★★★★ They say that the act of falling in love is like a dance between two people. What if this was more than just a figure of speech? Something Casual takes a literal translation of the concept, weaving stunning choreography from JA Collective into a tender connection between two people. Anchoring the story are Nico … Continue reading Film Review: Something Casual
Film Review: Ponyboi
★★★★ Always on the lookout for an under-the-radar queer indie, Ponyboi first caught my attention when it premiered at 2024’s Sundance Film Festival. The presence of enthralling internet boyfriend Dylan O’Brien and You breakout star Victoria Pedretti promised a burst of starpower to go with it. Finally, just over a year after debuting to critical … Continue reading Film Review: Ponyboi
Blu-Ray Review: Dexter: Original Sin – Season 1
Welcome to Miami, circa 1991. In Dexter: Original Sin, the second spin-off continuation of Showtime's flagship series, showrunner Clyde Phillips shifts to prequel mode. Dexter: New Blood concluded with Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) shot and left for dead by his son, Harrison (Jack Alcott). We pick up as Dexter's life flashes before his eyes. … Continue reading Blu-Ray Review: Dexter: Original Sin – Season 1
Chattanooga 2025: Crossword
★★★★ Fan favorite actor Michael Vlamis (CW's Roswell, New Mexico) makes his feature directorial debut with emotionally devastating, hypnotically unique mystery/drama, Crossword. In addition to directing, Vlamis also writes, produces, and stars as lead, James. Notably, the inspiration here was an incredibly personal story for Vlamis, whose best friend died in his arms, and inspired … Continue reading Chattanooga 2025: Crossword
Film Review: The Stranger in My Home
★★★ Based on the novel by Adele Parks, The Stranger in My Home practically feels built by AI and manufactured to perfectly fit the Lifetime Channel mold. Yet, there is an irresistible quality to this silly movie's charms, especially as it discreetly lets loose twist after twist in quiet ease. Perhaps One Tree Hill's Sophia … Continue reading Film Review: The Stranger in My Home
TV Review: The Waterfront – Season 1
Kevin Williamson plus a quiet fishing town plus fisherman—why does it feel like we have been here before? No, this is not an I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot, although one comes to cinemas in July. The Waterfront, inspired by true events, gives genre vet Williamson a chance to dip his toes into … Continue reading TV Review: The Waterfront – Season 1
Tribeca 2025: Tow
★★★★ Rose Byrne continues to prove she can quite literally flawlessly execute any given genre. Over the span of two decades, she has played a vulgar pop star, the daughter of a recently-deceased terrorist, a horrified mother, a frantic wife, an army medical doctor, and a duchess, among several many others. Now, Byrne gives one … Continue reading Tribeca 2025: Tow
Tribeca 2025: Smoke
Carrying over many of the creatives behind Apple TV's riveting true crime thriller series Black Bird, they shift the gears from one world to the next with relative ease. Inspired by the podcast Firebug and based on true events, Smoke delivers another exciting starring vehicle for lead actor, Taron Egerton. Here, Egerton (Kingsman: The Secret … Continue reading Tribeca 2025: Smoke
Tribeca 2025: Requiem for a Dream 25th Anniversary
★★★★★ To kick off Tribeca's Reunions and Retrospectives screening of 2000's Requiem for a Dream, director Darren Aronofsky was presented with the prestigious "Made in NY" Award. After accepting it, Darren didn't have to say much to introduce this now-iconic drama, other than: "Requiem is about to fuck you up." No truer words could have … Continue reading Tribeca 2025: Requiem for a Dream 25th Anniversary
Tribeca 2025: Sham
★★★★ Legendary Japanese director Takashi Miike returns for his latest, a gripping courtroom drama packed with intrigue and disturbing child abuse. What Miike manages to accomplish with aptly-named Sham is nothing short of extraordinary. It tells a compelling story with multiple viewpoints, a complex tapestry of media sensationalism and the power of truth. Who can … Continue reading Tribeca 2025: Sham