Monthly Archives: September 2018

Here is Orlando, city of “Halloween Horror Nights,” home to “Phantasmagoria,” we know a thing or two about spooky live events. We’ve never had a Halloween “get your fight on” invaded by a spree killer, but otherwise “Hell Fest” has … Continue reading →

They must teach this in schools where filmmakers learn the art of making documentaries. While there are many subgenres of nonfiction film — historic, sport, art, nature, biographical profile — one can’t-miss shortcut to getting your film made and seen … Continue reading →

It’s taken a while for her to get there, but Joey King’s finally made a movie that cements her growing girl-who-wants-to-be-bad reputation. No “Kissing Booth” this time. With “Summer ’03” she goes full Aubrey Plaza. I’d say watching “Summer ’03” … Continue reading →

The year of “Captain Marvel” and “Birds of Prey” begins with “Dark Phoenix,” a new X-Men feature which brings back the non-Wolverine/Fassbender-McAvoy-J. Lawrence cast for a Fox payday and a fresh start. Sophie Turner’s Jean Gray, who turns bad badder … Continue reading →

Vanessa Grasse stars as a young woman who cannot escape her horrific past in “Open 24 Hours.” Making quite the career for herself, covered in blood (“Leatherface”). This just played at Fantastic Fest. Looks visceral.

Think of “Bleach” as the Harry Potter of manga, the epic Japanese illustrated books (comics) that inspire many an anime outing. It’s a fantastical struggle between good and many faces of evil waged by teenagers who could hold second jobs … Continue reading →

  October 1, Universal is putting Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy’s Oscar hopes in front of the fans, as they host nationwide “preview” screenings of “First Man,” the Neil Armstrong/Apollo picture. Here’s where it is happening. No, I didn’t alphabetize … Continue reading →

Mary Elizabeth Winstead made a magnificent drunk in “Smashed,” so it should be no surprise that she kills as a stand-up comic in “All About Nina.”  Drunken/druggy, needy and emotionally-crippled comics are a cultural cliche, like critics “in it for … Continue reading →

A zombie end-times musical? Already fanboy endorsed at South by Southwest and Fantastic Fest. But they’re soulless zombies themselves, on occasion. Lemmings, actually, and they do love them some hot starlets singing about zombies. So we’ll see about that. It … Continue reading →

Kevin Hart giveth and Kevin Hart taketh away in “Night School.” He never seems more generous than when he’s stepping back, taking on the Ice Cube role in “Ride Along,” reacting and playing the straight man for Tiffany Haddish and … Continue reading →