‘Master’ is a modern-day Giallo horror | Sundance review
Three Black women navigate the horrors — both real and supernatural — of working and attending a predominently white institution in Master Master is playing at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. It will be released on Prime Video in March. The most horrifying scene in Master, the feature debut of director Mariama Diallo, takes place…
‘When You Finish Saving The World’ | Sundance review
When You Finish Saving the World follows a mother and son pair who are, in their own ways, finding ways to leave their mark on the world When You Finish Saving the World is playing at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. When You Finish Saving the World comes close to finding its footing in the…
‘Coda’ and how deaf culture sings | Sundance movie review
Coda follows the only hearing member of a culturally deaf family as she finds her voice as part of her school's choir Coda starts Sundance 2021 off on a high note. While it doesn't stray too far from its familiar coming-of-age dramedy plot, its keen observations of the hardships and joys of being deaf in…
‘Flee’ pushes the boundaries of documentary films | Sundance movie review
Flee follows an Afghan refugee's journey with his family to find safety in Europe. Years later he recounts the story to a friend who documents the story through animation. Flee is a great argument for animation's place in documentary filmmaking. Though we've seen refugee stories before, this one is specific and intimate. Filled with nuances…
‘West Side Story’ is reborn better than before | movie review
West Side Story gets an update from Steven Spielberg with Rachel Ziegler and Ariana DeBose taking over the iconic roles of Anita and Maria in this classic musical Steven Spielberg remakes the 1961 film West Side Story with (mostly) new stars, new screenplay, and a fresh take on the classic. Featuring star is born performances…
‘Licorice Pizza’ is a 70s hangout romp | movie review
Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza, a coming-of-age comedy starring Alana Haim, follows two young people in the 70s trying to find their key to success Licorice Pizza is an irresistably charming comedy romp through the 70s through the eyes of two charismatic young people looking for an outlet for their energy. Without fail the second…
‘When I Consume You’ review | Brooklyn Horror Film Fest
Brooklyn Horror Film Festival’s When I Consume You follows a brother and sister living in Brooklyn who must face down an insidious evil stalking them
TIFF 2021: Huda’s Salon, Encounter, & Dashcam | Review round-up
The Toronto International Film Festival is in full swing. Here is a round up of quick reviews for thrillers playing the fest. Read all of my reviews, including full-length reviews, from the fest here! Hany Abu-Assad's Huda's Salon. Courtesy of TIFF. Huda's Salon As someone who both writes and consumes film criticism, there is nothing…
2021 Sundance Film Festival Recap + the best films
The 2021 Sundance Film Festival went from the mountains of Park City, Utah to my living room. Here's what the experience was like. This post about the 2021 Sundance Film Festival first appeared in my newsletter! Sign up here. I was fortunate enough to be invited back to cover the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, the…
Dear Evan Hansen, you owe us an apology | TIFF movie review
Dear Evan Hansen follows a high school senior with a social anxiety disorder who suddenly finds himself as the hero of his town after a student commits suicide Undoubtedly one of the worst movie-musicals ever made. Overwrought and emotionless at the same time, insensitive towards trauma and mental illness, and out of touch with reality.…