Daihachi Yoshida’s “Teki Cometh” is the first Japanese film in 19 years to win the top prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The win reflects a feeling of optimism that pervaded this year’s TIFF, as Japanese theaters bounce back from COVID-era lows and Japanese filmmakers like “Drive My Car”‘s Ryusuke Hamaguchi and “Godzilla Minus … Read more
Attending the Black Harvest Film Festival feels like a rite of passage—a celebration of Black storytelling that captures the spirit and resilience of our community. But as a Black man, it offers something even more profound: an opportunity to escape, reflect, and find solace in shared experiences. This year’s lineup was no exception, showcasing a … Read more
Looking over the program for the Tokyo International Film Festival, there were a few titles that I recognized. The idea of catching up with films that had eluded me up to that point was tempting: Mati Diop’s intriguing “Dahomey,” perhaps, or a rendezvous with Almodóvar and “The Room Next Door?” In the end, however, I … Read more
The Palm Springs International Festival is a major stop on the awards season highway, a place where some of the most likely Oscar nominees are honored for not just their latest performance, but a career of excellence. PSIF announced today that they are honoring Nicole Kidman this year, ready to impress ticket buyers with her … Read more
I’ve seen the original “Godzilla” three times in theaters. Most films benefit from being seen on a big screen, and “Godzilla” especially so: It’s the only way to get a proper sense of scale, even if most movie screens top out at a fraction of the monster’s original 50-meter (164 foot) height. (Tracking Godzilla’s size, … Read more
I am always excited by the return of Black Harvest Film Festival, Chicago’s fall celebration of the fruits of Black cinema. But this year, admittedly, for a personal reason, I’m even more hyped for the festival, which this year takes place from Nov 8 thru Nov 21. This time around, I have the immense privilege … Read more
At first, I thought maybe the audience didn’t like it. The world premiere of “Orang Ikan” at the Tokyo International Film Festival was scheduled to begin at 11:35 AM, not exactly prime time for a creature feature. But that’s just how it goes at festivals sometimes. And the audience was subdued, barely reacting to gory … Read more
Contrary to the laurels ensconcing every independent movie poster and advertisement, not every film festival presentation is going to be a winner. Once you cut through the glitz of celebrity and flashing lights over the red carpet, sometimes these movies simply aren’t very good. I was pleased, then, that of the fourteen or so films … Read more
One of the best living filmmakers is getting a well-deserved showcase this weekend at the Chicago International Film Festival when Hirokazu Kore-eda will be honored by a fest that I’ve always associated closely with one of my absolute favorite directors. CIFF has been a platform for Kore-eda multiple times, and they’re the fest that helped … Read more
The Chicago International Film Festival returns this week for what is arguably its most ambitious program to date, an appropriate feat given the fest is also celebrating its 60th anniversary. The variety and scope of this year’s program is arguably unmatched, continuing the momentum garnered last year when the fest hosted the Chicago premieres of … Read more