Miller Night Football (2026)

This is a portrait of the Monday night Football experiment of having Dennis Miller on the show.  It’s a short little film covering the arc of what happened.

For those that don’t know ABC thought Monday Night Football was getting stale. They hoped to revive rating by bringing in Dennis Miller who was super-hot at the time. It was a moved loved by some, hated by others but which got people to tune in because they just wanted to see what happened. The experiment lasted two years before John Madden was brought in and caused Miller and Dan Fouts to be fired.

Outside of the clips there isn’t much here. It’s a more or less straight forward telling that doesn’t do anything special. For me, I a former Miller fan this just proved that he has become kind of insufferable.

Ultimately, I liked it but even at roughly half an hour its too long.

Nitrate Kisses NYFF 2026

The queer experience in popular culture is told through a mix of clips and remembrances.

Running a breezy 65 minutes NITRATE KISSES was ground-breaking film. It was one of the first more readily available films to show mass audiences what the queer experience was. While I don’t think it played everywhere I do remember seeing it regularly at repertory theaters and in many video stores at a time when many wouldn’t carry queer films. It’s a film that several people I know who were afraid to come out treasured because it showed them that there were similar people out there.

I always liked this film. Never mind the subject matter, this is a glorious exploration of a part of the human existence. I’m not gay, but in the words and images on the screen I could see my life and my feelings, only through a different lens.  It’s a stunning film that pulls you in and drags you along.

Honestly I had such a good time revisiting the film for this review that when I was done I watched it a second time.

One of the great films at this years NYFF, NITRATE KISSES is highly recommended

Concessions (2025) begins a road show engagement today before hitting VOD October 27

The last night of a movie theater as experienced by the staff and patrons. 

I love this film. It's a blast of nostalgia. While it may not be the best film of 2025, it has become one of my favorites, which is actually better since it means that I will be more likely to revisit it.

Reminding me, in the best sort of way, of DRIVE-IN, CLERKS, MATINEE,  and several other films, this is a film that is like the memory of having the best day at the movies with your friends. It's a film that feels familiar. It's a film that feels like it was set in another time (the film feels like a lazy Sunday afternoon in the 1970's)  but the truth is the film is set in the here and now.

It is a glorious viewing experience that you can relive over and over. It is a film full of wonderful cinematic references.

And a few clunky ones. To be honest despite being near perfect the film has a couple of seemingly forced movie references (say the Spike Lee glide), that while not bad as such, break the otherwise perfectly cast spell because they are a bit too noticeable.

On the other hand you won't care. Why? Because everything else in the film is so good you won't care.

A must see.

 CONCESSIONS Theatrical / Q&A Roadshow:

 September 22 – Gardena Cinema / Gardena, CA – Q&A

 September 23 – Laemmle Royal / Los Angeles, CA – Q&A (moderated by Freddy Macdonald)

 September 24 – Laemmle NoHo 7 / North Hollywood, CA – Q&A (moderated by Max Madsen)

 September 27 – Festival Theaters / Palm Springs, CA – Q&A 

 October 1 – Village East by Angelika / New York, NY – Q&A (35mm)

 October 4 – Roxy Cinema / New York, NY – Q&A (35mm, moderated by Charlotte Wells)

 October 8 – Lafayette Theatre / Suffern, NY – Q&A

 October 9 – SMG Spring Valley / Dallas, TX – Q&A

 October 10 – SMG Plano / Plano, TX – Q&A

 October 16 – Plaza Theatre / Atlanta, GA – Q&A (35mm)

 October 20 – Capitol Theatre / Cleveland, OH – Q&A

 October 22 - Roxy Theatre / Bremerton, WA - Q&A

 November 10 – Heights Theater / Columbia Heights, MN – Q&A (35mm)

Additional roadshow dates and markets may be announced in the coming weeks. CONCESSIONS will be available on VOD beginning October 27, 2026.

Black Zombie (2026)

This is a documentary on zombies, both the real ones and the ones from the movies.

This is a heady film in all the right ways. Seeking to restore reality to the out of control purely fictional notion of what zombies are BLACK ZOMBIE gives us a compelling history lesson of what the real "undead" are, while at the same time recontextualizing the zombies of popular culture.

I'm going to be honest and say I walked into this film blnd. Until I saw that this was a film for the Documentary Channel I didn't know what the film was, I simply  saw the title and decided to cover it.

Expertly done this film, this film will make you rethink the zombie on screen as well as freak out about the ones that inspired the movie monsters. The entire notion of being reduced to mindlesscreatures is frightening.

I need to see this film a couple more times, partly because it is so damn good, but more because there is som much here I have to see what I miss as well as connect up all the varios pieces

One of the great film finds at Fantasia and of 2026

To Escape(2026) Telluride 2026

David Roberts brings his latest film to Telluride 2026 and kicks ass. This is a deeply affecting film that moved me.

The film is a collection of film clips from various prison films cut together to the music of Philip Glass. Its a look at the cinematic prison experience and the efforts to escape.

This is a glorious cinematic tone poem. Its a film that doesn't tell a story as such, rather it simply creates a headspace. Its a headspace that foreces us to consider what prison truly is. I was rocked.  It forced me to truly rethink what I thought. 

I loved this film. I loved it so much I watched it a couple of times.

This is a great filmmaking from a great filmmaker...and its even better than last year's SONG OF MY CITY which played TCM

Boorman and the Devil (2025) opens Friday

This is hands down one of the best films on film you will ever see.

This is a look at the making and the unmaking of THE HERETIC, the sequel to the THE EXORCIST. Its a film that talks to most of the players who are still alive. Its lays out very clearly how what was hoped to be something different turned into something that was a mess.

I loved this film. I love how the film shows us how the film was made with best intentions but  how things happening that were outside the control of the production, such as the death of Lee J Cobb before shooting, and Boorman's five week illness, forced rewrites. The rewrites, especially after Borman went down, radically altered what the film was. It's an eye opening look at how movies are made.

What makes this film so much fun are the interviews. Everyone is frank. Nothing seems to be held back, with the result we seem to be a co-conspirator.

What I like about the film is that while it will make you appreciate the pieces of the film, it's rather clear from the film that the HERETIC isn't a good film. So many films on film try to sell you a bill a goods concerning a bad film, that isn't the case here.

I can not recommend this film high enough.

Seriously this film is at the top of the film on film list.

Black Zombie (2026) Fantasia 2026

This is a documentary on zombies, both the real ones and the ones from the movies.

This is a heady film in all the right ways. Seeking to restore reality to the out of control purely fictional notion of what zombies are BLACK ZOMBIE gives us a compelling history lesson of what the real "undead" are, while at the same time recontextualizing the zombies of popular culture.

I'm going to be honest and say I walked into this film blnd. Until I saw that this was a film for the Documentary Channel I didn't know what the film was, I simply  saw the title and decided to cover it.

Expertly done this film, this film will make you rethink the zombie on screen as well as freak out about the ones that inspired the movie monsters. The entire notion of being reduced to mindlesscreatures is frightening.

I need to see this film a couple more times, partly because it is so damn good, but more because there is som much here I have to see what I miss as well as connect up all the varios pieces

One of the great film finds at Fantasia and of 2026

Origin of Ultraman (2026) Fantasia 2026

I have been an Ultraman fan since it first played NYC in the 60’s. I had to sit in my grandmother’s living room during Saturday night dinner while it was on or I would throw a hissy fit. I have a warm spot in my heart for it, even if time has kept me from knowing everything about every series.

There are however people who love the series and many are famous. ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN lets them talk about their love for the series, what it means to them, the cultural history and all of that while talking to the people who have made the show. It’s a grand old time.

Beginning with Guillermo Del Toro talking to Hirokazu Kore-eda about their shared love while showing us their childhood drawing and pictures. (How big a fan is Kore-eda? He flew in just to have the talk.) The film spins out to be loving look at everything Ultraman. How that works for you will depend on if you know what the series is, and how much you like it. Fans are going to be in heaven, everyone else will be all over the place.

As a fan, but not a FAN, I liked the film. It was everything that I wanted and didn’t want to know neatly packaged. What delighted me was the famous faces. I love the passion the show inspired, and you realize that the world of entertainment was made better by the series.

This is recommended.

Brief thoughts on Mockbuster (2026)

This is the story of Anthony Frith, who talks his way into directing features for Asylum Films despite not having any past in making features. 

For those who don't know Asylum is studio that makes homage (aka ripoff films) that piggy back blockbusters (New Toy Story, Alien Disclosure Day, Master of the Universe, Immortal Combat). They partly assume that the films people will pick their film by mistake, but mostly they know that their fanbase will try to watch the films because they will go witth the fun and perhaps so bqad its fun element and enjoy the movie. 

This is a wonderful look at Frith's journey to make his film and the story of the studio. Its a film about people who are in love with the art form and the art they make. (yes Asylum's films are art-they are so much fun). Its a film that makes us smile  because everyone is having a good time doing what they are doing.

This film is an absolute delight.

High recommended.

MOCKBUSTER is currently in select theaters and is on VOD.

Minions and Monsters (2026)

This is the story of the Minions in Hollywood and how they decided to make a monster movie to save their careers and win an Oscar.

If you are a film lover you will need to see this film 9 or 10 times to catch all the references and throw away bits. The first third of this film is non-stop insanity with seeming every inch of the frame filled with wondrous or referentialbits or images. The amount of film references boggles the mind. After the first third the film settles down a bit but there are still tons of references.

After a manic first third the film settles down  and the plot really kicks in. The rapid fire insanity is lessened as the drive to make a monster movie, with real monsters, and the minions quest to find a big bad to follow and the romance  all take a turn front and center. Our interest shifts from trying to catch all of the references to seeing how the plot plays out. 

I am not going to lie, I absolutely loved the manic first third. I loved that the film had a sense that anything could and would happen. What follows that isn't bad, it's just very structured and the sense that anything could happen at any moment is lost. For me the the five star opening  becomes a four star film over all.

I loved this. 

If you are a film nut you may want to splurge and see this on a big screen. I say that because I don't know how much is going to be lost on a TV or phone.

Go see it. You will laugh start toi finish.

Dave vs. Hollywood (2026) Dances With Films 2026

An eternally hopeful actor with limited ability tries to hit it big in Hollywood.

Wickedly funny and often uncomfortable look at what it takes to get a head in Tinsel Town. This is a brutal no holds bar look at the whys and hows things get done in Hollywood and an explanation as to why people keep plugging along despit having no real hance in hell to make it big.

I laughed and I winced. Having friends who have tried the Hollywood game I got a sense of how on the nose some of this is.

I laughed. I want to see it again because I saw this in the wind down from Tribeca so I know I didn't give it my full attention. I also want to see it again because its funny.

Recommended

Whipple's World (2026) Tribeca 2026

This is a look at George Whipple who became famous a reporter on NY1 cable channel and then moved on to E! and other entertainment news stations and sites.

I never knew much about Whipple because I never really encountered him. Known for the big eyebrows he was never someone I paid attention to. He just was sort of there.

Now that I've seen the movie, I know a bit more about him, but I'm not moved to be a fan. He's just this guy, you know.

The film is amusing but like the man himself, something of an enjoyable footnote.

Humpty Dumpty X (2026) Tribeca 2026

Yes Marlon Brando is part of this insane film

Filmmaker Tony Kaye's mea culpa about the mess that happened around the editting of his film AMERICAN HISTORY X.

Mostly a collection of the video footage Kaye shot while he was trying to stall the release of his debut film. Its a wild portrait of a man who was far off the rails and going even farther. Kaye comes off as a complete lunatic. Its like watching a slow motion car accident.

Is it any good?

I have no idea. Its a wild ride that says a great deal about how Hollywood works, and it has some great and wise things, but it's all over the place.

If you want something off hollywood about Hollywood give the film a shot.

Time Warp (2026) Tribeca 2026

A drag theater company in Rocky Springs Wyoming stages a shadowcast performance of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.

For those who don't know a shadow cast performance is when a group of actors perform live infront of the screen.

A film filled with "gee whiz, let's put on a show!" engery, TIME WARP is a sweet, if incredibly messy, look at the company coming together to put on the performance in a place that seems like it should be going on.  It is a film that exists purely on the heart of the people on screen and the filmmakers behind the camera. Its a film that is going to find its audience because there are going to be a lot of peoplewho relate to the people on screen and realize that they can do the same thing, and thus find their people.

Honestly this film is so earnest and honest, and good, that I really can't critique it because it just doesn't seem fair to point out every little problem.

That said, there are two things that I can't let go. The first is the fact that at 115 minutes the film is probably 20 minutes too long . Some sequences run a little too long. I felt the wrong sort of tired at the end. The other problem is some things are left hanging. Most are minor but just about the very end we get a mention that there was a mass shooting in a nearby town just after the performance. It makes sense as to why the shooting should be mentioned, but in all honesty it  should have resulted in some sort of on camera reaction and not just some lines of text.

Quibbles aside this is, as I said above, is a sweet little film. It may not be the best film you see all year but it will be one that makes you smile.

Brief thoughts on Hollywood Does Abortion (2026) Tribeca 2026

This is a clip filled look at how Hollywood handles abortion. FIlled with clips from TV and the movies that are coupled with writer, actors and heathcare people, the film seeks to chart the changes in cinema and society as a reult.

I am going to be brief concerning this film because this is exactly what the title says it is. Its a look at abortion as seen via Hollywood. It's a one stop shop for everything you wanted to know about the subject. It's very well done, though I wish some of the clips had been shorter because they went on past what we needed to see.

I liked the film but I don't have a great deal to say about it.

Mineshaft: The Crusing Murders (2026) Tribeca 2026

This is the story of the film CRUISING, the real events that inspired it and the controversy that resulted in the protests before and after it was made.

First word of warning, keep the little kids away from this film. I know it's a no, duh, but odds are if you are a parent with kids, watching this with them will result in a lot of questions. Its not because it's bad, but because the film is frank in its discussions because it wasn't made for TV or cable. The frankness is one of the reasons the film is so good.

The film begins with the murder of Addison Verrill, a writer for Variety  who was murdered in 1977 after visiting the Mineshaft club. Verrill was killed by a man who had appeared in the THE EXORCIST and William Friedkin had remembered working with. This got Friedkin interested in the leather culture and turned into his desire to make CRUISING.

This is a great film on many levels. Its careing portrait of what it was like to be gay in the 1970's,its killer true crime tale, it's a wonderful portrait of a film that, for better or worse, is now part of popular culture. Its a film that deftly juggles all the various balls perfectly so we never lose sight of any of them. More importantly no one just becomes a "name". We get a sense of everyone, especially Addison Verrill whose tale takes up the first third of the film.

I loved this film. As someone old enough to remember the making of the film and the protests this film filled in a lot of details I never knew, which is most things. I knew what was in the papers and I read the novel that Friedkin used as the "source" because of the controversey but I didn't know much else. Now I do.

I can't wait to see this away from the festival where I can take it in and not feel rushed.

Highly recommended

Kids Like Me (2026) Tribeca 2026

Oliver is an incredibly bright young man who loves murder mysteries. Oliver also has some physical disabilities that can restrict what he he can do. However not being able to make a murder mystery film with friends and relatives is not one of them.

This is a sweet little film.  Its a nice portrait of a young man who is not letting his physical limitations stopping him from getting through life. Oliver is, for a  the most part a sweet kid.

How much you like the film is going to  how you react to Oliver. I say that because while Oliver is mostly a sweet kid, he is also a handful. He's a kid who has some weird ticks that constantly causes clashes with his sister Willa. There are things that Oliver insist on (he wants nothing pink or even the use of the word, and he insists on being the one talking, unless his parents tell him to Willa talk),  which cause friction. 

Don't get me wrong, I like Oliver but at the same time I think Willa is getting sainthood for dealing with her brother. I am worried about Willa's mental health since the fact that the whole world orbiting her brother clearly bothers the young girl, even if she loves him. (I don't care if he is sweet the treatment of Willa probably is abusive.) 

As much as Oliver is a handful, he is also charming and watching his efforts to make a film is a delight. If you can be forgiving Oliver's quirks, give this film a try.

Roberto Rossellini, Living Without a Script (2025) Open Roads 2026

This is a look at the later career of the great director Roberto Rosellini when he was briefly in the wilderness, as the films he made with his wife Ingrid Bergman were not being well received and he refused to bend to the controlling desires of Hollywood.  He had lost his passion for making movies until the chance to make a film in India changed his life and sent him in a new direction in his career.

This is a great documentary on the life and work of one of the filmmakers who changed the movies as we know them. What he wanted to do clicked with what many audiences wanted, and his films allowed cinema to grow up. This film is a wonderful exploration as to why he seemed to go into an unexpected direction with films for TV exploring moments in history.  Watching this film I got a greater appreciation for his work. If you want to truly understand a great filmmaker, see this film.

To be completely up front I’ve always admired Rosellini’s films more than I liked them. I always could see how good they were, but they were never anything that emotionally clicked with me. Watching this film I began to understand what he was getting at.

This is a great film. Its one of the best films playing at this year’s open Roads and is highly recommended

HOLLYWOOD BOMB - HOW PRESIDENT TRUMAN AND GENERAL GROVES DESTROYED THE FIRST NUCLEAR EPIC (2026) plays Monday at the Big Apple Film Festival and the International Uranium Film Festival May21

Greg Mitchell’s new short film, his fifth in five years,  was the first time he’s worked with his son Andy. The pairing is excellent as the Mitchells’ explore the story of the semi forgotten film THE BEGINNING OR THE END. It's the story of how an anti-bomb film was twisted into a pro-bomb tale.

The film was started when Edward Tompkins, one of the scientists working on the Manhattan project sent a letter to Donna Reed, about possibly doing a story about the creation of the atomic bomb. He was a former teacher of Reed's and he knew there was more to the story than what everyone was told and hoped to get both the good and bad out there. She took the idea to her producing partner and they were off and running.  However along the way the project, which was planned to be an honest look at the bomb and what happened, ran into official intervention when Leslie Groves, who was the man who ran the project,  was made the liaison with the government. Honest and impartial went out the window and big brush whitewashing went in instead.

In an age where the media is being openly manipulated by the government, here is a prime example of the government altering the story for their own means. Out was the pro and con examination of the atomic problem, and in its place was a fictional love story about sacrifice for the greater good. The film makes it clear that what the filmmakers wanted to do went out the window as soon as Groves was the advisor.

HOLLYWOOD BOMB is a head trip. It’s a look back at time we thought was better than it is now to a time where it really wasn’t. The government had its agenda and it was going to make sure we livied in an atomic age.  It’s a chilling tale about a film that was neutered and lessened by the interference.

Very much a film to search out the film HOLLYWOOD BOMB - HOW PRESIDENT TRUMAN AND GENERAL GROVES DESTROYED THE FIRST NUCLEAR EPIC.

Kaiju Guy (2025) NYICFF 2026

If you want to know how good KAIJU GUY is consider that I ran into people I know from the New York Asian and Japan Cuts Film Festivals who had heard how good the film.

The film is the story of a young man who works for his local ciy's PR department. The mayor wants a promotional film made for the city. When things go sideways he decides to try and make a kaiju film.

There is way more than that going on and once a certain plot twist happens this film  goes from being an amusing but kind of dispoable comedy and becomes a wonderful film about people trying to do the right thing despite their bosses telling them otherwise. The film changes and suddenly fills with emotions and warmth. Rarely have I been this invested in a group of characters as I was with the people in KAIJU GUY.

 You (and I) need to chase this film down.

One of the great films of NYICFF