Review: “A Call to Spy”

“A Call to Spy” contains many of the typical hallmarks of a World War II movie. We follow the heroes through action, espionage, struggle, and sacrifice, all performed on behalf of their country. But these movies usually follow male heroes, whether they be soldiers on the front lines, spies trying to covertly gather intelligence against […]

NYFF Review: “Nomadland”

Driving down a lonely highway. Floating in a creek. Gazing at the sweeping vistas of the American West. Writer and director Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” is comprised of many of these quiet moments. The film serves as a character study for Fern (Frances McDormand), an older woman who, after losing her job and her home in […]

Review: “Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles”

A bevy of beautiful desserts delight the eyes of the viewer throughout “Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles.” But this documentary directed by Laura Gabbert doesn’t delve much deeper beyond what we see on the surface, despite touching on some very serious and fascinating issues. The film revolves around a 2018 gala at New York’s […]

Review: “The Nest”

A move across the ocean uncovers dysfunction in a marriage in “The Nest,” writer and director Sean Durkin’s first feature film since his 2011 film festival darling “Martha Marcy May Marlene.” Drawing on his own experiences growing up in both England and America, Durkin explores changes in relationships that occur with a change in location […]

Review: “Rent-A-Pal”

Navigating online relationships safely is a topic that many of us are familiar with nowadays. But writer and director Jon Stevenson explores a different kind of virtual relationship in his debut feature “Rent-A-Pal,” a thoroughly weird but impressive throwback/horror/drama/comedy commentary on loneliness. Set in 1990, “Rent-A-Pal” follows David (Brian Landis Folkins), a 40-year-old single man […]

Review: “Mulan” (2020)

Warning: this review contains spoilers for “Mulan.” I will never forget watching the animated Disney movie “Mulan” in the theater when it was first released in 1998, and the sense of elation I felt walking out of the auditorium, the Stevie Wonder/98 Degrees tune “True to Your Heart” blaring over the end credits. It’s still […]

Streaming Movie Recap: August 2020, Part 2

Here is the second part of my list of mini reviews of streaming movies released in August- I hope you all have a fun and safe holiday weekend! “MAGIC CAMP” (Disney Plus) “Magic Camp” was originally slated for theatrical release in summer 2018 before its release was cancelled and it ultimately ended up on Disney […]

Streaming Movie Recap: August 2020, Part 1

Happy almost-fall, movie fans! The month of August started to see some changes for movies, with many theaters across the United States and in other countries reopening for the first time since they shut down in March. I don’t know if or when I will be returning to indoor movie theaters myself, and if you […]

Review: “Tenet”

Before we get into the review, I want to mention that I was able to safely see “Tenet” at a drive-in movie theater. If you do decide to go to a indoor movie theater to watch it, be sure to follow all of the theater’s safety protocols, and don’t go if you are feeling sick. […]