SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING

Filmmaker Quentin Dupieux is undoubtedly a unique voice in French cinema. The wild mind behind Rubber, Wrong, and Wrong Cops is known and admired for his surreal and absurd comedy. His sense of humor and filmmaking style is not for everyone, but for those who love Dupieux’s twisted and subversive sensibilities, he has a brand… Continue reading SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING

SXSW 2023: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES

Adventure, excitement, a Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast craves precisely these things! However, D&D fans would have to wait a very long time before they would see their beloved game well represented on the big screen Well, that time has finally come. I was able to behold the magic, action, and beautiful worlds revealed during this… Continue reading SXSW 2023: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES

Lo-tech Sci-Fi Rules at SXSW 2023 – If You Were the Last

Space-themed love stories aren’t unique. Like most rom-coms (sci-fi or otherwise), regardless of the setting, most play out like every other. Director Kristian Mercado delivers one of the best films of SXSW 2023. Like another SXSW offering, Molli and Max in the Future, If You Were the Last, starring Anthony Mackie and Zoe Chao, proves… Continue reading Lo-tech Sci-Fi Rules at SXSW 2023 – If You Were the Last

SXSW -Painting the History of Tetris as a Thriller. Who knew?

No one would ever imagine that the simple and highly addicting video game TETRIS’ global release and subsequent popularity stemmed from a spy-like story involving international company wars and the Russian government. Such is the case, and director Jon S. Baird and screenwriter Noah Pink share the remarkable story of one man’s effort to bring… Continue reading SXSW -Painting the History of Tetris as a Thriller. Who knew?

SXSW 2023: AIR

The programmers delivered yet another treat to the festival attendees for the second “Special” screening and closing night headliner of SXSW. The film was the latest offering from filmmaker Ben Affleck, and his movie tells the true story behind arguably the most iconic labels in athletic shoe history. While everyone knows how this story plays… Continue reading SXSW 2023: AIR

Scrap – A Character-driven Tale that Takes on Timely Themes

Purely character-driven tales can challenge even the most astute directors. Without relying on action sequences, CGI, or special effects, a director must trust their cast to engage and connect with the audience. Writer-director and star Vivian Kerr’s feature film, Scrap, touches on a variety of relationship issues as it explores a bond between a sister… Continue reading Scrap – A Character-driven Tale that Takes on Timely Themes

SXSW 2023: JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4

When the programmers at Austin’s largest media and arts festival announced their schedule for this year’s Film & TV section, two “Special” unnamed screenings were programmed on Monday, March 13, and on the closing night of Saturday, March 18. These secrets lasted only briefly, as their titles were revealed days before their screening dates. The… Continue reading SXSW 2023: JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4

SXSW 2023: My Recap

SWSW 2023 was a bit different this year. Since the festival’s cancelation in 2020, organizers have worked to keep the event relevant and engaging. I wouldn’t say I liked the entirely virtual event, although there are benefits to watching screenings at home. Last year’s hybrid festival was a blur because of my health, but there… Continue reading SXSW 2023: My Recap

SWSX: Americana Offers a Twist on Traditional Western Crime Dramas

When I learned I could have an attendant accompany me to screenings at SXSW because I am ADA qualified, I enlisted my granddaughter. With her help, I would not have to carry bags or endure the pain associated with doing certain things myself. I had pre-set my schedule, so off to the movies, we went.… Continue reading SWSX: Americana Offers a Twist on Traditional Western Crime Dramas

SXSW 2023: RAGING GRACE

Undocumented immigration is not only a heated subject in America but also controversial in the UK. Writer/director Paris Zarcilla offers an insightful but haunting glimpse into the experience of an unauthenticated Filipina domestic employee. Joy (Max Eiggenman) struggles as a single mother to raise her daughter Grace (Jaeden Paige Boadill) and provide for both of… Continue reading SXSW 2023: RAGING GRACE