I went into this film thinking this sequel would be another dour and sad extension of the first installment. Thankfully, that is not the case. Writer/director Parker Finn now has a sense of humor about his franchise, making this next chapter a more entertaining and fun experience, despite the film’s dark elements. Finn also wants… Continue reading SMILE 2 Is Actually More Entertaining Than Its Predecessor
Category: MAIN
Fantastic Fest 2024: MR. CROCKET
For the closing night film of this year’s Fantastic Fest, the programmers have chosen an unusual horror flick that offers up the premise, what if Mr. Rogers was a psychotic killer that preyed upon the parents of his most ardent fans, children? Writer/director Brandon Espy and co-writer Carl Reid have concocted an imaginative nightmare for… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024: MR. CROCKET
Movie News: State of Silence – After Prestigious Film Festivals, View it on Netflix
State of Silence explores the challenges of freedom of the press in Mexico from the perspective of four journalists who courageously face them. The risks they face in reporting the truth are addressed through their personal accounts and appearances by other well-known media professionals. The documentary premiered this year at prestigious film festivals around the… Continue reading Movie News: State of Silence – After Prestigious Film Festivals, View it on Netflix
Movie Review: The Convert – A History of the Indigenous Māori and British Colonists: Drama and Action
The Convert is directed by Lee Tamahori (Next, xXx: State of the Nation, Once Were Warriors, Die Another Day). The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, screened in several countries, and now has a digital release. The director co-wrote the screenplay with Shane Danielson (The World Made Straight, Errors of the Human… Continue reading Movie Review: The Convert – A History of the Indigenous Māori and British Colonists: Drama and Action
Movie News: Dominique – In Limited Theaters, On Digital and On Demand October 11, 2024
DIRECTED BY: Michael S. Ojeda WRITTEN BY: Michael S. Ojeda, Oksana Orlan STARRING: Oksana Orlan, Jose Conejo Martin (The Tax Collector), Sebastian Carvajal, Maria Del Rosario, Alanna De La Rossa, Gustavo Angarita, Maurice Compte (End of Watch, “Narcos” TV series). SYNOPSIS Dominique is a brilliant assassin left for dead in a small South American village.… Continue reading Movie News: Dominique – In Limited Theaters, On Digital and On Demand October 11, 2024
Movie Review: PIECE BY PIECE Takes An Inventive Approach To Documentary/Biopic Filmmaking
Pharrell Williams has made a name for himself as a musical artist in his own right. Still, he is also a significant contributor to the advancement of the careers of other musical artists. His story is worth telling through film, and the artist himself wishes to reveal his story. However, Williams wants to tell his… Continue reading Movie Review: PIECE BY PIECE Takes An Inventive Approach To Documentary/Biopic Filmmaking
Fantastic Fest ‘24 Review: The Apprentice
Stan’s impression is a ginormous character smear The Apprentice is a biographical drama based in the 70s and depicts the rise of a young Donald Trump from under his father’s wing and into the commerce limelight of New York City. Releasing just in time for the November election, it is clear the creators of this… Continue reading Fantastic Fest ‘24 Review: The Apprentice
Fantastic Fest 2024 Movie Review: SATURDAY NIGHT
The programmers of this year’s film festival decided to up the ante by scheduling a record number of “Secret Screenings.” In past years, the festival usually only offered two or three of these mystery offerings, but this year, four was the magic number. The first of these was the new film by Jason Reitman, Saturday… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024 Movie Review: SATURDAY NIGHT
Fantastic Fest 2024: TEACUP
In recent years, Fantastic Fest has opened its lineup to include television series that fall under its genre label. This year, I attended screenings for two TV shows, one of which was Teacup. One thing that caught my attention about Teacup was that one of the executive producers is James Wan (Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring).… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2024: TEACUP
Fantestic Fest 2024: Planet B
Planet B, the second feature film from French director Aude Léa Rapin, made its mark at Fantastic Fest 2024 but left audiences with mixed feelings. A dystopian sci-fi thriller, the film explores timely themes of state control, virtual prisons, and resistance. While it boasts a compelling premise, strong performances, and striking visuals, “Planet B” ultimately… Continue reading Fantestic Fest 2024: Planet B