For most of the broadcast, the 2022 Oscars seemed to go without a hitch. The stars were all dressed well, filmmakers and actors received awards, musical numbers were performed, and the hosts and awards presenters made jokes. It wall all business as usual. That is, until one particular joke triggered a violent and controversial response.… Continue reading THE 94TH ACADEMY AWARDS
Category: Banner Slideshow
The Yellow Wallpaper
I haven’t taught in years, but when I did, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, was a staple in the sophomore literature text. The film by the same name, adapted and directed by Kevin Pontuti, stays true (for all but the ending) to the source. Pontuti manages to capture the psychological… Continue reading The Yellow Wallpaper
SXSW – TONY HAWK: UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF
My son’s first skateboard was a Tony Hawk board – I remember it well, and I remember how in awe my son was of the champion trickster. Hawk is not a stranger to documentaries, but Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off sheds more light on the skating phenom than others have and shares insights… Continue reading SXSW – TONY HAWK: UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF
SXSW 2022: THE LOST CITY
The Lost City is one of those movies that hopes to reignite a flame and love for escapist cinema through the romantically comedic action genre. I am sure there are people who will cry, “Rip Off!” after watching this movie. And that might be a fair thing to claim. However, I feel that the people… Continue reading SXSW 2022: THE LOST CITY
SXSW 2022: SELL/BUY/DATE
Sarah Jones is an artist whose controversial play, Sell/Buy/Date, has affected audiences in a multitude of ways. The playwright/performer has made a film that comes across as a hybrid feature that mixes elements of her stage production and a documentary that shows the aftermath of her play. The result is a rather fascinating and thought-provoking… Continue reading SXSW 2022: SELL/BUY/DATE
SXSW: APOLLO 10 1/2
The name “Boomer” seems to have a super negative connotation for some – namely millennials, but I am proud to have grown up when drinking out of the hose, climbing trees, having dirt fights, swimming in the resaca, catching fireflies, playing freeze tag, family game night, and the Wonderful World of Disney were cool. Richard… Continue reading SXSW: APOLLO 10 1/2
THE OUTFIT
When I was offered this movie for reviewing, I hadn’t actually previously heard of it. I had seen no trailers, TV spots, and didnt seem to notice any previous press releases or other types of emails promoting the movie. In fact, after watching this intriguing and suspenseful drama, I am rather frustrated that the movie… Continue reading THE OUTFIT
COMPARTMENT NO. 6
The Grand Prix is the second place honor given by the Grand Jury at the Cannes Film Festival. At last year’s festival this award was shared by two impressive films. The first is Asghar Farhadi’s exceptional film, A Hero, while the other is a heartfelt and beautiful movie from Finland titled Compartment No. 6. I… Continue reading COMPARTMENT NO. 6
SXSW 2022: X
All slasher horror fans know that the ultimate sin that gets one killed is sex. Well, Ti West’s latest horror feature presents what happens when adult filmmakers and their cast become the targets. Taking place in 1979, X proves to be a gruesomely fun throwback that not only beautifully recreates the era in which the… Continue reading SXSW 2022: X
SXSW 2022: MASTER
One would that at the collegiate level, racism would not be a systemic problem at all. Writer/director Mariama Diallo strongly states otherwise in a powerful and emotional film that takes the issue of racial prejudice and utilizes it to spin a supernatural horror tale. The movie screened at this year’s SXSW festival and is now… Continue reading SXSW 2022: MASTER