AwardsWatch - Film Reviews

SXSW Review: ‘Ludi’ deftly explores identity and the American Dream with a breakout performance by Shein Mompremier

Dewey Singleton March 21, 2021

The greatest thing one can say about art is how it broadens their horizons. Director Edson Jean’s debut feature Ludi certainly had that type of... Read More

SXSW Review: A weaker strain in the era of the COVID comedy, ‘Recovery’ doesn’t commit to the heart of the joke

Michael Frank March 21, 2021

Written by and starring Mallory Everton and Whitney Call, Recovery doesn’t make any mistake about its time and place. Set in the beginning stages of... Read More

SXSW Review: Despite a thrilling performance from Leah Purcell, ‘The Drover’s Wife’ never reaches its full potential

Ryan McQuade March 19, 2021

When we are little, we are told stories that mold our inspirations as human beings. Some tales are wrapped within decades of different versions and... Read More

SXSW Review: ‘The Fallout’ explores teenage grief with a gentle hand

Michael Frank March 19, 2021

In an ideal, much safer world, Megan Park’s The Fallout wouldn’t need to exist. Winner of the SXSW Narrative Feature Competition, The Fallout follows high... Read More

SXSW Review: ‘Language Lessons’ finds humanity over laptop screens

Michael Frank March 19, 2021

Familiarity surrounds Language Lessons, an 80-minute examination of a friendship between a Spanish teacher and her student. Natalie Morales, in her directorial debut, comes with... Read More

SXSW Review: ‘Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil’ is more concerned about appearances than battling demons

Dewey Singleton March 18, 2021

Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil (a documentary that made its premiere at SXSW) stands out for two very different reasons. It represents the first... Read More

SXSW Review: ‘The End of Us’ is the charming embodiment of the maybe too soon quarantine comedy

Eddie Mouradian March 18, 2021

It seems fitting that on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, I should watch a COVID-19 rom-com. Two millennials, Nick (Ben Coleman), a Teva sandal... Read More

SXSW Review: Malcolm Ingram’s ‘Clerk’ rings up a treasure trove of Kevin Smith’s career, personal life and near death

Dewey Singleton March 18, 2021

“And If it’s a funny old world, mama, where a little boy’s wishes come true” really is the perfect lyric from Springsteen’s song The Wish,... Read More

SXSW Review: ‘Our Father’ is an unfocused story of sisterhood and unwanted family

Ryan McQuade March 17, 2021

There is nothing more precious than the bond one can have with their family. Sure we can connect with friends or strangers on a day-to-day... Read More