Adam Vaughn | Film Festival Today

Film Review: “Denise Ho: Becoming the Song” Tells of Timely and Impactful Changes in Hong Kong and China Today, While Juggling the Artist’s Personal Journey

July 1, 2020

Film Review: “House of Hummingbird” Exercises Superb Cinematic Conventions in a Timeless and Relative Coming-of-Age Tale

June 25, 2020

Film Review: “You Should Have Left” Delivers Surprising New Techniques to Thrill, While Leading Us Down an All Too Familiar Road

June 18, 2020

Interview with “Who by Fire” Director Philippe Lesage
By Christopher Llewellyn Reed
March 13, 2025
Québécois director Philippe Lesage’s Who by Fire offers a “coming-of-age tale in which the adults are as much in need of growth as the youth (if not more so),” as I write in my review. Set in the northern wilderness, the film features as much hiking, hunting, and canoeing through rapids as it does conversation and wine. Starring an engaging ensemble of francophone actors, it never fails to hold interest I had a chance to speak with Lesage ... >>
“Who by Fire” Offers Urgent Truths
By Christopher Llewellyn Reed
March 13, 2025
Who by Fire (Philippe Lesage, 2024) 4 out of 5 stars A sprawling (but almost never excessive) coming-of-age tale in which the adults are as much in need of growth as the youth (if not more so), Who by Fire, from Québécois director Philippe Lesage (Genesis), examines inter- and intragenerational relationships with sensitivity and not a little panache. Set on a remote lake in the vast northern wilderness, the film offers stunning scenery on top of ... >>
“Control Freak” Doesn’t Quite Scratch Its Horror Itch
By George W. Campbell
March 11, 2025
Control Freak (Shal Ngo, 2025) 3 out of 5 stars Negative self-talk is one of the most common feelings in the world. It can be a constant weight around people’s necks, holding them back from accomplishing their goals. But in writer/director Shal Ngo’s new film Control Freak, it’s much more literal. In his world, we learn that the evil voice in your head is not only real, but may be actively trying to devour you from the inside. Ngo (The Park) has ... >>
“Queen of the Ring” Offers Powerful Concepts, Weak Storytelling
By Adam Vaughn
March 7, 2025
Queen of the Ring (Ash Avildsen, 2024) 3 out of 5 stars The latest from Ash Avildsen (American Satan) tackles the hot topic of the “first million dollar female athlete in history,” telling the story of female pro wrestler Mildred Burke (Emily Bett Rickards, Autumn and the Black Jaguar), and how she rose to dominate the industry. Set during a time when it was illegal for women to compete in professional wrestling, Burke defined the women’s side ... >>
“Rule Breakers” Rises Above Ordinary
By Christopher Llewellyn Reed
March 7, 2025
Rule Breakers (Bill Guttentag, 2025) 3 out of 5 stars Based on a true story—as an opening title card informs us—Rule Breakers, from director Bill Guttentag (Spyral), offers an inspiring story dressed up in rather conventional cinematic clothing. We’ve seen films about iconoclasts making a difference before; it’s almost a genre unto itself. But that doesn’t take away from the heartwarming aspects of the real-life tale. ... >>

Our Coverage of 2025 Oscar Nominees
January 25, 2025
Last week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and ...>>
10 Films to Watch at Sundance 2025
January 21, 2025
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival runs in-person January ...>>
Chris Reed’s Top 10 Films of 2024
December 31, 2024
This was another good year for movies, though perhaps ...>>
Matt Patti’s Top 10 Films of 2024
December 30, 2024
2024 will be a year remembered for many reasons. There ...>>
Hannah Tran’s Top 10 Films of 2024
December 29, 2024
I have never wrestled so much over what was going to ...>>