Can you believe 2021 is already halfway over? I have watched almost 400 brand-new releases for the year, so I feel pretty confident in selecting a top 10 (and of course a few honorable mentions!) I have only included films here that are readily available or have shown in the theater first. Read on for … Continue reading 2021 Midyear Favorites
Film Review: The Boss Baby: Family Business
★★★★ I was very late to the party when it came to 2017’s The Boss Baby. Though it rather controversially was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Film, it was critically overlooked. When I watched it for the first time on Netflix, I was surprised at how harmonious the heart and humor work together. … Continue reading Film Review: The Boss Baby: Family Business
TV Review: Monsters at Work
Judging from the first two episodes (one of which I viewed at the in-person Tribeca Film Festival premiere), Monsters at Work has some work to do. A spin-off from the excellent, Oscar-nominated Disney/Pixar collaboration Monsters, Inc. and its highly entertaining prequel, Monsters University, this is the first time we are presented this world from a … Continue reading TV Review: Monsters at Work
Provincetown International Film Festival 2021 Wrap-Up
For this year's Provincetown International Film Festival, I caught a couple of great gems, with my favorite of the bunch being the absolutely phenomenal drama, CODA. A full listing of all the films covered, including recently-reviewed ones from previous festivals, is included below... Films BEANS Full review at the link. BEING BEBE Full review at … Continue reading Provincetown International Film Festival 2021 Wrap-Up
SIFF 2021 Festival Wrap-Up
This year, the Seattle International Film Festival went virtual! From April 8th - April 18th, I checked out 17 total films, and 3 short films. It was a pretty fascinating selection of unique (and often challenging) films. Anything not afforded full coverage is included here, as well as a personal top 5 favorites from the … Continue reading SIFF 2021 Festival Wrap-Up
Film Review: The Mitchells vs. The Machines
★★★★★ The Mitchells vs The Machines employs a successful formula right out of the gate: the new Sony Animation adventure/comedy is engaging and insightful well before the robots enter the picture. It molds a family unit that’s virtually impossible not to fall in love with. Moreover, its world is so energetic and colorful that The … Continue reading Film Review: The Mitchells vs. The Machines
SIFF 2021: The Legend of Hei
★★★★ The Legend of Hei, hailing from China where it struck box office gold, replicates a very smooth and specific style of 2D animation. Studio Ghibli would be proud of the lushness and splendid rendering that puts thrilling Chinese landmarks on full display, while centering solely on the richness of the characters and their relationships. … Continue reading SIFF 2021: The Legend of Hei
SIFF 2021: Nahuel and the Magic Book
★★★★ Nahuel and the Magic Book is a beautiful animated film, the first of its kind to sprout from a collaboration between Chile and Brazil. While it may hit several familiar family-movie beats, the biggest selling point here is the traditional 2D animation style. Coupled with a story that draws from rich Mapuche mythology, Nahuel … Continue reading SIFF 2021: Nahuel and the Magic Book
Film Review: Chance
★★★★ Adult animation is tricky to get right, and justly so. It requires a balancing act to strike the right tone, and to prove the story is worth telling in this format. I’m happy to report that Chance, the new dog fighting animated drama from director Kenny Roy, emphasizes the urgency of this topic. Being … Continue reading Film Review: Chance
SFFILM Festival Roundup
For 2021’s virtual San Francisco International Film Festival, I decided to do things a little differently. I will be updating with a small blurb for each film I watch from the festival, which will also be a good way to track my initial reactions and feelings about each one. Read on for my exclusive coverage. … Continue reading SFFILM Festival Roundup