Watching American Baby was a deeply emotional experience for me. As a grandmother of a clever and determined young girl who sometimes has that “it won’t happen to me” attitude, this story struck a nerve. The film’s realism is unrelenting—so genuine that it can be tense to watch at times—but that honesty is exactly what… Continue reading AFF 2025 – American Baby: heartbreaking and eye-opening
Author: Laurie Coker
AFF 2025 – Miles Away: quietly moving and, in the end, surprisingly uplifting
Miles Away, which premiered at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, is one of those quiet, surprising films that sneaks up on you. Written, directed, and led by Jackie Quinones, it’s both simple in concept and remarkably layered in execution. The story unfolds almost entirely inside a car, where Jess—a rideshare driver with faded Hollywood dreams—spends… Continue reading AFF 2025 – Miles Away: quietly moving and, in the end, surprisingly uplifting
AFF 2025 – You’re Dating a Narcissist: not groundbreaking, but it’s witty, fun, and relatable
You’re Dating a Narcissist! screened at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, and while it’s not the kind of film that reinvents the romantic comedy, it’s an undeniably fun and lively ride. The setup is straightforward: an outspoken psychologist, played by Marisa Tomei, races to Los Angeles with her best friend (the always energetic Sherry Cola)… Continue reading AFF 2025 – You’re Dating a Narcissist: not groundbreaking, but it’s witty, fun, and relatable
AFF 2025 – Ethan Bloom: a simple story, big heart, and a lasting impression
I had the pleasure of seeing Ethan Bloom at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, and it turned out to be one of those quiet surprises that sticks with viewers long after the credits roll. On the surface, it’s a modest coming-of-age film about a middle school boy grappling with faith, grief, and first love—but what… Continue reading AFF 2025 – Ethan Bloom: a simple story, big heart, and a lasting impression
AFF 2025 – Cruel Hands:
Some films subtly creep under your skin, tightening their hold until you realize you’ve been holding your breath. Cruel Hands, directed by Al Kalyk and co-written with Matthew Kalyk, is one of those films. I saw it at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, and although I couldn’t stay for the Q&A afterward, the story has… Continue reading AFF 2025 – Cruel Hands:
AFF 2025-Crystal Cross: a story of love, hope, and second chances
Premiering at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, Crystal Cross surprised me in the best way. On paper, it sounds like just another indie road movie—two strangers with baggage hitting the road—but Richie James Follin’s debut as writer, director, and star elevates that premise into something much more heartfelt. It’s a story of love, hope, and… Continue reading AFF 2025-Crystal Cross: a story of love, hope, and second chances
FANTASTIC FEST 2025 – Shelby Oaks: smart, eerie, emotionally grounded
I entered Shelby Oaks at Fantastic Fest 2025 with fairly modest expectations — the premise sounded quite familiar, and I half-expected another typical horror mystery. Instead, I left surprised by how much the film stayed with me. It’s not perfect, but it’s smarter, eerier, and more emotionally grounded than I expected, with moments that truly… Continue reading FANTASTIC FEST 2025 – Shelby Oaks: smart, eerie, emotionally grounded
FANTASTIC FEST 2025: Answering the Call Again – Black Phone 2 Delivers Chilling Tension and Strong Returns
Black Phone 2 proves that some nightmares never really end. Directed by Scott Derrickson and co-written with C. Robert Cargill, the film picks up four years after Finn killed his abductor and escaped, leaving him the only survivor of The Grabber. Finn, now a teenager, carries a hard-earned edge, while his sister Gwen is still haunted… Continue reading FANTASTIC FEST 2025: Answering the Call Again – Black Phone 2 Delivers Chilling Tension and Strong Returns
Monster Within: built on sincerity and ambition
Some films have all the right ingredients — a heartfelt premise, a meaningful metaphor, and a profoundly personal creative vision — yet still struggle to come together fully. Monsters Within, written, directed, produced, and led by Devin Montgomery (Worm), is one of those films. It’s a project built on sincerity and ambition, but its execution… Continue reading Monster Within: built on sincerity and ambition
Shakey Grounds:
Some films arrive with modest ambitions and humble budgets but still manage to reach for something deeper — a sense of emotional truth, a spark of humanity that lingers after the credits. Shakey Grounds, directed by Michael Garcia and written by Trace Slobotkin, fits neatly into that category. It’s a small, heartfelt drama that doesn’t… Continue reading Shakey Grounds: