★★★★★ I will never forget the first time I went to see the original Avatar in 2009. Working at AMC theaters at the time, I was of course privy to free tickets; I made a family event out of it, sure to travel to Pandora a total of four times while it was playing in … Continue reading Film Review: Avatar: The Way of Water
Film Review: Slumberland
★★ 1989’s Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland has been a favorite of mine for years, so to say I was ambivalent about a live action remake would be an understatement. Still, I am always willing to give these types of films a proper chance, viewed on their own, separate from their animated superiors. Aladdin and … Continue reading Film Review: Slumberland
Film Review: Enola Holmes 2
★★★★ 2020’s Enola Holmes holds a special place in my heart for a variety of reasons. My late mother recommended it to me several times over—though I did not get to view it for the first time until after her passing in November, I fell in love with its depiction of a young investigator living … Continue reading Film Review: Enola Holmes 2
AIF 2022: Titina
★★★★ Every now and then, a wonderful film comes along to remind us what makes 2D-animation so special in the first place. In stunning Belgium/Norway collaboration Titina, we follow the very first exploration of the North Pole through the eyes of an absolutely adorable little dog. The perspective of spunky punk Titina adds an extra … Continue reading AIF 2022: Titina
Film Review: The Curse of Bridge Hollow
★★★ It has been a long time since I have watched a film successfully try to emulate the Hocus Pocus formula, appealing to younger viewers whilst serving as a gateway for future horror fans. Enter: Netflix’s The Curse of Bridge Hollow, a delightful, if slight, new feature from director Jeff Wadlow (Truth or Dare, Cry … Continue reading Film Review: The Curse of Bridge Hollow
Film Review: My Father’s Dragon
★★★★ Based on the famous children’s book, My Father’s Dragon is the newest movie from one of my favorite unsung animation studios, Cartoon Saloon. Responsible for such magical titles as The Secret of Kells and my personal favorite, Song of the Sea, Cartoon Brew always injects their films with a vibrant heart not dissimilar to … Continue reading Film Review: My Father’s Dragon
TIFF 2022: Catherine Called Birdy
★★★ Lena Dunham’s previous film, Sharp Stick, seems to be her most critically divisive movie to date, but I personally adored the quirky charms and off-kilter humor. Now, Dunham’s second directorial effort of 2022 has arrived in the form of light coming-of-age dramedy, Catherine Called Birdy, an adaptation of the novel by Karen Cushman. The … Continue reading TIFF 2022: Catherine Called Birdy
Film Review: The Gray Man
★★★ Ryan Gosling headlining, an exciting onscreen reunion between Knives Out costars Ana de Armas and Chris Evans, and frequent Marvel collaborators the Russo Brothers behind the lens meant it was virtually impossible not to be excited for spy thriller, The Gray Man. For the real question though: does this Netflix movie live up to … Continue reading Film Review: The Gray Man
Film Review: The Northman
★★★★★ Visionary director Robert Eggers established a name in making cerebral, divisive horror with just two films. Both The Witch and The Lighthouse are fantastic in their own unique ways, but in my opinion, The Northman is his indisputable masterpiece. While this one does not fall among the horror genre, the visual influence and atmospheric … Continue reading Film Review: The Northman
Film Review: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
★★★★ The third entry in the Wizarding World side-saga of Newt Scamander has finally arrived in theaters just when we need it the most! Like an old friend, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore welcomes the audience with its warm embrace of magical familiarity. I didn’t realize truly how much I had missed walking through … Continue reading Film Review: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore