Julia Mears

While the script is far from praiseworthy, the visual effects are virtually flawless, making the film feel like a visual spectacle.

Russell, another relative newcomer, not only aptly serves as the center of the film’s second half but becomes the soul of the film.

Returning to form, Shults has had his hand in every step of the filmmaking process, having written, directed and edited “Waves,” which is by far his most personal film. 

The Bay Area Book Festival embodies the communal aspect of literature — its potential to bridge differences and highlight commonalities.

Thomson noted that being able to intrude upon the lives of others is taboo in real life but is a fundamental aspect of desire in movies.

Choosing whether or not to have children, the panelists noted, is one of the most consequential decisions a woman has to make.

The film, while at times visually interesting, scarcely graduates beyond vibrant lights, inexplicable horse shots and a hardly compelling underdog of a protagonist.

Mary Kay Place hits every beat as the titular character, a 70-year-old widow.

The subtlety in the film is admirable — Gloria’s character development is soft but significant. But the script leaves more to be desired.

Whether it be in film or theater, the art of directing is one that is vastly foreign to the general public. Directors are the silhouettes dancing gracefully but almost anonymously behind a curtain, the quiet inventors with secret talents for sculpting narratives.