For most of the broadcast, the 2022 Oscars seemed to go without a hitch. The stars were all dressed well, filmmakers and actors received awards, musical numbers were performed, and the hosts and awards presenters made jokes. It wall all business as usual. That is, until one particular joke triggered a violent and controversial response.… Continue reading THE 94TH ACADEMY AWARDS
Month: March 2022
The Yellow Wallpaper
I haven’t taught in years, but when I did, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, was a staple in the sophomore literature text. The film by the same name, adapted and directed by Kevin Pontuti, stays true (for all but the ending) to the source. Pontuti manages to capture the psychological… Continue reading The Yellow Wallpaper
SXSW 2022: PRETTY PROBLEMS
We all get into ruts – with our relationships, our careers, and our daily lives. We also often want a different life than the one dealt to us – especially if it means financial freedom and a carefree existence. With Pretty Problems, director Kestrin Pantera and screenwriter Michael Tennant explore age-old themes of self-worth, pride,… Continue reading SXSW 2022: PRETTY PROBLEMS
SXSW – TONY HAWK: UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF
My son’s first skateboard was a Tony Hawk board – I remember it well, and I remember how in awe my son was of the champion trickster. Hawk is not a stranger to documentaries, but Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off sheds more light on the skating phenom than others have and shares insights… Continue reading SXSW – TONY HAWK: UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF
SXSW 2022: THE LOST CITY
El lanzamiento mundial de la película de comedia y aventura de Paramount Pictures llamada The Lost City se llevó a cabo en el Teatro Paramount en el centro de la ciudad de Austin durante el Festival de cine SXSW el pasado 12 de marzo con el elenco y cineastas presente incluyendo a Sandra Bullock entre… Continue reading SXSW 2022: THE LOST CITY
SXSW 2022: THE LOST CITY
The Lost City is one of those movies that hopes to reignite a flame and love for escapist cinema through the romantically comedic action genre. I am sure there are people who will cry, “Rip Off!” after watching this movie. And that might be a fair thing to claim. However, I feel that the people… Continue reading SXSW 2022: THE LOST CITY
SXSW 2022: SELL/BUY/DATE
Sarah Jones is an artist whose controversial play, Sell/Buy/Date, has affected audiences in a multitude of ways. The playwright/performer has made a film that comes across as a hybrid feature that mixes elements of her stage production and a documentary that shows the aftermath of her play. The result is a rather fascinating and thought-provoking… Continue reading SXSW 2022: SELL/BUY/DATE
SXSW 2022: LINOLEUM
It can be tough to review a film with detail and flourish and not reveal the surprises that make it entertaining. Linoleum, a film from director Colin West, starring Jim Gaffigan, had its Indy film premiere at SXSW digitally and in-person and provided a delightful and subtly cool diversion. This is the writer/director West’s second… Continue reading SXSW 2022: LINOLEUM
SXSW: APOLLO 10 1/2
The name “Boomer” seems to have a super negative connotation for some – namely millennials, but I am proud to have grown up when drinking out of the hose, climbing trees, having dirt fights, swimming in the resaca, catching fireflies, playing freeze tag, family game night, and the Wonderful World of Disney were cool. Richard… Continue reading SXSW: APOLLO 10 1/2
SXSW 2022: THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’s title sums it up. Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal star in this laugh-out-loud, utterly silly, action-packed homage to Cage himself. Director/co-writer Tom Gormican with Kevin Etten has created a wild and hilarious farce with leads who have excellent and excitingly entertaining chemistry. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent pleases… Continue reading SXSW 2022: THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT