Tuner surprised me in the best possible way. What begins as a stylish crime thriller gradually reveals itself to be something far more human and emotionally resonant. The film balances tension and tenderness with remarkable confidence, creating a story that feels both intimate and dangerous. Leo Woodall is excellent as Niki, a gifted piano tuner… Continue reading Tuner: a story that feels both intimate and dangerous
Author: Laurie Coker
Odyssey- a tense London crime thriller
Odyssey is the kind of gritty, tense London crime thriller that slowly pulls you under its skin. I honestly wish I had caught it during its SXSW run because it feels exactly like the sort of late-night festival discovery that sparks conversation afterward. Directed by Gerard Johnson, the film drops viewers into a pressure-cooker world of debt, desperation,… Continue reading Odyssey- a tense London crime thriller
Remarkably Bright Creatures: a gentle, character-driven story that finds its strength in connection and quiet observation
Remarkably Bright Creatures, directed by Olivia Newman and adapted from Shelby Van Pelt’s novel, unfolded for me as a gentle, character-driven story that finds its strength in connection and quiet observation. I could feel the screenplay’s affection for the source material, and I appreciated how the narrative moved at an unhurried pace while still holding… Continue reading Remarkably Bright Creatures: a gentle, character-driven story that finds its strength in connection and quiet observation
The Sheep Detectives: family-friendly fleesy mystery
I have always had a soft spot for mysteries. That love goes back to childhood, when my mom filled our home with detective novels and instilled in me her appreciation for a good whodunit. She would have loved The Sheep Detectives, a film that takes the familiar structure and reimagines it in a way that… Continue reading The Sheep Detectives: family-friendly fleesy mystery
SXSW 2026 – Over Your Dead Body: a fun, energetic mix of action, comedy, and thriller
Over Your Dead Body is one of those films that knows exactly what it is—and embraces it with a grin, fitting the theme that SXSW programmers appeared to promote for this festival – graphic violence and broken people. Directed by Jorma Taccone, the premise is deliciously simple: a dysfunctional couple heads to a remote cabin under the… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Over Your Dead Body: a fun, energetic mix of action, comedy, and thriller
Just Sing: a quietly engaging documentary that favors connection over competition.
Just Sing (Dirs. Abraham Troen & Angelique Molina) opens in theaters on April 24 and unfolds as a quietly engaging documentary that favors connection over competition. The film settles into its rhythm early and well, and never feels rushed or overly contrived. Instead, it allows moments to breathe, giving the material a natural and unforced… Continue reading Just Sing: a quietly engaging documentary that favors connection over competition.
SXSW 2026-Normal (on 35mm): wildly inplausible and wholly fun!
I saw Normal (on 35mm) at its U.S. premiere during SXSW 2026, and it’s the kind of film that feels like it’s quietly sizing viewers up before deciding how far it’s going to go. Directed by Ben Wheatley and starring Bob Odenkirk, it opens with a sense of stillness that feels almost deceptive. The town… Continue reading SXSW 2026-Normal (on 35mm): wildly inplausible and wholly fun!
SXSW 2026 – Margo’s Got Money Trouble: now streaming on Apple TV
I’ve now seen the first three episodes of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and I’ll say this up front—I liked it more than I expected, even if I’m still a little unsure about parts of it. It’s clever in ways that sneak up on you, and while it definitely feels geared toward a female audience, there’s… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Margo’s Got Money Trouble: now streaming on Apple TV
SXSW 2026- Edie Arnold is a Loser: lost me
Edie Arnold is a Loser ended up being, unfortunately, my least favorite film of SXSW 2026—and not the note I wanted to end the festival on. I went in with reasonable expectations, especially knowing it was a Buzz screening, but I still expected something sharper, funnier, or at least more cohesive than what we got.… Continue reading SXSW 2026- Edie Arnold is a Loser: lost me
SXSW 2026 -Imposters: falls just short of uniting its ideas
Imposters is one of those films where I can understand why it resonated with many people, even if it didn’t fully work for me. Written and directed by Caleb Phillips, the film begins with a jarring, unsettling sequence that immediately pulls you in and establishes a dark tone. It signals right away that this isn’t… Continue reading SXSW 2026 -Imposters: falls just short of uniting its ideas