By Design Needs To Go Back to the Drawing Board

A woman gazes at two other women as the caress a chair illuminated in a spotlight.

It’s the kind of official selection that gets chosen because it has a short enough runtime to easily fit into programming and some stars to promote, but it’s a stretch to call it a film. … read more

The Legend of Ochi Provides Lifelike Creatures and Bland Characters

Helena Zengel appears in The Legend of Ochi by Isaiah Saxon, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

It’s perplexing to see a film that has all the makings of a wondrous experience turn out feeling so utterly unexceptional and bland. … read more

The Sexy, Surreal Spanish Soap Opera of Rains Over Babel

Santiago Pineda and Sofía Buenaventura appear in Rains Over Babel by Gala del Sol, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Sten Tadashi Olson

So throw back your “elixir of life” and let the music take you as you’re dragged down into the blacklight purgatory of Rains Over Babel. … read more

SLUG Mag’s 36th Anniversary Party: Get to Know the Bands

A blue, black, white and grey illustration of swans in a lake. It advertises for SLUG Magazine's 36th anniversary party.

Ahead of our 36th Anniversary Party, we asked these local musicians to answer a handful of questions on topics ranging from their dream venue to their ideal last meal. … read more