With every annual awards season, films vie for industry and critic circle awards in competition for the pinnacle of this yearly cycle: the coveted Academy Award, or Oscar. Though the Oscars certainly are not an objective treatise on the best films of any given year (I will never forget or forgive Green Book winning Best… Continue reading ‘Nomadland’ and ‘Minari’ paint honest mosaics of the American dream- dual awards contenders reviews
Category: Arts & Entertainment
‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ is a searing tale of revolution
One of the first narrative scenes in Shaka King’s exhilarating new sophomore feature is a simple sequence following car thief William O’Neal (Lakeith Stanfield; Get Out, Knives Out) as he executes a plan of petty theft: impersonating an FBI agent at a local 1960s Chicago bar in order to steal a gorgeous red car. Sean… Continue reading ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ is a searing tale of revolution
2021 Sundance Film Festival—review roundup and ranking
I had the immense pleasure of virtually attending some virtual screenings for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, a dream I have had for most of my life thus far as an ardent fan of cinema and filmmaking. The Sundance Film Festival is an annual showcase for an eclectic range of cinema from narrative films to… Continue reading 2021 Sundance Film Festival—review roundup and ranking
Fancy a trip back in time?
It was October, 2001. The United States had just returned the first salvos in the War on Terror by initiating bombing campaigns in Afghanistan, the nation was gripped by an Anthrax scare, and OJ had just been acquitted. Again. No, it wasn’t the case you were thinking of, it was a separate road rage incident… Continue reading Fancy a trip back in time?
‘Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar’ is a joyous seaside lark
Roughly 10 years after its jubilant release, the 2011 film Bridesmaids is already a widely lauded, gloriously hysterical comedy classic. Written and partially performed by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, it was a hilarious and immaculate showcase for female comedic talent brimming equally with euphorically funny gags and dramatic heft, all grounded in real-world authenticity.… Continue reading ‘Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar’ is a joyous seaside lark
‘Passing’ receives simmering cinematic treatment- Sundance 2021 review
Rebecca Hall makes her feature directorial debut with film adaptation starring Tessa Thompson of widely lauded Nella Larsen novel Actress Rebecca Hall’s (The Prestige, Vicky Cristina Barcelona) auspicious first directorial feature Passing initiates with, and maintains throughout, a delicately crafted yet restrained atmosphere and characters. Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson, Thor: Ragnarok, Creed), a mixed-race woman… Continue reading ‘Passing’ receives simmering cinematic treatment- Sundance 2021 review
Bridgerton Takes on Race —Kind of
By now, it is almost impossible for you not to have at least heard of “Bridgerton” in some capacity. In short, this book series turned Netflix adaptation can be described as a combination of Pride and Prejudice and Gossip Girl. You might be thinking: Do we need another time period series to follow for a… Continue reading Bridgerton Takes on Race —Kind of
Hayley Williams of Paramore drops surprise album
Hayley Williams of the band, Paramore, dropped a new surprise solo album entitled FLOWERS for VASES/descansos at midnight Feb. 5. FLOWERS for VASES/descansos is a prequel to Williams’ last album, Petals for Armor. “This isn’t really a follow-up to Petals For Armor. If anything, it’s a prequel or some sort of detour between parts one… Continue reading Hayley Williams of Paramore drops surprise album
Congruent with its title, ‘The Little Things’ offers minimum
The procedural thriller has been a staple of cinema for decades now: frequently simple yet effective stories of law enforcement officials tenaciously uncovering the truth of long-gestating crimes. To say the least, obsession and bleak reality often materialize around the mystery, engrossing the audience in the process; however, like any other genre, prevalent formulas begin… Continue reading Congruent with its title, ‘The Little Things’ offers minimum
Jack Vance: a lesser known sci-fi giant
For those who think of themselves as fairly well versed in science fiction literature, you’re probably familiar with some of the big names: Asimov, Clarke, Dick, Bradbury, Orwell, Wells, Verne and all the rest. However, fewer people have been exposed to the whimsy, picturesque settings, and punctilious, instantly-recognizable style of Jack Vance. Jack Vance (1916-2013)… Continue reading Jack Vance: a lesser known sci-fi giant