Spotlight | Film Festival Today

Interview with “Who by Fire” Director Philippe Lesage

March 13, 2025

“Who by Fire” Offers Urgent Truths

March 13, 2025

“Black Bag” Is Stylish, Mysterious, and Fun

March 13, 2025

“Novocaine” Is Painfully Entertaining

March 13, 2025

Brazen “Borderline” Is a Bizarro Ball

March 13, 2025

“Control Freak” Doesn’t Quite Scratch Its Horror Itch

March 11, 2025

“Queen of the Ring” Offers Powerful Concepts, Weak Storytelling

March 7, 2025

“Rule Breakers” Rises Above Ordinary

March 7, 2025

“Bloat” Is Full of Hot Air

March 6, 2025

“Stockade” Offers Taut Thrills

February 21, 2025

“Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse” Goes by the Numbers

February 20, 2025

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. ... >>

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