— by WILLIAM STERR — “The Shape of Water,” “Crimson Peak,” “Pacific Rim,” “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Hellboy,” “ Hellboy II,” “Blade II,” “The Devil’s Backbone,” “Mimic,” “Chronos.” Guillermo del Toro – director, writer, imaginist – has had an impressive career over the 24-year span of these films. He is the reigning king of “creature features,” even […][...]
Review: The French Dispatch
— by WILLIAM STERR — When is “Wes Anderson” too much Wes Anderson? His latest effort, The French Dispatch answers that question: “C’est moi!” One gets the feeling early on that Anderson, the director of “Moonrise Kingdom,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and many others, looked at his cutting room floor and thought: “Here lie the […][...]
Review: Day of Rage
— by BEV QUESTAD — They came from all 50 states, many on chartered buses in the dark of the early morning. One quiet group solemnly recited the Pledge of Allegiance. They were gathering for a “Save America” march in response to what they understood was an illegal ratification of a fraudulent election. They believed […][...]
Interview: Jon Heder & Summer Bellessa
— by LYNETTE CARRINGTON — “Funny Thing About Love” enjoyed its debut at Harkins Superstition Springs in Mesa, Arizona, earlier this month when the cast, crew, director and producers pulled into the theater’s parking lot in a couple of massive stretch limos. Outside the theater, hundreds of excited fans lined up to watch the red […][...]
Review: Don’t Look Up
— by BEV QUESTAD — A giant comet, possibly 6 miles in diameter, is on a path to destroy habitation on earth. Dr. Mindy and his graduate student, Kate Dibiasky, warn the president, whose plan emerges: “Sit tight and assess.” Mid-term elections are coming up and her Supreme Court nominee has been exposed in a […][...]
Review: Spencer
— by BEV QUESTAD — When does a film cross a line into defamation of character so strongly that all a viewer can hope for is legal action? I urge you not to see this film. It is a flagrant, vulgar and blatantly fictitious version of a woman who, in reality, inspired a world. As […][...]
Review: Respect
— by BEV QUESTAD — Compliant and 10 years old, Aretha Franklin is woken up from bed by her father late at night to sing for his guests at a lively party in his opulent home. “Respect” traverses the concept and evolution of Aretha’s own struggle in life to receive the respect she deserves. After […][...]
Review: Writing with Fire
— by BEV QUESTAD — Possibly the most dangerous person to be in India is a Dalit woman. Opening with an interview of a Dalit woman who was being repeatedly raped by four men, just making this documentary took courage. Each time the men came, the case was taken to the police. Her husband sits […][...]
Review: 14 PEAKS: Nothing Is Impossible
— by BEV QUESTAD — Back in 1953, the world thought Sir Edmund Hillary succeeded at the impossible by climbing Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. He was joined by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the first to summit. Sixty-eight years later, Nimsdai Purja broke all the mountaineering records, climbing not only Everest but the […][...]
Review: Vivo
— by BEV QUESTAD — Being that “Vivo” is a children’s animated film, I gathered experts around me to watch and help with this review. What follows are the impressions and final judgments. “Vivo” means alive and that’s what energy Lin-Miranda has certainly infused into this fun family film. It opens in an animated Havana, […][...]