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Tallgrass Film Festival Returns for Its 23rd Year October 16-19, Featuring New Partnership with Boulevard Theatres and Gala Screenings at Century II

Dev Shapiro
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Tallgrass Film Festival Returns for Its 23rd Year October 16-19, Featuring New Partnership with Boulevard Theatres and Gala Screenings at Century II

The Tallgrass Film Festival, Wichita’s premier celebration of independent cinema, returns October 16–19, 2025, bringing more than 175 films, panels, parties, and special events to venues across downtown Wichita. Now in its 23rd year, the festival continues to draw filmmakers and audiences from around the globe while championing Wichita’s thriving arts community. Tallpasses are now on sale at https://tff25.eventive.org/passes/buy, with our full announcement on September 12.

For its 23rd edition, the Tallgrass Film Festival embraces the theme “Cinema is in our DNA.” Reflecting this spirit, the festival returns to Old Town with screenings at the newly renovated Boulevard Theatre and continues its partnership with Century II, where select Gala screenings will once again be presented in the Mary Jane Teall Theater.

“As a Wichitan, Tallgrass has always been the place to celebrate filmmakers, diverse stories and create excitement around independent films,” said Sierra Franklin-Morton, Interim Executive Director of Tallgrass Film Association. “We’re thrilled to bring another incredible lineup to Wichita and can’t wait for our community to experience it.”

This year we are able to offer multiple screenings of most films which hopefully will elevate the overall festival experience for filmmakers and audiences alike. Our Gala Films offer something for everyone, so movie lovers of all kinds will be able to find a great film as a highlight of their evening during the festival week. – Andre Seward, Tallgrass Film Festival Programming Director

A new highlight of the 2025 festival includes:

New Perks for Tallpass Holders, including the ability to reserve Gala screening tickets before the public beginning today and an invitation to the Pre-Fest Program Reveal this Wednesday (9/10) from 6pm – 8pm at the Emily Bonavia Tallgrass Film Center.

SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED:
Gala Films (Various Categories)

Spotlight Films (Out of Competition Films)

 

GALA FILMS
OPENING NIGHT GALA

 

IT’S DOROTHY!

Director: Jeffrey McHale

RT:97m/USA

Kansas Premiere

Documentary Feature Competition

 

Since Dorothy Gale started her epic journey down the Yellow Brick Road 125 years ago in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, she’s become a beacon for marginalized voices across our culture. IT’S DOROTHY! brings to life her timeless adventures in Oz through the human experiences of a new generation of star performers, infused with the spirit and influence of Judy Garland and others. With a chorus of cultural luminaries, unforgettable music, and a magical remix of archival and cinematic art, this film centers the perspectives of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ voices. Exploring the meaning of a cherished character through the eras, we celebrate Dorothy as an enduring symbol of hope and a touchstone in our universal quest to fly over the rainbow and find home again.

 

 

This film plays on Thursday, October 16th at 7:30 and 8:00PM Central at Boulevard Theatres Old Town.

 

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FRIDAY NIGHT GALA

 

CORONER TO THE STARS

Directors: Ben Hethcoat, Keita Ideno

RT: 83m/USA

Kansas Premiere

Documentary Feature Competition

 

Coroner to the Stars chronicles the extraordinary journey of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the former Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner whose groundbreaking autopsies forever shaped American culture. From Marilyn Monroe and Robert Kennedy to Sharon Tate and Natalie Wood, Noguchi pushed forensic science into the spotlight—even as Hollywood elites and political adversaries sought to silence him. A Japanese immigrant who unwittingly rose to fame in a city driven by stardom, Noguchi’s fearless pursuit of truth often placed him in the crosshairs of controversy.

This film plays on Friday, October 17th at 8:00PM Central at Mary Jane Teall Theatre at Century II.

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SATURDAY NIGHT GALA

 

OUR HERO, BALTHAZAR

Director: Oscar Boyson

RT: 91m/USA

Regional Premiere

Narrative Feature Competition

 

From first-time feature filmmaker Oscar Boyson comes a thoroughly audacious coming-of-age story that fearlessly explores the impact of social media and American gun culture on modern adolescence through an incisive yet blackly comic lens. Hoping to impress an activist classmate, wealthy New York City teenager Balthazar “Balthy” Malone (Jaeden Martell, It, Knives Out) begins posting emotional videos on social media, pleading for stricter gun laws. But his tearful clips soon attract the attention of an online troll who claims he is planning a school shooting. Acting on impulse, Balthy heads to Texas to try to prevent the tragedy by befriending the potential shooter “IRL”—a term his crush used and Balthy misunderstood.

But the misguided teen’s journey to the south takes a turn for the surreal once he meets fellow lost soul Solomon (Asa Butterfield, Sex Education, Hugo) IRL. Together, the two boys from vastly different worlds must navigate a confusing and combustible set of misunderstandings, both absurd and terrifying. Even though they find genuine moments of connection, their path nevertheless moves them ever closer toward an all-too-preventable fate.

 

A masterful marriage of dark comedy and bracing, nuanced character drama, Our Hero, Balthazar stars Jaeden Martell, Asa Butterfield, Chris Bauer, Jennifer Ehle, Anna Baryshnikov, Noah Centineo, Becky Ann Baker, Avan Jogia and Pippa Knowles.

 

Co-written by Boyson and Ricky Camilleri, the film is also produced by Boyson and Camilleri, as well as Jon Wroblewski, David Duque-Estrada, Miles Skinner, Alex Hughes and Jaeden Martell.

 

THUMP (short) plays with OUR HERO, BALTHAZAR

Director: Katja Stirnemann

RT: 12m/USA

Kansas Premiere

Narrative Short Competition

 

A teen girl prepares to leave for prom when a sudden thump halts her. Marked by the experience, she and her mother retreat into unspoken rituals—until the past demands a reckoning they can no longer ignore. Inspired by true events, “Thump” is a raw, surreal descent into the unknown.

These films play on Saturday, October 18th at 8:00PM Central at Mary Jane Teall Theatre at Century II.

 

CLOSING NIGHT GALA

 

LESBIAN SPACE PRINCESS

Directors: Emma Hough Hobbs, Leela Varghese

RT: 87m/USA

Kansas Premiere

 

The introverted Princess Saira, daughter of the flamboyant lesbian Queens of planet Clitopolis, is devastated when her girlfriend, the bounty hunter Kiki, suddenly breaks up with her for being too needy. When Kiki is kidnapped by the Straight White Maliens – forgotten incels of the future – Saira must leave the comforts of gay space to deliver the requested ransom: her Royal Labrys, the most powerful weapon known to lesbian kind. The only problem is… Saira doesn’t have it! With just a 24-hour window to get the weapon and save Kiki, Saira finds herself on an inter-gay-lactic journey of self-discovery which includes encounters with a problematic spaceship and a new-found friendship with gay-pop runaway Willow. A riotous, candy-coloured animated comedy adventure through the vastness of queer space.

 

SHE RAISED ME (short) plays with LESBIAN SPACE PRINCESS

Director: Ben Lewis

RT: 14m/USA

Kansas Premiere

Narrative Short Competition

 

SHE RAISED ME is a dark comedy about a struggling playwright named Louie, whose plan to break up with his boyfriend goes awry, when he discovers his boyfriend’s mother is Marilyn Muff, an actress (and gay icon) that Louie grew up idolizing. Louie quickly clings to Marilyn like a childhood security blanket, but what lengths will he go to to hold onto her?

These films play on Sunday, October 19th at 8:15 PM and 8:30PM Central at Boulevard Theatres Old Town.

 

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SPOTLIGHT FILMS
These films are not in juried competition but are selected to enhance the festival experience.

 

25 CATS FROM QATAR

Director: Mye Hoang

RT:95m/USA, Qatar

Kansas Premiere

 

When Katy McHugh, owner of Milwaukee’s Sip and Purr Cat Café, learns of the feral cat crisis in Doha, Qatar, she creates a brave and unsanctioned plan to fly 25 cats from Doha back to Wisconsin for adoption.

This film plays on Friday, October 17th at 2:15PM Central and on Sunday, October 19th at  11:15AM at Boulevard Theatres Old Town.

 

 

ATO NOTURNO [NIGHT STAGE]

Directors: Filipe Matzembacher, Marcio Reolon

RT: 117m/Brazil

Kansas Premiere

 

An actor and a politician start a secret affair and together discover their fetish for having sex in public places. The closer they get to their dream of fame, the more they feel the urge to put themselves at risk.

This film plays on Friday, October 17th at 11:30PM Central at Boulevard Theatres Old Town.

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GOD AS MY WITNESS

Director: Lindsay Quinn Pitre

RT: 82m/USA

Kansas Premiere

 

Decades after the loss of his youngest brother, one man embarks on a relentless search for the truth, eventually unraveling a dark web of secrets contained within the Archdiocese of New Orleans (Louisiana, USA). What begins as a personal journey soon collides with one of the largest archdiocese bankruptcies in modern U.S. history. As survivors come forward, a haunting story of betrayal, corruption, and a generations-long cover-up inside the Crescent City finally begins to surface.

 

This film plays on Saturday, October 18th at 5:00PM Central at Mary Jane Teall Theatre at Century II and on Sunday, October 19th at 5:15PM Central at Boulevard Theatres Old Town.

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OUT OF THE PICTURE

Director: Mary Louise Schumacher

RT: 98m/USA

Kansas Premiere

 

“Out of the Picture” takes us inside the lives of some of the most relevant writers on art today, thinkers who are making sense of a period of unprecedented change to art and media. For more than a decade, the filmmakers turned their cameras on critics navigating these rapidly changing landscapes, including Carolina Miranda, formerly of the Los Angeles Times; Hrag Vartanian, of Hyperallergic; Jen Graves, formerly of The Stranger; Jeneé Osterheldt of The Boston Globe; and Seph Rodney, independent critic. “Out of the Picture” is poised to prompt a conversation about the nature of art, modern life, and how meaning gets made in the 21st century.

 

This film plays on Friday, October 17th at 12:15PM and Sunday, October 19th at 1:15PM at Tallgrass Film Center.

 

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ROSEMEAD

Director: Eric Lin

RT: 97m/USA

Kansas Premiere

 

In a race against time, an ailing woman is stricken by the discovery of her teenage son’s violent obsessions and must go to great lengths to protect him, and possibly others, in this portrait of a Chinese American family. Inspired by true events, ROSEMEAD marks the feature directorial debut of acclaimed cinematographer Eric Lin, and showcases tour-de-force performances by Lucy Liu and newcomer Lawrence Shou.

This film plays on Friday, October 17th at 5:00PM Central at Mary Jane Teall Theatre at Century II and Sunday, October 19th at 2:15PM Central at Boulevard Theatres Old Town.

 

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ROW OF LIFE

Director: Soraya Simi

RT: 82m/USA

Regional Premiere

 

ROW OF LIFE is about renowned ocean rower Angela Madsen, a Paralympic medalist, Marine Veteran, and 14x Guinness World Record holder who attempted her final solo Ocean row from Los Angeles to Hawaii in 2020. The film is a poetic story of bravery, resilience, and love between Angela and her wife Deb—separated by a vast ocean—supporting each other’s dreams despite what became the ultimate cost.

 

Abseits – ein ungleiches Spiel [Offside – an unequal game] (short) plays with ROW OF LIFE

Director: Katja Stirnemann

RT: 14m/Switzerland

North American Premiere

Documentary Short Competition

 

The filmmaker is fed up, she questions gender codes in sports. Material from her personal family archives meets found footage. As old codes are dismantled, the remaining pieces are formed into new questions.

These films play on Friday, October 17th at 2:30PM and Sunday, October 19th at 11:15AM at Boulevard Theatres Old Town.

 

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THE WAR BETWEEN

Director: Deborah Correa

RT: 97m/USA

Kansas Premiere

 

THE WAR BETWEEN tells the story of a Union soldier with amnesia stranded in the Sonoran Desert during the Civil War’s Southwest campaign. Joined by a Confederate soldier and an exiled Chiricahua Apache, the trio confronts survival, identity, and prejudice in a timeless tale of resilience and the forces that divide, and unite us.

 

This film plays on Saturday, October 18th at 11:15AM Central and Sunday, October 19th at 12:00PM at Boulevard Theatres Old Town.

 

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WTO/99

Director: Ian Bell

RT: 100m/USA

Kansas Premiere

 

WTO/99 is an immersive archival documentary that reanimates the clash between the then-emerging World Trade Organization (WTO) and the more than 40,000 people who took to the streets of Seattle to protest the WTO’s impact on human rights, labor, and the future effects of continued globalization.

 

ملاذ (Sanctuary) (short) plays with WTO/99

Director: Mena Nasiri

RT: 8m/USA

Kansas Premiere

Documentary Short Competition

 

The Edward Said Lounge at the University of Michigan was created as a space for Arab and Muslim students on campus to gather and study, and the lounge walls are covered with a recognition of the immense impact of Palestinian activist and scholar Edward Said, as well as the beauty of Palestinian culture. Since the school administration has intensely struck down on student protests for divestment with violent police brutality and intense surveillance, this lounge on campus is no longer a welcoming space, but rather a hollow symbol that embodies the hypocrisy, greed, and hatefulness of the university.

These films play on Saturday, October 18th at 2:15PM Central and Sunday, October 19th at 2:45PM Central at Boulevard Theatres Old Town.

UCLA Film & Television Archive fall 2025 lineup looks through the lens of Bruin scholars, student activism and film history 

Dev Shapiro
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UCLA Film & Television Archive fall 2025 lineup looks through the lens of Bruin scholars, student activism and film history 

The UCLA Film & Television Archive will present 29 features, 19 shorts and four evenings of television treasures for the fall season, kicking off Oct. 17. The upcoming calendar includes Los Angeles and restoration premieres, tributes and classics, Academy Award–nominated shorts and feature films. The Archive will also host celebrated in-person guests at the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum in Westwood.

“This season’s programming transforms the big screen by looking to the past — through the lens of UCLA scholars and student activism, visionary explorations of AI and technology, and 60 years of Archive preservation,” said May Hong HaDuong, director of the UCLA Film & Television Archive. “We invite audiences to come together and experience art as a collective act — rooted in history and alive in community.”

UCLA Connects: Scholar-inspired programs    

“Toward a More Perfect Rebellion: Multiracial Student Activism at UCLA” (Oct. 17–18): A selection of films by UCLA student filmmakers made as part of UCLA’s groundbreaking Ethno-Communications Program (1969–73), established to encourage students to use film as a tool for social change. Guest programmed with NYU professor Josslyn Luckett.

“A Place of Rage: Women and Anger on Screen” (Oct. 26–Dec. 6): Shorts, television episodes and features inspired by UCLA Professor Kathleen McHugh’s research. Titles include Pratibha Parmar’s “A Place of Rage” (1991) and Joan Crawford’s Oscar-nominated turn in “Sudden Fear” (1952) and include in-person Q&As
.

 

Archive Treasures: restorations and television collections 

Television Landmarks: “An Evening With Fred Astaire” (1958) and “Another Evening With Fred Astaire” (1959), (Oct. 19) — Fred Astaire’s television specials, among the first made with color videotape and virtually unseen since 1987, restored by the Archive. Screening features a Q&A with dancer and actor Barrie Chase, Fred Astaire’s co-star.

“Wanda” (Nov. 2): Barbara Loden’s groundbreaking independent film (1970), restored by the Archive after rescuing the film elements from the now-defunct Hollywood Film and Video Laboratory. Screening includes a book signing and conversation with Elena Gorfinkel (“BFI Classics: Wanda”).

“The Best of ‘Ralph Story’s Los Angeles’” (Nov. 22): Rarely seen television snapshots of cultural history from the beloved L.A. series (1965–69) document surviving and lost L.A. landmarks, including Angels Flight, Clifton’s Cafeteria, Disneyland, Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood Ranch Market and Beverly Park. Q&A with producer Joe Saltzman and Alison Martino of Vintage Los Angeles.

“Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television” (Dec. 13): Celebrating the Cuban American television pioneer with “Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra” (1946), “I Love Lucy” (1952), “Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show” (1960), “The Mothers-in-Law” home movies (1967) and more, followed by a Q&A with author Todd S. Purdum.

Visions of the future 

“The Future of Reality: From Locarno to L.A.” (Oct. 24–25): Contemporary shorts from the Locarno Film Festival exploring technology’s impact on humans are paired with archival newsreels from the Archive’s Hearst Metrotone News Collections and “The Twilight Zone,” plus a screening of Adele Tulli’s documentary “Real” (2024). Programs include discussions with filmmakers and scholars.

“Reality Frictions” / “Bontoc Eulogy” (Dec. 12): This Los Angeles premiere is presented in partnership with Los Angeles Filmforum. UCLA Professor Steve F. Anderson’s new essay film, will be shown with Marlon Fuentes’ acclaimed 1995 documentary. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Anderson.

Preservation in focus 

“Ross Lipman and The Archival Impermanence Project” (Nov. 7–9): A career-spanning spotlight on preservationist Ross Lipman, featuring “Notfilm” (2015), the Los Angeles restoration premiere of “The Man Without a World” (1991) with live musical accompaniment; UCLA alum Nietzchka Keene’s “The Juniper Tree” (1990), starring Björk and more. All programs followed by conversations with Lipman.

Revolutionary filmmaking  

“Reel Politik: Seizing the Means of Projection” (Nov. 21–Dec. 20): A five-night series curated with illustrator Nathan Gelgud (New York Times, The New Yorker, Paris Review and Hyperallergic), inspired by his daily Instagram comic about cinephile workers resisting “algorithmic indignities” who turn their sights on hijacking the Criterion Mobile Closet. There will be book signings with Gelgud before the screenings.

Additional Programs  

Family Flicks (Sundays, Oct. 26–Dec. 7): “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971), “The Phantom Tollbooth” (1970) and “The Wiz” (1978).

Legacy Project Screening Series (Nov. 1): Rodney Evans’ acclaimed “Brother to Brother” (2004) with his visual essay “Portal” (2022).

Food and Film (Nov. 15): Screening of Trần Anh Hùng’s “The Scent of Green Papaya” (1993), paired with a curated dinner at Lulu restaurant at the Hammer Museum, co-founded by legendary chef and restaurateur Alice Waters.

“Eyes on Ukraine” (Dec. 5): Official world premiere! Directed by Mo Stoebe and executive produced by Richard Gere, this documentary explores the intersection of two crises: war and the HIV epidemic. The film follows HIV-positive Ukrainian activist Yana Panfilova as she joins “Through Positive Eyes,” a global photo-storytelling project co-directed by award-winning South African photographer Gideon Mendel and the UCLA Art & Global Health Center.

All screenings take place at the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum in Westwood, Oct. 17–Dec. 20, 2025. Admission is free and seating is first-come, first-served.

Vertical Acquires North American Rights to Luc Besson’s Dracula: A Love Tale

Dev Shapiro
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Vertical Acquires North American Rights to Luc Besson’s Dracula: A Love Tale

Coming off the success of the French theatrical release in July, Vertical has acquired North American rights to legendary filmmaker Luc Besson’s upcoming fantasy horror romance Dracula: A Love Tale. Starring Caleb Landry Jones (Harvest), two-time Academy Award® winner Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds), and Zoë Bleu (Gonzo Girl), the film is set for a wide theatrical release in Q1 2026.

In an inspired screenplay from Besson based on the beloved book by Bram Stoker, Dracula: A Love Tale follows a 15th-century prince (Landry Jones) who denounces God after the devastating loss of his wife. He inherits an eternal curse: he becomes Dracula. Condemned to wander the centuries, he defies fate and death itself, guided by a single hope – to be reunited with his lost love.

Besson shared, “This film is very close to my heart and has been a joy to create over the past two years. At its core, it’s a love story—Dracula seen in a different light, as a man searching for his lost love over 400 years. It’s been incredible to see audiences connect with it around the world, and I’m thrilled to partner with Vertical to bring this story to North American audiences.”

“Luc is a singular visionary and his elevated take on the Dracula story is something only he could imagine. We are thrilled to be working with such a major creative entity and are proud to be bringing this film to North American audiences,” added Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey.

The film was produced by Besson and executive produced by Mark Canton, Dorothy Canton, Ryan Winterstern and Philippe Corrot. Additional below-the-line talent includes director of photography Colin Wandersman (Weekend in Taipei), editor Lucas Fabiani (Weekend in Taipei), production designer Hugues Tissandier (DogMan), and costumer designer Corinne Bruand (DogMan), with casting by Swam Pham (Anna) and music by Academy Award-nominee Danny Elfman (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice).

The deal was negotiated by Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi on behalf of Vertical and by CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.

Cecilia Miniucchi’s NO PLACE LIKE ROME honored at Venice Film Festival with two Kineo Awards

Dev Shapiro
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Cecilia Miniucchi’s NO PLACE LIKE ROME honored at Venice Film Festival with two Kineo Awards

The renowned Kinéo Awards presented two special prizes to writer/director Cecilia Miniucchi’s latest film, No Place Like Rome on August 30 at the 82nd Venice Film Festival (August 27-September 6). Italian actress Cristiana Capotondi received the Kinéo Award for Best Italian Actress in an International Film, while Miniuccchi received a special Kinéo Award for being the first and only female Italian director to begin and continue her career in the U.S. The awards highlight the anticipation for the love story, which is set to make it’s festival debut later this Fall.

Capotondi received the honor for her first international role in English for No Place Like Rome in which she stars with Stephen Dorff, Radha Mitchell, and Sebastiano Pigazzi. Miniucchi’s previous work includes Life Upside Down, which starred Bob Odenkirk, Mitchell and Danny Huston, which launched from the 2022 Venice Film Festival, and was released by IFC in the U.S. Miniucchi’s first feature film, Expired, starred Samantha Morton, Jason Patric and Teri Garr, and debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, and earned her a Cannes Camera d’Or nomination.

Filmed in Rome, No Place Like Rome is a tribute to the city’s magical beauty especially around the Christmas holidays. The film follows a well-known photographer (Stephen Dorff), working for a New York based high-end magazine on an assignment in Rome, Italy. As the Christmas holidays approach, Connor, still broken from a nasty divorce from his ex-wife, prepares for his teenage son to join him. However, when he learns that his son will no longer come to Rome, he decides to stay through the holidays, alone, and accepts a new assignment that requires for him to photograph the parts and events of the city that are not commonly thought of during the festivities. With the help of his local assistant (Cristiana Capotondi) an attractive, extroverted museum curator, and a psychic’s unsolicited predictions, Connor starts his venture discovering many hidden gems of the Eternal City, while learning, with Scintilla, that maybe love can be found again.

A Euphoria Productions’ film, No Place Like Rome was produced by Jeffrey Coulter, Carl F Berg, and Antoni Stutz.

CAUGHT STEALING – A Review by John Strange

John Strange
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CAUGHT STEALING – A Review by John Strange

There have been many films in which the nice guy gets swept up in a friend or a neighbor’s criminal life, by joining them or being used as a patsy.  Caught Stealing doesn’t break the mold, but this is a great variation on the theme.

Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) was a high school phenom at baseball.  Coached to greatness by his mother, he was days away from being picked in the MLB draft, hopefully by their beloved San Francisco Giants.  That dream ended in a car wreck that killed his friend and badly damaged his knee.

A few years later, the story finds him working as a bartender in a dive bar in New York City.  The best thing in his life is his EMT girlfriend, Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz).  They may be getting serious.

Then comes the night when his wild next-door neighbor, Russ (Matt Smith), races home to Great Britain to be with his sick Dad, leaving Hank to watch his cat, Bud.

From here on out, you need to pay close attention to the screen because everything happens at a nearly breakneck speed as first the Russian mobsters, then a NY Police detective, and then the Hasidic mobsters, all make Hank’s life one huge bloody mess as people die one after the other.

I think that Austin Butler does director Aronofsky proud as Hank.  My favorite characters in this film are the two Hasidic brothers Lipa (Liev Schreiber) and Shmully Drucker (Vincent D’Onofrio), and their Bubbe (Carol Kane).  Schreiber and Kane were obvious choices for their characters, but D’Onofrio surprised me!

Caught Stealing is a wild ride, if you can keep up with the subplots and Bud the cat!

 

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Cast: Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Benito Martínez Ocasio, Griffin Dunne, and Carol Kane

MPA Rating: R (for strong violent content, pervasive language, some sexuality/nudity, and brief drug use)

Selig Rating: 4.5 Stars

Runtime: 107 Min.

Release Date: 08/29/2025

Language: English

Genre(s): Comedy, Crime, Thriller

Trailer: CAUGHT STEALING Official Trailer

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.

4 Stars – Good movie

3 Stars – OK movie

2 Stars – No need to rush.  Save it for a rainy day.

1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen, but wish I hadn’t paid for it.

THE TERMINAL LIST: DARK WOLF – A Review by John Strange

John Strange
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THE TERMINAL LIST: DARK WOLF – A Review by John Strange

The prequel to 2022’s The Terminal List, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf tells us how Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch) went from serving in the Navy as a SEAL to a life as a CIA operative.

Like the first series, which also appears on Amazon Prime, this series is a stark look at the Navy SEALs’ work in the Middle East and then the work of the CIA doing the dirty work of eliminating the enemies of our country.

The first three episodes will be available on Amazon Prime on August 27th, with the remaining four episodes being released weekly from September 3rd through September 24th.

Critics were shown the first two episodes to allow us to give you our thoughts and opinions.  The first episode tells the story of Ben’s removal from the SEALs.  The second episode tells of his recruitment by a division of the CIA.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is not Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.  It is war in the Middle East with muddled politics and strained ROEs, and then the action moves to other parts of the world (still presenting us with muddled politics and strained ROEs).  Don’t misunderstand, working for the CIA will not significantly differ from working as a SEAL.  The work is dirty and dangerous.  That makes this an exciting show to watch.  This show is unlike the FBI-related shows on one of the other networks.  These guys get it done, down and dirty.

I liked it.  I am looking forward to watching the rest of the episodes.

 

Director: Frederick E.O. Toye

Cast: Chris Pratt, Taylor Kitsch, Tom Hopper, Luke Hemsworth, Dar Salim, Rona-Lee Shimon, Shiraz Tzarfati, Robert Wisdom, Jared Shaw

MPA Rating: NR

Selig Rating: 4.5 Stars

Runtime: 45 Minutes per episode

Release Date: 08/27/2025 (Amazon – 1st 3 episodes) then one episode per week through 09/24/2025)

Language: English

Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller

Trailer: THE TERMINAL LIST: DARK WOLF Official Trailer

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.

4 Stars – Good movie

3 Stars – OK movie

2 Stars – No need to rush.  Save it for a rainy day.

1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen, but wish I hadn’t paid for it.

CAUGHT STEALING – A Review by Jenn Rohm

Jenn Rohm
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CAUGHT STEALING – A Review by Jenn Rohm

I only knew a few things about the movie Caught Stealing when I went to see it.  1. Hank was a High School Baseball star who is no longer able to play.  2. He is a bartender in New York.  3. His neighbor is an old school Punk and played by Matt Smith.  4. Hank gets asked to watch his neighbor’s cat and gets mixed up in something. That was enough for me to want to see it, and I hope the same is true for you.

If that isn’t enough to pique your interest, allow me to give you more reasons to check out this movie.  Adapted from the book of the same name by Charlie Huston, we are given a story set in the late 1990s on the Lower East Side of New York City, New York where the city is almost a character in the story itself.  You can see the love and the memories Director Darren Aronofsky has for New York.

Hank, Austin Butler, is obviously a transplant from California, with blonde hair a casual approach to life, and a friendly greeting by name to everyone he knows.  He is content with his life, his girlfriend Yvonne, Zoë Kravitz, is a confident woman who accepts Hank and is beginning to push for the two of them to move the relationship and themselves forward in adulthood.  After long day of work for them both they head to Hank’s and find his neighbor Russ, Matt Smith, leaving a note to ask Hank to watch his cat.  Russ’s Dad is not well, and he is rushing off to the UK to be with him.  Hank isn’t so keen as Buddy is a biter, Yvonne loves the idea and brings the cat and litter box into Hank’s apartment.  The next morning Hank and another neighbor, Duane, hear people outside Russ’s door.  When Hank tells them Russ has left the country Pavel, Nikita Kukushkin, and Aleksei, Yuri Kolokolnikov, take their frustration out on him, until Duan threatens to call the cops.  Things kick off from this point of what is Russ involved in, who can be trusted, is anything anyone says the truth?

The visuals in the film are raw and gritty, such as when Hank has overindulged to the point of being sick and the multiple dead bodies that are part of the story.  It offers a comparable glimpse into the darker, more unvarnished aspects of life, like Trainspotting does.  There is also a bit of ‘adult time’ between Hank and Yvonne, so be aware of who you are sitting near in the theater if that can trigger you.

The characters are expected and unexpected versions of people you would find in New York City at the time.  The unexpected being more about not 100% in following their culture without pushing the boundary past being believable.  While the expected are not characters from other stories, yet what other movies, shows, and books have taught us exist.  The cast embraces their characters and made it look like they had a lot of fun while filming.  With two other stories about the main character, I hope there will be more movies coming.

 

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Cast: Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz

MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong violent content, pervasive language, some sexuality/nudity, and brief drug use.

Selig Rating: 5 stars

Runtime: 1h 47m

Release Date: August 29, 2025

Genre(s): Comedy, Crime, Thriller

Movie Site: Caught Stealing website

Trailer: Caught Stealing trailer

 

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.

VANEAST PICTURES HEADS TO TIFF WITH INTERNATIONAL SALES FOR DAVID DASTMALCHIAN’S THE CURE

Dev Shapiro
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VANEAST PICTURES HEADS TO TIFF WITH INTERNATIONAL SALES FOR DAVID DASTMALCHIAN’S THE CURE

Vaneast Pictures founded by Danielle Gasher has acquired the international sales rights for the upcoming horror thriller, The Cure, starring David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), Ashley Greene (Twilight), Sydney Taylor (Marked Men) and Samantha Cochran in her feature film debut. The Cure is directed by Nancy Leopardi, whose previous credits include Nanny Cam and Lethal Seduction.

Ally Braun, a 16-year-old adopted girl with a mysterious illness, discovers her biotech billionaire parents are harvesting her blood for sinister reasons. As the twisted experiments escalate, she must fight to escape before she’s drained of everything that makes her human.

“The Cure is a gripping and unnerving addition to the Vaneast slate. David Dastmalchian and Ashley Greene are magnetic in roles that crawl under your skin. We’re excited to screen the film for buyers at TIFF,” said Danielle Gasher, Vaneast Pictures.

“The Cure” is a crowd pleasing thriller based on the modern billionaire’s obsession with extending their lives. It is a look through the terrified eyes of an innocent girl whose body is not considered her own and is exploited for the benefit of the Uber-wealthy. The story exists in the great tradition of horror and sci-fi films that are inspired by futuristic advances in science and technology. Like the filmmakers of Ex-Machina, A.I., and Videodrome, I believe we are on the cusp of a bio-tech revolution and the big question is – who will benefit? I’m so excited to be working with Danielle Gasher from Vaneast Pictures and Jay Cohen from The Gersh Agency for sales on this film. Their guidance and support have been key to getting this seen by the people who appreciate the elevated horror/thriller audience,” said Director Nancy Leopardi.

The Cure is produced by Nancy Leopardi, John Ierardi and Bo Youngblood. Danielle Gasher will also serve as an executive producer on the film. Gersh is handling domestic sales for the film.

Tickets for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast On Sale in Dallas on Friday, August 29, 2025

Dev Shapiro
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Tickets for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast On Sale in Dallas on Friday, August 29, 2025

Disney Theatrical Group, under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart and Thomas Schumacher, Broadway Dallas, and Broadway Across America announced today that tickets for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the first North American touring production of the musical presented by Disney in over 25 years, will go on sale to the public on Friday, August 29 at 10 a.m.  The enchanting and timeless Broadway musical will begin performances in Dallas at the Music Hall at Fair Park on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 for a limited engagement of 3 weeks through Sunday, January 4, 2026 as part of the 2025/2026 Broadway Series presented by Broadway Dallas.

Based on the 1991 Academy Award®-winning animated feature film, Beauty and the Beast premiered on Broadway in 1994 and still ranks as the 10th longest-running show in the industry’s history. Nominated for nine Tony® Awards, winning for Best Costume Design, Beauty remains one of the highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time. The title’s visibility and success have expanded globally with productions of the stage show and the smash Oscar®-nominated 2017 live-action film, which grossed over $1B worldwide.

Beginning August 29, tickets will be available at BroadwayDallas.org or by calling 800-982-2728. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 214-426-4768 or emailing Groups@BroadwayDallas.org. Extra Magic Packages, which include an excellent seat in the theater and show merchandise, are also available.

Ticket buyers are reminded that Broadway Dallas and Ticketmaster are the only official retail ticket outlets for all performances at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that Broadway Dallas is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

In Dallas, Beauty and the Beast will play as follows:

December 16 – 21
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 7:30 PM
Saturday at 1:30 & 7:30 PM
Sunday at 1:00 & 6:30 PM

December 23 – 28
Tuesday at 7:30 PM
Wednesday at 1:30 PM (Christmas Eve)
Thursday – No performance (Christmas)
Friday at 7:30 PM
Saturday at 1:30 & 7:30 PM
Sunday at 1:00 & 6:30 PM

December 29 – January 4
Monday at 7:30 PM
Tuesday at 1:30 & 7:30 PM
Wednesday at 1:30 PM (New Year’s Eve)
Thursday – No performance (New Year’s Day)
Friday at 7:30 PM
Saturday at 1:30 & 7:30 PM
Sunday at 1:00 & 6:30 PM

17th Annual Hola Mexico Film Festival Announces This Year’s Film Selections | Sept. 12 – 20

Dev Shapiro
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17th Annual Hola Mexico Film Festival Announces This Year’s Film Selections | Sept. 12 – 20

The largest Mexican film festival outside of Mexico, Hola México Film Festival presented by Toyota, announces this year’s selections for its 17th annual edition on September 12-20, 2025, during Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Hola Mexico Film Festival, presented by Toyota, will kick off with opening night activities featuring a screening, red-carpet event, and after-party for the film “Autos, Mota y Rocanrol,” directed by José Manuel Cravioto. This event will take place at The Montalbán Theater in Hollywood.

The celebration will continue the next day with a special screening, red carpet, after party, and concert event for the film “Mesa de Regalos,” directed by Noe Santillan Lopez, at Cinepolis Cinemas in Pico Rivera.

Join us for a special screening of the film “Mistura,” a Peruvian/Mexican production directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, featuring Barbara Mori and Christian Meier at Regal LA Live. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the new reclining seats for a more comfortable movie experience.

In the lead-up to the closing night, the festival will host a special screening at the Milagro Cinema in Norwalk. The festival will conclude with a screening, red carpet event, after party, and concert for “Mirreyes vs. Godinez” (Vegas), directed by Chava Cartas.

Samuel Douek, founder and director of HMFF, expressed his excitement for the festival: “After 17 years, we’re just getting started! It’s a joy to showcase talented filmmakers. In today’s political climate, highlighting the achievements of Mexicans and Latinos is crucial. Immigrants like Iñárritu, Cuarón, and Del Toro exemplify success. In 2025, we’ll present films that resonate deeply with audiences. Thanks to Toyota for their support. I look forward to seeing everyone at the theaters!”

“Film has a unique way of bringing culture and stories to life, connecting and celebrating people across communities,” said Tyler Litchenberger, Manager, Toyota Brand and Social Media Marketing. “We’re proud to support the Hola Mexico Film Festival again during Hispanic Heritage Month as this festival shines a spotlight on the incredible talent and stories from Mexico that resonate with audiences everywhere. It’s inspiring to see how it honors Mexico’s rich film tradition while embracing new voices that are shaping the future of film.”

Hola México Film Festival, presented by Toyota, will feature 20+ films and 20 short films from its filmmaker-focused program Tomorrows Filmmakers Today.

As part of this celebration, Toyota teamed up with a past participant of the Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today program, Mario Garza – now a filmmaker in Los Angeles – to bring a bold, original concept to life. This short film cleverly intertwines the suspense of a horror story with the ingenuity of the Toyota bZ. This short film delivers thrilling storytelling paired with cutting-edge design that slice through the film’s tension, leading to a playful and unexpected conclusion.

MEXICO AHORA
Autos, Mota, Rocanrol Dir: José Manuel Cravioto
Batman Azteca: Choque de Imperios (Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires) Dir. Juan José Meza-León
Corina Dir. Urzula Barba Hopfner

Café Chairel Dir. Fernando Barreda Luna
El Club Perfecto (The Perfect Club) Dir. Ricardo Castro
Hombres Íntegros (Fine Young Men) Dir. Alejandro Andrade
Las Mutaciones (The Mutations) Dir. Jorge Ramírez Suarez
Lázaro De Noche (Lázaro at Night) Dir. Nicolas Pereda
Mesa De Regalos (The Gift Table) Dir. Noé Santillán López
Mistura Dir. Ricardo de Montreuil
Mirreyes vs Godinez (Vegas) Dir. Chava Cartas
Una Historia de Amor y Guerra (A History of Love and War) Dir. Santiago Mohar Volkow
No Nos Moveran (We Shall Not Be Moved) Dir. Pierre Saint Martín
Teléfono Público Dir. Moisés Roditi Hadenblit
Todavía Conmigo Dir. Alfonso Pineda Ulloa

DOCUMENTARY
Concierto Para Otras Manos (Concerto for other Hands) Dir. Ernesto González Díaz
El Equipo del Pueblo (The peoples team) Dir. Rafael Aparicio
La Falla (Cracked) Dir. Alana Simões
Nos Fuimos A Penales (Penalty) Dir. Iván Barrera “Chipichape”
Sin Barreras (No Barriers) Dir. Luisa Melo y Gonzalo Figueroa
Un Dia 28 de Enero Dir. Cesar Uriarte

2025 Sponsors of the 17th Annual Hola Mexico Film Festival Presented by Toyota: KCRW, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, McDonald’s, Maison Perrier, La Nena Cantina, UNAM, SoCal Sounds, City of Pico Rivera, Univision Los Angeles and presenting sponsor Toyota.

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