The Enduring Beauty of “Persepolis”
This powerful story shines with poetic animation, an exploration of deeper truths, and the protagonist's complex search for identity.

They say the chase is as much fun as the catch, and goodness knows we spent some time running this winter. It’s years like this when you figure out what your riding partners are made of. Despite the lack of snow across most of western North America, the Boondockers crew managed to pull off one of our most memorable seasons to date. We hit the road in exploration of new riding locations off the beaten path and we sniffed out every potential storm like a bloodhound on a fresh scent, leaving no powder caches or technical lines untracked. The result were some of the most incredible terrain and footage ever captured in a sled film. Join us for the highs and lows of a challenging season with plenty of deep powder, big drops and jumps, and the endless pristine backcountry riding that you have come to expect from the Boondockers crew. Intended for audiences of all ages.
This powerful story shines with poetic animation, an exploration of deeper truths, and the protagonist's complex search for identity.
Hiring bias is something that's rampant in all industries (even unconscious bias). But writing a script totally neutral not only opens the door for more diverse actors, but also for characters that are people first.
Dramatic Horror!!! Wait, what?? Did you say "dramatic horror"?? IS there such a thing?? I mean, TRULY. Well, if San Francisco-based, Pakistani-born independent filmmaker Dr. Hassan Zee and this film critic have anything to say about it, there IS such a beast as experienced through the director's newest feature film set to officially debut October 4th in the City by the Bay. Folks, indie film will always be a bastion of experimentation and originality, and this film for me fits that bill.
Him is visually stunning—all concrete cathedrals and bone-rattling impact shots that look like a nightmare highlight reel. Marlon Wayans is magnetic as this legendary quarterback who's basically selling salvation with a smile that never quite reaches his eyes. But the story keeps running in circles: more tests, more cryptic pep talks, more ritualistic drills. The sports-as-religion metaphor beats you over the head when subtlety would've been more effective. The middle drags, and that finale chooses spectacle over substance. It's undeniably stylish, but left me cold. Also worth noting: despite the Monkeypaw connection, this isn't actually a Jordan Peele film—he didn't write or direct.
I hope that more people will see Joyland, understand the situation, and eventually change themselves and society so we can have a more accommodating world where everyday tragedies like the one depicted in the film do not occur.