Movie ReviewsSeen a lot of movies, got a lot of opinions.
Let’s get Lily Gladstone her Oscar.
CIFF: “Rye Lane” - Film Review
Rye Lane is a shock to the system and the current landscape of romantic comedies. It’s loving, genuinely humorous, and an effortless crowd pleaser. A beautiful, energetic reminder that love is worth going after time and again.
CIFF: “Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out” - Film Review
Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out is the sort of sweet, charming, family flick that will warm the hearts of those who stumble upon it. For those who want a thought-provoking cerebral experience, this isn’t it, but it never wanted to be that in the first place.
CIFF: “Playing Through” - Film Review
There’s only one movie (so far) about Ann Gregory. It’s a shame she was forced to share it.
CIFF: “Black Barbie: A Documentary” - Film Review
This documentary acts as a historical primer for those who aren’t experts on the life and times of Barbie and as a scathing look at Barbie’s impact on the psyche of children.
CIFF: “Riceboy Sleeps” - Film Review
Home is a transient, liminal, and ever-changing place. Riceboy Sleeps is Shim’s way of creating an eternal version of the life he had with his mother.
CIFF: “Viking” - Film Review
Viking is a space oddity survival flick with its feet firmly planted on earth. The production design is a gorgeous blend of retro futurism that harkens back to the era of the space race.
CIFF: “King Coal” - Film Review
I’m a coal miner’s granddaughter. My mom’s side of the family lives in a small town in southwestern Pennsylvania. The kind of small town with one stoplight and that exists because of King Coal.
CIFF: “Plan 75” - Film Review
Those who let the sensitivity of Plan 75 wash over them will walk out of the theatre and immediately call someone they love.
CIFF: “My Sailor My Love” - Film Review
My Sailor My Love is not the first film to focus on a gruff old man’s ability to open himself up to love again. Up and Driveways are far more successful iterations of the genre that show the totality of what it means to learn and grow from the past. My Sailor My Love gets most of the way there, but cannot neatly tie the bow on its story.
CIFF: “Chevalier” - Film Review
For all of Chevalier’s possibilities, the end result cannot hold a candle to the man behind the violin.
“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” - Film Review
Fury of the Gods does just the opposite. It tries to convince audiences that it’s a charming movie about chosen family, but it’s just a run-of-the-mill superhero flick.
"This World is Not My Own" - SXSW Documentary Review
It was never about fame in the traditional sense, but about cultivating community and love. That’s the answer to immortality. It’s in how you treat people, how you create, and how you nourish yourself with art.
"Scream VI" - Film Review
Scream VI is livelier than most current popcorn horror flicks and creates enough goodwill that a new Scream (or two or three) will be embraced with open arms.
“Inside” - Film Review
Like the penthouse, Inside is a lavishly decorated, but ultimately sparse, reflection on art.
“Blackberry” - Film Review
BlackBerry is a compelling blend of technology history, human relationships, and the ever-looming fear of becoming irrelevant.
"Creed III" - Film Review
Creed III is not a complete knockout, but certain moments are. There are gut punches and there are swings and misses. Above all, though, Creed III is an exciting directorial debut for Jordan and a pure, powerhouse showcase for Majors.
"God's Time" - Film Review
God’s Time is a more-than-impressive debut for Antebi and the entire cast. The film has a magnetic presence that forces the audience to really pause and take everything in. It’s a cacophony of chaos, love, and hope.
"Huesera" - Film Review
Huesera is The Lost Daughter’s spooky sister and Rosemary’s Baby’s modern daughter. Motherhood, in Huesera, is a supernatural curse on Valeria. She’s bound by the parameters of this societal curse and she’s not alone. Huesera is stifling, angry, and a plea for change on a large scale.
"Knock at the Cabin" - Film Review
Knock at the Cabin is middle-of-the-road fare for Shyamalan. It doesn’t reach his directorial heights, but is well above his lows. If nothing else, it’s still refreshing to see a director consistently swinging for the fences.
"Skinamarink" - Film Review
It’s not the sort of film that can be casually turned on at a sleepover, nor will it please every crowd. However, for those who allow themselves to exist in the world of Skinamarink, it will be impossible to shake.