchise, the gloom and ugliness come spewing out. While Clive Barker's original film featured cutting-edge makeup and special effects, the subsequent films in the franchise struggled to live up to his talent. Instead, images of Pinhead and the other Cenobites became bits of self-parody. The franchise felt like a relic … Continue reading Review: ‘Hellraiser’ Returns With Gritty and Psychodelic Flair