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
Review: ‘The Good Mother’ – A Predictable But Effective Mystery
The lengths a family goes to protect their own can lead down dark paths. Our willingness to even ignore the bad deeds of family can doom us to make our own mistakes. Throughout The Good Mother, director Miles Joris-Peyrafitte wants to highlight the choices in morally grey areas. The result is rather predictable storytelling, but … Continue reading Review: ‘The Good Mother’ – A Predictable But Effective Mystery
Streaming: ‘The Flash’ Crashes and Burns on It Horrible Visual Effects
Occasionally, the direction of the discourse becomes too toxic to actively engage with a film. In the case of The Flash, the ship had sailed years ago. The off-set antics of star Ezra Miller became known beyond the industry. Many directors had entered and exited the project, resulting in muddled visions. Perhaps worst of all, … Continue reading Streaming: ‘The Flash’ Crashes and Burns on It Horrible Visual Effects
Michael Mann’s ‘Manhunter’ Oozes Style and Violence
The Hannibal phenomenon in pop culture will always be odd. Not many fictional serial killers inspire a Best Picture win, a five-film franchise, and a three-season TV show. Even stranger, most remain unaware that his first time on the big screen was not The Silence of the Lambs, but instead a wild vision of death … Continue reading Michael Mann’s ‘Manhunter’ Oozes Style and Violence
Unhinged Binge: ‘Doctor Who’ – Season 1 – Episodes 6 – 10
The first batch of episodes laid the groundwork for the reboot of Doctor Who but batch two immediately deepens the lore. As Christopher Eccleston continues to show his incredible range, Russell T. Davies delivers some of the best episodes of Doctor Who's Season 1. This group shows how good Doctor Who can be when it's … Continue reading Unhinged Binge: ‘Doctor Who’ – Season 1 – Episodes 6 – 10
Unhinged Binge: ‘Doctor Who’ Season 1 – Episodes 1 – 5
We're kicking off a less formal, more passionate side to our TV coverage. We all have blind spots, and this is meant to help alleviate some of that. Think of this as a journal as I work through some of the classic shows that I've never watched before. With that in mind, let's hop into … Continue reading Unhinged Binge: ‘Doctor Who’ Season 1 – Episodes 1 – 5
Michael Mann’s ‘Miami Vice’ – A Stunning Visual Spectacle with Inconsistent Story
After the blazing success of Collateral, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Michael Mann's return to his iconic TV series would be a rousing success. However, Mann has never been one to tell a simple story. While adapting any of his storylines on Miami Vice could have been an excellent nostalgia pull, Mann swung … Continue reading Michael Mann’s ‘Miami Vice’ – A Stunning Visual Spectacle with Inconsistent Story
Review: ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ – A Baadasssss Look into Exploitation
It’s business as usual in The Glen. Drug dealers roam the streets pushing product and collecting debts. Sex workers serve more than carnal desires by being eyes and ears on the streets. Pimps control inventory from shady motels adorned with cheap rugs and old blinds. Territories are disputed, and scores are settled. Today was a … Continue reading Review: ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ – A Baadasssss Look into Exploitation
Fantasia 2023: ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ Lets Nic Cage Be Nic Cage
Crime cinema allows its fans to embrace big characters. After all, the choice to actively engage in criminal activities can attract very specific kinds of people to professions. Of course, few actors play big like Nicolas Cage. The iconic Nic Cage not only swings for the rafters in Sympathy for the Devil, but he elevates … Continue reading Fantasia 2023: ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ Lets Nic Cage Be Nic Cage
Review: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ – Heroes in a Heart Shell
Dad had gotten home from a business trip. As he said hello and hugged me, he pulled out a new toy from his briefcase. It was a Ninja Turtle. Four-year-old me had no idea what this thing was, but I was immediately enthralled by how awesome it looked. (It was Metalhead, for all you curious … Continue reading Review: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ – Heroes in a Heart Shell