★★★★★ A pure coming-of-age queer delight, National Anthem cements Charlie Plummer as a fiercely talented indie darling. Co-writer/director Luke Gilford brings a unique visual style to an intimate story: a veritable showcase of gorgeous cinematography, and breathtaking New Mexico scenery. This is a decidedly different take on the American dream. Sometimes, finding one’s tribe could … Continue reading NewFest 2023: National Anthem
TIFF 2022: Wildflower
★★★★ Set in Las Vegas, Nevada, Wildflower unfolds similar to many movies in the coming-of-age genre: a message declaring that it is “inspired by true events,” and of course the immediate voiceover of our lead character—in this case, that’s Bea (Kiernan Shipka, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Running with Sharks). I felt like I was … Continue reading TIFF 2022: Wildflower
Film Review: Gully
★★★★ Sometimes having low expectations is key to finding the biggest surprises. In a movie heavily inspired by Clockwork Orange, three promising young men spiral out of control, fueled by drugs and video game violence. Gully was a selection at 2019’s Tribeca Film Festival, and its delayed release undoubtedly has a lot to do with … Continue reading Film Review: Gully