Tina Kakadelis 7/14/23 Tina Kakadelis 7/14/23

Outfest: "Playland" - Film Review

The film’s setting is the decrepit Playland Café with a bright pink neon sign ever-glowing in the background, a mix of what was lost and what endures. Playland is a rhapsodic testament to existence.

Tina Kakadelis 7/10/23 Tina Kakadelis 7/10/23

"Afire" - Film Review

Afire lacks the burning sense of humanity that is arguably the most essential part of art.

Tina Kakadelis 7/10/23 Tina Kakadelis 7/10/23

"Bottoms" - Film Review

Is there anything more relatable than starting an all-out, bloody, after school fight club because you want to make out with someone? Bottoms would argue no, then punch you in the face.

Tina Kakadelis 7/10/23 Tina Kakadelis 7/10/23

"Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning" - Film Review

Dead Reckoning is as advertised. A bombastic summer blockbuster that will put butts in seats, but will likely be forgotten before Dead Reckoning Part Two reaches theatres.

Tina Kakadelis 6/30/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/30/23

"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" - Film Review

It almost feels wrong to see Indy in high-definition like this. Dial of Destiny lacks the warmth of film, the spirit of adventure, and the twinkle in Indy’s eye.

Tina Kakadelis 6/30/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/30/23

"Shortcomings" - Film Review

Shortcomings bills itself as a dramatic romantic comedy, but never manages to fit into any of the molds of this genre. That’s not to say that it has to fit into a neat package in order to be a successful film, but Shortcomings isn’t as humorous or romantic as it should be.

Tina Kakadelis 6/30/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/30/23

"Past Lives" - Film Review

“Who do you think they are to each other?” The question echoes as the film’s ending returns to the bar where it was initially asked. Perhaps a better question is, what does it mean to know someone?

Tina Kakadelis 6/30/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/30/23

“Aloners” - Film Review

Aloners takes Jina’s perfect world and shatters it. The film forces her to feel the weight of the human condition. The pain, the joy, the sadness, the depths of her emotions. It’s not easy to choose to be present for life, but it is essential to being alive.

Tina Kakadelis 6/25/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/25/23

"august at twenty-two" - Film Review

august at twenty-two captures the incendiary magic of finding someone who you click with. It’s more than simply getting along and being able to make small talk.

Tina Kakadelis 6/25/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/25/23

"Rodeo" - Film Review

Rodeo is gnarled, burning passion. It’s an angry, desperate, hope for a better life and a desire to fit in somewhere, anywhere.

Tina Kakadelis 6/23/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/23/23

“Asteroid City” - Film Review

Asteroid City has its head looking up to the stars, its feet on the ground, and its heart just barely peeking out of its sleeve.

Tina Kakadelis 6/21/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/21/23

"Sublime" - Film Review

There’s a certain kind of magic reserved for a teenage, shoegaze-y rock band. Such is the central heartbeat of Sublime, an Argentinian LGBTQ+ drama about two boys growing up and every turbulent feeling that comes along with it.

Tina Kakadelis 6/16/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/16/23

“The Blackening” - Film Review

The Blackening is joyously fun, lovingly made, and the triumphant return of the mid-budget comedy.

Tina Kakadelis 6/9/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/9/23

"Reality (2023)" - Film Review

More than a compelling narrative film, Reality shows that it’s entirely possible to maintain the reality of a situation without compromising the cinematic possibilities. Reality understands that truth always trumps fiction.

Tina Kakadelis 6/2/23 Tina Kakadelis 6/2/23

"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" - Film Review

A cosmic shift happened in 2018 when Into the Spider-Verse premiered in terms of its animation style and colors. Across the Spider-Verse proves that it was not a one-hit wonder.

Tina Kakadelis 5/31/23 Tina Kakadelis 5/31/23

“The Little Mermaid (2024)” - Film Review

The Little Mermaid (2023) is the most successful of the live-action Disney remakes. Even with its shortcomings, the heart of the animated film exists within this new version which cannot be said for many other live action remakes.

Tina Kakadelis 5/27/23 Tina Kakadelis 5/27/23

“Showing Up” - Film Review

Showing Up distills artmaking into a monotonous activity without the rose-colored glasses of romanticizing the process, but without the process, what do we have?

Tina Kakadelis 5/24/23 Tina Kakadelis 5/24/23

"Fast X" - Film Review

Fast X desperately wants to be a fun popcorn summer flick. The film manages to achieve that status quite a few times, but the runtime is so sprawling, the script so nonsensical, and the action sequences so drawn-out that it cannot sustain the levity.