Chanshi – Sundance 2023

Chanshi offers a glimpse into the lives of Olim in Israel through the lens of the titular Orthodox Jewish woman from Brooklyn. Everyone is on a journey. Sometimes, they transition from secular to Chasidic or they become less religious and leave Orthodoxy. Chanshi (Aleeza Chanowitz) comes from a Chabad-Lubavich family in Brooklyn and starts changing up her life when she visits Israel for Nomi’s (Marin Schon) wedding. But first, some quick backstory: Chanshi is engaged…

"Chanshi – Sundance 2023"

On the Count of Three: A Dark Comedy

Over a year after the film premiered during Sundance 2021, On the Count of Three is finally getting a theatrical release. This is not a light film by any means. In fact, this is a film that touches on mental illness and suicide. It’s a dark comedy even though there is nothing about suicide that is funny. This is exactly why we see the usual suicide hotline message before the film comes to an end.…

"On the Count of Three: A Dark Comedy"

Monsters at Work: It’s Laughter We’re After

Monsters at Work starts the day after Monstropolis decided to go after laughter rather than power their city by scaring children. A number of Monsters Inc. veterans return including Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman). However, we’re introduced to some new monsters including the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team (MIFT). While Mike and Sulley are series regulars, they’re not particularly the main stars of the series. No, this honor belongs to new Monsters University graduate…

"Monsters at Work: It’s Laughter We’re After"

AFI FEST 2020: Pink Skies Ahead

Pink Skies Ahead takes us back to the Los Angeles of the late 1990s when a college students drops out and moves back in with her parents. Aspiring writer Winona (Jessica Barden) drops out of college and gets diagnosed with an anxiety disorder after moving back home with her parents, Robert (Michael McKean) and Pamela (Marcia Gay Harden).  She’s in denial about Dr. Cotton’s (Henry Winkler) diagnosis.  After all, she’s never had a panic attack…

"AFI FEST 2020: Pink Skies Ahead"

Barry: Where do we go after that?

With the season 2 finale (“berkman > block) of Barry, the series leaves in a good spot while we wait for the new episodes to return next year on HBO. Barry just finished airing on the east coast.  West coast viewers, please wait before reading. While most people are still digesting the Game of Thrones series finale, there’s a dark comedy series ending its second season tonight.  Bill Hader is ever the capable triple threat…

"Barry: Where do we go after that?"

Barry: Season 2 Hits The Mark

HBO’s dark comedy, Barry, is able to hit the mark during the sophomore season and the series capably avoids the sophomore slump. I’ve only seen the first three episodes of the season season.  While I can’t speak to the rest of the second season, co-creators Alec Berg and Bill Hader have upped the ante on the second season.  When we last left our anti-hero, he was in some sort of a personal crisis.  Not just any…

"Barry: Season 2 Hits The Mark"

Wizard World Chicago is Coming in August

With Wizard World Chicago set to take over the Rosemont suburb next month, it’s time to start making plans for who to see during the Comic Con.  Whether it’s movies, television, or comic books, there’s something for everyone when Wizard World Chicago takes place August 23-26 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. This year’s installment of Wizard World Chicago marks the 20th anniversary in Chicago.  What better way to celebrate than bring in Sebastian Stan…

"Wizard World Chicago is Coming in August"

Barry: Bill Hader Shines in Dark Comedy Series

Saturday Night Live veteran Bill Hader shines in the dark comedy, Barry, airing on HBO.  The role is a stark difference from what fans are used to seeing of Hader during his years on the long-running NBC sketch comedy show. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Barry Berkman (Bill Hader), is working as a hitman, where he’s being handled by Fuches (Stephen Root).  When the tender Chechen kingpin Goran Pazar (Glenn Fleshler) and…

"Barry: Bill Hader Shines in Dark Comedy Series"