SXSW 2020: Drunk Bus

A college graduate has to re-think his entire post-college plans in Drunk Bus after his girlfriend decides to leave him for an opportunity in New York City. Michael (Charlie Tahan) finds himself in somewhat of a pickle after his girlfriend up and left him.  When we first meet him, he’s driving the “drunk bus” on a college campus.  Night after night, it’s the same routine for Michael during the late shift.  Michael’s girlfriend is probably…

"SXSW 2020: Drunk Bus"

SXSW 2020: We Don’t Deserve Dogs

One filmmaker treks across the globe We Don’t Deserve Dogs to see how our four-legged friends are able to improve our daily lives. I’m a dog lover.  There were two dogs in my house while I was growing up.  Not at the same time, of course.  It took quite some time following one’s passing when I was in elementary school.  It wouldn’t be until the summer of 2001 when we brought home a border collie/husky…

"SXSW 2020: We Don’t Deserve Dogs"

The Hunt: A Satire For Our Times

The Hunt, the latest film from Blumhouse Productions, is the dark satire for our times as the film finally sees a theatrical release. At the heart of The Hunt is a conspiracy theory surrounding Manorgate where the liberal elite are slaughtering deplorables.  Those aren’t my words but that in which we hear spoken on screen.  Much of the conspiracy theories surrounding the film feel rather realistic to how conservatives are talking today.  Maybe not all…

"The Hunt: A Satire For Our Times"

SXSW 2020: My Darling Vivian

My Darling Vivian offers a new perspective on the life of Johnny Cash’s first wife, Vivian Liberto, through accounts shared by their four children. Take everything you know from Walk the Line and pretend it never happened.  Think of the film as a myth with all the illusions now currently shattered in front of your eyes.  After viewing this documentary, one cannot watch the film in the same light ever again.  It should certainly make…

"SXSW 2020: My Darling Vivian"

SXSW 2020: Coded Bias

Coded Bias explores a researcher’s discovery of facial recognition algorithms and how they aren’t accurate for dark-skinned people. If you’re not familiar with facial racognition software, this film will quickly get you up to speed.  It’s all because of MIT Media Lab researcher Joy Buolamwini.  Her discovery led to some startling results and in some cases, lack thereof.  Despite her best efforts, there is still no federal regulation of facial algorithms.  Or at least, this…

"SXSW 2020: Coded Bias"

The Burnt Orange Heresy Argues About Critics

There is certainly something to be said about the role of the critic when one sits down to watch The Burnt Orange Heresy. “If it is just about telling the truth, anybody can do it,” James Figueras says about being a critic.  “My job is to separate the good ones from the bad ones.” Critics are frauds.  Or so this is the argument that the film does its best to make.  At the same time,…

"The Burnt Orange Heresy Argues About Critics"

Spenser Confidential Shows A New Boston

Spenser Confidential puts the city of Boston front and center while taking its inspiration from Robert B. Parker’s Wonderland. There’s something in seeing a Mark Wahlberg action film debut not in cinemas but on Netflix.  It’s just a little bit weird to be watching a Wahlberg film for the first time on TV during opening weekend.  But hey, this is the world we’re currently living in so we may as well start getting used to…

"Spenser Confidential Shows A New Boston"

The Way Back: Ben Affleck Turns In A Masterclass

Ben Affleck manages to deliver a masterclass in acting with his performance as an alcoholic basketball coach in The Way Back. Gavin O’Connor has done it again.  The director of Miracle and Warrior knows his way around a sports movie.  Brad Ingelsby’s script isn’t immune to some of the classic sports film cliches but that’s alright.  The most climactic scene in the film doesn’t quite hit with the level it should because we already know…

"The Way Back: Ben Affleck Turns In A Masterclass"

First Cow: Bromance Thrives on Stealing

First Cow takes us back in time to the Pacific Northwest where we look at life as seen through the lens of a fur trapper and Chinese immigrant. Fur trapper Cookie Figowitz (John Maguro) befriends a Chinese immigrant, King-Lu (Orion Lee) early on in the film.  The two of them are among many to explore the Oregon Territory in the 1820s.  While there’s surely a lot of history that one could examine, the film settles…

"First Cow: Bromance Thrives on Stealing"

Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss

Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss is opening up in theaters this weekend nearly two years after its premiere during the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. Following the film’s premiere in April 2018, I spoke with director Vivieno Caldinelli.  Since that time, the film was re-cut and also received a shorter title.  The new title is much friendlier if you ask me.  If you’re a comedy fan, there are comedy cameos throughout the film.  Anyway, here’s…

"Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss"