I entered Shelby Oaks at Fantastic Fest 2025 with fairly modest expectations — the premise sounded quite familiar, and I half-expected another typical horror mystery. Instead, I left surprised by how much the film stayed with me. It’s not perfect, but it’s smarter, eerier, and more emotionally grounded than I expected, with moments that truly… Continue reading FANTASTIC FEST 2025 – Shelby Oaks: smart, eerie, emotionally grounded
Month: October 2025
SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE – A Meditative Examination Of The Making Of The Nebraska Album That Feels Incomplete
I am a solid fan of Bruce Springsteen. I have grown to appreciate his songwriting as I have matured and have come to appreciate his artistry, along with the tremendous talents of his backing musicians. So, I was naturally stoked to see a cinematic take on Bruce. I was sold with the casting, because, even… Continue reading SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE – A Meditative Examination Of The Making Of The Nebraska Album That Feels Incomplete
BLUE MOON Showcases the Acting Range Of Ethan Hawke
Written by Robert Kaplow and directed by Richard Linklater, Blue Moon is a film that could be easily adapted into a great stage play. The movie mostly takes place in one location and is heavily driven by dialogue. This style is an absolute dream for actors wanting to display their range and talents, particularly that… Continue reading BLUE MOON Showcases the Acting Range Of Ethan Hawke
REGRETTING YOU: A Very Messy Film Despite Its Cast
I have never read Colleen Hoover’s books, but my first encounter with her work was through the screen adaptation of her popular novel, It Ends With Us. While I found the cinematic interpretation deeply flawed, I hoped Regretting You would offer a bolder, more compelling vision. Despite strong casting based on previous performances, the film… Continue reading REGRETTING YOU: A Very Messy Film Despite Its Cast
Austin Film Festival News: Sell Out – Austin Filmmakers and Cast Sounds Like a Blast
Sell Out, written and directed by brothers Nick and Josh Holden, will have its world premiere at the 32nd Annual Austin Film Festival. The Holden brothers’ first feature film, The Golden Rut, premiered at the 2016 Austin Film Festival. The filmmakers shared this statement through a press release: “We are beyond excited to share this… Continue reading Austin Film Festival News: Sell Out – Austin Filmmakers and Cast Sounds Like a Blast
Critica de cine Fantastic Fest: Black Phone 2 – Sustos fantásticos de un elenco excelente
Vi The Black Phone (2021) y me emocionó saber que habría una secuela. Cuando supe que el Fantastic Fest de este año ofrecería Black Phone 2, se convirtió fácilmente en una película muy esperada por mí en el festival de este año. Siempre es un gran momento en el festival estar sentado en un cine… Continue reading Critica de cine Fantastic Fest: Black Phone 2 – Sustos fantásticos de un elenco excelente
Fantastic Fest 2025: IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU Features An Incredible Turn By Rose Byrne
Though not the typical Fantastic Fest movie, I was nevertheless thrilled that the programmers included this incredible film by writer/director Mary Bronstein. It is definitely not a very entertaining or amusing film (though it has its moments of fun and humor), but it is undoubtedly a phenomenal experience. Leading the film’s cast is the lovable… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2025: IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU Features An Incredible Turn By Rose Byrne
FANTASTIC FEST 2025: Answering the Call Again – Black Phone 2 Delivers Chilling Tension and Strong Returns
Black Phone 2 proves that some nightmares never really end. Directed by Scott Derrickson and co-written with C. Robert Cargill, the film picks up four years after Finn killed his abductor and escaped, leaving him the only survivor of The Grabber. Finn, now a teenager, carries a hard-earned edge, while his sister Gwen is still haunted… Continue reading FANTASTIC FEST 2025: Answering the Call Again – Black Phone 2 Delivers Chilling Tension and Strong Returns
A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE Is Utterly Frightening and Disturbing
Primarily a procedural film, A House of Dynamite examines the workings of our government in the event of a nuclear war. Written by Noah Oppenheim and directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the film takes its audience into a highly realistic process of how our government would deal with a nuclear weapon attack on our country. The… Continue reading A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE Is Utterly Frightening and Disturbing
AFTER THE HUNT Gives Some Insight Into What Divides Us
Written by Nora Garrett and directed by Luca Guardagnino, After the Hunt presents a fictional scenario that reflects the current state of our world. The film gives a sharp commentary about power politics, inappropriate behavior, generational differences, and the impact that results from both. The movie never offers any easy answers and does an excellent… Continue reading AFTER THE HUNT Gives Some Insight Into What Divides Us