Shot in Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic, the new film “I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)” finds a single mother struggling to provide shelter and a good life for her young daughter after the unexpected death of her husband. Danny (played beautifully by co-writer and co-director Kelley Kali Chatman) has taken her young daughter Wes on an extended camping trip. The reality of their situation

Formulaic, “Marvelous and the Black Hole” is a coming-of-age tale that eventually wins over its audience with performances and an accessibility. Miya Cech is quite good as “Sammy,” a rebellious teen with repressed emotions regarding her deceased mother. Carrying a bad attitude that is only getting worse, Sammy acts out. Disrespect to adults (including back giving lip to her dad and sister) and getting in trouble at school

Festival season is in full swing, even with fests either going hybrid or one-hundred percent virtual as the pandemic continues. Here are some films I was able to catch at this year’s Garden State Film Festival, Santa Barbara Film Festival, as well as another interesting film that will be available on demand soon—hopefully along with these other ones. “The Knot” (SBIFF) is an intriguing work from filmmaker Ashish Pant, an unusual work that can’t precisely be

“The problem is, people think the party is over after college... they stop trying, stop doing new things...” The pressures of today’s society can be hell on anyone. Growing up is hard for everyone. Navigating the culture for millennials is a minefield and when one has been gone for a lengthy period, that person may not change but life and society moves on. The pressure that weighs on Tyler (a quite good Munro Chambers), after returning from

Michelle Pfeiffer can do almost no wrong on screen, in my view, and I’m going to declare that it’s not her fault that the new film “French Exit” suffers from overambition and a trace of boredom despite her still-electrifying presence.

Not that she doesn’t lean into the role of Frances Price with considerable verve. A lifelong New York socialite, Frances is devastated to learn that her late husband has left her with little