Recientemente fui invitado a ver la película del escritor/director Alejandro Montoya Marín titulada The Unexpecteds. No fue el título de la película lo que de inmediato captó mi atención, sino el nombre del cineasta. Si se pregunta por qué, es porque me lo presentó el conocido cineasta de Austin, Robert Rodriguez, en 2018. Montoya Marín… Continue reading Critica de cine: The Unexpecteds – Una película de robo con una historia oportuna
Month: October 2025
Fantastic Fest 2025: BUGONIA – A Hilarious Exercise In Absurdity
The second secret screening of the festival this year was the newest film by Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos. In previous years, Fantastic Fest featured the director’s previous films, The Lobster and The Killing of A Sacred Deer, both of which became fan favorites. So, it came as little surprise that Bugonia would get programmed this… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2025: BUGONIA – A Hilarious Exercise In Absurdity
NOUVELLE VAGUE: Richard Linklater Recreates The 1959 French New Wave Scene
From 1958 to the 1960s, a film movement in France, known as the Nouvelle Vague (French New Wave), had a significant impact on the world of cinema, forever influencing arthouse and independent film. One particular filmmaker who was greatly affected by the movies of this movement is Richard Linklater. Some of the filmmaker’s dialogue-driven, “hang-out”… Continue reading NOUVELLE VAGUE: Richard Linklater Recreates The 1959 French New Wave Scene
FRANKENSTEIN: Guillermo Del Toro Brings His Beautiful Visual Style To A Timeless Classic
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is arguably the most influential work in literature, pop culture, and cinema. It has inspired creative works in movies, comic books, horror stories, and television. Though many filmmakers have adapted elements of the story, perhaps it was time for a visionary director to present it through his unique perspective. Guillermo Del Toro’s… Continue reading FRANKENSTEIN: Guillermo Del Toro Brings His Beautiful Visual Style To A Timeless Classic
AFF 2025 – American Baby: heartbreaking and eye-opening
Watching American Baby was a deeply emotional experience for me. As a grandmother of a clever and determined young girl who sometimes has that “it won’t happen to me” attitude, this story struck a nerve. The film’s realism is unrelenting—so genuine that it can be tense to watch at times—but that honesty is exactly what… Continue reading AFF 2025 – American Baby: heartbreaking and eye-opening
AFF 2025: (DON’T KNOW) HOW TO BE- An Existential Romantic Comedy
Salvador Espinosa directs, with Tato Alexander writing and starring in (don’t know) how to be: a fresh, authentic look at individuality and family challenges, seen through the eyes of two leading figures in Mexican filmmaking and comedy. The film premiered in the US at the Austin Film Festival on October 25 at the Galaxy Theater,… Continue reading AFF 2025: (DON’T KNOW) HOW TO BE- An Existential Romantic Comedy
AFF 2025: Sell Out – Austin Filmmakers Stand Out with New Feature
At the 32nd Annual Austin Film Festival, Sell Out was an opening night World Premiere on October 23rd at the State Theater. It is written and directed by Austin-based filmmaker brothers Nick and Josh Holden. The Holden brothers’ first feature film, The Golden Rut, premiered at the Austin Film Festival in 2016. Sell Out is… Continue reading AFF 2025: Sell Out – Austin Filmmakers Stand Out with New Feature
AFF 2025 – Miles Away: quietly moving and, in the end, surprisingly uplifting
Miles Away, which premiered at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, is one of those quiet, surprising films that sneaks up on you. Written, directed, and led by Jackie Quinones, it’s both simple in concept and remarkably layered in execution. The story unfolds almost entirely inside a car, where Jess—a rideshare driver with faded Hollywood dreams—spends… Continue reading AFF 2025 – Miles Away: quietly moving and, in the end, surprisingly uplifting
AFF 2025 – You’re Dating a Narcissist: not groundbreaking, but it’s witty, fun, and relatable
You’re Dating a Narcissist! screened at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, and while it’s not the kind of film that reinvents the romantic comedy, it’s an undeniably fun and lively ride. The setup is straightforward: an outspoken psychologist, played by Marisa Tomei, races to Los Angeles with her best friend (the always energetic Sherry Cola)… Continue reading AFF 2025 – You’re Dating a Narcissist: not groundbreaking, but it’s witty, fun, and relatable
AFF 2025 – Ethan Bloom: a simple story, big heart, and a lasting impression
I had the pleasure of seeing Ethan Bloom at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, and it turned out to be one of those quiet surprises that sticks with viewers long after the credits roll. On the surface, it’s a modest coming-of-age film about a middle school boy grappling with faith, grief, and first love—but what… Continue reading AFF 2025 – Ethan Bloom: a simple story, big heart, and a lasting impression