In The Surfer, director Lorcan Finnegan attempts to craft a psychological thriller infused with elements of horror, but the result feels convoluted and unfocused. The film stars Nicolas Cage as a surfer hoping to settle down in the idyllic Luna Bay, only to find himself embroiled in a nightmarish confrontation with a group of hostile… Continue reading SXSW 2025 Movie Review – The Surfer: a onvoluted and unfocused mess
Month: March 2025
Movie Review: ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL Is Powerful Enough With Its Attempt To End A Cycle Of Trauma
A young Zambian woman comes across the dead body of her uncle. As she and her family prepare for and have a funeral intended to honor him, some terrible secrets are revealed. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is a genuinely fascinating and powerful film dealing with abuse and the resulting trauma. It also attempts to… Continue reading Movie Review: ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL Is Powerful Enough With Its Attempt To End A Cycle Of Trauma
Movie Review: SNOW WHITE Is Not An Iconic Live Action Remake, But Is Not An Abomination
Disney insists on continuing its plan to make live-action remakes of its animated films. That is a strategy they refuse to stop, so we simply have to sift through it all and hope that these new movies have something exciting to offer that wasn’t already delivered in the first place. So, with Marc Webb’s remake… Continue reading Movie Review: SNOW WHITE Is Not An Iconic Live Action Remake, But Is Not An Abomination
SXSW 2025 Review – The Accountant 2: a decent if not flawed sequel
Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) has a knack for unraveling complex problems, and in ‘The Accountant 2’, he finds himself embroiled in an intense mystery that pulls him back into a world of danger. When an old acquaintance is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to “find the accountant,” Wolff’s curiosity is piqued, leading him to… Continue reading SXSW 2025 Review – The Accountant 2: a decent if not flawed sequel
SXSW 2025 Review – The Baltimorons: a clever, warm comedy
At SXSW 2025, ‘The Baltimorons’ charms audiences with its clever and warm comedic tone, making it a festival favorite and a delightful film. Directed by Jay Duplass, this romantic comedy follows a newly sober man’s unexpected Christmas Eve adventure through Baltimore, igniting a blossoming romance with his emergency dentist, Didi, played by the fantastic Liz… Continue reading SXSW 2025 Review – The Baltimorons: a clever, warm comedy
SXSW 2025 Movie Review: Retirement Plan – Sharp and Witty, Winner of an Audience and Jury Award
Domhnall Gleeson narrates John Kelly’s animated film Retirement Plan. The Irish short follows Ray in midlife as he dreams of the beauty and joy he will find in retirement. The film is co-written by John Kelly and Tara Lawall, inspired by his own possible mid-life crisis. The film premiered at Galway Film Festival and screened… Continue reading SXSW 2025 Movie Review: Retirement Plan – Sharp and Witty, Winner of an Audience and Jury Award
Movie Review: Asian Persuasion – North American Theatrical and Home Entertainment Release
Asian Persuasion is a romantic comedy directed by Grammy and Tony Award-winning Jhett Tolentino (Life is What You Make It) and written by Mike Ang. According to the press notes, the cast and crew were committed to AAPI representation, ultimately featuring creatives from 21 Asian countries in the film. The story features Dante Basco (“Artificial”… Continue reading Movie Review: Asian Persuasion – North American Theatrical and Home Entertainment Release
SXSW 2025 Review – O’Dessa: an audacious rock opera
‘O’Dessa,’ directed by Geremy Jasper, is an audacious rock opera set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop that blends music, love, and adventure. The story follows a determined farm girl on a quest to recover a cherished family heirloom, leading her to a perilous city where she discovers her true love. This ambitious film is filled with… Continue reading SXSW 2025 Review – O’Dessa: an audacious rock opera
Crítica de la película: On Becoming a Guinea Fowl – Actuaciones dramáticas y poderosas
Director / Guionista: La película de Rungano Nyoni, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, se identifica en IMDb como ambos géneros de comedia y drama, pero personalmente no encuentro ninguna “comedia” en el guión. No encontré nada de qué reírme durante el visionado. El guión de Nyoni trata sobre un trauma que se ha mantenido en… Continue reading Crítica de la película: On Becoming a Guinea Fowl – Actuaciones dramáticas y poderosas
SXSW 2025 Festival Movie Review: Summer of 69
Jillian Bell’s Feature Directorial Debut *Spoilers Ahead*American pop culture is chock-a-block with coming-of-age teen comedy movies, with the grand queen undoubtedly being crowned upon Mean Girls, starring Lindsay Lohan and the consistently incredible Rachel McAdams. Even as a foreigner (South African born) and immigrating to America, I absolutely cannot deny the comfort and fun of kicking… Continue reading SXSW 2025 Festival Movie Review: Summer of 69