Category: Reviews

Watching American Baby was a deeply emotional experience for me. As a grandmother of a clever and determined young girl who sometimes has that “it won’t happen to me” attitude, this story struck a nerve. The film’s realism is unrelenting—so genuine that it can be tense to watch at times—but that honesty is exactly what… Continue reading AFF 2025 – American Baby: heartbreaking and eye-opening

Salvador Espinosa directs, with Tato Alexander writing and starring in (don’t know) how to be: a fresh, authentic look at individuality and family challenges, seen through the eyes of two leading figures in Mexican filmmaking and comedy. The film premiered in the US at the Austin Film Festival on October 25 at the Galaxy Theater,… Continue reading AFF 2025: (DON’T KNOW) HOW TO BE- An Existential Romantic Comedy

At the 32nd Annual Austin Film Festival, Sell Out was an opening night World Premiere on October 23rd at the State Theater. It is written and directed by Austin-based filmmaker brothers Nick and Josh Holden. The Holden brothers’ first feature film, The Golden Rut, premiered at the Austin Film Festival in 2016. Sell Out is… Continue reading AFF 2025: Sell Out – Austin Filmmakers Stand Out with New Feature

Miles Away, which premiered at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, is one of those quiet, surprising films that sneaks up on you. Written, directed, and led by Jackie Quinones, it’s both simple in concept and remarkably layered in execution. The story unfolds almost entirely inside a car, where Jess—a rideshare driver with faded Hollywood dreams—spends… Continue reading AFF 2025 – Miles Away: quietly moving and, in the end, surprisingly uplifting

You’re Dating a Narcissist! screened at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, and while it’s not the kind of film that reinvents the romantic comedy, it’s an undeniably fun and lively ride. The setup is straightforward: an outspoken psychologist, played by Marisa Tomei, races to Los Angeles with her best friend (the always energetic Sherry Cola)… Continue reading AFF 2025 – You’re Dating a Narcissist: not groundbreaking, but it’s witty, fun, and relatable

I had the pleasure of seeing Ethan Bloom at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, and it turned out to be one of those quiet surprises that sticks with viewers long after the credits roll. On the surface, it’s a modest coming-of-age film about a middle school boy grappling with faith, grief, and first love—but what… Continue reading AFF 2025 – Ethan Bloom: a simple story, big heart, and a lasting impression

As an audiophile and one who particularly enjoys musical artist documentaries, this is a film I could not miss at the festival. During the 1970s, The Allman Brothers Band made their mark in the history of rock ‘n roll with their undeniable musical talent that earned them loads of fans and much respect. Director James… Continue reading AFF 2025: GREGG ALLMAN: THE MUSIC OF MY SOUL

Since I couldn’t attend every screening at the film festival, I watched a few films at home instead. The first was You’re Dating A Narcissist!, whose realistic humor I enjoyed in a comfortable setting. It worked well outside the festival context, with amusing, relatable writing and performances. This small indie comedy resonates with anyone familiar… Continue reading AFF 2025: YOU’RE DATING A NARCISSIST!