★ I should have seen the writing on the wall with Netflix’s new musical, the aptly titled 13: The Musical. For one thing, the review embargo is the actual release date and time it drops; while not an infallible measure of quality, this is often a sign that films are not up to par. Secondly, … Continue reading Film Review: 13: The Musical
TV Review: Locke & Key – Season 3
Locke & Key has had perhaps one of the more tumultuous journeys to completion in recent memory. Back in 2011, a pilot made for FOX screened at San Diego Comic Con, but was not picked up for series. In 2014, a movie trilogy was announced. In 2016, these plans were scrapped in favor of a … Continue reading TV Review: Locke & Key – Season 3
Film Review: Purple Hearts
★★★★ Purple Hearts is a richly-sketched romance punctuated by terrific original songs cowritten by lead Sofia Carson (Disney’s Descendants, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists). Carson’s Cassie and love interest Luke (Nicholas Galitzine, 2021’s Cinderella, excellent queer drama Handsome Devil) have chemistry that one can feel from their very first encounter. Spruced up by the musicality … Continue reading Film Review: Purple Hearts
TV Review: Surface
Apple TV is quickly building up a surprisingly solid library considering the humble beginnings. Shows I haven’t even gotten around to yet, such as The Morning Show or Ted Lasso, carry their own pedigree of excellence. Enter: Surface, a new mystery/drama/thriller featuring a love triangle, a plethora of twists, and more backtracking through memories than … Continue reading TV Review: Surface
TV Review: Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
All the way back in 2010, ABC Family (now Freeform) had a hit on their hands. Based on the bestselling book series by Sara Shepard and show-run by I. Marlene King, the original Pretty Little Liars was a mixed bag of minor horror inspiration, pulpy soap-opera dramatics, and a never-ending array of mysteries to be … Continue reading TV Review: Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
Fantasia 2022: Resurrection
★★ Rebecca Hall’s previous film release, The Night House, earned mass critical acclaim even though it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea. Her first project as writer/director, cloying drama Passing, also released last year, and now, Hall brings her talents to 2022’s Resurrection. In a strange way, Resurrection would make for a perfect double-billing with … Continue reading Fantasia 2022: Resurrection
Fantasia 2022: My Grandfather’s Demons
★★★★ My Grandfather’s Demons is perhaps the most gorgeously animated movie of this year’s Fantasia Film Festival. This stop-motion import from Portugal has more heart and originality than I had been anticipating, driven home by the stunning imagery and excellent writing at the heart of the film. Blending rich folklore with the ties of familial … Continue reading Fantasia 2022: My Grandfather’s Demons
Film Review: Not Okay
★★★★★ For any lover of dark comedy, Not Okay may easily work its way up to being their favorite film of the year. The satirical nature of writer/director Quinn Shephard’s script makes some of the most effective and raw moments palatable and memorable. By bringing up so many moral questions right off the bat, Shephard … Continue reading Film Review: Not Okay
Film Review: Alone Together
★★★ Sweet, cheesy, and utterly plotless, Katie Holmes debuts Alone Together as a major directorial effort. Flaws aside, I had fun with the rom-com vibes especially in the film’s first half. However, I can fully understand the hugely negative critical reception I seem to be seeing everywhere. Though it debuted at 2022’s Tribeca Film Festival, … Continue reading Film Review: Alone Together
Fantasia 2022: Goodbye, Don Glees!
★★★★ Who would have thought an animated Japanese drama would emerge as one of the best films of 2022’s Fantasia International Film Festival? Goodbye, Don Glees! is made in an anime-style, coupled with photo-realistic moments of beauty. Written and directed by Atsuko Ishizuka, I could barely comprehend the level of tearjerking, life-affirming heights that the … Continue reading Fantasia 2022: Goodbye, Don Glees!