I won’t lie: I had qualms going into Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic. As soon as I heard a biopic was in the works, I wondered how it would turn out. Would it simply celebrate his tremendous talents, address MJ’s unusual behavior and history of parental abuse, or explore the controversies surrounding the molestation allegations… Continue reading MICHAEL: An Example Of Post-Production Issues And Poor Choices
Category: Reviews
SXSW 2026: OVER YOUR DEAD BODY – A Suprisingly Great Remake of An Also Great Norwegian Film
At the 2021 Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, I enjoyed a hilarious, yet tremendously violent, action-comedy-thriller from Norway titled The Trip. In the U.S., this movie didn’t get a theatrical release, but it was picked up by Netflix, so it probably didn’t get the attention it deserved, and unfortunately, it became a faded memory for… Continue reading SXSW 2026: OVER YOUR DEAD BODY – A Suprisingly Great Remake of An Also Great Norwegian Film
Just Sing: a quietly engaging documentary that favors connection over competition.
Just Sing (Dirs. Abraham Troen & Angelique Molina) opens in theaters on April 24 and unfolds as a quietly engaging documentary that favors connection over competition. The film settles into its rhythm early and well, and never feels rushed or overly contrived. Instead, it allows moments to breathe, giving the material a natural and unforced… Continue reading Just Sing: a quietly engaging documentary that favors connection over competition.
SXSW 2026-Normal (on 35mm): wildly inplausible and wholly fun!
I saw Normal (on 35mm) at its U.S. premiere during SXSW 2026, and it’s the kind of film that feels like it’s quietly sizing viewers up before deciding how far it’s going to go. Directed by Ben Wheatley and starring Bob Odenkirk, it opens with a sense of stillness that feels almost deceptive. The town… Continue reading SXSW 2026-Normal (on 35mm): wildly inplausible and wholly fun!
THE CHRISTOPHERS: A Mostly Self-Contained Tribute to Art and Artists
Auteur Steven Soderbergh is back with a new film in theaters after last year’s double treats of Presence and Black Bag. Since 2017, Soderbergh has released at least one movie a year, most of which have had theatrical runs. Soderbergh obviously knows how to churn them out, and churn them out well! So, a little… Continue reading THE CHRISTOPHERS: A Mostly Self-Contained Tribute to Art and Artists
SXSW 2026: NORMAL– Action Odenkirk Is Back!
On the fourth evening of the festival, the SXSW programmers gave us a rare treat–they screened a movie on 35mm film. These days, it is pretty rare to see a modern movie in theaters presented in the old-school format. For most cinephiles, watching movies this way happens only maybe once or twice a year. The… Continue reading SXSW 2026: NORMAL– Action Odenkirk Is Back!
LORNE: A Loving Tribute To The Man Who Created SNL
If the word “documentary” gives you chills, fear not. This film is the most entertaining and warm-hearted you’ll see in a long time. The subject is Producer Lorne Michaels of Saturday Night Live. He is an enigmatic and taciturn man. Since 1975, he has helmed a show that keeps its finger on the pulse of… Continue reading LORNE: A Loving Tribute To The Man Who Created SNL
Fireflies at El Mozote – A Civil War Drama Features a Young Survivor’s Story
The late filmmaker Ernesto Melara’s Salvadoran Civil War drama follows a young survivor seeking justice after the massacre in his village. Written and directed by Melara, the film is set in early 1980s El Salvador and recounts the story of a 10-year-old boy, Jose (Mateo Honles), who survives the massacre, and his quest to bring… Continue reading Fireflies at El Mozote – A Civil War Drama Features a Young Survivor’s Story
SXSW 2026 – Margo’s Got Money Trouble: now streaming on Apple TV
I’ve now seen the first three episodes of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and I’ll say this up front—I liked it more than I expected, even if I’m still a little unsure about parts of it. It’s clever in ways that sneak up on you, and while it definitely feels geared toward a female audience, there’s… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Margo’s Got Money Trouble: now streaming on Apple TV
SXSW 2026- Edie Arnold is a Loser: lost me
Edie Arnold is a Loser ended up being, unfortunately, my least favorite film of SXSW 2026—and not the note I wanted to end the festival on. I went in with reasonable expectations, especially knowing it was a Buzz screening, but I still expected something sharper, funnier, or at least more cohesive than what we got.… Continue reading SXSW 2026- Edie Arnold is a Loser: lost me