Film Review: The Magician’s Elephant

Year: 2023 Runtime: 99 minutes Director: Wendy Rogers Writers: Martin Hynes (Screenplay by), Kate DiCamillo (based on the book by) Actors: Noah Jupe, Brian Tyree Henry, Mandy Patinkin, Natasia Demetriou, Benedict Wong By Tom Moore The directorial debut of Wendy Rogers, “The Magician’s Elephant,” is a quaint, animated tale about the seemingly impossible being possible that’s easy to like even if it suffers from some … Continue reading Film Review: The Magician’s Elephant

Film Review: Unseen (2023)

Year: 2023 Runtime: 76 minutes Director: Yoko Okumura Writers: Salvatore Cardoni, Brian Rawlins Actors: Jolene Purdy, Midori Francis, Michael Patrick Lane, Missi Pyle, Ren Hanami By Tom Moore Director Yoko Okumura’s feature debut, “Unseen,” defines “doing a lot with a little” as her strong direction, two incredible central performances, and one killer premise all come together for a highly engaging and entertaining thrill ride. “Unseen” … Continue reading Film Review: Unseen (2023)

Film Review: Spoonful of Sugar (2023)

Year: 2023 Runtime: 94 minutes Director: Mercedes Bryce Morgan Writer: Leah Saint Marie Actors: Morgan Saylor, Myko Olivier, Kat Foster, Danilo Crovetti By Tom Moore Director Mercedes Bryce Morgan’s latest film, “Spoonful of Sugar,” is a wild horror flick full of hallucinatory terror and interesting thematic moments surrounding motherhood, but ultimately is an experience that’s tough to fully connect with. The film follows babysitter Millicent … Continue reading Film Review: Spoonful of Sugar (2023)

Film Review: Emily (2023)

Year: 2023 Runtime: 130 minutes Director/Writer: Frances O’Connor Actors: Emma Mackey, Fionn Whitehead, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Alexandra Dowling, Adrian Dunbar By Tom Moore The directorial debut of actress Frances O’Connor, who some might recognize from films like “A.I.: Artificial Intelligence”(2001) and “Bedazzled”(2000), acts as a great character study taking inspiration from one of the most prolific female writers of all-time. “Emily” follows a young Emily Bronte … Continue reading Film Review: Emily (2023)

Film Review: Netflix’s Your Place or Mine

Year: 2022 Runtime: 92 minutes Director: Aline Brosh McKenna Writers: Aline Brosh McKenna Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Reese Witherspoon, Zoe Chao,  Jesse Williams, Tig Notaro, Wesley Kimmel, Steve Zahn By Tom Moore Although Netflix’s new romcom “Your Place or Mine” features a star-studded cast and a seasoned writer in the genre in Aline Brosh McKenna, who also makes her directorial debut here, it’s remarkably disappointing. The … Continue reading Film Review: Netflix’s Your Place or Mine

Film Review: There’s Something Wrong with the Children

Year: 2022 Runtime: 92 minutes Director: Roxanne Benjamin Writers: T.J. Cimfel, David White Starring: Zach Gilford, Amanda Crew, Carlos Santos, Alisha Wainwright, Briella Guiza, David Mattle By Tom Moore Director Roxanne Benjamin and Blumhouse team up for a new original horror story, “There’s Something Wrong with the Children,” adding another entry to the growing “evil kid” subgenre that doesn’t reach its full potential. The film … Continue reading Film Review: There’s Something Wrong with the Children

Film Review: Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Year: 2022 Runtime: 146 minutes Director: Kasi Lemmons Writers: Anthony McCarten Starring: Naomi Ackie, Ashton Sanders, Stanley Tucci, Clarke Peters, Nafessa Williams, Tamara Tunie By Tom Moore Director Kasi Lemmons follows up her 2019 biopic “Harriet” with a film focusing on the legacy of another historic black figure, Whitney Houston. However, the film, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” is more of a standard collection of … Continue reading Film Review: Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Film Review: Slash/Back

Year: 2022 Runtime:  86 minutes Director: Nyla Innuksuk Writer: Ryan Kavan, Nyla Innuksuk Cast: Tasiana Shirley, Nalajoss Ellsworth, Chelsea Prusky, Alexis Wolfe By Tom Moore With her feature directorial debut, “Slash/Back”, Nyla Innuksuk delivers an incredibly fun original sci-fi horror flick that manages to mostly work past its shortcomings through some good satirical bite and awesome alien horror. The film takes viewers into Pangnirtung, locally … Continue reading Film Review: Slash/Back

NYFF 60 Review: Aftersun

Year: 2022 Runtime:  96 minutes Director: Charlotte Wells Writer: Charlotte Wells Cast: Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, Celia Rowlson-Hall, Harry Perdios, Sally Mesham By Tom Moore With her feature directorial debut, “Aftersun,” Charlotte Wells crafts a deeply emotional and at times painful slice of life story that evokes the struggles of looking back while showcasing two incredible performances. The film sees a woman named Sophie (Celia … Continue reading NYFF 60 Review: Aftersun