Darian Scalamoni

Founder of Culture Wave Media | Member of NJ Film Critics Circle

[Ian Rapoport @RapSheet]

The golden goal. 🥇

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

#Sundance2026 Watch #1: I wanted to love 'Chasing Summer', but it didn't get there for me. However, I was impressed with the debut performance for Iliza Shlesinger. The film combines romance aesthetics amongst a unique dynamic of a coming-of-age but ultimately, didn't work for me

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

Words cannot express how happy I am that #TheTraitorsUS is back

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

Day 2 at the #MontclairFilm Festival is today! Had a chance to see Jay Kelly yesterday which I loved.

On the docket today

MR. SCORSESE (First 2 Eps)
A Conversation with SPIKE LEE
BUGONIA

[zoë rose bryant @zoerosebryant]

his oscar clip

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER lives up to the hype as being one of the greatest movies of 2025. Leonardo DiCaprio is SO damn good in this film, navigating the absurd comedy with the anxious father. Chase Infiniti is a star in the making. An absolute thrill ride from start to finish.

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

Hope this movie finds an audience cause I LOVED IT! Shout out to Row K for picking it up

[Deadline @DEADLINE]

EXCLUSIVE: Distributor Row K Entertainment continues to show that it’s a theatrical force to be reckoned with coming out of the fall film festival troika season now acquiring its fourth title, that being Maude Apatow’s feature directorial debut, ‘Poetic License’ https://t.co/S46xklei20

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

That #Peacemaker episode was well worth the wait.. wow! James Gunn is absolutely killing it in the DCU right now

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

Headed to Sea Hear Now music festival in Asbury Park today! Anyone else going? @seahearnow

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

FRANKENSTEIN is the true definition of spectacle & I’m pretty sure it’s Guillermo del Toro’s magnum opus. His passion project is filled to the brim with creativity that filmmakers dream about. A tragic story brought to life by epic filmmaking. Jacob Elordi is spectacular. Bravo!

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

CAROLINA CAROLINE is a Southern-set crime caper in the same vein as Badlands that works in spades due to the impressive chemistry from leads Samara Weaving & Kyle Gallner, two of Hollywood’s most underrated actors. Palpable in its execution, the film works on many levels.

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

@Brian_Tallerico This film was incredible. Moved me in ways I can’t even describe, couldn’t agree more!

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

TRAIN DREAMS is an intimate portrait of love, loss & grief. This film moved me in ways that are hard to put into words. Joel Edgerton has never been better weaving through the gentleness of man going through tragedy. Denis Johnson’s novella is beautifully displayed on screen.

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

I loved TUNER. Daniel Roher’s crime drama that is as unconventional as it is interesting, the film evokes similar energy to Whiplash, Sound of Metal & Blow Out. Leo Woodall has never been better, neither has Havana Rose Liu. Hope this goes wide so EVERYONE can check it out.

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

#NowWatching Tuner at #TIFF50

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

THE SMASHING MACHINE is a gripping & vulnerable film about the life of MMA icon Mark Kerr that goes against anything conventional you’d see in a biopic. Dwayne Johnson was born to play this role & goes to places we haven’t seen before. Benny Safdie’s direction is inspired & raw.

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

#NowWatching The Smashing Machine

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

@MarlowNYC Saw it Day 1 of TIFF, really enjoyed!

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

BLUE MOON features a stand out performance from Ethan Hawke (his second of the fest!) as Lorenz “Larry��� Hart, the flamboyant lyricist of iconic musical theatre dealing with alcoholism and mental health. A swift and fascinating portrait of a broken artist and man, I dug this one.

[Darian Scalamoni @DJScal]

& SONS is a uniquely somber tale about a dying father who wants to reconnect with his children before the inevitable. Despite possessing an interesting twist & terrific performances from Bill Nighy, Johnny Flynn & Imelda Staunton, I came out wanting a bit more from the film.