Movie Reviews
Seen a lot of movies, got a lot of opinions.
Let’s get Lily Gladstone her Oscar.
“The Royal Hotel” - Film Review
The Royal Hotel is a horror movie, but not in a supernatural or otherworldly way. Maybe that’s what makes it so creepy. The tension, fear, and confusion of Hanna burrow under the audience’s skin because this experience is not too far-fetched to believe.
"Napoleon" - Film Review
As epic in scale as Napoleon is, the film feels cold and removed from the man himself.
"Disfluency" - Film Review
Disfluency has all the warmth of Lady Bird and the urgency of Never Rarely Sometimes Always. It’s quietly confident, a reminder of the essential nature of storytelling.
"War Pony" - Film Review
War Pony is a vivid portrait of loss, hope for the ever-elusive future, and the ways communities come together and fall apart.
Oscar Qualifying Short Film Roundup: "Headspace," "Pete," & "An Avocado Pit"
A round-up of Oscar-qualifying short films featuring animation, documentary, and narrative works.
"Priscilla" - Film Review
Priscilla is nowhere near as bombastic as Elvis. It’s the quiet, nuanced story of a young girl whose kindness and naïvité were taken advantage of in the name of a man’s desire for fame.
"Anatomy of a Fall" - Film Review
Anatomy of a Fall, while showcasing a stunning use of the film medium, is a social experiment. The film isn’t about a death at all. It’s a mirror held up to the audience.
Oscar Qualifying Short Film Roundup: "Pivot," "Ninety-Five Senses," "Motherland," "Red, White and Blue," "All-Inclusive," "Closing Dynasty," & "The Wake"
A round-up of Oscar-qualifying short films featuring animation, documentary, and narrative works.
"Killers of the Flower Moon" - Film Review
American history is filled with greedy people committing heinous crimes to protect their way of life. It’s a tale as old as time and it continues into the present.
"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts: - DVD Review
Rise of the Beasts is the best Transformers entry since Bumblebee, but it won’t be the last time we see these robots fight on the big screen.
TIFF23: “Chuck Chuck Baby” - Film Review
Chuck Chuck Baby has no time for those who don’t have a funny bone in their bodies. Life’s too short to not fall in love amid a snowfall of chicken feathers.
TIFF23: “Homecoming” - Documentary Film Review
Máhccan is an ode to a place and a people made by someone who intimately feels their pain. Not just the ones living today, but those who lived long ago. Those whose hands beat these drums, sewed these clothes, and built the legacy Máhccan continues to grow upon.
TIFF23: “Perfect Days” - Film Review
You may find things you agree with, things that are at odds with your way of life, or inspiration in Perfect Days. It’s a reminder of the too-easy-to-forget, age-old adage: stop and smell the roses every once and a while.
TIFF23: “The Zone of Interest” - Film Review
The Zone of Interest begs for attention, no matter how difficult it is to watch.
TIFF23: “Orlando, My Political Biography” - Film Review
Above any critique of Orlando, My Political Biography is a sense of awe for its existence—for the joy, anger, love, and pain it stands for.
TIFF23: “Summer Qamp” - Documentary Review
Summer Qamp ends with a chant. One that seems to happen organically. Over and over, the campers and the counselors are shouting “queer joy.”
TIFF23: “Lost Ladies” - Film Review
Lost Ladies is a delightful romp through a comedy of errors that, of course, ends with a happily ever after.
TIFF23: “The Boy and the Heron” - Film Review
The Boy and the Heron is a goodbye. A preemptive farewell from a man who gave so much of himself to a medium he adored.
TIFF23: “Gonzo Girl” - Film Review
Gonzo Girl marks a strong debut from Arquette, and watching her grow as a director will be a thrill. This film is a showcase of its talented leads, but a little light on substance.
TIFF23: “Queen of My Dreams” - Film Review
The Queen of My Dreams is a look at a familial relationship that’s honest, even when it’s ugly.