Ambulance is director Michael Bay’s action movie about a bank heist gone wrong and only two thieves are left alive and manage to escape the building. Going into the screening for Universal Studio’s new film, I thought I had seen most of what the film is about: a robbery, gunshots, lots of law enforcement and… Continue reading AMBULANCE
Category: Reviews
SXSW: SISSY
I am not a huge fan of horror films. Some bore me and others just gross me out, but occasionally, I stumble across one that excites me. During the SXSW Film Festival this year, ‘Sissy’ a film directed and co-written by Kane Senes and Hannah Barlow engaged and surprised me. Clever writing and even more… Continue reading SXSW: SISSY
SXSW 2022: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
The opening night film of this year’s SXSW Film Festival is a brilliant offering from “Daniels,” the mad and visionary filmmaking duo who came up with the wild cinematic insanity that is Swiss Army Man. I went into this exciting beginning of the festival with high expectations, and the eccentric filmmaking partnership did not disappoint.… Continue reading SXSW 2022: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
MORBIUS
After viewing the trailer over the last few months, I honestly wasn’t anticipating very much from the film Morbius, a movie based on a Marvel Comics character. Directed by Daniel Espinosa (Safe House, 2012) based on the screenplay from Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless and Roy Thomas (Marvel comics), the film does provide more to… Continue reading MORBIUS
The Yellow Wallpaper
I haven’t taught in years, but when I did, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, was a staple in the sophomore literature text. The film by the same name, adapted and directed by Kevin Pontuti, stays true (for all but the ending) to the source. Pontuti manages to capture the psychological… Continue reading The Yellow Wallpaper
SXSW 2022: PRETTY PROBLEMS
We all get into ruts – with our relationships, our careers, and our daily lives. We also often want a different life than the one dealt to us – especially if it means financial freedom and a carefree existence. With Pretty Problems, director Kestrin Pantera and screenwriter Michael Tennant explore age-old themes of self-worth, pride,… Continue reading SXSW 2022: PRETTY PROBLEMS
SXSW – TONY HAWK: UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF
My son’s first skateboard was a Tony Hawk board – I remember it well, and I remember how in awe my son was of the champion trickster. Hawk is not a stranger to documentaries, but Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off sheds more light on the skating phenom than others have and shares insights… Continue reading SXSW – TONY HAWK: UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF
SXSW 2022: THE LOST CITY
The Lost City is one of those movies that hopes to reignite a flame and love for escapist cinema through the romantically comedic action genre. I am sure there are people who will cry, “Rip Off!” after watching this movie. And that might be a fair thing to claim. However, I feel that the people… Continue reading SXSW 2022: THE LOST CITY
SXSW 2022: SELL/BUY/DATE
Sarah Jones is an artist whose controversial play, Sell/Buy/Date, has affected audiences in a multitude of ways. The playwright/performer has made a film that comes across as a hybrid feature that mixes elements of her stage production and a documentary that shows the aftermath of her play. The result is a rather fascinating and thought-provoking… Continue reading SXSW 2022: SELL/BUY/DATE
SXSW 2022: LINOLEUM
It can be tough to review a film with detail and flourish and not reveal the surprises that make it entertaining. Linoleum, a film from director Colin West, starring Jim Gaffigan, had its Indy film premiere at SXSW digitally and in-person and provided a delightful and subtly cool diversion. This is the writer/director West’s second… Continue reading SXSW 2022: LINOLEUM