Film reviews

Wicker Review

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This one is a full-on fairytale that is for adults only—a wicked journey of brilliance and comedy with layers of Shakespeare and small village moments. Wicker has earned a lot of buzz with its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, The Zurich Film Festival, and the BFI London Film Festival. Directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, these two bring us into a world where loneliness leads to imagination that rises in a mind-blowing direction. The period is whimsical and medieval. A time of villagers and class with basic duties in a fairytale land is where Wicker is all about.

 

The film has that centers on the notion of a woman’s unhappy life. She wants to feel fulfilled by love and not want to feel ostracized by her community. She wants to feel like someone is holding her. The woman with all those feelings is the Fisherwoman and she is played by Olivia Colman. She goes to the local basket weaver for a wish. The basket weaver is played by Peter Dinklage. She tells him, “I WANT YOU TO MAKE ME A HUSBAND!” and he makes her wish come true. A man build out of straw is the result, and they are united in marriage. His character’s name is Wicker Husband, and he is played by Alexander Skarsgard. His presence and love provides fulfillment for the Fisherwoman’s life, however, their village community questions his presence.

 

The brilliance is in how quickly tensions rise. The success that the Wicker Husband brings to the life of The Fisherwoman is astounding. He is an able handyman, and he also provides that comfort that makes her happy. Many villagers find the situation appalling. The tension is written with jealousy all over it. The Tailor’s Wife, played by Elizabeth Debicki, is deeply curious. Her husband, the Tailor, is played by Nabhaan Rizwan. The practice of a Tailor does not feel fulfilling for the Tailor’s Wife, especially with seeing all the profound happiness coming from The Wicker Husband toward the Fisherwoman. The dynamics of class is a combatative theme throughout the film, as more people around the village begin to question the existence of the Wicker Husband.

 

Skarsgard delivers a performance of a laid-back and wondrous creature. Colman delivers a performance where her happiness is fulfilled but she struggles to accept how others feel about her scenario. The concept of accepting what the heart wants comes around in a fictional and timeless setting in Wicker. The film is sometimes hard to explain and hard to understand in moments. Though there here is always that fight for happiness. It never stops.

 

The film also delivers a riveting direction in segments, as it is split up into acts. Audiences have an idea of when moments may be happy, dull, or in chaos. That is primarily because of how the acts are given titles. Audiences feel like they are watching a play where humans and creatures are struggling to find common ground. It is carried around with much weight yet continues to be inviting. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Wicker.

Film reviews

Naza Review

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The brutality of real-life events hits hard with Naza. This is probably one of the most thought-provoking, yet hard to watch films I have endured this year. With the reflection on war in Iran and Gaza, the real-life events continue today. The film is only eighty minutes, but every second feels like a moment of searing truth. It is a film that is hard to watch, but also spellbinding.That is because everyone who is interviewed is anonymous, but they tell their side of the stories of the destruction happening in Gaza. Directed by Yuval Abraham, he is the one who conductsthe interviews. The film has gotten a lot of attention in festivals ranging from the Venice International Film Festival, the New York Film Festival, the Zurich Film Festival, and more—the importance of context is what makes it hard to not look away.

 

There is no easy way to explain Naza. It is all around controversial and each word from the interviews made me linger in sadness and frustration. At the same time, hearing the truthfelt like a revelation. That is because it made me think of how those being interviewed feel about their choices, and what role they play in it. Abraham captures all the moments and is deep-in-thought with the many responses he receives from his many questions. He conducts his interviews on a rooftop building in Tel Aviv, and all of them are done at night. The words he hears will change lives around the world. The topic of massacres, politics, and all is what makes Naza controversial, but also a breathtaking ride where irreparable consequences cannot be undone.

 

Yuval Abraham captures a lot of information about why the attacks happen and why particular populations are targeted. Much has to do with private home settings, and class of people. There is a scenario of a demographic that feels scientific with data. Without sharing much info, I will say there is a geographical monopoly—regions are targets for reasons and unfair advantages. This is where there is a political point of discord that I felt during Naza. Even though I felt saddened by what was discussed, the honesty throughout the interviews continuously shook me and was a hit of reality.

 

There is a moment that goes back to Gaza in 1970—an era when phones were becoming a technological amazement in that region. That moment makes us think about how much phones can do for families. However, many years later, the tracking of them can have many purposes—including negative ones. The thought of technology used to target and kill is the sad connection in Naza. The ability to track individuals is the advantage that has a deeper meaning of harsh news. It can be unbearable.

 

The night effect makes the film feel that the darkness has a bigger purpose, it creates the feeling of solitude. It is a safe time and place for red flag scenarios to be discussed. The rooftop interviews have a vividness to them that makes one wonder who else might be watching or listening. Magnificent elements of darkness with no limits and real truths are why Naza is one of the best films of 2026. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

 

 

 

Film reviews

Misty Green Review

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Written and directed by Chris Rock, the world of Hollywood has a strong presence in Misty Green. The film focuses on a woman trying to get back on her feet after being previously famous. Rosalind Eleazar plays the character of Misty Greene who is a force of nature. Rock’s direction is both dramatic and comedic.  Misty is surrounded by good and bad influence as she struggles to find her way back to fame. The script is well-written and the story mirrors reality. 

The plot involves Misty Green trying to navigate her way back into Hollywood. Her experience is impacted by the irreparable consequences of past personal issues which makes it challenging to get doors to open again. The people in her life also cause her path to be difficult. Her filmmaker friend, Zach (Adam Driver), is addicted to drugs. Her brother, Jay Green (Daniel Kaluuya), is an ex-con. Misty’s best friend is Naomi (Anna Kendrick). Misty’s previous talent agent is Randy (Topher Grace). Rock also puts himself in the film, playing Jordan, Misty’s casting director. Some are committed to helping Misty, and some are not. The film is ultimately about the following Misty on her journey to a comeback which is filled with trials and errors.

Rock’s direction highlights how tumultuous it can be for people in show business. When striving for fame, there are always complicated dynamics in the industry, especially between those who are very famous versus barely famous . Misty is trying to achieve mid-level fame, primarily because her actions have landed her on a slippery slope. Regaining what she once had is not easy in Misty Green. The moving parts of her various conflicts makes this film riveting. 

I appreciate Rock’s take on struggling in Hollywood. Even though the film has some flaws, there are reminders that connections in show business matter. Misty is still recognized, but her image and reputation are impacting her ability to succeed. She is trying to land a role that allows her to reboot. Given scenarios from her past, she has burned bridges which add to her uphill battle in Misty Green. 

The film also explores the issue of keeping people close. I valued this conflict in the story because I have  encountered similar situations in my life. I have found that there are times when people in our lives cause frustrations with the limits they want to impose on us. However, we may choose to tolerate these people to maintain positive relationships and shared connections. For Misty to make her comeback, she must keep in touch with her agent Randy. She must also keep her brother in close contact, so he does not stall her. These relationships become a bit much and lead to various disasters which halt a clear path to glory. Misty Green has some ugly moments where despair reigns.  

There is one scene where Misty is trying to help her brother with his legal issues. There is another one where she is trying to hound her agent to help her land a part that does not feel below her. Neither of these situations represent easy processes. While she has fame and recognition, it is not on a level that makes her hirable in the industry. It doesn’t help that she often looks like she’s in the bag which she does about eighty percent of the film. She pops pills and snorts coke, believing those habits will help boost her positive high. Her bad habits only serve to make success harder to reach. Eleazar plays the role well and  performs with realism. Still, the film is flawed due to a number of repetitive breaks. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Misty Green.

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