Fantestic Fest 2024: A Different Man

A Different Man is a striking and thought-provoking exploration of identity, transformation, and the pursuit of acceptance. Directed by Aaron Schimberg, this indie film delves deep into the psyche of its protagonist, Edward, played with remarkable intensity by Sebastian Stan. Edward suffers from neurofibromatosis, a condition that results in non-cancerous tumors growing on his face,… Continue reading Fantestic Fest 2024: A Different Man

Fantastic Fest 2024: The Rule of Jenny Penn

Matt Henley

The Rule of Jenny Pen is a rare gem in the horror genre, offering a unique and nuanced portrayal of aging that is sure to intrigue and captivate audiences. Directed by James Ashcroft, this New Zealand thriller takes a familiar horror trope—fear of the elderly—and flips it on its head, treating its aging characters with… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024: The Rule of Jenny Penn

Fantestic Fest 2024: The Wild Robot

The Wild Robot is an enchanting and heartwarming animated adventure that offers a fresh take on the “fish out of water” story, blending science fiction with themes of survival, family, and connection. The film, adapted from Peter Brown’s popular book, follows Roz, a ROZZUM unit 7134, a shipwrecked robot who finds herself stranded on an… Continue reading Fantestic Fest 2024: The Wild Robot

Movie Review: The Seed of Truth Hollyshorts Film Festival – Continues on to the Catalina Film Festival

The Seed of Truth is a short film screened during the Hollyshorts Film Festival. The film continues the film festival circuit, screening in September and October at the Catalina Film Festival, NoHo Cinefest, and Raw Science Film Festival. According to a statement by filmmaker W. Y. Geng, “The inspiration for the film came from a… Continue reading Movie Review: The Seed of Truth Hollyshorts Film Festival – Continues on to the Catalina Film Festival

Fantastic Fest Movie Review: Faces – Showing in the Short Fuse Block

Faces is an award-winning short film playing at Fantastic Fest 2024 in the Short Fuse Block during the opening weekend. Written and directed by Blake Simon (Red Velvet, Goldilocks), the film recently won the Audience Award Gold for Best International Short Film at the Fantasia Film Festival 2024 this summer. The film cast includes Cailyn… Continue reading Fantastic Fest Movie Review: Faces – Showing in the Short Fuse Block

Fantastic Fest Movie Review: Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire

Writer/Director Stuart Ortiz has a new feature, Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire, that celebrated the World Premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX, this weekend. Although I knew going into the theater that this is not a factual documentary, the excellent story Ortiz has written will undoubtedly have you thinking this is… Continue reading Fantastic Fest Movie Review: Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire

Fantastic Fest 2024: World Premieres to See Among the Many This Year

Fantastic Fest, the largest genre film festival in the US, specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and action movies worldwide, is now upon us. Starting Thursday, September 19, in Austin, TX, features and shorts are too numerous to list at once, but here are some for your consideration. FANTASTIC FEST WORLD PREMIERES AJ GOES to the… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024: World Premieres to See Among the Many This Year

FF Movie Review: Don’t Say It – World Premiere at the Studio City International Film Festival

Directed by Stephen Ward and written by actor/producer Rich Grosso, P.J. Marino, and Jessica Abrams, this story is about a romance between two mature individuals who “weren’t looking for anyone” when they meet, but there is interest. There is humor and drama, as is to be expected in relationships, and more so when there is… Continue reading FF Movie Review: Don’t Say It – World Premiere at the Studio City International Film Festival

Movie News: Going Varsity in Mariachi is Now Available on Netflix – Mariachi Programs in Texas Schools

Going Varsity in Mariachi is a documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last year and then was in the Festival Favorites category of the SXSW Film & Television Festival, where I viewed the film in the beautiful and historical Paramount Theater here in Austin, TX. The film, directed by Sam Osborn and Alejandra… Continue reading Movie News: Going Varsity in Mariachi is Now Available on Netflix – Mariachi Programs in Texas Schools