The absolute state of this…

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Closing put my #SXSW coverage with probably my favorite film of the fest. The debut feature from Dario “Danger 5” Russo. A brilliantly absurdist folk parable. My review at @cinapse.bsky.social cinapse.co/2026/03/sxsw...

DRAG. Starts as squeamish slapstick and then descends into a pitch black comedy thriller. Very mean in moments, guaranteed to elicit hooting and hollering in others. Lizzy Caplan being put through the wringer here is a truly visceral experience. #SXSW

NORMAL. Interim Sheriff uncovers small town conspiracy. Hella fun feature that feels like a midwestern riff on the final act of HOT FUZZ. Odenkirk solidifies his hold on the unsuspecting action star genre. Just a gleeful smorgasbord of comedic carnage. #SXSW

SEAHORSE. A heartfelt work, centered on memory and metal health, with a father/daughter relationship at its core. Aisha Evelyna delivers a poignant piece as writer/director that points to a promising future in film. #SXSW

MONITOR mines some familiar horror tropes, but in a truly effective and resonant way. My review over at @cinapse.bsky.social #SXSW cinapse.co/2026/03/sxsw...

THE FOX. A parable about the perils of quick fixes in our relationships (and talking to the animals). Blends mystic and absurdist elements into a weird and wonderful comedy, with subtle shades of folk horror. Magnificent deployment of Englebert Humperdinck. #SXSW

SEEKERS OF INFINITE LOVE. A roadtrip to save a sister from a cult. Fueled by sibling strife, it leverages constant conflict into comedy and an array of flawed characters into a palpable chemistry. The sort of film that sustains a wry smile from start to finish. #SXSW

MILE END KICKS. A coming of age tale that nicely chronicles the steps (and missteps) taken by a woman truing to forge an identity in a male-dominated arena. Makes great use of its Montreal setting, and a committed, warts and all performance from Barbie Ferreira. #SXSW

BASIC. An incisive and hilarious take on modern day dating, self-worth, and sisterhood. Writer/director Chelsea Devantez plants her flag with warmly realized & rich characters, a keen wit, and an assured sense of visual story telling. #SXSW

DREAMQUIL is a glossy technological parable that just fails to synch up. My review over at @cinapse.bsky.social #SXSW cinapse.co/2026/03/sxsw...

DEAD EYES. The cinematic equivalent of one of those rail-shooter games you find in an arcade. Not a compliment. #SXSW

AND HER BODY WAS NEVER FOUND. Marital strife blows open a multi-layered, meta affair that brilliantly uses structure and perspective to weave together a “real life” relationship drama, thriller, and comedy into one. #SXSW

LEVITICUS. A gnarly Australian horror where religious fervor and the supernatural are deployed as agents of gay-conversion therapy. Expertly ramps up the sense of fear and isolation through a relentless force evoking It Follows, but its enduring love story sets it apart. #sxsw

SUMMER OF ‘94 is a fantastic doc that gets into the reality-style approach of the US to build a team to be proud of for the 1994 World Cup. Full of warmth and character, my review over at @cinapse.bsky.social #SXSW cinapse.co/2026/03/sxsw...

HOKUM. A haunted man tackling his inner demons, as well as evil, both human and unearthly. Hits the horror beats with immaculate precision and delivers a devilishly fun time while doing it. Damien McCarthy’s most consistent and complete feature to date. #sxsw

THE SAVIORS. A BURBS-esque paranoia spiral fueled by undertones of xenophobia. The relationship angle adds depth, and the film balances the serious and satire well, but a late twist feels ungainly in its timing and execution. #SXSW

KILL ME. A great hook for a film that balances a heartfelt look at mental illness with a thriller/comedy caper. #SXSW #SXSW2026

SENDER leverages modern day angst and digital fears into a twisty paranoid nightmare. Propulsive, and compelling in spurts, over-reliance on discordant sounds and visuals detract from the more nuanced work evident in the script and performances. #SXSW #SXSW2026

A SAFE DISTANCE. A lush Canadian thriller that works even better as a reflective character piece. My review over at @cinapse.bsky.social #SXSW #SXSW2026 cinapse.co/2026/03/sxsw...

PRETTY LETHAL. Pretty sure Amazon shouldn’t be allowed to make anymore movies… #SXSW #SXSW2026

READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME. Detrimentally beholden to the first film, but it undeniably picks up the torch with conviction and delivers a rousing and fun filled sequel, albeit with little that is new or surprising. #sxsw #sxsw2026

My first review out of #SXSW serves as a warning and a call to arms, the chilling doc. FIRST THEY CAME FOR MY COLLEGE. Coverage over at @cinapse.bsky.social #SXSW2026 cinapse.co/2026/03/sxsw...

MONITOR rips. A devilishly fun, and gnarly slice of horror. Great set pieces and scares, wicked kills, and a potent mythology perfectly attuned to our digital age. #SXSW #SXSW2026

UGLY CRY. A spiraling exploration of self-word & body standards, against the back drop of the casting process. Could be a little punchier in the back half, but the creative direction, resonant script and endearing lead performance from Emily Robinson does impress. #SXSW #SXSW2026

Sorry to say I was more lukewarm on #Undertone than most. My review over at @cinapse.bsky.social cinapse.co/2026/03/unde...

I got together the Cinapse crew attending this year’s @sxsw.com to highlight their most anticipated films from the lineup. We’ll have feet on the ground and eyes on screens all week long covering an array of programming, so follow along via @cinapse.bsky.social 👀🎬🍿 cinapse.co/2026/03/sxsw...

Thrilled that @atxfilmcritics.bsky.social’s statement condemning @alamodrafthouse.bsky.social’s misguided change to allow phones out during films is getting traction with news, Elijah Wood and Scott Derrickson thanks to fearless leaders @jonpartridge.bsky.social and @rmwhittaker.bsky.social!

Thanks to @kxan.com for sharing the position of the @ATXFilmCritics on the new policies being rolled out by @alamodrafthouse.bsky.social Happy to contribute my opinions on the changes and represent my fellow AFCAers www.kxan.com/news/local/a...

Sam Raimi’s #SENDHELP is a devilish delight, and exactly the sort of original filmmaking that needs your support. Get a for a guaranteed good time. My review over at @cinapse.bsky.social

Proud to be an @atxfilmcritics.bsky.social member condemning @alamodrafthouse.bsky.social's shift to mobile-based ordering.

CC @alamodrafthouse.bsky.social

As the days go on, my fury at the new iphone OS update increases. Its borked everything. It’s the tech embodiment of the Trump administration, stupid, regressive, and garishly unattractive.

Cackled my way through SEND HELP. Rami is back baby. 🐐

Listen 3-4:30 pm central today to KOOP at the Movies. The Austin Chronicle senior writer and the Austin Film Critics Association’s V.P. Richard Whittaker joins me to review Austin’s 2025 in film. @koopradio.bsky.social @rmwhittaker.bsky.social @austinchronicle.bsky.social @atxfilmcritics.bsky.social

Come join us on 1/12 to celebrate our Best Austin Film winner for 2025, BLUE MOON!

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Congrats to all our @atxfilmcritics.bsky.social 2025 winners, including our Austin Film Award victor BLUE MOON.

Pretty darn pleased with these picks from the AFCA. Proud to have played a part in the selections. 🍾❤️🎥

The AFCA is pleased to announce our 2025 film award nominees. Winners will be announces on December 18th. Congratulations to all our nominees! 🍾 austinfilmcritics.org/2025/12/10/2...

Excited to share all of our wonderful nominees!!!

Very pleased with these awards nominee picks from my AFCA peers. Been a great year for the movies!

28 YEARS LATER was just a warmup for THE BONE TEMPLE. A bold, bloody, and bonkers followup, that again finds cruelty and the enduring slivers of humanity amidst the carnage of this devastated land. Ralph Fiennes delivers one of his most fire performances. @28yearslater.bsky.social

Loins are girded for this one #28yearslaterthebonetemple

#AvatarFireAndAsh is exhilarating, emotional, and epic cinema. The action and effects surpass the first two films, its plot however recycles so many elements you wonder where things can go from here. Oona Chaplin is an exception as a chaotically compelling addition to the cast

Payakan Posse unite! 🐋 #Avatar

Been hankering for #Hamnet

#MartySupreme. A dizzying effort, driven by a palpable and relentless sense of hustle. Chalamet is undeniably electric, but the casting team deserves major plaudits for filling every frame of this film with color and character.