By: Emily von Seele
Like its titular character, The Book Of Birdie defies categorization. It is very much a film that doesn’t easily fit any label and floats freely around the minds of its viewers; it embodies no particular genre, instead choosing to be a little bit of everything and capturing the imagination along the way.
By: Emily von Seele
Lorena Villarreal’s Silencio is an interesting and emotional meditation on loss, grief, and a life lived.
By: Emily von Seele
One of my favorite films to come out of this year’s Fantastic Fest was the sci-fi tale of friendship and resilience, Level 16. Set in the Vestalis Academy for girls, the film focuses on Vivien (Katie Douglas) and Sophia (Celina Martin), two girls who have spent years living and being trained in the institution. The prison-like school adheres to a strict code of conduct, preparing girls for eventual adoption by wealthy families. The girls are being trained to be perfect daughters and young women — they obey a strict set of rules, striving to be obedient, sweet, and clean.
By: Nolan McBride
There are so many movies to see at this year’s Fantastic Fest and only so much time to write about them, so rather than trying to review them all, I am going to cover the movies about which I was most passionate or those I want to make sure everyone puts on their radar. In this edition, it’s the much-anticipated sequel to John Carpenter’s seminal slasher, an unexpected roller coaster of a thriller, and an emotional, fantastical tale about outsiders finding their place in the world.
By: Nolan McBride
The Witch In The Window cast its spell upon me almost immediately. Though it plays in familiar territory — (part of) a family is (temporarily) living in a new house rumored to be haunted by a former inhabitant — it distinguishes itself thanks in large part to the strength of its core relationship and emotional arc. Rather than diminishing returns, it provided a breath of fresh air, similar to that experienced by the characters as they venture away from the troubles of the fraught modern world.
By: Emily von Seele
One of the films that topped my list at North Bend Film Fest and gave me more joy than my little horror-loving heart could stand was Anna And The Apocalypse. It’s a zombie movie. And also a big musical. Oh and also a holiday movie. And a comedy.
