Megan Bianco

3 weeks ago | timesofsandiego.com | Megan Bianco

After a decade in which the Marvel Cinematic Universe went from creating theatrical weekend events to just a video comic book series, the franchise has produced its first semi-original project in eons with Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts. With a traditional Dirty Dozen set-up starring B-list comic characters and no A-listers from Phases 1-2 in sight, Marvel and Disney were betting on success without any guarantee.

1 month ago | timesofsandiego.com | Megan Bianco

In an era where it’s hard to find successful, laugh-out-loud comedies in theaters, the best bet you’ll have to come across one is in the indie, small-budget realm. This month, that comedy is James Griffiths’ The Ballad of Wallis Island. Based on the well-received short film The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island (2007), the expanded picture brings back the short’s leads, Tim Key and Tom Basden, who also co-wrote the scripts of both movies.

2 months ago | timesofsandiego.com | Megan Bianco

Dog movies are probably the film subgenre that most easily manipulates an audience’s emotions. Put a dog in a dangerous situation or have it reach old age, and the viewer is bound to be tearing up. The contemporary landmark for this type is David Frankel’s Marley & Me (2008), which I remember seeing opening weekend with my entire family, and all of us were left crying in our seats at the ending.

Mar 17, 2025 | timesofsandiego.com | Megan Bianco

In the grand, modern tradition of Noah Baumbach or Nicole Holofcener, Noah Pritzker’s Ex-Husbands is the latest small-budget character drama centered around contemporary, upper middle class, big city, neurotic, chain-smoking Americans. It’s one of the most niche subgenres in cinema and the one right up my alley. While I didn’t appreciate this as much as Nathan Silver’s Between the Temples (2024), it might still appeal to those who are fans of indie dramedy.

Mar 8, 2025 | timesofsandiego.com | Megan Bianco

Twenty-seven years after Fernanda Montenegro made Oscar history as the first Brazilian actress nominated for Best Actress with Walter Salles’ Central Station (1998), her own daughter, Fernanda Torres, is now only the second Brazilian actress to receive the same nomination, and for another Salles film, I’m Still Here (2024).