I saw Normal (on 35mm) at its U.S. premiere during SXSW 2026, and it’s the kind of film that feels like it’s quietly sizing viewers up before deciding how far it’s going to go. Directed by Ben Wheatley and starring Bob Odenkirk, it opens with a sense of stillness that feels almost deceptive. The town… Continue reading SXSW 2026-Normal (on 35mm): wildly inplausible and wholly fun!
Category: MAIN
THE CHRISTOPHERS: A Mostly Self-Contained Tribute to Art and Artists
Auteur Steven Soderbergh is back with a new film in theaters after last year’s double treats of Presence and Black Bag. Since 2017, Soderbergh has released at least one movie a year, most of which have had theatrical runs. Soderbergh obviously knows how to churn them out, and churn them out well! So, a little… Continue reading THE CHRISTOPHERS: A Mostly Self-Contained Tribute to Art and Artists
SXSW 2026: NORMAL– Action Odenkirk Is Back!
On the fourth evening of the festival, the SXSW programmers gave us a rare treat–they screened a movie on 35mm film. These days, it is pretty rare to see a modern movie in theaters presented in the old-school format. For most cinephiles, watching movies this way happens only maybe once or twice a year. The… Continue reading SXSW 2026: NORMAL– Action Odenkirk Is Back!
LORNE: A Loving Tribute To The Man Who Created SNL
If the word “documentary” gives you chills, fear not. This film is the most entertaining and warm-hearted you’ll see in a long time. The subject is Producer Lorne Michaels of Saturday Night Live. He is an enigmatic and taciturn man. Since 1975, he has helmed a show that keeps its finger on the pulse of… Continue reading LORNE: A Loving Tribute To The Man Who Created SNL
Fireflies at El Mozote – A Civil War Drama Features a Young Survivor’s Story
The late filmmaker Ernesto Melara’s Salvadoran Civil War drama follows a young survivor seeking justice after the massacre in his village. Written and directed by Melara, the film is set in early 1980s El Salvador and recounts the story of a 10-year-old boy, Jose (Mateo Honles), who survives the massacre, and his quest to bring… Continue reading Fireflies at El Mozote – A Civil War Drama Features a Young Survivor’s Story
SXSW 2026 – Margo’s Got Money Trouble: now streaming on Apple TV
I’ve now seen the first three episodes of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and I’ll say this up front—I liked it more than I expected, even if I’m still a little unsure about parts of it. It’s clever in ways that sneak up on you, and while it definitely feels geared toward a female audience, there’s… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Margo’s Got Money Trouble: now streaming on Apple TV
SXSW 2026- Edie Arnold is a Loser: lost me
Edie Arnold is a Loser ended up being, unfortunately, my least favorite film of SXSW 2026—and not the note I wanted to end the festival on. I went in with reasonable expectations, especially knowing it was a Buzz screening, but I still expected something sharper, funnier, or at least more cohesive than what we got.… Continue reading SXSW 2026- Edie Arnold is a Loser: lost me
Beast – A Tough Bloody Watch for Fans of MMA Fight Scenes
Directed by Tyler Atkins (Ocean Boy), Beast is an action/sports drama set in the MMA world, based on a screenplay by Oscar® winner Russell Crowe (Actor in a Leading Role, Gladiator, 2000) and David Frigerio. More than just about winning or losing fights, it explores the stakes of family and relationships. Details are best discovered… Continue reading Beast – A Tough Bloody Watch for Fans of MMA Fight Scenes
You, Me and Tuscany
When a woman, Anna (Halle Bailey), crashes an empty Italian villa, posing as the owner’s fiancée, she discovers an unexpected romance with Michael (Rege-Jean Page), which may transform her life (IMDb.com). Truth be told, the plotline here is nothing new, because we have seen it over and over again. That being said, it is a… Continue reading You, Me and Tuscany
EXIT 8 Has Some Great Ideas And Concepts, But Needs More To Hit Its Landing
Written and directed by Genki Kawamura, who co-wrote the screenplay with Kentaro Hirase, Exit 8 is a Japanese psychological thriller based on the video game by Kotake Create. The story of both the game and the movie follows a “Lost Man” as he navigates major changes in his life. He receives a call from his… Continue reading EXIT 8 Has Some Great Ideas And Concepts, But Needs More To Hit Its Landing