Film & TV

‘Mickey 17’: Bong Joon Ho pushes limits in a sci-fi tale of reincarnation

April 17, 2025 by

Bong Joon Ho’s latest entry is a darkly hilarious, unsettling sci-fi odyssey that is both heart-wrenching and gut-churning in all the right places.
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‘Black Bag’ is the best film of 2025 (so far)

April 17, 2025 by

Starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, director Steven Soderbergh's spy thriller is smart, swanky and "so hot."
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In Review: Brady Corbet’s ‘The Brutalist’

February 21, 2025 by

“The Brutalist” may not quite reach the same heights as other great American epics, but it is a fantastic work of art worth your time and thought.
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RaMell Ross redefines tragedy in ‘Nickel Boys’

February 21, 2025 by

Based on Colson Whitehead’s novel of the same name, the film is a historical drama inspired by the Dozier School for Boys, a now-closed reform school.
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SBIFF 2025: “Waves” in review

February 18, 2025 by

The Czech film premiered at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Feb. 10. 
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SBIFF 2025: poster, programming revealed for upcoming festival

January 23, 2025 by

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which will take place from Feb. 4-15.
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‘Nosferatu’: Eggers feasts on desire in a Gothic reimagining

January 15, 2025 by

The film reanimates cinema’s oldest vampire, stripping away the romantic veneer of modern interpretations and brings an adaptation that is brutal, seductive and, above all, uncompromising in its vis...
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Angelina Jolie brings Maria Callas back to life in “Maria”

January 6, 2025 by

“Maria” marks the third installment, after “Jackie” and “Spencer,” in director Pablo Larraín’s pseudo-trilogy of historical biopics.
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“Arcane” season two tops the charts once again

January 6, 2025 by

The second season of Netflix's adaptation of video game "League of Legends" builds upon everything introduced in the first season.
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In Review: “A Real Pain” is a soul-searching journey through grief

December 24, 2024 by

Jesse Eisenberg’s second feature film may not provide the clean catharsis some viewers may crave, but its raw, unrestrained exploration of pain feels strikingly authentic.
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“Conclave”: secret, suspense and gossip in the hallowed halls

December 7, 2024 by

Ralph Fiennes stars as Dean-Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, who is entrusted with the impossible task of wrangling the Church’s cardinals in a conclave to elect the new pope.
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“Disclaimer” is yet another example of disappointing prestige TV

December 3, 2024 by

Created by Alfonso Cuarón, the show stars Cate Blanchett as Catherine Ravenscroft, a documentarian whose life begins to unravel when she receives a novel which threatens to reveal her secrets.
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“We Live in Time” captures audiences with devastating story of love and life

November 16, 2024 by

A seamless blend of comedy and drama, the film pulls at the viewers’ heartstrings and reminds them to savor every moment of their relationships.
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In Review: Sean Baker’s “Anora” is a modern day fairytale

November 16, 2024 by

Set on the streets of Brooklyn and short stints in Las Vegas, Baker weaves screwball comedy and high-stakes drama into a captivating story of a young woman striving to rise above her circumstances.
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Reinventing realism and Trump in Ali Abbasi’s new controversial movie “The Apprentice”

November 16, 2024 by

Giving the viewer a clear “where, why and how” of Trump in his youth, the movie draws fascinating but subtle links to the billionaire and politician seen on screens today.
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