SXSW 2021: Introducing, Selma Blair

Introducing, Selma Blair takes viewers on an intimate journey with the actress following her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis. Here is what we know about MS: this disease it affects both the spinal cord and the brain. Symptoms differ for everyone and sadly, there is no cure. Blair went public about her diagnosis in an October 2018 post on Instagram. To say that this film is raw would not be an understatement. It honestly hurts to…

"SXSW 2021: Introducing, Selma Blair"

SXSW 2021: Hysterical

Hysterical takes us behind the stage and on the road with a number of female comedians who are veterans, rising stars, or beginners. It’s no joke that breaking into stand-up comedy isn’t easy. G-d knows I’ve tried but I’m more suited for improv and sketch comedy. Here’s a little known fact about me: I hosted a late night comedy talk show for six weeks during sophomore year of college. This was also before coming out…

"SXSW 2021: Hysterical"

SXSW 2021: See You Then

See You Then is the next cinematic game-changer in terms of transgender representation both on screen and behind the camera. Imagine the Before trilogy of films but with a transgender lead in one of those roles. That’s what you’re getting in the story of this film. It’s a two-hander of a story. In hindsight, screenwriters Mari Walker and Kristen Uno would have probably set this film during the daytime. At least, that’s my understanding from…

"SXSW 2021: See You Then"

Operation Varsity Blues Has A Docu-Drama Approach

Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal takes a docu-drama approach in reliving this you-can’t-believe-it scandal. The approach to this film is no different than last year’s Sundance-premiering The Social Dilemma. It’s an intriguing approach but it works considering who isn’t talking on camera. A lot of this has to do with the fact that there are cases still pending. Or they simply chose to decline. You can’t blame them for that. It still makes…

"Operation Varsity Blues Has A Docu-Drama Approach"

SXSW 2021: Jess Brunetto talks Sisters

First-time director Jess Brunetto spoke with Solzy at the Movies about her short film, Sisters, ahead of the SXSW premiere. The gist of the film is that hidden secrets cause tension when two estranged sisters, Andy (Mary Holland) and Emily (Sarah Burns), are forced to confront each other while preparing for their ailing mother’s (Florence C.M. Klein) death. The rest of the cast includes Jorma Taccone, Angelina Spicer, and Rob Huebel. How thrilled are you…

"SXSW 2021: Jess Brunetto talks Sisters"

SXSW 2021: Charles Wahl talks The Mohel

Charles Wahl spoke with Solzy at the Movies about his new short film, The Mohel, ahead of the world premiere during SXSW. The Mohel is about James (Daniel Maslany) and Lola (Kaelen Olm) as they face family expectations and financial strain upon flying in a mohel (Sam Rosenthal) for their son’s Brit Milah ceremony. For non-Jewish readers, this is what is referred to as the ceremony for one’s circumcision when boys are eight days old.…

"SXSW 2021: Charles Wahl talks The Mohel"

93rd Oscars Nominations Announced

The 93rd Oscars nominations were announced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas this morning during a two-part live presentation. This morning saw 70 women receiving 76 nominations, which is a new Oscars record. Meanwhile, Chloé Zhao is the first woman to receive four nominations in a single year. Emerald Fennell becomes the third woman with three nominations in a single year. Sofia Coppola and Fran Walsh previously accomplished that feat in 2003. Zhao and…

"93rd Oscars Nominations Announced"

SXSW 2021: SXSW Film Festival Goes Virtual

After last year’s edition got wiped out due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 SXSW Film Festival will take place entirely online. If you’re looking to fully recreate the SXSW experience, make sure to have a day where you pretend to lose it to traffic issues. I missed out on a film in 2018 because neither Uber nor Lyft would take my card and the taxi service wouldn’t respond to a pickup request. It can…

"SXSW 2021: SXSW Film Festival Goes Virtual"

Neighbors: Comedy Remains A Laugh Riot

Neighbors, which pits a married couple against a frat house, remains a laugh riot some seven years following its SXSW premiere in 2014. Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly Radner (Rose Byrne) are in the early stages of adjusting to parenthood. They have an infant daughter, Stella, so they can’t party with Jimmy Blevins (Ike Barinholtz) and his ex-wife, Paula (Carla Gallo), like they used to. Oh, the good old days! Mac and Kelly soon get…

"Neighbors: Comedy Remains A Laugh Riot"

Johnathon Schaech talks Blue Ridge

Johnathon Schaech spoke with Solzy at the Movies over the phone about Blue Ridge and touched on That Thing You Do! turning 25. Schaech stars in the film as Justin Wise, the new sheriff in town and a former Green Beret. Blue Ridge makes its TV premiere following the initial release last fall. What was it about the script that drew you to the role? Johnathon Schaech: My dad was a city cop for 36…

"Johnathon Schaech talks Blue Ridge"