Film Reviews Archives

Film Reviews

Film Review: ‘Sylvie’s Love’ makes a convincing case for returning romantic love front and center to movies

BY JEANNE POWELL — 12.23.2020

Sylvie’s Love 4.5 out of 5 stars – ‘Uplifting’ Directed and written by Eugene Ashe Starring Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Eva Longoria PG-13 | 1h…

Film Reviews

‘Take Out Girl’ Film Review: Hedy Wong literally lights up the screen

BY JEANNE POWELL — 11.02.2020

Director Hisonni Johnson has generated a lot of buzz with his first feature film, Take Out Girl. Co-writer Hedy Wong literally lights up the screen…

Film Reviews

Film Review: ‘The Glorias’ performances illustrate how Gloria Steinem’s many seasons fit together into a peripatetic life well lived

BY JEANNE POWELL — 10.01.2020

Always for this living legend, it is about “We The People”.

Sundance Film Festival: 'Kajillionaire" film review - Director Miranda July

Film Reviews

Film Review: In ‘Kajillionaire’ director Miranda July creates wacky and wistful moments

BY JEANNE POWELL — 09.25.2020

Throughout it all, southern Los Angeles trembles in a series of earthquakes, most of which are small ones, all of which are symbolic.

Film Reviews

Film Review: ‘The High Note’ & Dakota Johnson take us to the glamorous side of the Los Angeles music scene

BY JEANNE POWELL — 05.25.2020

Streaming at the end of May 2020 is a Focus Features film release directed by Nisha Ganatra and written by Flora Greeson. The High Note…

Film Reviews

Film Review: ‘Jill Bilcock: Dancing the Invisible’ a fascinating look at the little-known world of film editing

BY JEANNE POWELL — 03.06.2020

An icon of Australian cinema.

Film Reviews

Film Review: ‘Top End Wedding’ a crowd-pleaser worth your time

BY JEANNE POWELL — 03.05.2020

A feel-good film from beginning to end, Top End Wedding was a crowd-pleaser in 2019, Australia’s highest grossing film. A romantic comedy with a happy…

Film Reviews

Mostly British Film Festival: ‘Top End Wedding’ and ‘Jill Billcock: Dancing the Invisible’

BY JEANNE POWELL — 02.22.2020

A few Stark Insider capsule film reviews from the Mostly British Film Festival (Vogue Theatre) in San Francisco. TOP END WEDDING (2019) Director: Wayne Blair Writers: Miranda…

Film Reviews

‘Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am’ an inspiring, absorbing documentary about a very private person

BY JEANNE POWELL — 12.06.2019

"An artful and intimate meditation on the life and works of [a] legendary storyteller and Nobel prize winner".

Film Review: Judy starring Renee Zellweger

Film Reviews

Film Review: Finding ‘Judy’

BY JEANNE POWELL — 11.26.2019

My neighbor Kitty telephones one afternoon and says, “let’s go see Judy.” Since we do not know anyone named Judy, I quickly figure out she…