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Jackdaw Oliver Cohen-Jackson

Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘Jackdaw’ – Jaime Childs and Oliver Jackson-Cohen Craft an Existential Hero

Watching an actor land his first starring role is always exciting. For Oliver Jackson-Cohen, the young actor has lurked just beyond stardom. While he played the titular Invisible Man, the film focused on turning him into a villain. His work with Mike Flanagan resulted in two great performances, though he was undeniably evil in Bly … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘Jackdaw’ – Jaime Childs and Oliver Jackson-Cohen Craft an Existential Hero

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines

Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘Pet Sematary: Bloodlines’ – The Intriguing Prequel Lacks Emotional Pathos

Horror prequels walk an incredibly fine line. On one hand, they need to scare the hell out of the audience as much as the initial film. On the other hand, they cannot leave trauma that will forever jade the characters. After all, if they have to return, they need to be functional humans. For a … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘Pet Sematary: Bloodlines’ – The Intriguing Prequel Lacks Emotional Pathos

The Fall of the House of Usher Netflix

Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ – Sexy, Bloody, Gothic Horror is Back on Netflix

Few would dispute that Mike Flanagan knows how to tell a great dramatic story. However, even the famed horror director has outdone himself this time. A master of suspense and dramatic storytelling, Flanagan tells his most ambitious story to date with The Fall of the House of Usher for Netflix. The eight-part limited series debuts … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ – Sexy, Bloody, Gothic Horror is Back on Netflix

So Unreal 2023 Fantastic Fest

Fantastic Fest 23: ‘So Unreal’ – Cyberspace and the Digital World on Film

While the 1999 Wachowski film The Matrix looms large over the cyberpunk genre, directors and artists have long been interested in the subgenre. After all, as computers gained a foothold in American culture, the figures that promoted them became fascinations. Through various projects, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Paul Allen became integrally tied to the … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 23: ‘So Unreal’ – Cyberspace and the Digital World on Film

Sex Education 2023 Final Season

TV: ‘Sex Education’ – A Final Season Farewell for Characters That Belong Together

Few shows began quite like Sex Education. The British pseudo-rom-com followed a group of teenagers over four seasons as they dealt with the pressures of growing up. Of course, sex and relationships occupy their mind, but the power of the series always came in the ways the relationships between each character evolved. With the cast … Continue reading TV: ‘Sex Education’ – A Final Season Farewell for Characters That Belong Together

2023 Fantastic Fest

Fantastic Fest 2023 Preview – 10 Most Anticipated Films

Few genre festivals feel like instant kingmakers. Yet a great showing at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, can be a launchpad for smaller films. The impressive list of alumni continues to grow year after year. With another excellent lineup on the horizon and a handful of secret screenings to contend with, 2023 could be a … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023 Preview – 10 Most Anticipated Films

Killing It Craig Robinson

TV Review: ‘Killing It’ – Craig Robinson Leads a Florida Crime Comedy

Actor Craig Robinson remains one of the most underutilized comedians on television. For years he's been the best part of most projects where he gets decent screen time. That's what makes Killing It such an exciting series. The Peacock original series kicked off with a dark premise - what if Robinson joined a python hunting … Continue reading TV Review: ‘Killing It’ – Craig Robinson Leads a Florida Crime Comedy

El Conde Pablo Larraín

Film Review: ‘El Conde’ – A Fascist Vampire Still Living On Blood And Death

Pablo Larraín, the director behind the American biopics Jackie and Spencer, is back in his native Chile to poke at the horrendous dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. The infamous man ruled ruthlessly from 1973 to 1989. As seen in his Oscar-nominated docudrama No, Larraín is not afraid of looking back into his country's troubled past. Even … Continue reading Film Review: ‘El Conde’ – A Fascist Vampire Still Living On Blood And Death

Summer Qamp Camp fyrefly

TIFF 2023: ‘Summer Qamp’ – A Free-Flowing Portrait of LGBTQ+ Youth

While some states have seemingly taken on war against young LGBTQ+ individuals, other locations have become havens. In the case of Camp fYrefly, some youth in Canada have the freedom to find their voice. The documentary Summer Qamp examines a seeming paradise for teens who will have to return to the difficult lives they lead. … Continue reading TIFF 2023: ‘Summer Qamp’ – A Free-Flowing Portrait of LGBTQ+ Youth

Toll Carolina Markowicz 2023

TIFF 2023: ‘Toll’ – Carolina Markowicz Sensual Tale of Repression

We often rely upon parents to create a nurturing environment. Yet discovering our parents are flawed human beings comes as a shock to most. Sadly, many others come to this realization earlier in life. The emotional abuse suffered by LGBTQ+ people often comes at the hands of bullies and parents. It's upsetting how often the … Continue reading TIFF 2023: ‘Toll’ – Carolina Markowicz Sensual Tale of Repression