Greetings again from the darkness. Olmo is like most fourteen-year-old boys. His visual fantasizing about the girl of his dreams requires nothing more than a toy car and a glimpse of her walking outside. Yet, Olmo is also different than most his age because he shares caregiving responsibilities for his disabled dad, who is stricken with Multiple Sclerosis. It’s been more than a decade since he last directed a feature film, and writer-director Fernando Eimbcke delivers one of his best. He and co-writer Vanesa Garnica also collaborated on this year’s FLIES, which is currently making the festival rounds (including Cannes).
Alvan Uttapa stars as Olmo, and he perfectly captures the essence of a teenage boy trying to figure things out in Las Cruces, New Mexico in the late 1970’s. He and his older sister Ana (Rosa Armendariz) have a never-ending argument that goes like this, “Your turn.” “No, your turn.” This is in reference to whose turn it is to help their father Nestor (Gustavo Sanchez Parra) with the many things he is unable to do on his own now that the disease has rendered him mostly helpless to control his body. Their mother Cecilia (Andrea Suarez Paz) takes as many double shifts as possible at the diner so that the family can fight the near-eviction notices that arrive frequently.
When Nina (Melanie Frometa), Olmo’s object of desire, invites him and his best buddy Miguel (Diego Olmedo) to a big party, she has only one condition … bring the stereo. Olmo is giddy with excitement, and only has two obstacles: first, it’s ‘his turn’ to care for dad, and second, the stereo needs repair. This leads to a tremendous scene with Nestor talking the boys through how to troubleshoot and fix the (era-specific) stereo. It’s here where we get the full impact of Nestor wanting so much to be the father he was before the disease. The once proud man hears the bickering over whose turn it is, and feels the frustration of being a lesser dad who can’t even stop his daughter from smoking. But the stereo repair restores some of that feeling … even if only for a moment.
Olmo and Miguel together are a hoot, and the comedic touches elevate the film from generic coming-of-age to a multi-dimensional story of a family grounded in real life issues. Olmo has the desires of a normal teenage boy, Ana wants to be part of the “in crowd” (she spends much of the movie in bright white roller skates), Nestor wants to be an involved father, and Cecilia wants to take care of the family while tending to her own needs. This is an era before cell phones, and a backyard grill becomes a (further) point of contention between Nestor and Uncle Julio. Even Walter Murphy’s disco classic, “A Fifth of Beethoven” has a place in this story.
Immigrant parents (Nestor and Cecilia) raising Americanized kids (Olmo and Ana) means both English and Spanish are spoken at home … often in the same conversation. Sometimes everyday life creates huge tensions and stress for all family members – and sometimes it’s a specific event. This time, that specific event awakens Olmo. Director Eimbcke gives us a shot near the beginning of the film that is actually the film’s ending … a smooth move for the filmmaker. This feels like it could have been a documentary, which is a testament to how family life is so well captured.
In theaters nationwide beginning August 7, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. Most of us would do just about anything for a grieving loved one. Kepsuke (Daigo Yamamoto) proves this when he accompanies his wife Otone (Haruka Ayase) to a presentation at ReBirth, a company specializing in humanoids meant to replace a lost child. An accident two years ago cost this couple their 7-year-old son Kakeru (Rimu Kuwaki), and the husband, though skeptical of the whole thing, hopes this is what his wife needs to move on.
Greetings again from the darkness. It’s such a treat when a film sneaks up and surprises you with such emotional depth that you not only feel like you know the characters, but you also want to stick around and see how they do over the next few years. The first feature film from writer-director A.R. Ephraim does just that, leaving me so touched by what I’d just watched, yet saddened that my connection with Jolene was over.
Greetings again from the darkness. What makes a movie “epic”? Most cinephiles would agree the list of epic movies includes LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962), GONE WITH THE WIND (1939), BEN-HUR (1959), and APOCALYPSE NOW (1979). Of course, arguments can be made for many other films, and it really comes down to how you define ‘epic’ and how you perceive a specific film. Regardless of your definition or perception, there is no doubt that this latest from Oscar winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan is an epic film and an epic movie-watching experience. Yes, it’s the first film to be filmed entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras, and it’s based on the Homer’s “Odyssey”, itself a piece of epic Greek literature … but it also is a piece of filmmaking unlike anything we’ve previously seen.
Greetings again from the darkness. For those who are itching to re-live the glory days of 1984 high school, writer-director Michael Walker and co-writer Susan Gomes are here for you. The surprising part is that even for non-Gen X viewers, the film is so well crafted and acted, that it flows beautifully as a time capsule for the era. As if that’s not enough, it’s also based on a true story.
Greetings again from the darkness. I usually try to avoid using the word ‘endearing’ to describe a film that strikes an emotional chord, but for this film from writer-director Lauren Meyering and co-writer Mackenzie Breeden, the word fits perfectly. Much of the reason for this is the screen presence of Lillian Carrier, who was diagnosed with autism at age 16. Here she portrays twenty-two-year-old Margarita in a way that allows us to understand her real life challenges.
Greetings again from the darkness. Other than basic decency and human connection, there are few things that define a person and their life more than education. Whether gained in a classroom or through daily experiences, understanding people and history is what provides our perspective and our foundation of humanity. A common strategy of small-minded authoritarians who seek only more power is to limit educational opportunities for others … as if holding one group down will lift up said power-monger. This is on full display in this film based on the experiences Azar Nafisi detailed in her 2003 memoir. The film is directed by Eran Riklis (LEMON TREE, 2008), who co-wrote the screenplay with Marjorie David.
Greetings again from the darkness. “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” It’s a famous adage that easily could continue with ‘through no fault of their own’ … and as it pertains to writer-director Alice Winocour’s (MUSTANG, 2015) latest film, the adage applies specifically the women. For a film based on Fashion Week in Paris, we get a rare glimpse inside the Chanel showroom. More importantly we get a feel for the stress and pressure being carried by those involved.
Greetings again from the darkness. This is at least the eighth film adaptation of a story by Cesc Gay: THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS (Spain, 2020), VICINI DI CASA (Italy, 2022), THE NEIGHBORS FROM UPSTAIRS (Switzerland, 2023), V DOBREM I ZLEM (Czech Republic, 2024), NEPRILICHNYE GOSTI (Russia, 2024), MAYBE MORE (France, 2024), THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS (S Korea, 2025). Clearly, it’s a story and situation that resonates with many couples, regardless of geography, language, or culture … and director Olivia Wilde provides an American spin with assistance from co-writers Will McCormack (Oscar winner, TOY STORY 4) and Rashida Jones (“Parks and Recreation”).
Greetings again from the darkness. We discover a certain guilty pleasure in following a lost soul millennial as he searches for meaning, connection, or some reason to exist. The film from writer-director Adam Jumba and co-writer Christian Flowers is one of the closing night films for this year’s Dances With Films LA festival, and it’s likely to generate plenty of thought and consideration for viewers.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 