James Rosario

James Rosario is a writer, filmmaker, and musician based in the Asheville, NC area. His record label, Bigger Boat Records, releases punk rock records for bands from around the world. As a filmmaker, James has produced a number of short films and documentaries under the banner of Bigger Boat Pictures. His blog, The Daily Orca, features movie reviews and film analysis, as well as record reviews and an occasional punk rock podcast. He lives with his wife and two children in Swannanoa, NC. They go to as many punk shows as they can.

Latest posts from James Rosario

Roma (2018): Film Review
From the director of 'Gravity' and 'Children of Men' comes a beautiful, shining example of what film is capable of. A moving an honest tribute to women everywhere.
Friday Night at the Video Store: The Craft (1996)
This week, film critic James Rosario presents a blast from Gothy past with this 90s, EMO classic to curl up to on a cold start to the weekend.
Wildlife (2018): Movie Review
A subtle and powerful debut from director Paul Dano starring Carey Mulligan + Jake Gyllenhaal is now playing at Grail Moviehouse.
Friday Night at the Video Store: Freeway (1996)
Friday Night at the Video store is a review series honoring the long-lost and highly missed art of wandering the aisles of your local video rental shop.
Meow Wolf: Origin Story (2018): Movie Review
This documentary about self-proclaimed art world rebels plays for one night only in Asheville on 11/29.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018): Movie Review
A beautifully dark and grim Western fable brought to near-perfect life by the Coen brothers and cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel.
Free Solo (2018): Movie Review
A compelling documentary that falls just short of greatness due to a few missed opportunities.
The Children Act (2017): Movie Reivew
A meandering melodrama that's saved (if that's possible) by the performance of Emma Thompson.
Mandy (2018): Movie Review
It's wild, it's crazy, it's not for everyone - and I dare you to see it.
The Pink Panther (1963): Movie Review
Top of the line ensemble comedy with one star shining above the rest (try and guess which one).
The Mouse That Roared (1959): Movie Review
'The Mouse That Roared' kicks off a four-part Peter Sellers retrospective at the Fairview Library on September 4th
Christopher Robin (2018): Movie Review
A likable enough story that could have been great with a shift in tone.
The Third Murder (2017): Movie Review
An above-average legal/procedural thriller that doesn't quite live up to the director's previous work, but is still well worth a look.
Hearts Beat Loud (2018): Movie Reivew
A perfectly functional film that's sure to please many and prove harmless to the rest.
Hereditary (2018): Movie Review
Easily the most intense and terrifying horror film to come out in decades. It won't be for everyone, but it will affect anyone who sees it in some way.
Solo (2018): Movie Review
Not the best film in the franchise, but far from the worst. While mostly agreeable, Solo still has its ups and downs.
Deadpool 2 (2018): Movie Review
A foul-mouthed and wise-cracking meta super hero movie that works more than it doesn't. Viewer discretion is definitely advised.
Itzhak (2017): Movie Review
An engaging portrait of a world-class violinist, who also happens to be a fascinating and kind man who knows how to live.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018): Movie Review
The Marvel Studios stranglehold continues.
Lean on Pete (2018): Movie Review
A surprisingly moving film that manages to break free of the potential for overdone melodrama.
Rampage (2018): Movie Review
A flat and toneless destruction-fest that could have been a lot more with just a tad bit of vision.
A Quiet Place (2018): Movie Review
A good old-fashioned nail-biting horror movie that is as scary and tense as it is fun.
Ready Player One (2018): Movie Review
Underdeveloped characters with questionable motives maneuver a thin plot that's held together with nothing more than a non-stop barrage of nostalgia.
Tomb Raider (2018): Movie Review
A nearly pointless adventure film that really wants to be something it's not.
Annihilation (2018): Movie Review
Beautiful, alien, and thought provoking sci-fi the way it's supposed to be.
Oh Lucy! (2017): Movie Review
An intriguing character study of a lonely Japanese woman on a quest to find meaning.
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017): Movie Review
The movie has a few flaws, but ultimately it's a fascinating story about a fascinating woman.
Black Panther (2018): Movie Review
Social consciousness doesn't get much more fun than this. Black Panther is not just for fans of the genre, but a must-see for everyone.
Movie Review: The 2018 Oscar Nominated Shorts
An interesting mix of short films that will surely have something for everyone
The Shape of Water (2017): Movie Review
It's weird and it's got a lot to say, but don't let that scare you away from one of 2017's best movies.
The Best Films of 2017
A lot of great movies showed in Asheville in 2017. Here are my favorites.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017): Movie Review
Despite the negativity from certain circles of the fan community, 'The Last Jedi' is by far the most cinematic and accomplished work in the series since 'Empire.'
Murder on the Orient Express (2017): Movie Review
A flawed but ultimately enjoyable old-school murder mystery.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017): Movie Review
Finally, a superhero film that successfully showcases the outlandish and ridiculous aspects of the genre in the best of possible ways.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017): Movie Review
A visually rich sci-fi noir with a great cast and story to boot.
Lucky (2017): Movie Review
A touching and endearing send-off to a great actor and a great man.
Dolores (2017): Movie Review
An engaging and insightful documentary that sheds much needed light on one of America's greatest heroes.
It (2017): Movie Review
A decent horror entry that does its best to cram a lot of source material into a mere two hours.
Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World (2017): Movie Review
An enlightening documentary that does its best to scratch the surface of a subject that deserves a much deeper look.
Columbus: (2017): Movie Review
A truly beautiful and refreshing film that offers much more than one might think.
Ingrid Goes West (2017): Movie Review
An overall effective critique on the power of perceived identity.
Lady Macbeth (2017): Movie Review
A bleak and difficult film that's held together by the stellar performance of its young star.
Dunkirk (2017): Movie Review
A spectacular war film that sets itself apart from its contemporaries.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): Movie Review
A compelling story, along with top notch visual effects, are at the heart of this thrilling trilogy conclusion.
Baby Driver (2017): Movie Review
A much better than anticipated way to spend a few hours at the movies.
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017): Movie Review
I've tried to think of a movie worse than this one (I haven't come up with anything yet, but I'll keep you posted).
I, Daniel Blake (2017): Movie Review
Pointless bureaucracy and amazing performances take center stage in this moving film about people who are just trying to get by.
The Bad Batch (2017): Movie Review
A film with a lot of possibilities that are unfortunately never quite realized.
It Comes at Night (2017): Movie Review
An intense and truly scary examination of what we all may be capable of
Citizen Jane: Battle for the City (2017): Movie Review
A eye-opening documentary about what makes a city successful, and what causes its demise.
I Called Him Morgan (2017): Movie Review
A beautiful and gripping documentary about a talent whose life was cut short.
The Transfiguration (2017): Movie Review
A unique and look at the vampire genre, and possibly the best horror movie of the year so far.
The Lure (2015): Movie Review
A great premise that gets bogged down by a scattered narrative.
The Void (2017): Movie Review
A nearly great exercise in Lovecraftian cosmic horror.
After the Storm (2017): Movie Review
A wonderful and moving story about the people we hoped we'd become.
Logan (2017): Movie Review
An amazing send-off to our favorite savage hero
Get Out (2017): Movie Review
A very fun, and satirical, addition to the horror genre that is almost as good as the hype
I Am Not Your Negro (2017): Movie Review
A beautiful and poignant film spun entirely from the eloquent words of author James Baldwin
Movie Review: The 2017 Oscar Nominated Shorts
A look at the short films nominated for this year's Academy Awards
Movie Review: Seasons (2016)
A beautiful nature documentary that shines above its predecessors due to its unique narrative structure and breathtaking cinematography
The Top 10 Films of 2016
The Daily Orca's James Rosario picks his Top 10 Films of 2016.
Movie Review: The Brand New Testament (2015)
A very fun and whimsical story whose triumphs far outweigh its shortcomings.
Movie Review: Dying to Know: Ram Dass and Timothy Leary (2014)
A touching story of friendship and counter-culture that could have benefited from a little more turning on and tuning in.
Movie Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
For fans of the insanely popular wizarding franchise, the latest installment will not disappoint.
THE UNLOVABLES BRING A DOSE OF POP PUNK TO ASHEVILLE
Pop Punk group The Unlovables play The Odditorium in West Asheville on Saturday, 11/5.