At SXSW 2026, I saw the world premiere of Dead Deer High, a film that hits on a deeply personal level—especially for anyone who has spent time in a classroom or understands the burden teachers carry. Directed by Jo Rochelle and written by Joshua Roark, the film follows a high school slam poetry team and… Continue reading SXSW 2026- Dead Deer High: resonates on multiple levels
Category: Festivals
SXSW 2026 – Pizza Movie
Seeing this at an SXSW screening captured the kind of festival-themed, unpredictable energy that audiences love. Directed by Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher, the film plunges viewers straight into chaos and hardly pauses to explain itself. From my point of view, it’s one of those comedies where you either go along for the ride or get left behind, because… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Pizza Movie
SXSW 2026: PRETTY LETHAL Is Gruesome, Bloody Fun, Even If It Doesn’t Make Sense
Violent carnage reigned at SXSW this year, so it is fitting that a movie about a ballet troupe in peril would turn its protagonists into action heroes. Writer Kate Freund and director Vicky Jewson offer an imaginative, creatively realized film that celebrates the strength and athleticism of ballet dancers without sacrificing the grace and beauty… Continue reading SXSW 2026: PRETTY LETHAL Is Gruesome, Bloody Fun, Even If It Doesn’t Make Sense
SXSW 2026 Film Review: The Pirate King
The Heart in this Film is Uniquely Tremendous This is a phenomenally touching drama depicting a father’s quest to maintain his relationship with his daughter after a divorce in the face of heavy PTSD and thoughts of suicide after active military duty. The film is a love letter to veterans, honoring them in such a… Continue reading SXSW 2026 Film Review: The Pirate King
SXSW 2026 – Pretty Lethal: pretty violent, pretty bloody
At SXSW 2026, I watched the world premiere of Pretty Lethal, and it’s an action-packed thriller that doesn’t hold back. Directed by Vicky Jewson and written by Kate Freund, the film follows five ballerinas stranded in a remote forest who take refuge at a mysterious roadside inn. What begins as an unsettling scenario quickly escalates… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Pretty Lethal: pretty violent, pretty bloody
SXSW 2026 – Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice: loud, ridiculous, stylish, and unapologetically fun
At SXSW 2026, I attended the World Premiere of Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, and it’s exactly the kind of movie you hope for in a packed festival lineup—loud, ridiculous, stylish, and unapologetically fun. Written and directed by Ben David Grabinski, this R-rated action-comedy throws logic out the window and replaces it with… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice: loud, ridiculous, stylish, and unapologetically fun
SXSW26 Film Review: Forbidden Fruits
***spoilers ahead*** Fun and Evil with a Touch of Yawns Forbidden Fruits is a horror-comedy adapted from a play by Lily Houghton and starring Lili Reinhart (Riverdale), Lola Tung (The Summer I Turned Pretty), and Victoria Pedretti (You). There is no denying it: Lili Reinhart is absolute magic on screen. She has been oozing charisma… Continue reading SXSW26 Film Review: Forbidden Fruits
SXSW 2026 Film Review: Chasing Summer
There is something inherently perfect about watching a specific film premiere at SXSW that also serves as a vibrant, adorable love letter to the Lone Star State. Since most of the production was shot right here in Texas, the atmosphere at the premiere screening was electric. A perfect match for a film that leans into… Continue reading SXSW 2026 Film Review: Chasing Summer
SXSW 2026 Film Review: The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel
The New GOAT of Music Documentaries Last week I was fortunate enough to witness the premiere of my new favorite music documentary, The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel. Please enjoy my review… and just a heads-up, it contains some spoilers. On a personal note, my respect and admiration for this… Continue reading SXSW 2026 Film Review: The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel
SXSW 2026 – The Saviors: doesn’t quite hit its target
The Saviors is one of those films I wanted to like more than I did. It has a compelling setup, a strong cast, and a clear intention behind what it’s trying to say. To be fair, there were moments when it genuinely pulled me in. I found parts of the mystery engaging, even if I… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – The Saviors: doesn’t quite hit its target