★★★★ Netflix has fleetingly tackled nearly every holiday in one way or another (both excellent Christmas Chronicles movies from legendary director Christopher Columbus spring to mind instantly), and now with Nightbooks, the streamer sets its sights on Halloween! From Sam Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures, Nightbooks is a twisted family film with horror sensibilities. Love for … Continue reading Film Review: Nightbooks
Remembrance: Twenty Years Later
(Written by Allison Brown, circa 2007) Taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming, I thought it would be insensitive as a New York based website to continue discussing film without at least acknowledging the 20th anniversary of 9/11. This day had a profound effect on me personally, as I lost my uncle, Phillip Miller. … Continue reading Remembrance: Twenty Years Later
Film Review: Vivo
★★★★★ Despite a noticeable lack of advertising push, Sony Animation’s Vivo is a colorful, emotional, and utterly profound family film. When I started watching on Netflix, I figured I was essentially in store for an animated In the Heights—instead, Vivo feels much more Coco. I did not realize just how deeply I needed a feel-good … Continue reading Film Review: Vivo
TV Review: Turner & Hooch
While I’ve never seen the original Turner & Hooch starring Tom Hanks, I have to imagine it is significantly better than than this strange mish-mash of clashing tones and action drama. Explosions, shooting, blazing fire, and hand-to-hand action combat—2021’s Turner & Hooch reboot is certainly not what I was expecting from Disney. The pilot is … Continue reading TV Review: Turner & Hooch
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
Film Review: Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog
★★★ Although I love dog-related cinema in all its schmaltzy glory, not every film can be the next Homeward Bound, Marley & Me, or A Dog’s Purpose. It’s easier to make an aggressively average doggie flick that a truly great one. Thankfully, Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog, directed by Lynn Roth and based … Continue reading Film Review: Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog
CIFF 2021 Festival Wrap-Up
I managed to catch a few movies at the virtual 45th Cleveland International Film Festival, and thought it best to do a little roundup of everything I watched. This acts as a sampling of my thoughts, especially on the films I cannot cover yet in full. I have also linked to films I already viewed … Continue reading CIFF 2021 Festival Wrap-Up