The anti-hero has long found a place on television. From Walter White to Tony Soprano, series focusing on men misbehaving have long found success. Unfortunately, for women, this approach has been poignantly less effective. Yet, in the last five years, some of these swings have brought a more experimental and funny approach to television. Created … Continue reading SXSW 2023: ‘Swarm’ Thrills with Bloody Extravagance and Explicit Sexuality
SXSW 2023: ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ is a Fantastical Old Timey Action Spectacle
In an IP-heavy world, it's actually a wonder it took so long for another Dungeons & Dragons film. The role-playing game has long transcended the confines of tabletop popularity. The Stranger Things revival only increased its relevance across popular culture. Add in the freedom it allows for storytellers, and you have a world of possibilities. … Continue reading SXSW 2023: ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ is a Fantastical Old Timey Action Spectacle
Review: ‘We Have A Ghost’ – An Earnest Film About, Well, Ernest
Director Christopher Landon has shown success making quirky horror comedies. His latest, We Have A Ghost, is no exception. Lighter on the horror than his previous endeavors, this new film streams exclusively on Netflix. We Have a Ghost is what would have happened if Casper grew up and only materialized in the modern world of … Continue reading Review: ‘We Have A Ghost’ – An Earnest Film About, Well, Ernest
Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Boxtrolls’ Remains a 4K Technical Behemoth
LAIKA continually pushes its animators and artisans to break new ground. Coming off the success of ParaNorman and Coraline, LAIKA could have returned to grim stories. Yet instead, they decided to tackle a far more challenging story about false narratives and government corruption. The Boxtrolls also forced LAIKA to develop as visual storytellers, especially with … Continue reading Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Boxtrolls’ Remains a 4K Technical Behemoth
Blu-Ray Review: Kubo and the Two Strings – LAIKA and Shout Factory! Deliver Another Gem
In 2016, LAIKA Studios released its most ambitious project to date. Director Travis Knight had worked as an animator on their previous films and despite being CEO of LAIKA, had waited for the right project to step into the director's chair. Knight's choice brought East-Asian influence and centered storytelling above all else. Kubo and the … Continue reading Blu-Ray Review: Kubo and the Two Strings – LAIKA and Shout Factory! Deliver Another Gem
Berlinale: ‘Zeevonk (Sea Sparkle)’ – A Portrait of Unexplainable Grief
The lengths that we reach to find closure are impossible to quantify. As we experience trauma and despair, we struggle to hold ourselves together. When death comes suddenly or in unexplained moments, the search for understanding can consume us. Premiering at the Berlinale, Zeevonk (Sea Sparkle) pushes a girl to search for answers. A portrait … Continue reading Berlinale: ‘Zeevonk (Sea Sparkle)’ – A Portrait of Unexplainable Grief
Slamdance 2023: ‘Mad Cats’ is an Insanely Fun and Weird Martial Arts Comedy
Sometimes, a metaphor is simply not enough to convey an artist's vision. Directors sometimes lean straight into the absurdity of their ideas and literalize concepts that seem too crazy to bring to life. In the case of Mad Cats, director Reiki Tsuno commits fully to his wacky premise. As a result, Mad Cats embraces the … Continue reading Slamdance 2023: ‘Mad Cats’ is an Insanely Fun and Weird Martial Arts Comedy
Awards Catch-Up: ‘RRR’ Thrills Audiences as One of the Year’s Best Blockbusters
Few phenomena in 2022 feel as exciting as RRR, the Tollywood film that took over Hollywood. Telling a story of Indian independence might have drawn some eyes, but RRR introduced an entire generation to what Indian cinema offers audiences. Melodrama, action, comedy, musical dance breaks, and genuine brotherhood represent some of the highlights, but more … Continue reading Awards Catch-Up: ‘RRR’ Thrills Audiences as One of the Year’s Best Blockbusters
Review: ‘Landlocked’ Displays Real Promise in Visual Storytelling
Pushing the limits of narrative storytelling and documentary can get some directors in trouble. Non-narrative features force the audience to engage with the material. Yet this can also lead to beautiful, emotional reactions to these stories. Director Paul Owens uses his background as a documentary filmmaker to craft a visually unique and ambitious film. Landlocked … Continue reading Review: ‘Landlocked’ Displays Real Promise in Visual Storytelling
Review: ‘The Invitation’ Yearns for Purpose as a Gothic Monster Romance
Studio horror films often find themselves struggling for relevance. They cannot subvert expectations like their independent brethren. Yet they need to pull in audiences with unique stories. Films like The Invitation face an uphill climb. Yet, at the same time, they have the opportunity to break big stars. With an exciting performance from Nathalie Emmanuel … Continue reading Review: ‘The Invitation’ Yearns for Purpose as a Gothic Monster Romance