While horror movies often center around our spookiest holiday, it's a nice treat when they center around the season of giving. While Christmas horror does not always get the spotlight, the blend can be extremely pleasing. With bright colors on white backgrounds, directors show a sense of style. That, plus some fun designs, helps There's … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘There’s Something in the Barn’ – Elves, Comedy, & Christmas Fear
Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘The Last Stop in Yuma County’ – An Old Fashioned Shoot ‘Em Up
The iconic Alfred Hitchcock once noted the difference between surprise and suspense through the metaphor of a bomb. When the audience knows about a bomb, you can build entire sequences around its dangerous consequences. While an instant explosion can still shock the audience, it does not have the staying power of drawn-out tension. Director Francis … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘The Last Stop in Yuma County’ – An Old Fashioned Shoot ‘Em Up
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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