Indie
Film Review – First Cow
First Cow (2019) plays like sleight of hand. At first, we see the methodical pacing and gradual plot and think that it doesn’t have much to say. But as we step away and go over the themes and character dynamics do we truly realize how…
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Film Review – The Vast of Night
The Vast of Night (2020) plays like a great sci-fi thriller told ‘round a campfire. Using a minimal amount of sets and locations, the film makes the most of what is both seen and isn’t seen. The strength of the writing brings us in, rounding…
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Film Review – Endings, Beginnings
Endings, Beginnings (2020) has the look and feel of one of those indie dramas that explore deep human stories. It has a free floating, spontaneous tone and is backed by a cool soundtrack that operates like a playlist you would give your junior high crush.…
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Film Review – Never Rarely Sometimes Always
I’ve just seen Eliza Hittman’s Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) and am sitting here almost at a loss for words. This is now my third attempt to begin this review, because the film elicits such a wave of different reactions that it’s difficult to organize…
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Film Review – Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Céline Sciamma‘s Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a meticulously done film of scenes of time passing that put together a thoughtful and intriguing idea about romance and camaraderie in extraordinary situations. In the 18th century Marianne (Noémie Merlant), a female painter, is sent…
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Film Review – Honey Boy (Second Take)
Honey Boy is a semi-autobiographical film written by Shia LaBeouf and directed by Alma Har’el. While the characters’ names are different, it is easily identified as based on Shia LaBeouf’s childhood to becoming a star as a young man and the trouble that created.
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SXSW Film Review – Them That Follow
Them That Follow is a film that screamed thriller or horror to me at SXSW. Unless you are terrified of snakes, this film is a drama set in a remote Appalachian town that does not have money but plenty of faith. This faith is what…
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Film Review – Squirrel
First feature films can be a tricky endeavor for those with small budgets but an avid love for the art of film. Many firsts for screenwriters and directors end up being films with a decent budget that gain a cult following and strong word-of-mouth, but others…
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