Austin Film Festival 2026 Sometimes getting your life together means making a spectacular mess of it first. Director Jim Issa’s Bolio, a quirky, occasionally outrageous comedy, follows two unlikely friends whose attempts at self-improvement lead to questionable decisions and genuinely funny moments. The 96-minute film is entertaining and engaging enough to hold one’s attention, and… Continue reading Bolio – Finding Yourself, One Ridiculous Step at a Time
Category: Banner Slideshow
The Sketch Artist – An Extraordinary Talent for Justice
Austin Film Festival Some people have remarkable talent. Others discover a purpose that gives their gifts extraordinary meaning. Lois Gibson, the fascinating subject of director Pat Kondelis’ documentary The Sketch Artist, possesses both. Screening at the 2026 Austin Film Festival, the film introduces audiences to a woman whose artistic abilities have helped law enforcement identify… Continue reading The Sketch Artist – An Extraordinary Talent for Justice
LA BOLA NEGRA: A Powerful and Exquisite Art House Epic
In 1928, Spanish poet, playwright, and theater director Federico García Lorca made a name for himself with Romancero gitano and went on to produce a respected, acclaimed body of work over the next eight years. Sadly, he became a casualty of the Spanish Civil War, as it is suspected that the Nationalist Militia assassinated him.… Continue reading LA BOLA NEGRA: A Powerful and Exquisite Art House Epic
The Debut – A Delightfully Satirical Opening Night at Austin Film Festival
There is something wonderfully entertaining about watching people take themselves far too seriously, especially in community theater. Jesse Eisenberg understands this perfectly, and his film The Debut offers a delightfully satirical look at theatrical ambition, oversized egos, and the absurd lengths people sometimes go to in the name of art. The 105-minute musical comedy opened… Continue reading The Debut – A Delightfully Satirical Opening Night at Austin Film Festival
WILDWOOD: An Outstanding Dark Fantasy Film
Director Travis Knight (ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings) and screenwriter Chris Butler bring Colin Meloy and Chris Ellis’ fantasy novel Wildwood to life. Though I have never read the source material, the movie makes it clear that it establishes an exciting world filled with vibrant characters, genuine stakes, and an intense, dark, compelling story.… Continue reading WILDWOOD: An Outstanding Dark Fantasy Film
CLAYFACE: A Batman Villain Re-envisioned as Body Horror
James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe continues with an origin story for a popular Batman villain that is genuinely a horror story. With a story and script by Mike Flanagan (Hush, Doctor Sleep), the movie re-envisions Clayface as a body-horror tragedy. Flannagan co-wrote the screenplay with Hossein Amini, and James Watkins directs. The result… Continue reading CLAYFACE: A Batman Villain Re-envisioned as Body Horror
GHOST IN THE CELL: a bloody, bizarre, and silly trip behind bars
Fantastic Fest 2026 Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar knows how to make an impression, and his latest horror-comedy, Ghost in the Cell, does so with plenty of blood, outrageous situations, and an assortment of characters as entertaining as they are unpredictable. Screened at a film festival, the film proved an unusual mix of supernatural horror, dark… Continue reading GHOST IN THE CELL: a bloody, bizarre, and silly trip behind bars
WHALEFALL: A Nerve-Wracking Thriller With A Sincere Heart
Actor Austin Abrams seems to have found his niche, playing scared, tense, and sometimes timid characters reacting to harrowing or highly stressful situations. Previous movies such as Weapons and Resident Evil show that a likable, talented actor can pull off both thrilling and comedic moments. In his latest role in Whalefall, Abrams gets to show… Continue reading WHALEFALL: A Nerve-Wracking Thriller With A Sincere Heart
Runner: plenty of action and ample laughs
Alan Ritchson brings the muscle, Owen Wilson brings the chatter, and Runner delivers enough vehicular destruction to make a defensive-driving instructor weep. Scott Waugh directs this action comedy, which keeps its premise simple and its leads exceedingly busy. The mayhem has little substance, but I found plenty of excitement in watching this unlikely pair attempt a very… Continue reading Runner: plenty of action and ample laughs
MISTY GREEN: Chris Rock’s Hate Letter to Hollywood
After watching Chris Rock’s latest film, I get the strong impression that he does not like Hollywood. That sentiment is actually very fair given the events that transpire in his movie, Misty Green, which examines the life and career of a black actor (the titular character) who achieved some success and acclaim as a television… Continue reading MISTY GREEN: Chris Rock’s Hate Letter to Hollywood