Category: Reviews

For Austin film critics, a press screening in a theater for a Netflix release means it is awards season. For most of the year, if an Austin critic is assigned a Netflix movie or chooses to review it, the streaming service provides a digital screener. However, when Netflix wants us to consider a feature for… Continue reading Movie Review: HIS THREE DAUGHTERS Officially Kicks Off Awards Season

I shouldn’t pre-judge a movie based on a trailer, but I couldn’t help it. After watching the joke-heavy trailer for Transformers One more than once, I couldn’t envision that this film would be as compelling or entertaining as it turned out to be. I should have remembered that a context-less trailer can be quite deceiving.… Continue reading Movie Review: TRANFORMERS ONE Delivers More Than What I Expected.

Lost in the Shuffle is an engaging and thought-provoking documentary that seamlessly blends magic, history, and a touch of mystery. Directed by Jon Ornoy, the film is led by two-time world champion magician Shawn Farquhar, who expertly takes viewers on a fascinating journey through the history of playing cards and their unique relationship with magic.… Continue reading Lost in the Shuffle: a mystery and history in slight of hand

In 2022, the original Danish film, Speak No Evil, made a significant impact on horror fans with its unique elements. It is a psychological thriller that gradually transforms into a terrifying nightmare. However, a more Americanized version of this film has been created, possibly for commercial reasons, and is now showing in theaters. Having watched… Continue reading Movie Review: SPEAK NO EVIL (2024) Is Not Exactly The Same Film As The Original

For a film that follows a group of New York City psychics, the documentary titled Look into My Eyes might give the impression these psychics might be using hypnosis or other methods with their clients. Despite the brief synopsis, I was unsure what content to anticipate from director Lana Wilson (Miss Americana, “Pretty Baby: Brooke… Continue reading Movie Review: Look into My Eyes – Interesting Topic for a Documentary That Shows Humanity

My Old Ass is a refreshingly unique coming-of-age film that blends lighthearted rom-com energy with surprisingly deep self-reflection. Directed by Megan Park, the movie follows Elliott (Maisy Stella), an 18-year-old ready to leave her small Canadian town for the big-city life in Toronto. After taking mushrooms on her 18th birthday, Elliott encounters her 39-year-old self… Continue reading My Old Ass: Light-hearted and poignant

The Killer’s Game is not only an action-comedy film, but it also has some romance mixed in, so fans of either of these three genres will be getting quite a story written by Rand Ravich and James Coyne, adapted from the novel by Jay Bonansinga (1997) of the same name. The film is directed by… Continue reading Movie Review: The Killer’s Game – Mixing Genres is a Good Thing, and Dave Bautista Leads Them All

Nearly forty years after its predecessor, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is now in theaters, finally offering fans of the first movie a continuation of a beloved and acclaimed story that has remained iconic and timeless. Director Tim Burton returns with his exciting brand of gothic and morbid visual sensibilities, and some of the cast members of the… Continue reading BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE Is Not As Iconic As Its First Installment, But Is Fun Nevertheless

Written and directed by Max and Sam Eggers, based on the short story of the same name by Susan Hill, The Front Room is a horror film that has loads of atmosphere and weirdness in its setup but never culminates in anything too exciting. The film takes a page from real-life problems but dwells way… Continue reading THE FRONT ROOM Has Plenty Of Weirdness And Atmosphere, But Never Truly Takes Off