★★★★ 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
Film Review: Dinner in America
★★★★★ Dinner in America is a twisted rom-com brimming with originality and dark humor. What begins at one extreme is constantly flipped on its head, as messages about reveling in being a punk-rock-loser speak volumes. Crude and aggressive, the brand of comedy here will be off-putting to some—this viewer, however, fell in love with the … Continue reading Film Review: Dinner in America
Film Review: Torn Hearts
★★★★ When one first hears the concept of a country music horror movie, whatever one has envisioned is surely not what one will get. In the best way imaginable, I can almost guarantee that Torn Hearts is not interested in delivering as tired or basic of a concept as one would expect. Superstar Katey Sagal … Continue reading Film Review: Torn Hearts
Film Review: Metal Lords
★★★★ Netflix’s new music dramedy, Metal Lords, feels like a modern answer to Jack Black’s School of Rock. Centering around a Battle of the Bands, the film from director Peter Sollett is a wondrous coming-of-age delight that revels in the bold excess of the heavy metal genre. With young and extremely talented Jaeden Martell (Stephen … Continue reading Film Review: Metal Lords
Film Review: Marry Me
★★★ For those waiting patiently to see Jennifer Lopez make her triumphant return to the cheesy romantic-comedy model in which she thrived, 2022’s Marry Me may feel like welcoming home a long-lost love. Firmly stuck in a different time, there is admittedly something comforting about this brand of movie. In the same breath though, I … Continue reading Film Review: Marry Me
Film Review: Aline
★★★ Aline deserves to go down in the history books as one of the most bizarre biopics ever made. Where else can one witness the same actress playing the lead character that charts her all the way back to infancy? In a way, the movie reminded me of the strange quality that came with seeing … Continue reading Film Review: Aline
TIFF 2021: Music Box: Jagged
★★★★ As a music documentary, I think it is already obvious if one will find enjoyment in this new feature on iconic songwriter, Alanis Morissette. Like all of the best docs, we chart Morissette’s comprehensive rise from a faux-pop singer to an influential girl-power songwriter. The documentary gives one a glimpse into the headspace of … Continue reading TIFF 2021: Music Box: Jagged
Tribeca 2021: Poser
★★★★★ Poser, a thrilling deep dive into Columbus, Ohio’s music scene, completely shocked and surprised me. Directed by Noah Dixon (who also wrote the script) and Ori Segev, Poser delves into the music world with vigor and realism. Beyond that, it’s a searing character study about timid Lennon (newcomer Sylvie Mix) as she starts up … Continue reading Tribeca 2021: Poser
Film Review: Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry
★★★★ At best, I’d call myself a casual fan of Billie Eilish’s music, so I didn’t have the biggest level of anticipation towards the new film Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry. My earliest exposure to the multiple-Grammy-winning artist was via the soundtrack of 2017’s explosive first season of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why. I … Continue reading Film Review: Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry