Film & TV

December 24, 2024

In Review: “A Real Pain” is a soul-searching journey through grief

By Kasey Wang

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.

December 7, 2024

“Conclave”: secret, suspense and gossip in the hallowed halls

By Nathan Kwon

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.

December 3, 2024

“Disclaimer” is yet another example of disappointing prestige TV

By Jake Turner

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.

November 16, 2024

“We Live in Time” captures audiences with devastating story of love and life

By Diana Mateescu

A seamless blend of comedy and drama, the film pulls at the viewers’ heartstrings and reminds them to savor every moment of their relationships.

November 16, 2024

In Review: Sean Baker’s “Anora” is a modern day fairytale

By Kasey Wang

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.

November 16, 2024

Reinventing realism and Trump in Ali Abbasi’s new controversial movie “The Apprentice”

By Sandra Vovk

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.

November 16, 2024

Two decades in the trap: The enduring grip of “Saw” on horror culture

By Mia Acosta

From a low-budget horror film to a billion-dollar franchise that redefined the genre, "Saw" revolutionized horror cinema with its moral dilemmas and infamous torture traps.

October 30, 2024

Activism, art and apocalypse: Revisiting “Fresh Kill” with Director Shu Lea Cheang

By Kasey Wang

The Carsey-Wolf Center held the last screening of Shu Lea Cheang’s debut feature film, “Fresh Kill,” accompanied by a Q&A with the director.

October 30, 2024

“Saturday Night”: Jason Reitman’s love letter to the 1970s comedy phenomenon

By Sandra Vovk

The majorly anticipated biopic tells the story of the first episode of "Saturday Night Live," starring an impressive cast of Generation Z comedy darlings.

October 24, 2024

SBIFF Riviera Theatre hosts screening, interview with director Payal Kapadia on “All We Imagine as Light”

By Dmitri Anh-Minh Tran

The pre-release screening took place at Santa Barbara's Riviera Theatre, and was followed by an interview with writer and director Payal Kapadia

August 11, 2024

Binge vs. week-by-week: How streaming release models can influence success

By Lauren Chiou

As the streaming war rages on, platforms have been grappling with the decision of release format — a decision that is inconsistent across providers. 

July 19, 2024

Artsweek’s 2024 mid-year report

By Lauren Chiou

The best movies, shows and albums from 2024 (so far).

July 16, 2024

“Mustard Man”: The “post coming-of-age-story” of music, mayhem and maturing

By Kyra Schimpf

The independent, student-created film tells a story of rock ‘n’ roll, lifelong family friendships and the kind of chaos that can only happen in your 20s. 

June 12, 2024

In review: Falling for “The Fall Guy”

By Kirill Vorobyev

The film offers a unique look into a profession that is often overlooked in modern media — stunt performers.

June 12, 2024

Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer”: A haunting depiction of trauma

By Ryley Metten

While “Baby Reindeer” doesn’t offer a solution to dealing with the consequences of trauma, it illustrates an accurate portrayal of the effects of trauma and how this can impact an individual’s life.

May 7, 2024

“Fallout” is an explosion of violence, gore and the power of the human spirit at the end of the world

By Kyra Schimpf

Amazon Prime’s latest hit, an adaptation of the popular video game franchise of the same name, masterfully balances disaster, comedy, misery and heart all at once.