Inside Reel

The idea of #Maul returning after the events of #TheCloneWars holds a certain mythic structure But for all his cunning, the character overall can be too moved by emotion and yet still weirdly show bouts of empathy even when doing bad things. buff.ly/6FhM528

The second entry of the universe in #TheSuperMarioGalaxyMovie is a lot more cohesive, effective and linear in what it shows since the boundaries (as they were) are now actually set. And yet the best parts are #Yoshi and #StarFox. buff.ly/eBv4ui4

After the initial return on #ForAllMankind Season 5, it was just a matter of a moment to start the drama running again. The cliffhanger at the end of the previous episode was meant to spur a kind of restlessness. buff.ly/IlNWkw8

Climber/Subject #MandyHorvath talks to #FestTrack about the nature of resilience, physical challenges, personal growth and trust in regards to her new #documentary: #TheAscent playing the #DocumentaryFeatureCompetition of #SXSWFilm 2026 in #Austin, Texas. buff.ly/h7XJoGh

Producer/Co-Director #EdwardDrake talks to #FestTrack about adversity, growth and visualization in regards to his new documentary: #TheAscent playing the #DocumentaryFeatureCompetition of #SXSWFilm 2026 in #Austin, Texas. buff.ly/ACrv0MY

Actresses #AnaThuNguyen & #MischaHeywood and Writer/Director #RichardEWilliams talk to #FestTrack about innovation, connection and empathy in regards to their new #POV #horror film: #DeadEyes playing the #Visions section at #SXSWFilm 2026 in #Austin Texas. buff.ly/0tSJtIr

Writer/Co-Director/Lead Actress #ArabellaOz talks to #FestTrack about co-dependency, projection, environment and challenges in regards to her genre defying film: #MallorysGhost playing the #NarrativeFeatureCompetition at #SXSWFilm 2026 in #Austin, Texas. buff.ly/aRh3ZAk

Director #JoRochelle, Writer #JoshuaRoark and Lead Actor #ZackKozlow talk to #FestTrack about storytelling, emotional memory and poetry in regards to their drama: #DeadDeerHigh playing the #NarrativeSpotlight section at #SXSWFilm 2026 in #Austin, Texas. buff.ly/pLviWrf

Director #OliverBernsen and Lead Actor #PeterFalls talk to #FestTrack about presentation, aspirations and authenticity regards their new film #Bagworm playing the #Visions section of #SXSWFilm 2026 in #Austin, Texas. buff.ly/t7tTYC6

After the shifting element in the final moments of S4, #ForAllMankind put certain characters on the precipice. In Ep1 of S5, the action shifts to 2012, and considering how it affected some of the key places from the season finale, it is a lifetime. buff.ly/BMEwyvA

#TheyWillKillYou starts off with a prologue meant to establish what Asia Reeves is fighting for. The trailer was bonkers but the reasoning for the residents of their situation is never quite given the mythology it should despite some kinetic action. buff.ly/NO5hVJR

With "Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice", the approach panders a little bit to an overt level of silliness not helped by the ancillary characters. The silliness outweighs the coolness despite some great moments (specifically with #VinceVaughn as the two Nicks). buff.ly/mSBCSzK

After a reset of sorts with Episode 1 of #Monarch #LegacyOfMonsters in Season 2, the 2nd episode #Resonance speaks more about repercussions. With #LeeShaw back on board...and one of the commanders of Monarch gone, it becomes about damage control. buff.ly/uPgNX9C

In the lexicon of #Pixar, #Hoppers is an interesting swing but a little uneven and not as sure of itself as it should be. But like #InsideOut, it is a supporting character that really brings the story to bear. Here it is a character called #George. buff.ly/z8WP6S9

With #TheBride, writer/director #MaggieGyllenhaal takes a surefire swing that is uneven but strong in its viewpoint and artistic vision. #ChristianBale is good as always as Frank but opposite him #JessieBuckley as The Bride really shines like the sun. buff.ly/HzEbWjd

#Vladimir, a new series starring #RachelWeisz on #Netflix, is more of an internal monologue on the notion of desire and inspiration. While a little soapy at its core, its use of fourth wall breaking with Weisz's unnamed character is beautifully brilliant. buff.ly/gU1C7Vs

Actor #StephenLang talks to #TheInsideReel about approach, irony and context in regards to his new drama: #TheOptimist #TheBravestActIsTruth from #TrafalgarReleasing. buff.ly/Xf3fYdT

Actors #MekkiLeeper & #KahyunKim talk to #TheInsideReel about chemistry, timing, environment and a bit of life metaphor in regards to the final two episodes of the 2nd season of #StDenisMedical on #NBC. buff.ly/B2LMYfZ

#StarTrek alum #JonathanFrakes talks to #TheInsideReel about approach and evolution with characters and settings in the director's chair for #StarTrek #StarfleetAcademy Ep9 entitled #300thNight. buff.ly/Zwa62Er

Director #AdrianGrunberg & Producer/Star #MillaJovovich talk to #TheInsideReel about approach, tone, balance and subject matter in regards to their new action thriller: #Protector from #MagentaLightStudios. buff.ly/hOU2sWy