There's just something about a film with a hashtag in the title that puts a bad taste in my mouth, but when I saw that Zac Locke, known for The Voyeurs, was connected, I figured I'd give it a shot. #Float follows an aspiring vlogger and her friends as they embark on their annual river float to commemorate the untimely loss of their friend. They are plunged into a life-and-death battle with a mysterious local, a sinister paranormal force, and their own fears.
Read MoreDave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection (2022)
Combining the aesthetics of ‘30s-era pulpy adventure serials and Good Girl Art, illustrator Dave Stevens rocketed to comic book stardom in the ‘80s. Unfortunately, the beloved creator died from a rare form of leukemia in 2008 at the much too young age of 52. Kelvin Mao’s new documentary, Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection, lovingly charts the life of a man dedicated to pursuing the path of a pure artist.
Read MoreA Wounded Fawn (2022)
A quote from noted surrealist Leonora Carrington kicks off the proceedings for writer/director Travis Stevens’ new Shudder original movie, A Wounded Fawn. It’s an indicator that while we may start off in the realm of relatively recognizable reality, that’s not where we’ll be staying. The next 91 minutes detail a visually sumptuous journey to the heart of a particularly feminine rage.
Read MoreThe Wild Man (2022) #AustinFilmFest
The prospect of caring for an elderly or mentally unwell parent is a daunting and all too real prospect for many people from all over. That’s what makes writer/director/star Riley Cusick’s The Wild Man so relatable. On the surface, it trades in quirky indie film sensibilities with its tender folky soundtrack and its general premise, but the young filmmaker opts for genuine humanity over superficial laughter and feel-good foolishness.
Read MoreUnmasking the Idol (1986) #RetroReview
Do you like James Bond? How about ‘80s ninja flicks? Old school GI Joe cartoons?
Read MoreAftersun (2022)
Aftersun eloquently encapsulates the best and worst moments of parenting while also exploring the awkwardness of that time just before high school. Poignant yet hopeful as heavy themes are examined without effort. This is easily one of the best films of the year and it couldn't come at a better time.
Read MoreSee You At San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture (2022)
Pop culture, and especially what might be referred to as geek culture, has taken over the mainstream over the last few decades. This is due in no small part to the growth of San Diego Comic-Con into an entertainment juggernaut. Multi-hyphenate author Matt Klickstein’s recently released book, See You At San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture delivers the definitive accounting of how this came to pass.
Read MoreBrooklyn Horror Film Fest (2022)
Like with Fantastic Fest, I’ve never attended Brooklyn Horror, and with FF wrapping up and Halloween right around the corner, of course, I’d take a stab at watching a few horror films that hadn’t been released yet. While I wish I had gotten to more, I very much enjoyed viewing and covering the films that I had time to watch. There are a bunch of gems here, so I’d say that horror is in good hands for the years moving forward.
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