★★★ 1989’s Society is one of the most batshit crazy horror movies ever to emerge out of the genre. Perhaps most remembered for its iconic orgy/shunting sequence in the final act, Society goes down in the annals of goopy practical effects history. As of the past decade, all-encompassing horror documentaries (such as In Search of … Continue reading FrightFest 2023: The Darkside of Society
FrightFest 2023: The J-Horror Virus
★★★★ The early 2000s were a vital time period of transition for the horror genre. Just as the post-Scream slasher boom was winding down and audiences were losing their interest in such features, J-horror exploded in popularity. Characterized by the ghostly figure of a woman with long black hair and atmospheric, tech-based terrors, these movies … Continue reading FrightFest 2023: The J-Horror Virus
Film Review: King on Screen
★★★★ One of the most prolific creatives of all time, Stephen King, is an absolute legend for a reason. His timeless stories and deep character work make any given tale uniquely original. As with many folks in documentary King on Screen, my introduction to him came during my childhood; my horror-obsessed Grandma who voraciously devoured … Continue reading Film Review: King on Screen
Tribeca 2023: Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
★★★★★ A searing, devastating, all-inclusive peak behind the curtain of closeted Hollywood matinee idol Rock Hudson, Tribeca doc Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed tells a timely story while exploring every angle of the actor’s hidden lifestyle. I have never seen a single Rock Hudson film, yet I felt compelled to review this documentary based … Continue reading Tribeca 2023: Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
Tribeca 2023: Anthem
★★★ (Written by Allison Brown) It is impossible to separate a critical discussion of Anthem from the incredibly ambitious experiment undertaken by pianist Kris Bowers and producer DJ Dahi. The two have the best intentions in mind in their endeavor to write a new national anthem that better fits the current state of America. Admittedly, … Continue reading Tribeca 2023: Anthem
Tribeca 2023: Your Fat Friend
★★★★ (Written by Allison Brown) Blogger and author Aubrey Gordon shares that fat people spend our entire lives changing to fit the world around us. People are scared to use the word “fat,” and come up with a million euphuisms to make it an easier topic of discussion. With the rise of fat activism, overweight … Continue reading Tribeca 2023: Your Fat Friend
Film Review: Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story
★★★★ Further proving that he is a hall of famer genre actor, Hollywood Dreams and Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story highlights the entire filmography of a cinema legend. Interviews are featured with everyone from indie directors Adam Green and Tim Sullivan to Englund’s coworkers and friends. There is truly nothing like getting to see someone … Continue reading Film Review: Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story
Film Review: Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
★★★★ Not every celebrity story is worthy of receiving the documentary treatment—many of them feel like simple fluff without much substance. Michael J. Fox’s struggle with a debilitating disease, however, absolutely deserves full feature-length attention. Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie examines Fox in his most unfiltered, vulnerable, vanity-free state. Through his own words, this … Continue reading Film Review: Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
SXSW 2023: Pay or Die
(Written by Allison Brown) ★★★★ The cost of healthcare in the United States is at an all-time high. If one suddenly loses their job or falls off their parents’ insurance, out-of-pocket costs can reach the thousands, leading many to neglect their health. Even with insurance, high deductibles and co-pays make it hard for the average … Continue reading SXSW 2023: Pay or Die
SXSW 2023: Citizen Sleuth
(Written by Allison Brown) ★★★ Although some may have good intentions, true crime podcasts are an ethical grey zone. Director Chris Kasick chooses to follow Emily Nestor and the explosion of her show, Mile Marker 181, in Citizen Sleuth to expose the balance between entertainment and truth. With zero college education or audiovisual, journalism or … Continue reading SXSW 2023: Citizen Sleuth