In KNIVES OUT, Rian Johnson draws the viewer into a world of diabolical murder and twisted intrigue. When aging mystery novelist Harland Thrombey kills himself after his 85th birthday, the police initially rule his death a suicide. However, after private investigator Benoit Blanc is brought in to question the cantankerous clan, he suspects that Thrombey?s…
Written and directed by Trey Edward Shults, Waves is a stunning journey into the heart of a family in crisis. Following the journey of a suburban African-American family, the film focuses its lens through the eyes of young wrestling star, Tyler (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and his sister, Emily (Taylor Russell). Raised in a family led by their well-meaning…
Marriage Story examines the fallout of Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole?s (Scarlett Johansson) failed marriage as they begin divorce proceedings. Though both of them want to ?make this easy? and ?do what?s best for their son?, civility slowly begins to disintegrate by adding lawyers and looking out for their own interests. When Nicole moves from New…
Terrance Malick creates films that are spiritual experiences. Sometimes, it is more about the experience than story. (Personally, I love going through those experiences, but understand why some find it difficult.) In A Hidden Life, Malick creates an experience that relies on the real-life inspirational story of Franz J?gerst?tter, an Austrian conscientious objector during World…
1st Born tells the story of Ben (Reza Sixo Safai) and Kate (Taylor Cole), a young couple from very different backgrounds. After trying for many years to have a child without success, finally a miracle happens and Kate is pregnant. However, when the unborn child becomes ill, the two must reach out to their respective fathers in…
Six years after her powers are revealed, FROZEN II reacquaints us with Queen Elsa as she hears a mysterious siren song that calls her into the unknown. When Elsa responds, she inadvertently creates a disaster that forces them to leave their beloved Arendelle behind. As Elsa, Anna and their friends run off into the dark…
For over thirty years, a woman in Philadelphia taped up to eight channels of television twenty-four hours a day. Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project tells the story of how a collection of 70,000 VHS tapes chronicle the worlds from the Iran hostage crisis until her death in 2012. Marion Stokes was a Communist and activist….
Written and directed by Rian Johnson (Looper), Knives Out follows the clues behind the death of Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), a wealthy author who is murdered after his birthday party. Called in by a mysterious benefactor, Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is called in to help unravel the mystery amongst Harlan?s quirky relatives, including Harlan?s daughter,…
AFI Fest 2019 Presented by Audi has announced the winners of the Audience Awards, as well as the Grand Jury Prizes for short films. Following the awards listing, I?ll chime in with my own favorites from the festival. Audience Award ? Feature I AM NOT ALONE (DIR Garin Hovannisian) Capturing the fury, emotion, and spontaneous…
Written and directed by Trey Edward Stutts, Waves is a stunning journey into the heart of a family in crisis. Following the journey of a suburban African-American family, the film focuses its lens through the eyes of young wrestling star, Tyler (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and his sister, Emily (Taylor Russell). Raised in a family led by their well-meaning…
