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DIFF Eyewear’s Alice in Wonderland Collection: A Review of Charming Cheshire Cat-Inspired Sunglasses

The moment I laid eyes on DIFF Eyewear’s Alice in Wonderland Collection, I fell completely head over heels for the aviator-style Cheshire Cat frames. They capture the playful, mischievous spirit of the Disney character so effortlessly that I knew I had to have them! Unboxing them was an experience in itself. The shipping box was taped securely. I practically tore the side off in my excitement to get inside! Tucked safely within was a sleek blue triangular travel case; the glasses inside were meticulously wrapped from end to end in protective sleeves to prevent a single scratch. They also come with a pale blue cleaning cloth. A Delightful Design The design details are absolutely magical. The purple frames feature subtle, dark detail echoing the Cheshire Cat’s signature stripes. Nestled inside are gorgeous ombre lenses that strike the ultimate sweet spot—not too dark, not too light. Just a perfectly balanced wash of color that turns heads without feeling overwhelming. . .

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 31, 2026

Spoiler-Free Review: The Mouths (Fantasia 2026)

Official Fantasia synopsis from program notes written by Rupert Bottenberg: There’s a rumour going round about a cursed tree standing in the middle of a supposedly haunted cemetery, deep in the forest. For Shota and his university friends, it’s a chance to tempt fate and give themselves a proper scare by visiting this legendary spot in the dead of night. Once there, their courage immediately falters at the gloomy sight of the place. There is also the abnormally deafening sound of cicadas, which adds to the eerie aspect of the site. Things quickly spiral out of control for the four of them, as one of them, Ann, starts babbling strange words and behaving completely irrationally. Review Famed J-horror filmmaker Takashi Shimizu (The Grudge franchise, Ox-Head Village, Sana) helms The Mouths (Japan, 2026), an intriguing approach to the genre that feels somewhat uneven in its pacing and approach but that also delivers some solid chills. The ensemble cast members are all

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 31, 2026

Spoiler-Free Review: Sekiro: No Defeat (Fantasia 2026)

Official Fantasia synopsis from program notes written by Rupert Bottenberg: The Divine Heir of the sacred land of Ashina has been kidnapped for malevolent purposes. His sworn protector, the stoic shinobi Sekiro, must rescue the child—the fate of all Ashina depends on it. Adapting SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE, the award-winning video game released by FromSoftware in 2019, the highly anticipated anime adventure SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT sees the war-torn Japan of the Sengoku period further fractured by conspiracy, betrayal, and bloody boss battles to beggar belief. Review Genre film aficionados, the Japanese anime combining supernatural elements and shinobi swordplay that you have been hoping for has arrived in the form of director Kenichi Kutsuna’s Sekiro: No Defeat (Japan, 2026). Having never played the video game that is the original source for this anime, I can only view this feature as a stand-alone film. The animation is gorgeous, the storytelling is both classic and timeless, and the Japanese voice actors deliver brilliantly.

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 31, 2026

GUNNAR Is helping gamers celebrate 30 years of ‘Tomb Raider’!

Gunnar Optiks are back, and this time teaming up with Tomb Raider to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the game that features many gamers’ first crush, the ass-kicking archeologist, Laura Croft. For those not familiar with our friends at Gunnar, they specialize in making glasses that have anti-blue light tech. Screens give off blue light that’s invisible to the eyes but can cause strain and fatigue for them. Gunnar’s glasses help block this light to allow those who look at screens all day to work in comfort. Gunnar’s glasses are used by pro e-sport players, gamers, the military, and even animators at DreamWorks. The Tomb Raider Croft Glasses are crafted for explorers, either gaming comfortably at home or leaving home to find adventure outside, as the lenses come in four tints: Amber, Amber Max, Sun, and Amber Sun Shift. The frames feature a refined round silhouette, warm bronze accents, and premium stainless-steel construction, which will remind you of some

Continue reading →
Daniel S. Liuzzi
Jul 29, 2026

Movie Review: Rupert Grint and Hanna Bergholm Turn Postpartum Panic into Pure Body in ‘Nightborn’

If you are hunting for a terrifying, deeply disturbing film that will rattle your nerves and make you second-guess ever starting a family, look no further than Nightborn. Dropping on Shudder on July 31, 2026, this latest nightmare from director Hanna Bergholm is an absolute must-watch. Written by Bergholm and Ilja Rautsi, the film follows Saga and her British husband, Jon. The couple pack up and move into an isolated woodland home to build a perfect, picture-postcard family life. Naturally, because this is a horror film, that pastoral dream immediately implodes. Postpartum Panic & Diaper-Clad Terror The second their baby is born, Saga realizes something is deeply, horribly wrong with her newborn son. Well-meaning outsiders and doctors casually chalk her escalating panic up to postpartum stress. Jon is forced to watch their marriage fracture as Saga uncovers a truly sickening truth about their new little bundle of joy. The film boasts an incredible blend of talent, including Harry Potter alum

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 29, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Knock and Don’t Follow Me (Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2026)

Once again, our coverage of Bucheon International Film Festival (BIFAN) reviews is cowritten by Film Festival Editor Joseph Perry and Guest Contributing Writer Chris Weatherspoon. A man of the world, guest reviewer Chris Weatherspoon has lived in South Korea for “quite a bit.” A huge fan of all cinema, Chris also works locally in the entertainment industry, and knows what he is talking about . . . alright!? Knock (South Korea, 2026); review by Chris Weatherspoon Official BIFAN synopsis from program notes written by Kim Hyeung-Seok: In his first feature, The Berefts (2024), co-directed with Huh Jang, director Jung Bum presented a desolate portrait of home and family. With Knock, his first solo feature, he turns to a reality just as bleak—perhaps even darker. A documentary crew filming a youth care facility turns its camera on the teachers and children there. Yet there are truths the camera cannot capture. When In-a, a former resident of the facility who now works

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 28, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Killing Time and Pacific (Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2026)

Once again, our coverage of Bucheon International Film Festival (BIFAN) reviews is cowritten by Film Festival Editor Joseph Perry and Guest Contributing Writer Chris Weatherspoon. A man of the world, guest reviewer Chris Weatherspoon has lived in South Korea for “quite a bit.” A huge fan of all cinema, Chris also works locally in the entertainment industry, and knows what he is talking about . . . alright!? Killing Time (South Korea, 2026); review by Chris Weatherspoon Official BIFAN synopsis from program notes written by Kim Hyung-Seok: The popular horror YouTube channel ‘Killing Time’ is forced to shut down after a fatal accident during a live broadcast. Later, in hopes of making a comeback, the channel’s staff plan even more sensational content, this time set in an abandoned psychiatric hospital deep in the mountains. Can they make it through the broadcast without another disaster? Review Director Jang Jun-yeop’s Killing Time opens with unease baked right into the premise: a mysterious

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 26, 2026

Movie Review: Laurin (1989) – Visual Vengeance Blu-ray

In a seaside 19th Century German Village, young Laurin’s (Dóra Szinetár) pappy, Arne (János Derzsi) is shipping out for another long sojourn at sea leaving our heroine with her mother, Flora (Brigitte Karner) and grandmother, Olga (Hédi Temessy). Meanwhile, a sinister cloaked figure stalks the fog-shrouded nights, putting a murder on the local child populace. One such murder is witnessed by Flora, and she ends up six feet under right quick! But has time passes, it becomes ever-more apparent that Laurin can seemingly receive visions from her mother from beyond the grave… visions of not only the face and corpse of her mother herself, but ominous portents such as a black dog and obsidian kite… but will she be able to identify the psycho terrorizing the village?!! Coming from Director Robert Sigl (who also co-wrote the picture along with Ádám Rozgonyi), Laurin is an atmospheric journey into a surreal, and at times sinister, world. While at it’s heart, the film

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Jul 26, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Ancestral Beasts and Home Bodies (Fantasia 2026)

Ancestral Beasts (Canada, 2026) Official Synopsis After cutting ties with her toxic sister, Elyse (Morgan Holmstrom) retreats to her rural ancestral home to rebuild her mental health. But a grotesque, centipede-like creature begins to stalk her, a physical manifestation of buried trauma. As it feeds on her emotional turmoil, Elyse must confront the past she tried to escape to save herself and those she loves. Review Morgan Holmstrom is excellent in Ancestral Beasts as Elyse, a Red River Métis woman who goes back to the family home where her mother committed suicide in an attempt to get away from her verbally abusive older sister Nikki (Darla Contois). Writer/director Tim Riedel takes Elyse on a riveting, harrowing journey in which a diabolical creature is a metaphor for mental illness, and Holmstrom nails her character in a role that certainly wouldn’t be easy to play. She portrays the different emotions through which her character goes winningly, and is reason enough to recommend

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 25, 2026

Movie Review: ‘Motor City’ is Plagued by Tired Tropes, Nip Slips and Terrible Character Choices

From Potsy Ponciroli, the director behind Old Henry, comes Motor City. A movie that takes Alan Ritchson’s ex-con character, John Miller, and denies him the simple dream of a quiet life post-prison. Frame a guy for a crime he didn’t commit, and naturally, he’s going to paint Detroit red to settle the score. Alongside Ritchson, the stacked cast features Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber, Ben McKenzie, Lionel Boyce, and Shailene Woodley. If you’re hunting for an action flick drenched in unapologetic blood and gore, this certainly delivers. It masquerades as a revenge-fueled love story. But don’t hold your breath for a fairytale ending—there are zero happy endings in store. It’s pure, unrelenting brutality. Now, full disclosure: I’m a big Alan Ritchson fan. From “Blue Mountain State” to “Blood Drive” to “Reacher,” I’ve tracked his career for years. And having interviewed him in the past, I can confirm he’s as genuinely nice as they come. Which makes what I’m about to say

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 24, 2026

More from Reviews

DIFF Eyewear’s Alice in Wonderland Collection: A Review of Charming Cheshire Cat-Inspired Sunglasses

The moment I laid eyes on DIFF Eyewear’s Alice in Wonderland Collection, I fell completely head over heels for the aviator-style Cheshire Cat frames. They capture the playful, mischievous spirit of the Disney character so effortlessly that I knew I had to have them! Unboxing them was an experience in itself. The shipping box was taped securely. I practically tore the side off in my excitement to get inside! Tucked safely within was a sleek blue triangular travel case; the glasses inside were meticulously wrapped from end to end in protective sleeves to prevent a single scratch. They also come with a pale blue cleaning cloth. A Delightful Design The design details are absolutely magical. The purple frames feature subtle, dark detail echoing the Cheshire Cat’s signature stripes. Nestled inside are gorgeous ombre lenses that strike the ultimate sweet spot—not too dark, not too light. Just a perfectly balanced wash of color that turns heads without feeling overwhelming. . .

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 31, 2026

Spoiler-Free Review: The Mouths (Fantasia 2026)

Official Fantasia synopsis from program notes written by Rupert Bottenberg: There’s a rumour going round about a cursed tree standing in the middle of a supposedly haunted cemetery, deep in the forest. For Shota and his university friends, it’s a chance to tempt fate and give themselves a proper scare by visiting this legendary spot in the dead of night. Once there, their courage immediately falters at the gloomy sight of the place. There is also the abnormally deafening sound of cicadas, which adds to the eerie aspect of the site. Things quickly spiral out of control for the four of them, as one of them, Ann, starts babbling strange words and behaving completely irrationally. Review Famed J-horror filmmaker Takashi Shimizu (The Grudge franchise, Ox-Head Village, Sana) helms The Mouths (Japan, 2026), an intriguing approach to the genre that feels somewhat uneven in its pacing and approach but that also delivers some solid chills. The ensemble cast members are all

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 31, 2026

Spoiler-Free Review: Sekiro: No Defeat (Fantasia 2026)

Official Fantasia synopsis from program notes written by Rupert Bottenberg: The Divine Heir of the sacred land of Ashina has been kidnapped for malevolent purposes. His sworn protector, the stoic shinobi Sekiro, must rescue the child—the fate of all Ashina depends on it. Adapting SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE, the award-winning video game released by FromSoftware in 2019, the highly anticipated anime adventure SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT sees the war-torn Japan of the Sengoku period further fractured by conspiracy, betrayal, and bloody boss battles to beggar belief. Review Genre film aficionados, the Japanese anime combining supernatural elements and shinobi swordplay that you have been hoping for has arrived in the form of director Kenichi Kutsuna’s Sekiro: No Defeat (Japan, 2026). Having never played the video game that is the original source for this anime, I can only view this feature as a stand-alone film. The animation is gorgeous, the storytelling is both classic and timeless, and the Japanese voice actors deliver brilliantly.

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 31, 2026

GUNNAR Is helping gamers celebrate 30 years of ‘Tomb Raider’!

Gunnar Optiks are back, and this time teaming up with Tomb Raider to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the game that features many gamers’ first crush, the ass-kicking archeologist, Laura Croft. For those not familiar with our friends at Gunnar, they specialize in making glasses that have anti-blue light tech. Screens give off blue light that’s invisible to the eyes but can cause strain and fatigue for them. Gunnar’s glasses help block this light to allow those who look at screens all day to work in comfort. Gunnar’s glasses are used by pro e-sport players, gamers, the military, and even animators at DreamWorks. The Tomb Raider Croft Glasses are crafted for explorers, either gaming comfortably at home or leaving home to find adventure outside, as the lenses come in four tints: Amber, Amber Max, Sun, and Amber Sun Shift. The frames feature a refined round silhouette, warm bronze accents, and premium stainless-steel construction, which will remind you of some

Continue reading →
Daniel S. Liuzzi
Jul 29, 2026

Movie Review: Rupert Grint and Hanna Bergholm Turn Postpartum Panic into Pure Body in ‘Nightborn’

If you are hunting for a terrifying, deeply disturbing film that will rattle your nerves and make you second-guess ever starting a family, look no further than Nightborn. Dropping on Shudder on July 31, 2026, this latest nightmare from director Hanna Bergholm is an absolute must-watch. Written by Bergholm and Ilja Rautsi, the film follows Saga and her British husband, Jon. The couple pack up and move into an isolated woodland home to build a perfect, picture-postcard family life. Naturally, because this is a horror film, that pastoral dream immediately implodes. Postpartum Panic & Diaper-Clad Terror The second their baby is born, Saga realizes something is deeply, horribly wrong with her newborn son. Well-meaning outsiders and doctors casually chalk her escalating panic up to postpartum stress. Jon is forced to watch their marriage fracture as Saga uncovers a truly sickening truth about their new little bundle of joy. The film boasts an incredible blend of talent, including Harry Potter alum

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 29, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Knock and Don’t Follow Me (Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2026)

Once again, our coverage of Bucheon International Film Festival (BIFAN) reviews is cowritten by Film Festival Editor Joseph Perry and Guest Contributing Writer Chris Weatherspoon. A man of the world, guest reviewer Chris Weatherspoon has lived in South Korea for “quite a bit.” A huge fan of all cinema, Chris also works locally in the entertainment industry, and knows what he is talking about . . . alright!? Knock (South Korea, 2026); review by Chris Weatherspoon Official BIFAN synopsis from program notes written by Kim Hyeung-Seok: In his first feature, The Berefts (2024), co-directed with Huh Jang, director Jung Bum presented a desolate portrait of home and family. With Knock, his first solo feature, he turns to a reality just as bleak—perhaps even darker. A documentary crew filming a youth care facility turns its camera on the teachers and children there. Yet there are truths the camera cannot capture. When In-a, a former resident of the facility who now works

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 28, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Killing Time and Pacific (Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2026)

Once again, our coverage of Bucheon International Film Festival (BIFAN) reviews is cowritten by Film Festival Editor Joseph Perry and Guest Contributing Writer Chris Weatherspoon. A man of the world, guest reviewer Chris Weatherspoon has lived in South Korea for “quite a bit.” A huge fan of all cinema, Chris also works locally in the entertainment industry, and knows what he is talking about . . . alright!? Killing Time (South Korea, 2026); review by Chris Weatherspoon Official BIFAN synopsis from program notes written by Kim Hyung-Seok: The popular horror YouTube channel ‘Killing Time’ is forced to shut down after a fatal accident during a live broadcast. Later, in hopes of making a comeback, the channel’s staff plan even more sensational content, this time set in an abandoned psychiatric hospital deep in the mountains. Can they make it through the broadcast without another disaster? Review Director Jang Jun-yeop’s Killing Time opens with unease baked right into the premise: a mysterious

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 26, 2026

Movie Review: Laurin (1989) – Visual Vengeance Blu-ray

In a seaside 19th Century German Village, young Laurin’s (Dóra Szinetár) pappy, Arne (János Derzsi) is shipping out for another long sojourn at sea leaving our heroine with her mother, Flora (Brigitte Karner) and grandmother, Olga (Hédi Temessy). Meanwhile, a sinister cloaked figure stalks the fog-shrouded nights, putting a murder on the local child populace. One such murder is witnessed by Flora, and she ends up six feet under right quick! But has time passes, it becomes ever-more apparent that Laurin can seemingly receive visions from her mother from beyond the grave… visions of not only the face and corpse of her mother herself, but ominous portents such as a black dog and obsidian kite… but will she be able to identify the psycho terrorizing the village?!! Coming from Director Robert Sigl (who also co-wrote the picture along with Ádám Rozgonyi), Laurin is an atmospheric journey into a surreal, and at times sinister, world. While at it’s heart, the film

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Jul 26, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Ancestral Beasts and Home Bodies (Fantasia 2026)

Ancestral Beasts (Canada, 2026) Official Synopsis After cutting ties with her toxic sister, Elyse (Morgan Holmstrom) retreats to her rural ancestral home to rebuild her mental health. But a grotesque, centipede-like creature begins to stalk her, a physical manifestation of buried trauma. As it feeds on her emotional turmoil, Elyse must confront the past she tried to escape to save herself and those she loves. Review Morgan Holmstrom is excellent in Ancestral Beasts as Elyse, a Red River Métis woman who goes back to the family home where her mother committed suicide in an attempt to get away from her verbally abusive older sister Nikki (Darla Contois). Writer/director Tim Riedel takes Elyse on a riveting, harrowing journey in which a diabolical creature is a metaphor for mental illness, and Holmstrom nails her character in a role that certainly wouldn’t be easy to play. She portrays the different emotions through which her character goes winningly, and is reason enough to recommend

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jul 25, 2026

Movie Review: ‘Motor City’ is Plagued by Tired Tropes, Nip Slips and Terrible Character Choices

From Potsy Ponciroli, the director behind Old Henry, comes Motor City. A movie that takes Alan Ritchson’s ex-con character, John Miller, and denies him the simple dream of a quiet life post-prison. Frame a guy for a crime he didn’t commit, and naturally, he’s going to paint Detroit red to settle the score. Alongside Ritchson, the stacked cast features Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber, Ben McKenzie, Lionel Boyce, and Shailene Woodley. If you’re hunting for an action flick drenched in unapologetic blood and gore, this certainly delivers. It masquerades as a revenge-fueled love story. But don’t hold your breath for a fairytale ending—there are zero happy endings in store. It’s pure, unrelenting brutality. Now, full disclosure: I’m a big Alan Ritchson fan. From “Blue Mountain State” to “Blood Drive” to “Reacher,” I’ve tracked his career for years. And having interviewed him in the past, I can confirm he’s as genuinely nice as they come. Which makes what I’m about to say

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 24, 2026
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