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
Author: Laurie Coker
Wicked:Soars Beyond Expectations
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
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
Austin Film Festival 2024: To Kill a Wolf – a haunting exploration of human frailty
‘To Kill a Wolf’, directed by James Remington, is a haunting exploration of human frailty, resilience, and unexpected companionship set against the brooding landscape of the Oregon wilderness. This introspective drama follows two fractured souls—a reclusive woodsman (Ivan Martin) and a teenage runaway, Dani (Maddison Brown)— brought together by fate and necessity. It’s a story… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: To Kill a Wolf – a haunting exploration of human frailty
Austin Film Festival 2024: Color Book- a tale of love and loss
‘Color Book,’ directed by David Fortune, is a poignant exploration of love, resilience, and community through the bond between a father and son. The story follows Lucky, a recently widowed father played with remarkable depth by William Catlett, as he embarks on a journey with his son Mason, portrayed with authenticity by Jeremiah Alexander Daniels,… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: Color Book- a tale of love and loss
Austin Film Festival 2024: Black Dog -a slowburn Western-esque man and his dog tale
In ‘Black Dog’, director Guan Hu brings his lens to the edges of the Gobi Desert, capturing a dusty, desolate town in northwestern China where modernity and isolation clash with striking visual detail. The story follows Lang (Eddie Peng), an ex-con returning to his hometown after serving time for an alleged murder. Lang’s homecoming isn’t… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: Black Dog -a slowburn Western-esque man and his dog tale
Austin Film Festival 2024: Adjunct – a heartfelt indie film
In his heartfelt indie film Adjunct, writer-director Ron Najor plays the dual roles of leading actor and filmmaker. The film tells the story of a struggling academic who discovers the precariousness of his place in the academic world. Unassuming yet thought-provoking, Adjunct is a profoundly personal exploration of purpose and resilience in a system that… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: Adjunct – a heartfelt indie film
Austin Film Festival 2024: Bird – A haunting exploration of childhood
Andrea Arnold’s ‘Bird’ is a poetic, haunting exploration of childhood on society’s fringes, anchored by a mesmerizing performance from Nykiya Adams as Bailey, a 12-year-old girl navigating the harsh realities of life in Gravesend, North Kent. Arnold crafts a coming-of-age tale pulsing with raw authenticity and wonder, capturing the bittersweet journey of growing up amid… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: Bird – A haunting exploration of childhood