High flying blockbuster action movie Roadhouse is a 2024 remake of the riveting Patrick Swayze 1980s original, about a down-and-out cage fighter who receives an offer from a bar owner to provide door security, only to find out there are nefarious dealings under the surface. Even if I didn’t watch this movie at the World… Continue reading SXSW Review: Roadhouse
Author: Jordi Levinrad
SXSW Review: The Truth vs Alex Jones
Why are people so thirsty for lies that can be debunked in a second? This movie is a startling and fascinating documentary directed, produced and filmed by Dan Reed. It provides a case study about what is happening in today’s social-media infected world, where atrocious lies can be told and spread causing terribly unimaginable harm… Continue reading SXSW Review: The Truth vs Alex Jones
SXSW 2024: Ghostlight – A Triumphant Drama
‘Ghostlight’ is a full length featured comedy/drama written and directed by Kelly O’Sullivan with director support from Alex Thompson. It is an exceptionally smart film exploring the themes of suicide, loss and grief, and how participation in performance art can lift a grieving family out of its despair and provide a shining light in a… Continue reading SXSW 2024: Ghostlight – A Triumphant Drama
Love Lies Bleeding – A Multifaceted Victory for Director, Rose Glass
*Careful for Spoilers* Kristen Stewart is reborn on screen from her adolescent ‘Twilight’ days in this Rose Glass written and directed thematic concoction, where love story/crime drama/lgbtq+/mystery and thriller are enmeshed. The film features a stylish synth wave 80s soundtrack, which worked exceedingly well mixed with the warm and grainy analog film style typical of… Continue reading Love Lies Bleeding – A Multifaceted Victory for Director, Rose Glass
SXSW 2024: Never Look Away – Documentaries Like These Are What Really Educate Society
Lucy Lawless (of ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ fame) makes an astounding arrival with her directorial debut of ‘Never Look Away’, which gives viewers a heartbreaking glimpse into the life of courageous combat camerawoman Margaret Moth and her adventures under gunfire in the 90s… her backstory, and her days in the field with CNN. Lucy Lawless has… Continue reading SXSW 2024: Never Look Away – Documentaries Like These Are What Really Educate Society
SXSW 2024 Short: LULLABY – forgettable and a little sleepy
Director Chi THAI MIDNIGHT SHORT COMPETITION 2023 – Run Time 14 minutes Horror, Drama Language: Vietnamese UNITED KINGDOM This short offers a glimpse into the life of a female refugee stuck in her unlivable servitude as a seamstress, where she is haunted menacingly by visions of her deceased child who drowned. The film lacks that… Continue reading SXSW 2024 Short: LULLABY – forgettable and a little sleepy
SXSW 2024 Short: TOSSERS – Uncontrollable belly laughs, anyone?
Directors: Bryce VAN LEUVEN, Chase BLOCK SXSW 2024 INDEPENDENT TV PILOT COMPETITION 2023 – 33 minutes Comedy, TV Series Hold the phone, stop everything… this comedy tv series was so much fun and the characters so instantly lovable that it simply MUST be green-lit for a full series offering! Everyone from Bryce Van Leuven (who… Continue reading SXSW 2024 Short: TOSSERS – Uncontrollable belly laughs, anyone?
SXSW 2024 Short: The School of Canine Massage
An Overload of Cuteness Director Emma D. MILLER DOCUMENTARY SHORT COMPETITION 2024 – 11 minutes Offers a simple yet fascinating glimpse into the happenings of a unique canine massage facility out in Ojai California, where dog lovers bring their furry companions for massage sessions in what seems to be a class setting. Director Emma D.… Continue reading SXSW 2024 Short: The School of Canine Massage
SXSW 2024 Short: Trapped
Directors: Sam CUTLER-KREUTZ, David CUTLER-KREUTZ SXSW24 NARRATIVE SHORT COMPETITION 2024 – 15 minutes Drama, Social issues, Thriller This Short was gripping from start to finish. No surprise it emerged victorious at this year’s SXSW film fest winning best entry in the Narrative short competition, as voted by the Jury. Excellent performance by the janitor played… Continue reading SXSW 2024 Short: Trapped
Lisa Frankenstein – Excessive comedy at the expense of thrills
Mary Shelley’s vintage 1818 novel ‘Frankenstein’ gets a campy, melodramatic 80’s re-imagining fraught with teased hair, an overdose of fishnet, plenty of blood splatter, and some killer tunes from that era… pun intended. It became evident early on in this movie that the groovy 80s soundtrack may just be the best thing about the film,… Continue reading Lisa Frankenstein – Excessive comedy at the expense of thrills