Category: Drama
‘Sing Sing’ Film Review: A Profoundly Moving Work of American Cinema
Based on the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program (RTA) that began at New York’s maximum-security Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing is a powerful and important piece of American cinema. Mixing professional actors with the actual men who
‘Kneecap’ Film Review: An Irish Hip-Hop Group’s Origin Tale Has Troubles
Rich Peppiatt’s feature directing debut, Kneecap, tells the true story of how the titular group came to their fame amidst controversy and personal struggles. While there are a few moments that work, this is a film in search of its
‘Janet Planet’ Film Review: More Writer’s Workshop Than Real Film
It is a pleasure to experience a filmmaker who knows how to embrace silences. Some directors can find meaning underneath the quiet while others think filming something seemingly mundane makes their work “artsy”. Writer-director Annie Baker’s Janet Planet falls somewhere
‘A Sacrifice’ Film Review: The Ever-Present Dangers of Cult Mentality
Cults are defined as a group of people who have a misplaced, excessive, and unhealthy devotion to a particular person or ideology. The weak-minded people who fall into cults are taught that the individual means nothing, save for their leader.
Dances With Films Premiere: ‘All the Weekend’s Drama’ Film Review my
Infused with a raw honesty found in films such as Larry Clark’s Kids and Catherine Hardwicke’s Thirteen, the stunning new film, All the Weekend’s Drama, is a strong feature debut for writer-director John Robb Saunders. This is a well-written picture
‘Thelma’ Film Review: Two Great Performances Inside A Weak Film
Josh Margolin’s feature-length directorial debut, Thelma, is a small cut above Hollywood’s obsession with “watch the elderly being silly” movies. June Squibb is a good actress and uses her sweet presence to good effect as the titular character. While she
‘The Bikeriders’ Film Review: A Potent and Brooding Biker Drama
American Cinema’s love affair with the biker culture started with László Benedek’s 1953 film, The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando. The actor’s legendary performance would set the tone for young rebels on screen and off. In Jeff Nichols’ terrific new
Tribeca 2024: US Narrative Competition- Griffin in Summer
Nicholas Colia’s wonderfully charming Griffin in Summer was the darling of the narrative features award categories at this year’s Tribeca Festival. Colia’s debut feature took home the prize for best U.S. film, screenplay, and received a special jury mention for
‘Ride’ Film Review- A Somber and Gritty Modern Western Drama
Director, co-writer, and star Jake Allyn’s new film, Ride, is a rugged and somber tale about the life of a rodeo rider and a family in crisis and an honest depiction of the life of the American Cowboy. C. Thomas
Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival: ‘Grassland’ Film Review No
With its unflinching look at the failures of our criminal justice system, William Bermudez and Sam Friedman’s Grassland is a powerful and important social justice drama. Through the microcosm of a single Latina mother who grows and sells marijuana to