Author: Laurie Coker

‘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

‘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

‘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

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

Director Michael Vlamis’ ‘Crossword’ is an elegantly crafted thriller that dives into the haunting complexities of grief, obsession, and the painful fragmentation of a family dealing with the worst imaginable tragedy. The story follows Tessa (Aurora Perrineau) and James (Michael Vlamis), a couple torn apart by the accidental drowning of their young daughter. Each character… Continue reading Austin Film Festival: Crossword – a haunting thriller about unthinkable loss

Sam O’Mahony’s The Wise Guy is a heartfelt, whimsical story of resilience, told through the eyes of Francis, an eleven-year-old whose life is turned upside down by his parents’ separation. Through a series of delicate, touching moments and vibrant characters, O’Mahony brings a narrative that is as much about finding one’s way in a fractured… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: The Wise Guy – a beautiful story of resilience

The Piano Lesson, the opening night film of the Austin Film Festival, is a profoundly moving directorial debut for Malcolm Washington, son of Denzel Washington, who co-produces alongside him. Starring John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, and the inimitable Samuel L. Jackson, this adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play brings the haunting drama of a family… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: The Piano Lesson – a memorable opening night film