Edinburgh 2026: 'Capsized' Review

In Capsized, a dysfunctional family, led by Rhys Ifans, heads off on a vacation. But what they don't know is that Dad hasn't been paying the mortgage, and when they return home, they may be evicted. For Screen International, I reviewed this well-observed drama. 

Edinburgh 2025: 'Concessions' Review

Concessions is a mix of Clerks and Eephus, looking at an independent movie theater on its final day of operation. I dug its elegiac tone, but I wish the story had more to say. My review is here. 

Edinburgh 2024: 'Smiles and Kisses You' Review

From the description, you might think Smiles and Kisses You will be a snide, punching-down portrait. Bryan Carberry's documentary focuses on a single man who decides to buy a sex doll, adding an A.I. component so that he can have "real" conversations with the doll. But this nonjudgmental film has some things to say about loneliness and the need for connection. Here's my review.

Edinburgh 2024: 'To Kill a Wolf' Review

I tend to be resistant to movies that are pitched as "What if this fairy tale was set in modern times?" But I was quite impressed by To Kill a Wolf, which re-imagines Little Red Riding Hood in a quiet community. My review is here.

Edinburgh 2024: 'Sunlight' Review

British comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti has made her feature directorial debut, Sunlight, in which she plays a woman who wears a full-sized monkey costume, insisting that she is the monkey. I reviewed this unusual romantic comedy for Screen International.

Edinburgh 2022: 'Whina' Review

I was not familiar with Dame Whina Cooper before watching Whina, which tells her story. Dying at the age of 98, she spent her long life fighting for the rights of her fellow Maori in New Zealand, whose government marginalized and displaced its Indigenous population. My review is up at Screen International. 

Edinburgh 2022: 'A Bunch of Amateurs' Review

A Bunch of Amateurs introduces us to Bradford Movie Makers, an amateur film club in England whose numbers are thinning. A touching tribute to cinephilia and aging, the documentary is a crowd-pleaser but also pretty bittersweet. My review is here.

Edinburgh 2022: 'Neon Spring' Review

A Latvian 20-year-old has an unhappy life. Will plugging into the local rave scene help her find her groove? For Screen International, I reviewed Neon Spring.