By: Amanda Guarragi In the world of wrestling, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has made a name for himself. When he switched over to acting, it was a natural shift because of how talented he was in the ring. In his early years, Johnson had taken to comedies, which showcased his talents and made him enjoyable to watch. Once he became an action star and a … Continue reading TIFF ’25: ‘The Smashing Machine’ Review
By: Amanda Guarragi In the 1800s, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen premiered his play “Hedda Gabler” in 1891. Ibsen’s work primarily focused on modern drama, and he wrote more realistic plays. The character of Hedda Gabler explored a woman’s resentment for being trapped in a marriage and a house she never wanted. Hedda Gabler is considered the more complex role for any actress to portray due … Continue reading TIFF ’25 Review: ‘Hedda’
By: Amanda Guarragi In the 1700s, the religious community known as “The Shakers” originated in England. It is a sector of Protestant Christians. They were formally known as “The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing,” and eventually moved to the United States in 1774. A woman named Ann Lee led the community through their hardships. They believed in the dual nature of God … Continue reading TIFF ’25 Review: ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’
By: Amanda Guarragi When A24 has a new horror film lined up, there are usually high expectations. Not all of them have been as well received as Hereditary, Midsommar and Pearl, but the intrigue of a new arthouse horror is there for audiences. For the horror genre, the more films you watch, the more the conventions feel stale unless there’s a strong story. Religious horror … Continue reading ‘Heretic’ Review
By: Amanda Guarragi The concept of loneliness has been explored in many ways. People may experience loneliness while in a relationship or by feeling isolated from the rest of the world. Whether the isolation is by choice to heal or to keep themselves safe, the underlying pain will unravel. At times, the loss of self in a relationship accompanies the desperation of wanting the other … Continue reading ‘Queer’ Review
Candid Cinema 