Nicolas Winding Refn, the director behind Bronson, Drive, and other films with artistic appeal, comes with his latest movie, which looks quite pretty but has a muddled, undecipherable plot. I am not exactly sure what message Refn is trying to convey through his latest film. The movie presents some semblance of a coherent idea, but… Continue reading HER PRIVATE HELL: A Gorgeous Looking Film Derailed By Its Writing
Month: July 2026
Movie News: AFS Cinema Summer Screenings Kick Off with ASCO: Without Permission
The AFS Cinema Summer Screening series is a partnership between Cine Las Americas and the Austin Film Society. The first screening was held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, starting with a film that feels especially fitting for Austin’s arts community. ASCO: Without Permission brings a piece of Los Angeles art history to the screen and… Continue reading Movie News: AFS Cinema Summer Screenings Kick Off with ASCO: Without Permission
THE ODYSSEY: Christopher Nolan’s Cinematic Adaptation
Homer’s Odyssey is an iconic work of ancient literature that has influenced major contributions to fantasy literature, as well as quintessential entries in storytelling and cinema. Writer/director Christopher Nolan, known for his incredible films, attempts to adapt this classic story with some modern context, but at the same time, honors and celebrates the spectacle delivered… Continue reading THE ODYSSEY: Christopher Nolan’s Cinematic Adaptation
The Prowler – Next Festival Run at LA Shorts International Film Festival
The psychological horror short, The Prowler, written, directed, and edited by Puerto Rican filmmaker Christopher Piñero, has had a successful run on the genre festival circuit. The film was an Official Selection of Another Hole in the Head (2025) and this year at Panic Fest and the Chattanooga Film Festival. The next scheduled screening will… Continue reading The Prowler – Next Festival Run at LA Shorts International Film Festival
Moana: not as good as the first, but enjoyable
Notably, I am a huge fan of the original animated film and an even bigger fan of Dwayne Johnson. The 2016 animated version is one of those movies that just works for me — the music, the humor, the emotion, the ocean, and the relationship between Moana and Maui work. So, with any live-action remake,… Continue reading Moana: not as good as the first, but enjoyable
CLAIFF 2026: GANGLAND: A Solid Thriller
This year, the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival delivered some great treats, including a special screening of the new indigenous-themed film Gangland, starring Lou Diamond Phillips. Now, when CLAIFF screened the movie, it went by the title Keep Quiet, a title I honestly prefer, but that doesn’t change my opinion of the movie at… Continue reading CLAIFF 2026: GANGLAND: A Solid Thriller
MOANA: Another Pointless Disney Live Action Remake
Ten years ago, Disney released a remarkable animated movie that brimmed with life, great music, and a story celebrating Polynesian culture, and it has made its mark in cinema. For some reason (easy money), Disney has decided in their “great” master plan to save cinema that they should do another (sigh) live-action remake of their… Continue reading MOANA: Another Pointless Disney Live Action Remake