This week I screened two movies that promise to pay tribute to the magic of cinema by offering glimpses into its history. One particular film goes so hard that it goes over-the-top in moments and overplays the filmmaker’s love and passion for the medium. The other which is this movie, Empire of Light, actually falls… Continue reading EMPIRE OF LIGHT
Category: MAIN
PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH
I always hesitate to see sequels, but I must give them a look. Often, I am disappointed but there are gems now and then. Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, starring Antonio Banderas, offers a stellar voice cast, a raucously fun story, and exciting animation. More than ten years after his last feature, the famous… Continue reading PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH
NR. 10
I have not viewed all the films by Dutch writer/director Alex van Warmerdam (Borgman) and his 10th feature film, NR. 10, presented by Drafthouse Films is certainly one that you cannot call predictable. Reading the synopsis, I was anticipating another story than what I viewed. The very well written script takes the viewer on one… Continue reading NR. 10
VIOLENT NIGHT
For someone who walks up to the theater window on the spur of the moment to watch a new Christmas movie, please know that the film Violent Night is NOT a family-friendly film. The title says it all. This is a dark comedy at Christmas time with plenty of action and violence. Santa doesn’t seek… Continue reading VIOLENT NIGHT
Austin Film Festival 2022: NANNY
An immigrant’s experience in America is just as unique as anyone’s life is anywhere. And that is the main takeaway I drew from watching this unique and sometimes bewildering film by writer/director Nikyatu Jusu. Jusu’s Nanny paints a portrait of a character struggling with her new life in America, working as a domestic, while clinging… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2022: NANNY
Fantastic Fest 2022: BONES AND ALL
From acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino comes his adaptation of the 2015 horror/romance novel of the same name. Though I have not read Camile DeAngelis’ book, Bones and All, and knew absolutely nothing about the story, I attended this Fantastic Fest screening simply because it was directed by Guadagnino. After having much admiration for some of… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2022: BONES AND ALL
THE FABELMANS
Steven Spielberg, arguably America’s most seminal filmmaker, has chosen his newest movie to tell his most personal story–the story of how he became a filmmaker. While The Fabelmans is supposedly a semi-autobiographical story of his upbringing, as a Jewish-American child living in America, and how he became a celebrated and acclaimed film director, so much… Continue reading THE FABELMANS
Austin Film Festival 2022: GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY
For the closing night film of this year’s Austin Film Festival comes the excitedly-awaited sequel to Rian Johnson’s acclaimed murder mystery Knives Out. Well, as most people expect, sequels are not usually as good as the first movie that preceded them. And that is actually the case with Glass Onion. However, Rian Johnson has lots… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2022: GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY
STRANGE WORLD
From Walt Disney Studios comes an animated adventure which definitely wears its influences like a badge of pride and admiration. And that’s totally fine. The filmmakers behind Strange World know that their movie is not a complete work of originality, but obviously have much love for better similar adventures such as Journey to the Center… Continue reading STRANGE WORLD
DEVOTION
Even though I very much enjoyed Top Gun: Maverick, there are two inspiring movies about military service that genuinely my heart this year. The first is The Inspection, which tells the true story of a gay man serving in the Marine Corps, despite the prejudice and adversity he faces. The other is another true story… Continue reading DEVOTION