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Preston Barta

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

Preston Barta is the film critic for the Denton Record-Chronicle and co-hosts the podcasts “My Bloody Podcast” and “Fear and Loathing in Cinema.” He is a member of both the Critics Choice Association and the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association. Previously, he served as the features editor and chief film critic for Fresh Fiction. Additionally, he has contributed to 92.1 KTFW in Fort Worth, Texas, as a film critic, and has written for the North Texas Daily. Preston has also been a juror for the Dallas International Film Festival and other student short film festivals. He holds a B.A. in English Literature and has studied Radio, Television, and Film (RTVF) at the University of North Texas.

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
My Bloody Valentine (1981) 54% B EDIT “My Bloody Valentine breaks beyond the surface similarities of its genre brethren. It may have the masked killer and implausible deaths, but it also has complex characters and mystery ingredients that give it a pulse.” – Fresh Fiction Jan 28, 2026 Full Review All That's Left of You (2025) 100% EDIT “A devastatingly beautiful portrait of a family trying to survive the echoes of the past without letting the noise drown out their humanity.” – Dallas Observer Jan 23, 2026 Full Review 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) 92% 5/5 EDIT “'The Bone Temple' is the discordant, beautiful, heavy metal solo that shreds through the silence. It is a film that vibrates with a punk rock energy, chaotic and raw, yet possesses a soul so tender it aches.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Jan 13, 2026 Full Review One Battle After Another (2025) 94% EDIT “From Leo’s iconic whistling to Penn’s intense performance, 'One Battle After Another' is a cinematic feast that keeps you on your toes.” – Dallas Observer Dec 20, 2025 Full Review Jay Kelly (2025) 75% EDIT “Yes, it’s a "sad, rich, white person’s movie," but 'Jay Kelly' transcends its premise with a specificity and charm that’s impossible to resist.” – Dallas Observer Dec 20, 2025 Full Review Fuck My Son! (2025) 36% EDIT “You might vomit, you will almost certainly squirm, and you’ll likely question the life choices. But for those who appreciate cinema that pushes buttons until the whole console breaks, this is an unmissable event.” – Dallas Observer Dec 20, 2025 Full Review Train Dreams (2025) 95% EDIT “'Train Dreams' is a lyrical tale that captures the beauty and sorrow of the human condition with a grace and wisdom that is all too rare. It’s a testament to the power of a quiet life and a reminder that, in the end, we are all connected to it all.” – Dallas Observer Dec 20, 2025 Full Review Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) 66% 3.5/5 EDIT “'Fire and Ash' is a solid entry. It’s a dazzling spectacle that reaffirms Cameron’s status as a master of blockbuster filmmaking, but it’s also a reminder that even the most beautiful worlds can start to feel a little too familiar.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Dec 20, 2025 Full Review Blue Moon (2025) 90% 4/5 EDIT “The result is a film that is less a narrative and more a lyrical poem—a dialogue-drenched, single-location symphony about friendship, art and the beautiful, heartbreaking chaos of living.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Oct 10, 2025 Full Review V/H/S Halloween (2025) 89% EDIT “A testament to what happens when you let creative, passionate filmmakers run wild in the playground of horror, proving that even after all these years, there are still plenty of terrifying treats to be found on Halloween night.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Oct 7, 2025 Full Review Sirāt (2025) 92% 4/5 EDIT “Oliver Laxe’s 'Sirāt' truly is a cinematic odyssey that pulses with the rhythm of life itself—raw, unpredictable and unrelenting.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Oct 1, 2025 Full Review If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025) 92% 4/5 EDIT “A chaotic, poetic and profoundly moving portrait of a woman on the edge, the film gives Rose Byrne the role of a lifetime, resulting in a career-defining performance that is as fearless as it is unforgettable.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Oct 1, 2025 Full Review Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025) 77% EDIT “Fans of the franchise will appreciate the fresh take, but purists may long for the grittier tone of the 1984 version. ” – Denton Record-Chronicle Sep 27, 2025 Full Review Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025) 95% 3/5 EDIT “While the film borrows liberally from its influences, it does so with a wink and a nod, embracing its over-the-top nature. ” – Denton Record-Chronicle Sep 27, 2025 Full Review The Strangers: Chapter 2 (2025) 15% 2/5 EDIT “While marginally better than 'Chapter 1,' this sequel still feels like it’s running in place. ” – Denton Record-Chronicle Sep 27, 2025 Full Review Primate (2025) 79% 2.5/5 EDIT “'Primate' delivers on the carnage with some truly jaw-detaching kills. However, the tonal balance feels off, as the film struggles to reconcile its moments of heartfelt family drama with its over-the-top slasher beats. ” – Denton Record-Chronicle Sep 27, 2025 Full Review Black Phone 2 (2025) 72% 3/5 EDIT “The film’s first half is a grand study in atmospheric horror... However, the second half veers into hokey territory, trading its initial menace for YA-friendly sentimentality.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Sep 27, 2025 Full Review The Threesome (2025) 77% EDIT “A rom-com for a generation that understands life and love are rarely simple. [It] finds humor in the chaos and poignancy in the pain, offering a sophisticated, funny and ultimately moving portrait of people just trying their best to do the right thing.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Sep 6, 2025 Full Review Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical (2025) 80% EDIT “A must-watch for fans of all ages, a testament to the enduring magic of Peanuts.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Aug 17, 2025 Full Review The Naked Gun (2025) 87% EDIT “An absolute joy bomb that will leave you laughing out loud and quoting its best lines all the way home from the theater.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Jul 30, 2025 Full Review Eddington (2025) 68% EDIT “A wild, unguarded look at America’s divisions, obsessions and desperate longing for meaning in the age of endless feedback.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Jul 18, 2025 Full Review Superman (2025) 83% 5/5 EDIT “James Gunn has not only crafted a richly thrilling and emotionally resonant film but also set the stage for an exciting new era of the DC Universe. This. Is. Superman.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Jul 8, 2025 Full Review Pretty Thing (2025) 47% EDIT “'Pretty Thing' stands out as more than just another entry in the thriller genre. Driven by Kelly’s visual command, a plot that twists and unsettles, and the immersive work of its leads, [it] becomes an exploration of obsession and the masks we all wear. ” – Denton Record-Chronicle Jul 4, 2025 Full Review Jurassic World Rebirth (2025) 50% 3.5/5 EDIT “After spending years in the era of Chris Pratt wrangling raptors like a prehistoric dog whisperer, it’s refreshing to see 'Jurassic World Rebirth' get back to that sense of awe and wonder.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Jul 2, 2025 Full Review Elio (2025) 83% 3.5/5 EDIT “'Elio' might not ascend to the stars of Pixar’s elite, but it still glows brightly in its orbit. For families, for dreamers and for anyone who’s ever felt “a little too different,” it remains an endearing trip worth taking.” – Denton Record-Chronicle Jun 20, 2025 Full Review
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