Akilla’s Escape weaves together two different timelines in Brooklyn and Toronto while tackling social issues that remain in the limelight. During a drug trade-gone-bad, Akilla Brown (Saul Williams) captures a teenage and mute Jamaican boy, Sheppard (Thamela Mpulmwana). His youth comes back to him when Akilla learns that Sheppard is a affiliated with the Garrison Army. It just so happens that Akilla’s grandfather founded the Jamaican crime syndicate. Akilla left the life some time ago…
"Toronto 2020: Akilla’s Escape"Category: Movie Reviews
No Ordinary Man isn’t so much a documentary of musician Billy Tipton but a major contribution to the history of trans-masculinity. For me, the most important moment in the film came when activist Jamison Green meets Billy Tipton Jr. It’s during this meeting that Green tells the musician’s son that nobody is alone in going through this. For a long time, Tipton Jr. thought he was the only one with such a history. But again,…
"Toronto 2020: No Ordinary Man"
Unpregnant may be one of the most unique films to feature abortion as a story line in that this film is mostly a road trip comedy. If you haven’t figured it out after the likes of The Edge of Seventeen or Columbus, Haley Lu Richardson is a star. A bonafide star. For those readers that have yet to watch Columbus, I have some words for you. Unpregnant is even more proof that Richardson can carry…
"Unpregnant: A Blend Of Comedy And Emotions"
Geraldine Viswanathan should become a household name following the release of The Broken Hearts Gallery in theaters and later, home video. This time last year, actress Geraldine Viswanathan was honored by the Toronto International Film Festival as a TIFF Rising Star. This year, the actress makes appearances in both Bad Education and The Broken Hearts Gallery. One shouldn’t forget previous appearances in Blockers or Hala. A few things to discuss here. Because of the continuing…
"The Broken Hearts Gallery: Viswanathan Is A Star"
I Am Woman lifts up its subject, Helen Reddy, while at the same time also suffering from the same problems that plague other musical biopics. A comeback major musical performance, some text on screen, and fade out to the credits. Walk Hard was supposed to solve the problem with musical biopics. Instead, filmmakers have not learned their lessons from the cult classic. So, too, is the case here. Another problem comes by the mere fact…
"I Am Woman Tells Helen Reddy’s Story"
The Way I See It goes behind the scenes through White House photographer Pete Souza’s eyes during the Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama administrations. How many people can say they worked at the White House for both Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Not many, I would assume. However, Pete Souza could very well be the only one. Souza comments in the film that if you thought he would work for both the most iconic…
"Toronto 2020: The Way I See It"
The SXSW award-winning Topside made its world premiere during the 2020 Venice International Film Critics Week after not premiering in March. Many international film festivals have come to the rescue for the SXSW orphans still wanting an official world premiere with an audience. In this instance, it is Venice coming to the rescue for Topside. The feature debut from Celine Held and Logan George won a special jury award for directing at SXSW in March. …
"Venice 2020: Topside"
Holler, starring Jessica Barden, marks an impressive feature debut for writer-director Nicole Riegel in the Southern Ohio-set production. It’s no lie that manufacturing towns are among the first towns to take a hit when the economy takes a downturn. Jackson, Ohio is certainly no exception. For Ruth Avery (Jessica Barden), she’s willing to do whatever it takes to go to college and have a better future. Working with her brother Blaze (Gus Halper), Ruth soon…
"Holler: Jessica Barden Shines In Nicole Riegel’s Feature Debut"
With the wit and charm of Millie Bobby Brown at the forefront, Enola Holmes makes for a fresh start of a new detective franchise. We all know Sherlock Holmes for being the world’s greatest detective. The name was soured almost two years ago with a film that could only be called a cinematic disgrace. But what I can take you is that Enola Holmes helps put all of that behind us. There’s no shortage of…
"Enola Holmes Is A Potential Franchise Starter"
Feels Good Man is another documentary that focuses on what happens when a cartoonist’s creation gets hijacked by racists and anti-Semites. Political elections can bring out the worst among us. When a candidate does nothing but flaunt conspiracy theories, it can really bring out the worst. Now what happens when you’re a cartoonist and you suddenly discover your creation hijacked by right-wing bigots? Welcome to Matt Furie’s life. You see, Matt is the creator of…
"Feels Good Man: When Cartoons Get Hijacked"