Written by Anna Harrison It makes me feel somewhat guilty to give “Portraits From a Fire” a less-than-stellar score—not because the movie deserves it, but because it’s so earnest that it breaks my heart a little to criticize it… Continue reading.
Tag: Directorial Debut
Atlanta Film Festival 2022: Breakwater
Written by Anna Harrison In many ways, the Turkish film “Breakwater” resembles the ocean on which much of it takes place: sometimes calm, sometimes violent, always beautiful as it follows the cousins Aslan (Alihan Kaya) and Yilmaz (Baris Yilmaz Gunduz)… Continue reading.
Hit the Road
Written by Alexander Reams Keeping information from the viewer can be a useful skill to employ in certain films, but it is rare for a film to keep almost everything from the viewer, even keeping the vast landscapes of Iran … Continue reading.
SIFF 2022: Voice of Silence (소리도 없이)
Written by Taylor Baker These twists on what are otherwise dark circumstances keep “Voice of Silence” balanced on the edge of the genres it’s playing in and allow moments like hands rising from… Continue reading.
Umma
Written by Patrick Hao Generational trauma has become the buzz topic of movies in the past few months, especially those films that center around first-generation immigrants, and frankly, I am sick of it. In fact, “Umma” is the second generational … Continue reading.
SXSW 2022: Facing Nolan
Written by Alexander Reams Nolan Ryan. Historically one of the greatest pitchers of all time, he not only captured the hearts of fans, but also the fear of his opponents. The iconic pitcher is the subject of director Bradley Jackson’s … Continue reading.
SXSW 2022: To Leslie
Written by Taylor Baker Michael Morris’ “To Leslie'' presents the journey of a washed-up alcoholic named Leslie (Andrea Riseborough) who after winning the lottery blows her cash, abandons her child, and eeks out a meager existence going bottle to bottle … Continue reading.
Sorority
Written by Jeff Sparks Starring Sophie Kennedy Clark, Emily Haigh, and Kate Dickie, “Sorority'' is the debut feature by director James Webber who adapted the film from his short called “Soror” which starred Dickie and… Continue reading.
Topside
Written by Jeff Sparks The wobbly and unfocused camera simulates the overwhelming amount of things to see that she has never seen before. Dozens of people, cars, buses, restaurants, street signs all surprise and startle her. As her mother whisks … Continue reading.
SXSW 2022: A Lot of Nothing
Written by Maria Athayde Mo McRae makes an ambitious directorial debut feature in “A Lot of Nothing” but at times it does feel a little rushed. Some plot points have little to no follow-through like… Continue reading.