***Spoilers ahead*** ‘Mam’ is a triumph in its own beautiful, charming, and simplistic way. In this documentary-style fiction film, we watch a young man struggling in the New York iron jungle to build his life as we slowly learn that his real dream is to own a restaurant, where he can bring his Vietnamese culinary… Continue reading SXSW 2026 Film Review: Mam
Category: Festivals
SXSW 2026 – Over Your Dead Body: a fun, energetic mix of action, comedy, and thriller
Over Your Dead Body is one of those films that knows exactly what it is—and embraces it with a grin, fitting the theme that SXSW programmers appeared to promote for this festival – graphic violence and broken people. Directed by Jorma Taccone, the premise is deliciously simple: a dysfunctional couple heads to a remote cabin under the… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Over Your Dead Body: a fun, energetic mix of action, comedy, and thriller
SXSW 2026 – Sender:
I saw Sender at its world premiere during SXSW 2026, and it’s the kind of film that immediately pulls you in with a sharp, unsettling premise. Directed by Russell Goldman, the story follows Julia, played by Britt Lower, who is newly sober and newly unemployed, trying to rebuild her life in a quiet suburban rental.… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Sender:
SXSW 2026 – Chili Finger: bold, strange, and undeniably fun
I saw Chili Finger at its world premiere during SXSW 2026, and it’s one of those films that makes me laugh, wince, and then think a little longer than I expected. Directed by Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad, the movie takes a bizarre real-life premise and pushes it into dark, chaotic, and surprisingly thoughtful territory.… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Chili Finger: bold, strange, and undeniably fun
SXSW 2026-Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come fully embraces the chaos that made the first film memorable, and for better or worse, that same energy drives this sequel. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the film plunges Samara Weaving’s Grace back into another deadly game, and it wastes no time getting started. The production… Continue reading SXSW 2026-Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
SXSW 2026 – I Love Boosters: too chaotic to land solidly
With his SXSW 2026 opening night film, Boots Riley’s latest swings big — and I found myself both admiring aspects of it and shaking my head in equal measure. From the beginning, it’s clearly a Boots Riley film: bold, highly stylized, and full of color. The imagery is vivid and creative, almost intoxicating at times,… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – I Love Boosters: too chaotic to land solidly
SXSW Music Festival 2026: The Tiarras Return to Perform at Showcase and a Day Show
SXSW Music Festival is here once again in Austin, and I am so excited to report that Austin’s The Tiarras will be performing at the festival Showcase alongside other musical talent. The Rock/Indie Pop performance will be on March 14th at the Continental Club on South Congress. The performance will be open to Platinum and… Continue reading SXSW Music Festival 2026: The Tiarras Return to Perform at Showcase and a Day Show
FANTASTIC FEST 2025: Sirāt – draws you in and refuses to let go
Some films don’t just unfold before you — they draw you in and refuse to let go. Premiering at Fantastic Fest 2025, Sirāt, the latest from director Óliver Laxe, is one of those rare, compelling cinematic experiences. Shot with hypnotic beauty by cinematographer Mauro Herce, the film follows Luis (Sergi López, in one of his… Continue reading FANTASTIC FEST 2025: Sirāt – draws you in and refuses to let go
Fantastic Fest 2025: Sirāt Delivers Breathtaking Tension
I was not at all prepared for this movie. I was offered a guaranteed ticket and reserved seat, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to experience a film that would absolutely blow my mind. Though I read the synopsis offered by Fantastic Fest, I had no idea what kind of experience I would have.… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2025: Sirāt Delivers Breathtaking Tension
Fantastic Fest 2025: GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE
One of the secret screenings of Fantastic Fest came as a complete surprise to me. I had never heard of the movie, so when the title leaked before the screening, all I could do was shrug. I knew it was the newest movie from director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaker behind the first three Pirates of… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2025: GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE