Category: Reviews

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!

The feature documentary, Bite to Bite by local Austin filmmaker Kelly Lipscomb, celebrated its World Premiere at the Austin Film Festival. Lipscomb not only directed the film but also served as Director of Photography and one of the producers, alongside Matt Tisdale and Robbie Schallert. From the Canadian waters to Japan, the film follows a… Continue reading AFF Movie Review: Bite to Bite – The Bluefin Tuna Journey

The 32nd Annual Austin Film Festival hosted the World Premiere of the feature film Sacrificios (Sacrifices), seen by audiences for the first time anywhere, as stated in an interview with Director Mauricio Chernovetzky and co-writer Alexander Ioshpe. They stated during the interview that they had not yet seen the film together in a theater and… Continue reading AFF 2025 Review: Sacrificios- A Haunting Tale of Grief and a Parent’s Action

Some films subtly creep under your skin, tightening their hold until you realize you’ve been holding your breath. Cruel Hands, directed by Al Kalyk and co-written with Matthew Kalyk, is one of those films. I saw it at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, and although I couldn’t stay for the Q&A afterward, the story has… Continue reading AFF 2025 – Cruel Hands: