As we close out our SXSW 2020 coverage, the time has come to take stock on what we saw and highlight the best films from this year’s festival. Though the festival was unfortunately canceled and we couldn’t see some of the most anticipated films of the Spring, there were still plenty of great films from talented filmmakers, artists, and visionaries that deserve recognition.
Read More
South by South West was unfortunately canceled this year. It was bummer not only for us, but more so for the filmmakers who were ready to show their work to audiences, launch their careers, and be discovered. Over the next ten days, we too will be proceeding with coverage and writing about as many films as we can. It’s a small gesture, but the least we can do in light of this situation.
Read More
There are hundreds of feature films and shorts out there waiting to be seen at this year's SXSW festival. We passed through the schedule, narrowed down a handful that peaked our interest, and wrote about them for you to keep on your radar. Whether it’s a film from talent we know, or maybe it just has a good premise, these are the prospects that we find most promising.
Read More
For this month’s theme, we’re selecting films that put particular emphasis on concrete jungles, films where the city itself becomes not just a location, but also a character. We may be following the lives of protagonists on screen, but it’s place they inhabit that plays just as much an important role as they do. We hate the traffic, the loud noises, and the lingering pollution, but we’ll be damned if we ever trade the metropolitan madness for suburban life. Because it’s the city, and there’s nothing like it.
Read More
In the days leading up to Seattle’s Noir City at SIFF, we sat down with the Czar of Noir himself, Eddie Muller, to discuss the festival’s history, the contemporary social underpinnings in this year’s lineup, audience’s undying fixation on the genre, and the borderless unification noir has on us all.
Read More
Over the next nine weeks, we’re selecting films that depict younger generation rejecting conformity and igniting rambunctious rebellions at the hands of being misunderstood. Acting on your own accord, disobeying authority, and maybe busting out a hardy cry or two at the alienation felt inside, these films aren’t afraid to reject the authoritative hypocrisy felt by younger generations, because sometimes being seen means being who you are. Acting out never felt so right when you’re a Youth in Revolt.
Read More
The face of films has always been the actors. Through them, we are exposed to a world of different characters, perspectives, and ideas where we can empathize with situations completely unlike our own. They breathe life into the written word, taking an ordinary role and transforming it into something all their own. From masters of the trade and new entrants alike, these actors deliver performances that are truly exceptional. As chosen by our writing team, these are our favorite performances of 2019.
Read More
Every year we watch hundreds of films that contain thousands of scenes within them, and through it all, we come away with a handful of stand out moments. Whether it be a climatic revelation, a subtle moment of directorial brilliance, or a poignant punctuation to conclude a film, these scenes display a creative, technical, and thematic mastery that we simply can’t stop thinking about. As selected by our writing team, these are our favorite scenes of 2019.
Read More
Right before the decade came to a close, 2019 went out with a particularly strong bevy of films. So much so that there are still many I have yet to watch, but from what I have seen, this year has been nothing short of remarkable. Compassion, joy, wonder, laughter, heartbreak. I believe you can find all these and more in the films from this year, and while there are so many I admire, here are the ones that stick out in my mind, providing a range of feelings that are particularly delightful to bask in for 2019.
Read More