Reviews

V/H/S BEYOND is . . . hard to describe.  It is a →  found footage / forced perspective,  science-fiction,  horror,  anthology  → film  It is the seventh installment in the series (but ninth overall) in the V/H/S franchise.  The film takes up a feature film block of time, but operates more like a shorts program, […]

THE CIGARETTE SURFBOARD is an eye-opening documentary directed by Ben Judkins that has been making waves at the Hawai’i International Film Festival. We dive into Taylor Lane’s journey as he collects thousands of cigarette butts from beaches to create a functioning surfboard. What started as an art project turned into a life’s mission to save

Sometimes a fire needs to be set. WE WERE DANGEROUS (2024) is a piece on girls finding support and freedom within a community of “undesirables.” Winner of the HIFF44 PASIFIKA award, this New Zealand film directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu celebrates the strength of young Maori women and a wider take on girlhood. Placed in

There is something about eating dumplings that is almost ethereal. I remember my first time having soup dumplings – the puncture felt like piercing a veil. The burst of warm soup disrupted all I had known about soup and dumplings separately, and by some well-executed design, it was all happening in one spoon. Chewing on

WOVEN is an indigenous short film directed by Vilsoni Hereniko and Alex Cantatore. It tells the story of an incident involving an indigenous basket weaver (played by Vilsoni Hereniko) trying to complete the traditional art of basket weaving but struggling to do so in a world where that custom is being forgotten. This film explores

The VFX-heavy YIN YANG MASTER ZERO presents itself as an exhilarating roller coaster, topped with all the bells and whistles, but the ride itself may not be enjoyable for everyone. Although director Shimako Sato attempts to breathe new life into the historical characters, the high-fantasy elements and big budget do most of the heavy lifting

Ever wondered what it felt like to be on the frontlines of Polynesian wartime? The latest of Māori magic to be showcased on the big screen is none other than KA WHAWHAI TONU: STRUGGLE WITHOUT END. This two-hour feature film reveals the true accounts of indigenous resistance in Aotearoa during the 1864 battle of Ōrākau.

Based on Takashi Imashiro’s manga of the same name, GHOST CAT ANZU directed by Yôko Kuno & Nobuhiro Yamashita is a beautiful animated film that is a remarkable example of what is possible when excellent writing, directing, production, and performance all come together. GHOST CAT ANZU is Beautiful, but Boring The film’s production was tremendously

“I wish I could be as brave as you, Ms.” It’s remarkable how, even at our lowest, we can still be seen as strong, brave, and inspiring to others. In Miki Magasiva’s directorial debut, TINĀ, we are taken on a heartfelt journey that brings joy, laughter, and tears. The film follows the story of Mareta,