⭐⭐⭐1/2 I attended the opening night of the Seattle International Film Festival, where I Love Boosters launched the festivities in unforgettable fashion. From the start, it was clear this would not be a tidy or predictable movie. Boots Riley delivers a chaotic, what-the-hell kind of ride that pulls you in every direction and keeps you guessing. Set in Oakland, California, I Love Boosters follows Corvette, … Continue reading I Love Boosters
⭐⭐⭐⭐ The 2013 film Test, directed and written by Chris Mason Johnson, is a beautifully crafted portrayal of life in San Francisco during the early days of the AIDS crisis. Set in 1985, the film captures the era with remarkable attention to detail, from rotary phones and Walkman devices to the tension and fear that defined the time. It doesn’t just tell a story—it immerses … Continue reading Test (2013)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Walking into The Drama, I expected a lighthearted romantic comedy with a sprinkle of drama — something easy to digest. What I got instead was a deeply unsettling, thought-provoking exploration of human relationships and the weight of our pasts. Directed by Kristoffer Borgli and starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, this film is anything but predictable. It’s a dark romantic dramedy that forces you to sit … Continue reading The Drama
⭐⭐⭐⭐ It’s rare to come across a film that completely pulls you in from the very first frame, but Viva is one of those rare gems. Set in the vibrant streets of Havana, Cuba, this emotionally charged story is actually an Irish production, brought to life by the brilliant direction of Paddy Breathnach. The film follows Jesus, a young hairdresser who works behind the scenes … Continue reading Viva
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Every so often, a film quietly slips into your life and steals your heart, leaving you astonished that it managed to fly under the radar. Cloudburst, directed by Thom Fitzgerald and starring the incomparable Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker, is one such gem — a hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply affecting road movie that remains unknown to far too many. The story follows Stella (Olympia … Continue reading Cloudburst (2011)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mysterious Skin, directed by Gregg Araki, is a deeply emotional and unsettling film that explores the lives of two boys forever changed by a mysterious event in their childhood. Adapted from Scott Heim’s novel, the movie examines the long-term effects of trauma and the ways people cope. The story centers on Neil McCormick, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Brian Lackey, played by Brady Corbet. … Continue reading Mysterious Skin (2004)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Polly Findlay’s Midwinter Break is a film that understands the power of silence. In a cinematic world often filled with noise, this beautifully crafted drama finds its strength in the quiet spaces between words. It’s a thoughtful and deeply human story about a long-term marriage, brought to life by the masterful performances of Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds. The film follows Stella (Manville) and … Continue reading Midwinter Break (2026)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Some films stay in a viewer’s memory, while others, like “Blue Moon,” leave a mark on the soul. Richard Linklater’s latest isn’t just a biopic — it’s a sad, night-long goodbye to Lorenz Hart, the troubled songwriter whose lyrics still echo in bars and lonely hearts. Watching this film, one is drawn into a world that is at once bright and sad, carried by … Continue reading Blue Moon (2025)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Is This Thing On? is a rare gem of a film that surprises viewers with its humor, emotion, and honest portrayal of life’s unexpected challenges. Directed by Bradley Cooper and co-written with Will Arnett and Mark Chappell, the story follows Alex Novak (Arnett), who is trying to rebuild his life after separating from his wife. While loosely based on the life of comedian John … Continue reading Is This Thing On?
⭐⭐⭐ Down Low is a bold, unapologetically Queer black comedy that takes audiences on a wild ride through self-discovery, chaos, and some truly unexpected twists. Directed by Rightor Doyle and co-written by Lukas Gage, the film is as outrageous as it is heartfelt, blending dark humor with moments of genuine vulnerability. The story centers on Gary (Zachary Quinto), a newly out, terminally ill divorcé who … Continue reading Down Low
FRANK'S FILM REVIEW 