AFF 2024: Spetember 5 – a tense take on Munich 1972

At first glance, ‘September 5’ might complement Spielberg’s Munich, both films addressing the tragic hostage crisis at the 1972 Olympics. However, Tim Fehlbaum’s intense drama zeroes in on a different angle: the ethical and logistical challenges faced by journalists trying to cover an unprecedented act of terrorism as it unfolded live. Set entirely in ABC’s… Continue reading AFF 2024: Spetember 5 – a tense take on Munich 1972

Coker’s Top 10 Best and Worst Films of 2024

Best Films of 2024: A Year of Bold Storytelling 2024 was an interesting, if not strange, year for cinema, with filmmakers pushing boundaries and telling stories that resonated deeply. Here are my top picks for the year, showcasing the diversity and creativity of storytelling on screen. Wicked Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia… Continue reading Coker’s Top 10 Best and Worst Films of 2024

The Six Triple Eight – Perry’s take on the long over-due story of first all-Black, all-female Women’s Army Corps

Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams. Bob Mahoney/Perry Well Films 2/Netflix

Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight brings to the screen a fascinating and long-overdue story about the 6888th Central Postal Battalion, the first and only all-Black, all-female Women’s Army Corps unit deployed overseas during World War II. Inspired by actual events, the film centers on their mission to tackle a mountain of undelivered mail accumulated… Continue reading The Six Triple Eight – Perry’s take on the long over-due story of first all-Black, all-female Women’s Army Corps

Moana 2: while lacking is a visual and auditory triumph

“Moana 2” sets sail into the world of its predecessor with dazzling animation and standout voice performances, yet its narrative struggles to capture the magic and emotional depth of the original film. Despite its uneven story, the sequel remains a visual and auditory triumph, with a talented cast that brings the characters to life, especially Auli’i… Continue reading Moana 2: while lacking is a visual and auditory triumph

Bonhoeffer: a compelling character study and a timely moral parable

Todd Komarnicki’s ‘Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin’ brings the extraordinary life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—a theologian who took a dangerous stand against Adolf Hitler—to the big screen. While the film wrestles with moments of uneven pacing and biographical tropes, it ultimately succeeds as a compelling character study and a timely moral parable. Set against the backdrop of… Continue reading Bonhoeffer: a compelling character study and a timely moral parable

Wicked:Soars Beyond Expectations

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked

Seeing Wicked’s original Broadway cast in 2004 from the front-row center was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and this film adaptation remarkably captures that magic. Director Jon M. Chu, despite some uneven choices, delivers a stunning, immersive take that lives up to the musical’s legacy, thanks largely to its phenomenal leads and a dazzling ensemble cast. Cynthia Erivo… Continue reading Wicked:Soars Beyond Expectations

Austin Film Festival 2024: A Real Pain – Eisenberg’s sophomore effort

Jesse Eisenberg’s second feature film as a director, ‘A Real Pain,’ takes a somewhat worn road-trip formula and uses it to probe deeper themes of familial tension, grief, and Jewish identity. Following cousins Benji (Kieran Culkin) and David (Jesse Eisenberg) as they journey through Poland, the film combines quirky indie beats with somber reflections on… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: A Real Pain – Eisenberg’s sophomore effort

Heretic – more talk than thrill

Hugh Grant in Heretic

In Heretic, directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods turn the horror genre on its head, using conversation instead of suspenseful silence to tell a chilling story. The film takes the premise of a theological debate between a pair of innocent Mormon missionaries and an unsettling host. It stretches it to its limits, pushing the audience… Continue reading Heretic – more talk than thrill

AFF 2024: Time Travel is Dangerous

‘Time Travel Is Dangerous!’ is a delightful yet imperfect British sci-fi comedy that mixes absurdity with a generous dose of nostalgia. Directed by Chris Reading and co-written by sisters Anna-Elizabeth and Hillary Shakespeare, the film follows real-life best friends Ruth (Ruth Syratt) and Megan (Megan Stevenson) as they run a vintage bric-a-brac shop in Muswell… Continue reading AFF 2024: Time Travel is Dangerous