I have not viewed all the films by Dutch writer/director Alex van Warmerdam (Borgman) and his 10th feature film, NR. 10, presented by Drafthouse Films is certainly one that you cannot call predictable. Reading the synopsis, I was anticipating another story than what I viewed. The very well written script takes the viewer on one… Continue reading NR. 10
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VIOLENT NIGHT
For someone who walks up to the theater window on the spur of the moment to watch a new Christmas movie, please know that the film Violent Night is NOT a family-friendly film. The title says it all. This is a dark comedy at Christmas time with plenty of action and violence. Santa doesn’t seek… Continue reading VIOLENT NIGHT
Austin Film Festival 2022: NANNY
An immigrant’s experience in America is just as unique as anyone’s life is anywhere. And that is the main takeaway I drew from watching this unique and sometimes bewildering film by writer/director Nikyatu Jusu. Jusu’s Nanny paints a portrait of a character struggling with her new life in America, working as a domestic, while clinging… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2022: NANNY
Fantastic Fest 2022: BONES AND ALL
From acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino comes his adaptation of the 2015 horror/romance novel of the same name. Though I have not read Camile DeAngelis’ book, Bones and All, and knew absolutely nothing about the story, I attended this Fantastic Fest screening simply because it was directed by Guadagnino. After having much admiration for some of… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2022: BONES AND ALL
THE FABELMANS
Steven Spielberg, arguably America’s most seminal filmmaker, has chosen his newest movie to tell his most personal story–the story of how he became a filmmaker. While The Fabelmans is supposedly a semi-autobiographical story of his upbringing, as a Jewish-American child living in America, and how he became a celebrated and acclaimed film director, so much… Continue reading THE FABELMANS
Austin Film Festival 2022: GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY
For the closing night film of this year’s Austin Film Festival comes the excitedly-awaited sequel to Rian Johnson’s acclaimed murder mystery Knives Out. Well, as most people expect, sequels are not usually as good as the first movie that preceded them. And that is actually the case with Glass Onion. However, Rian Johnson has lots… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2022: GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY
STRANGE WORLD
From Walt Disney Studios comes an animated adventure which definitely wears its influences like a badge of pride and admiration. And that’s totally fine. The filmmakers behind Strange World know that their movie is not a complete work of originality, but obviously have much love for better similar adventures such as Journey to the Center… Continue reading STRANGE WORLD
DEVOTION
Even though I very much enjoyed Top Gun: Maverick, there are two inspiring movies about military service that genuinely my heart this year. The first is The Inspection, which tells the true story of a gay man serving in the Marine Corps, despite the prejudice and adversity he faces. The other is another true story… Continue reading DEVOTION
Austin Film Festival 2022: THE INSPECTION
Writer/director Elegance Bratton uses his first narrative feature film to tell his true story. Bratton, who had a rough life as a gay man raised by an ultra-conservative mother, found himself homeless and struggling to survive as a young adult. Totally lost and not knowing what to do with his life, he decides to enlist… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2022: THE INSPECTION
Guillermo Del Toro’s PINOCCHIO
Guillermo del Toro and co-director Mark Gustafson have decided to adapt one of the more legendary fairy tales that has fueled the imaginations of children since it was first published in 1883. Now while Disney has reigned as what was previously considered the definitive version of the story for decades, that doesn’t mean that it… Continue reading Guillermo Del Toro’s PINOCCHIO