The lovely folks at Fantagraphics were kind enough to send me an advance copy of Mathew Klickstein and Rick Geary’s new graphic novel, Daisy Goes to the Moon. I’d say the story itself could be described as an all-ages affair, although the premise has a certain arty intellectualism imbued in its aesthetic. Additionally, the intro and afterword feature some language that is likely to be beyond young readers, including an enthusiastic F-bomb dropped by Klickstein during a recounting of how the project came together.
Read MoreThe Tale of Texas Pool (2024)
In The Tale of Texas Pool, director Kevin Welling delivers an impressive debut with a documentary that feels as polished and confident as a veteran filmmaker's tenth project. Clocking in at 112 minutes, the film may feel a tad long at moments, but every minute is packed with captivating stories, fascinating interviews, and a deep reverence for the sport of billiards. The documentary doesn't rely on a traditional narrator; instead, Welling expertly pieces together interviews with legendary players like Buddy Hall, Jeremy Jones, Fedor Gorst, Sky Woodward, Tyler Styer, and Nick Varner.
Read MoreUnderwater (2020) #RetroReview
While it may not have the most original story, William Eubank’s Underwater is nevertheless a pretty fun flick. Featuring a distinct sense of place with incredibly detailed sets, the isolation and alien environment of the Mariana Trench is effectively conveyed, resulting in creepy claustrophobia. Since it celebrates its 5th anniversary on the 10th, let’s take a look back at this underseen gem.
Read MoreThe North Side Killer (2024)
Khamla Savathphoune, known for Escape Room and Grey Area, makes his feature-length debut with The North Side Killer, a micro-budget thriller that blends urban tension with an intimate character-driven narrative. Clocking in at just under an hour and seventeen minutes, the film tackles heavy themes of fear, isolation, and the fragility of human connection, all against the backdrop of a killer terrorizing the north side campus and targeting vulnerable homeless drug users. The story follows Ted, a self-proclaimed ladies' man and mail carrier, and Sally, a barista of some sort navigating a new relationship amidst escalating fear and paranoia
Read MoreNumbered Lives (2024)
J.G. Clarke’s directorial and writing debut, Numbered Lives, is an impressive indie thriller that combines high production values with an engaging premise. The film follows Noah, a young man who, after a botched robbery, finds himself imprisoned under dubious circumstances. His story takes a dark and mysterious turn when he awakes in a sinister facility controlled by shadowy forces.
Read MoreBlind Escape (2024)
Chris Kinzie’s Blind Escape is a striking debut feature that captures the grit and moral ambiguity of a world in decay. Streaming later this month through FilmHub with worldwide distribution, this independently produced crime thriller manages to punch above its weight, despite the challenges of working with a young, unknown cast and limited resources. Ambitious in its storytelling and bold in its stylistic choices, Blind Escape is an indie gem worth discovering.
Read MoreThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - Season 1 & 2 Box Set (2024)
Christmas comes early for fans of The Walking Dead franchise with the release of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – Season 1 & 2 Box Set. This Blu-ray and DVD collection, arriving December 16, 2024, courtesy of Acorn Media International, is a perfect gift for fans of the long-running series, offering a compelling new take on the apocalypse with Norman Reedus at its heart. The spin-off takes audiences on a thrilling journey as Daryl finds himself in post-apocalyptic France, where the zombie outbreak began. Season one introduces viewers to the rugged beauty and danger of this unfamiliar landscape, as Daryl takes on the role of protector for Laurent, a boy believed to be humanity's savior.
Read MoreMeSseD Comics (2024)
I first came across comics self-published by Jay B. Kalagayan at a small con around the corner from my house a few years before the pandemic. A vet of the Cincinnati theater and comics scenes, he was branching out into the Columbus area and would soon make a splash by being named the executive director of our burgeoning comics festival, Cartoon Crossroads Columbus. Though he stepped down after the ’23 show, it was during that time that I got better acquainted with the relentless self-starter.
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