Playing one of history's most controversial figures is nothing new for Helen Mirren. Her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II provided unique insight into the balance between Monarch and symbol. She also portrayed the Queen of Gossip, Miss Hedda Hopper, with all the malice and wit she was known for. Yet Golda Meir represents her most … Continue reading Review: ‘Golda’ – A Complicated Mirren Cannot Save the Frustrating Narrative
Review: ‘Brightwood’ – A Creepy Tale of Getting Lost in the Woods
Setting a horror film in well-wore territory can create diminishing returns. Yet finding a unique way to channel those settings into darker visions can yield interesting perspectives. The woods have long stood in for the idea of creepy, if not actively dangerous, locations. Yet in Brightwood, getting lost in the woods is only half the … Continue reading Review: ‘Brightwood’ – A Creepy Tale of Getting Lost in the Woods
Review: ‘R. M. N.’ – A Distressing Look into Socioeconomic Tensions
Most people just want to make a buck and live in peace. The statement is socioeconomics in its most basic and ideal form, stripped away of any complications. The sentiment first echoed in the walls of a classroom many years ago and has reverberated in my head ever since. The ideology behind the simple approach … Continue reading Review: ‘R. M. N.’ – A Distressing Look into Socioeconomic Tensions
Review: ‘Love Life’ – Koji Fukada Delivers Stunning Emotional Subtlety and Nuance
The internal struggle one faces when confronted by grief manifests in many ways. Some collapse under the emotional weight of their dilemma. Others may push away the help of those who love them. Yet, ultimately, working through the emotional scars of a tragedy varies drastically for every person. While the saying "time heals all wounds" … Continue reading Review: ‘Love Life’ – Koji Fukada Delivers Stunning Emotional Subtlety and Nuance
Michael Mann’s ‘Thief’ – One of the Greatest Crime Thrillers of All Time
A man watches the clock, shrouded in darkness, while his partner cuts through a safe. For nearly ten minutes, a group of thieves pull off a brilliant heist without needing to vocalize their next steps. The balletic opening of Thief, scored by a pulse-pounding Tangerine Dream score, remains one of the highlight moments of Michael … Continue reading Michael Mann’s ‘Thief’ – One of the Greatest Crime Thrillers of All Time
Review: ‘Jules’ – An Unforgettable Journey About Memory and Acceptance
Jules is one of those films that doesn’t fit into a box. Quirky, heartbreaking, funny, unsettling, and sincere all describe the movie in equal measure. However, not all these ideas complement each other, and the effect leaves the viewer as confused as the film’s protagonist. This is either a brilliant commentary on the mental decline … Continue reading Review: ‘Jules’ – An Unforgettable Journey About Memory and Acceptance
Review: ‘Passages’ Digs Into the Complexities of Sexuality and Lust
Few directors find their way into unique human conditions like Ira Sachs. He's made a name for himself over the past decade as a humanist director, and as he explores the complexities of relationships, he finds incredible nuance. Coming off consecutive triumphs, Sachs once again digs into the inner workings of complicated people, allowing Franz … Continue reading Review: ‘Passages’ Digs Into the Complexities of Sexuality and Lust
Fantasia 2023 Catch-Up: ‘Femme,’ ‘Deep Sea,’ ‘A Disturbance in the Force’ & Festival Favorites
With so many great flicks at Fantasia 2023, we wanted to do some quick hits. Below are several films to watch in the next year as they continue to break out in the mainstream. Among them is an incredible movie about LGBTQ+ revenge, a gorgeous animated fantasy, and a look back at Star Wars' deep … Continue reading Fantasia 2023 Catch-Up: ‘Femme,’ ‘Deep Sea,’ ‘A Disturbance in the Force’ & Festival Favorites
Fantasia 2023: ‘Birth/Rebirth’ – The Fears of Parenthood Feel Too Real
Anyone with children understands the sheer terror that comes with that process. The love we feel for children cannot be understated. Almost every parent will go to the ends of the earth to keep their loved one safe. Yet even then, we cannot always protect them. However, movies blend emotion, science, and horror to illicit … Continue reading Fantasia 2023: ‘Birth/Rebirth’ – The Fears of Parenthood Feel Too Real
Fantasia 2023: ‘Hippo’ – An Absurdist Retelling of a Greek Myth
The classics earn their name for their timeless relevance. The tales can find relevance in any age as long as they are applied and adapted by the right creative team. Hippo, a loose retelling of the tale of Hippolytus, infuses the story with modern taboos. While the key components of the tale remain intact, the … Continue reading Fantasia 2023: ‘Hippo’ – An Absurdist Retelling of a Greek Myth