California | Film Festival Today

Film Review: “Ham on Rye” Offers a Visually Full Meal

January 10, 2021

Film Review: “Stallone: Frank That Is” Tells a Mostly Unknown Perspective on a Famous Celebrity Icon … and His Brother!
By Adam Vaughn
January 18, 2021
Stallone: Frank That Is (Derek Wayne Johnson, 2021) 3 out of 4 stars. I humbly admit, as an individual who was not physically alive for the events portrayed in Stallone: Frank That Is, that I feel as if the realizations brought to light by director Derek Wayne Johnson’s newest documentary may not have the same impact on me as a viewer who lived through the 1960s and ‘70s. Still, Stallone: Frank That Is weaves an interesting story, full of ... >>
Interview with “Climate of the Hunter” Director Mickey Reece
By Adam Vaughn
January 12, 2021
Close to the theatrical premiere of director Mickey Reece’s newest film, Climate of the Hunter (which I reviewed for this site), I had the opportunity to “Zoom” with Reece to discuss the movie. Climate of the Hunter tells the story of two lifelong friends, Alma and Elizabeth, as they invite over another, long-lost friend, Wesley. Relaxing and enjoying life at a secluded vacation house in the woods, Alma starts to suspect that Wesley is ... >>
While Innovative, “Go/Don’t Go” Is Far Too Monotonous to Be Easily Remembered
By Adam Vaughn
January 11, 2021
Go/Don’t Go (Alex Knapp, 2020) 2½ out of 4 stars. Releasing at the end of the year is director Alex Knapp’s Go/Don’t Go, described by its distributors as a “slow burn thriller” of a drama film. Keeping this in mind, I braced myself for a story that was going to move at an unhurried pace. Knapp, however, pursues this pacing without the full fundamental story points needed to keep the viewer invested. While certain parts have great cinematic ... >>
Film Review: “Ham on Rye” Offers a Visually Full Meal
By Christopher Llewellyn Reed
January 10, 2021
Ham on Rye (Tyler Taormina, 2019) 3 out of 4 stars. Filled with images both lyrical and eerie, Tyler Taormina’s debut feature, Ham on Rye offers a cinematic meal of solid calories made fancy through some impressive presentation. Though the story, itself, may be minimal, it resonates long afterwards, its implications universal beyond the borders of the small California town where the action takes place. Life is short; choose your path wisely. ... >>
Adam Vaughn’s Top 10 Films of 2020
By Adam Vaughn
December 30, 2020
Below is my list, in order of preference: Da 5 Bloods (Spike Lee): Lee delivers a very fresh perspective on the burdens of the Vietnam War, specifically from the point of view of his powerhouse African American cast. The film is well directed and acted, and the journey the main characters go through is compelling and extremely memorable. The Invisible Man (Leigh Whannell): Just when you thought Universal Studios had exhausted ... >>

Film Review: “Wonder Woman 1984”
December 30, 2020
What happen to Wonder Woman? She is a supporting character not given much to do. What happened to ...>>
Film Review: “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”
October 24, 2020
It’s Baron Cohen’s commitment to the character and no wink to the audience that still captivates. ...>>
Film Review: “Cuties”
September 13, 2020
In defense of Cuties, it is a cultural eye-opener. Stop trying to bully Netflix. No one is forcing ...>>
Film Review: “Ava”
August 31, 2020
Don’t miss these three great fight scenes: Colin Farrell and John Malkovich, Jessica Chastain and ...>>