★★★★ 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