Film Festivals, Film Reviews, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW 2022 Review: Emergency

Year: 2022 Runtime: 105 minutes Directors: Carey Williams Writers: K.D. Davila Cast: Donald Elise Watkins, RJ Cyler, Sebastian Chacon, Sabrina Carpenter, Maddie Nichols By Tom Moore Impactful conversations on racial discrimination and college party antics come together in director Carey Williams’ latest film, “Emergency”(2022), to make for a fun and funny coming of age story with a gut-punching finale. As Williams introduces “Emergency’s” main duo, … Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: Emergency

Tom MooreMarch 29, 2022March 28, 20221 Comment

Female Writer, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW 2022 Review: A Lot of Nothing

Year: 2022 Runtime: 104 minutes Directors: Mo McRae Writers: Sarah Kelly Kaplan, Mo McRae Cast: Cleopatra Coleman, Y’lan Noel, Justin Hartley, Shamier Anderson, Lex Scott Davis By Tom Moore The feature directorial debut of Mo McRae, “A Lot of Nothing” (2022), tells an interesting story about black rage and frustration that’s unfortunately foiled by its approach and lack of focus. In the initial moments of … Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: A Lot of Nothing

Tom MooreMarch 26, 2022March 26, 2022Leave a comment

Female Filmmakers, Interviews, Spotlight, SXSW Film Festival, Women in Film

Exclusive SXSW 2022 Interview: “Pretty Problems” Director Kestrin Pantera

By Joan Amenn Fresh from winning the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW this year, I got to sit down with Kestrin Pantera and talk about her film, “Pretty Problems” (2022). Also, I learned she has an adorable cat and is a talented musician in addition to being a savvy film director. Joan: What films influenced your vision in creating this film? Kestrin: For the … Continue reading Exclusive SXSW 2022 Interview: “Pretty Problems” Director Kestrin Pantera

jmamennMarch 26, 2022March 26, 20221 Comment

Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW 2022 Review: Master

Year: 2022 Runtime: 98 minutes Directors: Mariama Diallo Writers: Mariama Diallo Cast: Regina Hall, Zoe Renee, Amber Gray, Julia Nightingale, Ella Hunt By Tom Moore Mariama Diallo’s feature directorial debut, “Master”(2022), is a psychological horror trek through systemic racism in American education that presents an enticing and engaging atmosphere. As the film’s two central black women arrive at the fictional college campus of Ancaster College, … Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: Master

Tom MooreMarch 23, 2022March 23, 2022Leave a comment

A thirtysomething woman with brown hair in an updo stands in a doorway, about to enter a room. She wears a large white T-shirt with roses airbrushed on the back. A young man in his 20s with brown hair, a mustache, and a beard stands to her left, looking at her with concern. He wears a white shirt and a loose black tie.

Female Characters, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Reviews, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW 2022 Review: “Cha Cha Real Smooth”

The winsome coming-of-age drama “Cha Cha Real Smooth” glides and twirls through the uncertainty of one postgraduate’s life in sweet and surprising ways. More in this review from film site In Their Own League. Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: “Cha Cha Real Smooth”

Valerie KalfrinMarch 22, 2022Leave a comment

Awards, Film Reviews, Reviews, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW 2022 Review: Linoleum

Year: 2022 Runtime: 101 minutes Writer/Director: Colin West Cast: Jim Gaffigan, Rhea Seehorn, Tony Shaloub, Gabriel Rush, Amy Hargreaves, Michael Ian Black, Twinkle Burke, Katelyn Nacon, Elisabeth Henry, Roger Hendrickson By Joan Amenn Linoleum is a surface consisting of multiple compressed layers of linseed oil and sawdust, among other things. This might seem like a completely irrelevant title for this film but when you think … Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: Linoleum

jmamennMarch 21, 2022March 21, 2022Leave a comment

Directors, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Reviews, SXSW Film Festival, Women in Film

SXSW 2022 Review: “Split at the Root”

The documentary “Split at the Root” takes viewers alongside grass-roots advocates who worked to reunite immigrant moms with their children separated at the southern border. More in this review from film site In Their Own League. Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: “Split at the Root”

Valerie KalfrinMarch 20, 2022Leave a comment

Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Indie Film, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW 2022 Review: Bitch Ass

Year: 2022 Runtime: 83 minutes Directors: Bill Posley Writers: Bill Posley and Jonathan Colomb Cast: Teon Kelley, Tunde Laleye, Me’lisa Sellers, Kelsey Caesaer, Sheaun McKinney, Tony Todd By Tom Moore Writer/Director Bill Posley crafts an imperfect crowd-pleaser with his feature directorial debut, “Bitch Ass”(2022), and provides the horror genre with something it lacks and desperately needs, an intriguing and fun modern black slasher. Posley and … Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: Bitch Ass

Tom MooreMarch 20, 2022March 20, 2022Leave a comment

Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Reviews, SXSW Film Festival, Women in Film

SXSW 2022 Review: Pretty Problems

It’s a fun romp and sharp satire that will have you snickering and snorting over your champagne and oysters, or your beer and frozen pizza. Whichever. Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: Pretty Problems

jmamennMarch 20, 2022March 19, 20221 Comment

Documentaries, Film Festivals, Music, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW 2022 Review: Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story

Year: 2022 Runtime: 94 minutes Directors: Frank Marshall, Ryan Suffern By Joan Amenn As Wordsworth wrote, “The world is too much with us…” and he didn’t even know about social media. With the heaviness of these days, it is a comfort to turn to music. “Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story” (2022) brings us a respite in its depiction of the fifty-year history of this … Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story

jmamennMarch 19, 2022March 18, 2022Leave a comment

In Their Own League

Shattering the Celluloid Ceiling

Tag: SXSW2022