Jason Isaacs and and Martha Plimpton in Franz Kranz's "Mass."Sundance Two couples enter a small room in a church. “It’s a secluded room,” utters the church employee. There’s a layer of ambiguity that surrounds this meeting. You know it’s a tragic event based on the social worker’s survey of the room. The sheer appearance of … Continue reading SUNDANCE REVIEW: MASS (2021)
SUNDANCE REVIEW: PASSING (2021)
Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson in Rebecca Hall's "Passing" Sundance “We’re all of us passing for something or other, aren’t we?” Rebecca Hall’s inspiration in adapting Nella Larsen’s novel, Passing, didn’t come from her need to bring this rather artistic short story to life, but rather a strong connection to the material. Hall’s grandfather, a … Continue reading SUNDANCE REVIEW: PASSING (2021)
REVIEW: ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI (2020)
Amazon Studios “Brother, you could move mountains without lifting a finger.” As we see in today’s news, the police brutality, protests, and demanding of basic human rights, we turn to the stories of old, embracing those who fought for their rights and, in the process, stopped those who would infringe on those demands. One Night … Continue reading REVIEW: ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI (2020)
REVIEW: I’M YOUR WOMAN (2020)
MARSHA STEPHANIE BLAKE and RACHEL BROSNAHAN star in I’M YOUR WOMAN Photo: Wilson Webb Courtesy of Amazon Studios “I just thought you should be prepared for what comes next.” “What comes next?” The 1970s, a time filled with explosive crime dramas and gritty anti-heroes. With films like Dirty Harry and Serpico, these were the stories … Continue reading REVIEW: I’M YOUR WOMAN (2020)
AFI FEST REVIEW: SOUND OF METAL (2020)
Riz Ahmed in 'Sound of Metal' “You’re right, Ruben. The world does keep moving, and it can be a damn cruel place. But for me, those moments of stillness, that place, that’s the Kingdom of God. And that place will never abandon you.” Let me ask you a hypothetical: you’re able to achieve your dreams … Continue reading AFI FEST REVIEW: SOUND OF METAL (2020)
NYFF REVIEW: FRENCH EXIT (2020)
“My plan was to die before the money ran out.” There are many of us that through our sadness, traumatic, and fearful moments in life, turn to humor as a coping mechanism to get us through whatever we may be facing. Personally, my family and I still laugh at certain jokes that were born from … Continue reading NYFF REVIEW: FRENCH EXIT (2020)
NYFF REVIEW: ON THE ROCKS (2020)
Rashida Jones and Bill Murray in Sofia Coppola's 'On the Rocks'Apple TV+ “Can you just act a little less excited about this? Because this is my life, and it might be falling apart.” Sofia Coppola’s talents as a director may come from the time spent with her father on film sets. But to be honest, … Continue reading NYFF REVIEW: ON THE ROCKS (2020)
NYFF REVIEW: NOMADLAND (2020)
Frances McDormand in Chloé Zhao's Nomadland © Fox Searchlight “See you down the road.” “Not all who wander are lost.” A sentiment of inspiration for some, but no statement rings truer in Chloé Zhao’s, Nomadland. This visually stimulating film examines the modern-day nomadic lifestyle through the eyes of our protagonist. With her contact with real-life … Continue reading NYFF REVIEW: NOMADLAND (2020)