“The Purge” series of films takes aim at Texas in its latest installment, more specifically Marfa in West Texas. “The Forever Purge,” fifth in the horror franchise, focuses on immigration and white supremacy. The film was originally slated for a summer 2020 release, where the cruelty displayed on screen would resonate more with the tumultuous […]
Seventeen year-old boys being politicians and running for office—that’s something to see. And you can see it too in Boys State, a documentary by Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss chronicling the 2018 proceedings in Austin, Texas. Established years ago by the American Legion (one for girls, and one for boys in their junior year of high school), it’s
Director Noah Hawley’s new film “Lucy in the Sky,” based on the astronaut who’s nervous breakdown made headlines a decade ago, is more complicated than it needs to be. The most disappointing element of the film which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival was that there was no diaper scene. Most reading this will
Director Edward Zwick has a befuddling filmography. He has directed large scale projects like “The Last Samurai” and “Blood Diamond.” Classics like “Legends of the Fall” and “Glory.” He has also helmed misfires like “Love & Other Drugs” and the “Jack Reacher” sequel. Zwick’s latest, “Trial By Fire,” is a glorified television quality movie if
From the looks of “The Highwaymen,” you might think it a dated “Dad’s movie” as it’s been dubbed, or just another cops and robbers movie. John Lee Hancock has found success with movies set in Texas like “The Rookie,” and “The Blind Side” (which was actually shot in Georgia, because Texas does not offer the
Netflix’s latest original film (they are killing it this year) is one of those feel-good films that is aimed to inspire. That notion single-handedly trips “Dumplin’” up for most of this movie that is trying to spin a message more than it’s trying to simply be a great film. The filmmakers are trying to nudge
It’s puzzling to understand what interest French actress turned director Mélanie Laurent (“Operation Finale”) had in adapting Nic Pizzolatto’s (“True Crime”) first novel to film. She wasn’t the first choice for director, and Ben Foster replaced European Matthias Schoenaerts, the first choice for the lead role. The biggest gaffe here, not only is a film
Fox Searchlight is promoting David Lowery’s latest film as the final film of Robert Redford’s long, distinguished career. Yet, the 82-year-old Redford said at the Telluride Film Festival, “never say never.” Redford who has two Oscars, one for directing and one honorary Oscar, has never won for acting. Unfortunately, this light as air dramatic comedy won’t
Oscar-nominated actor; and sometime screenwriter and director Ethan Hawke steps back behind the camera for his fourth feature. “Blaze” is the story of little known Austin musician Blaze Foley, who often created more trouble and drama than he did music. Hawke chose Foley’s story for the big screen specifically because he wasn’t a big celebrity, and
From the side, barracudas appear to be finely formed, sleek, and silvery. Take a frontal perspective, however, and you see a cavernous mouth with fang-like teeth of different sizes. Barracudas are considered to be ferocious, competitive predators who use surprise and short bursts of speed to catch their prey. Keep these images in mind as