Movie Reviews
Seen a lot of movies, got a lot of opinions.
Let’s get Lily Gladstone her Oscar.
"From Black" - Film Review
From Black asks the audience if there’s anything more terrifying than simply not knowing, and forces them to live in that uncertainty.
"One of These Days" - Film Review
One of These Days was not subtle by any means, but managed to convey some interesting themes of social issues through the Hands On competition. A tighter focus and more editing could have turned this film into a scathing commentary about life in the American rural south.
"The Tank" - Film Review
The Tank is an old-school creature flick that’s packed to the gills with monstrous mayhem.
“Beau is Afraid” - Film Review
Sometimes, the storyteller can’t see the forest for the trees. Beau Is Afraid is lost in the forest and seemingly content with that.
"Clock" - Hulu Film Review
Ultimately, as soon as one reads the synopsis, it’s clear what they’re getting themselves into with Clock. However, as the film unfolds, Agron’s performance and its deviations from expectations make the watch worthwhile. Sure, it’s been done before, but not like this and not with this sense of urgency.
"John Wick: Chapter 4" - Film Review
The entire series is a sisyphean journey of revenge. The audience knows that John Wick (Keanu Reeves) can never be free from this life of an assassin. He’s doomed to climb that 222-step staircase to Sacre-Cœur in Paris, both physically and metaphorically.
"How to Blow Up a Pipeline" - Film Review
It’s hard to say if this film will create any meaningful, lasting change, but it will, without question, force a more urgent dialogue to exist about environmentalism.
CIFF: "Egghead & Twinkie"
Egghead & Twinkie is the eccentric, joyful, coming-of-age flick that’s reminiscent of the greats.
Outfest Fusion '23 - Young Hearts Run Free Shorts Program
Reviews for the short films in Outfest Fusion 2023’s Young Hearts Run Free shorts program.
Outfest Fusion '23 - Tickled Pink Shorts Program
Reviews for the seven short films featured in Outfest Fusion’s Tickled Pink program.
"Chrissy Judy" - Film Review
While it does manage to realistically and meaningfully capture queer life in the 2020s, Chrissy Judy lacks the heart to make this friendship breakup the painful loss it deserved to be.
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.