A Great Undertaking: ‘The Passing On’ – 2021 SF Indiefest
This fascinating hour-long documentary highlights the art (and necessity) of being an independent Black mortician in an increasingly gentrified world.
Feast for the Eyes: ‘The Book of Vision’ – 2021 SF Indiefest Opening Night Film
The 23rd annual SF Indiefest opens with a quiet fantasy drama about the line between innovation and loss of humanity.
Less than Paradise: ‘Bliss’
Mike Cahill’s pretentious “Is this world a simulation?” sci-fi drama wants to be everything, so it becomes nothing.
Still Rockin’ after All these Years: ‘The Story of Lovers Rock’ (2011) at NY ADIFF
Not the Steve McQueen film, but the 2011 documentary that first brought the Black British genre to light.
Too Many Half-Notes: ‘Sylvie’s Love’
Writer-director Eugene Ashe is far too in love with his own style to create any real love between his two leads.
Crappy Quickie COVID Cash-In: ‘Songbird’
Michael Bay produced this idiotic anti-mask turd that has one saving grace: it’s only 80 minutes long.
Bore-antine Streamin’: ‘Radioactive’ / ‘Chemical Hearts’ / ‘Let Him Go’ / ‘Come Away’
Pandemic lockdown has forced first-run films online. Here are four I probably would have skipped anyway.
Quibi-ckly Forgotten Triple-Feature: ‘The Stranger’ / ’50 States of Fright’ / ‘When the Streetlights Go On’
Quibi’s rapid rise and fall aren’t too surprising when you’ve actually watched their material.
See-Through Stupidity: ‘The Invisible Man’
The surprise mid-pandemic hit is soaked in ugly misogyny and hilarious ineptitude.
Belated Praise of Pre-Quarantine Black Romance: ‘The Photograph’
The last film I saw before lockdown was one of the best Black romance films I’ve seen in nearly 20+ years.
The Thinking Man's Idiot (Charles Lewis III) 