In Heretic, directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods turn the horror genre on its head, using conversation instead of suspenseful silence to tell a chilling story. The film takes the premise of a theological debate between a pair of innocent Mormon missionaries and an unsettling host. It stretches it to its limits, pushing the audience… Continue reading Heretic – more talk than thrill
Category: MAIN
Movie Review: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Fun, Endearing, and So Much More
It felt like “Christmas in July” when I was offered an opportunity to view this forthcoming holiday film. It was (and still is) hot for the season here in Texas, but viewing the film left me in better spirits. I have not read the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson that this film is based on,… Continue reading Movie Review: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Fun, Endearing, and So Much More
AFF Movie Review: American Spirit – University Students Face Relationship Choices and Decisions
American Spirit, a film based and filmed in Austin, World Premiered at the Austin Film Festival in October. This movie is the feature directorial debut from Christopher Yates. It explores questions of identity and evolving iterations of self and timely conversations around the transition from youth into adulthood. Yates is the writer/director for American Spirit,… Continue reading AFF Movie Review: American Spirit – University Students Face Relationship Choices and Decisions
AFF 2024: Time Travel is Dangerous
‘Time Travel Is Dangerous!’ is a delightful yet imperfect British sci-fi comedy that mixes absurdity with a generous dose of nostalgia. Directed by Chris Reading and co-written by sisters Anna-Elizabeth and Hillary Shakespeare, the film follows real-life best friends Ruth (Ruth Syratt) and Megan (Megan Stevenson) as they run a vintage bric-a-brac shop in Muswell… Continue reading AFF 2024: Time Travel is Dangerous
Austin Film Festival 2024: To Kill a Wolf – a haunting exploration of human frailty
‘To Kill a Wolf’, directed by James Remington, is a haunting exploration of human frailty, resilience, and unexpected companionship set against the brooding landscape of the Oregon wilderness. This introspective drama follows two fractured souls—a reclusive woodsman (Ivan Martin) and a teenage runaway, Dani (Maddison Brown)— brought together by fate and necessity. It’s a story… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: To Kill a Wolf – a haunting exploration of human frailty
AFF Movie Review: Silent Notes – World Premiere of Crime Thriller Stars CODA’s Daniel Durant
Daniel Durant starred in the Oscar-winning film CODA as Leo Rossi, a teenager whose sister is the only hearing member of the family. The film featured international filmmaker Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included) as the music teacher. CODA (2021) won three Academy Awards, and audiences everywhere learned of this great cast. Now, Durant stars in… Continue reading AFF Movie Review: Silent Notes – World Premiere of Crime Thriller Stars CODA’s Daniel Durant
Austin Film Festival 2024: Color Book- a tale of love and loss
‘Color Book,’ directed by David Fortune, is a poignant exploration of love, resilience, and community through the bond between a father and son. The story follows Lucky, a recently widowed father played with remarkable depth by William Catlett, as he embarks on a journey with his son Mason, portrayed with authenticity by Jeremiah Alexander Daniels,… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: Color Book- a tale of love and loss
Austin Film Festival 2024: Black Dog -a slowburn Western-esque man and his dog tale
In ‘Black Dog’, director Guan Hu brings his lens to the edges of the Gobi Desert, capturing a dusty, desolate town in northwestern China where modernity and isolation clash with striking visual detail. The story follows Lang (Eddie Peng), an ex-con returning to his hometown after serving time for an alleged murder. Lang’s homecoming isn’t… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: Black Dog -a slowburn Western-esque man and his dog tale
AFF Movie Review: Artifact War – Eye-Opening Documentary Uncovering Another Art Theft
By now, people may have viewed feature films such as Monuments Men and Woman in Gold (2014) about stolen artworks in Europe. These films were shown in theaters and are likely available for streaming. These films were about art theft during WW II, and now a documentary film about a more current theft has been… Continue reading AFF Movie Review: Artifact War – Eye-Opening Documentary Uncovering Another Art Theft
AFF Movie Review: A Better Place – Austin Film Festival Short has a Timely Story from a Talented Filmmaker
Shih-Chun, the writer and director of the short film A Better Place, stated in an email correspondence that “the film has been nominated for a Jury Award at the Austin Film Festival.” The film was screened during the festival in the Shorts Program 1—Thicker Than Blood at both the Galaxy and Rollins Theaters. “A little… Continue reading AFF Movie Review: A Better Place – Austin Film Festival Short has a Timely Story from a Talented Filmmaker