A common refrain from those in non-religious communities often focuses on questioning a God that would allow tragedy. After all, a young child or baby has done nothing to deserve the wrath of others. It's a sympathetic discussion, and one that can be easy to utilize as a straw man argument. The process of separating … Continue reading DOC NYC: ‘The Three of Us’ – Faith and Family Come to Blows
DOC NYC: ‘Merchant Ivory’ – Exploring the Masters of Class Drama
Beautiful costumes and a dressed-up aristocracy have always found a devoted audience in theaters. Yet for a stretch in the 1980s and 1990s, the names Merchant and Ivory took on a special place. Named after partners James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, the studio won its talent Oscars and (eventually) conquered the box office. With Ruth … Continue reading DOC NYC: ‘Merchant Ivory’ – Exploring the Masters of Class Drama
Middleburg: ‘Maestro’ – Bradley Cooper’s Sophomore Effort Is A Beautiful, Imperfect Symphony
Five years after surprising us with a stellar remake of A Star Is Born, Bradley Cooper comes back with Maestro. His sophomore feature follows the true story of Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia (Carey Mulligan). Cooper, who also returns as producer and co-writer (with Josh Singer), plays Bernstein with a spirit as high as … Continue reading Middleburg: ‘Maestro’ – Bradley Cooper’s Sophomore Effort Is A Beautiful, Imperfect Symphony
Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘Spooktacular!’ – The DIY History of the SpookyWorld Haunt
In the horror world, the DIY ethos has always been strong. From gore kills to creepy costumes, the genre and subculture embrace creativity. The genre has long transcended the world of cinema, and Spooktacular! explores one of its most iconic experiences. Director Quinn Monahan brings together many of the creatives behind SpookyWorld, a seasonal theme … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘Spooktacular!’ – The DIY History of the SpookyWorld Haunt
Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘Your Lucky Day’ – Money and Fight for Survival Collide
The darkest stories of the human experience often revolve around money. Wealth often forces people to compromise their values and morals. Yet, sometimes, our fight for survival coincides with our financial worries. In the case of Your Lucky Day, the feature film debut of Daniel Brown, one Christmas Eve turns into a bloodbath. With some … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘Your Lucky Day’ – Money and Fight for Survival Collide
Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘V/H/S/85’ – Another Excellent Anthology for Shudder
The V/H/S series has become a yearly landmark for most horror fans. It's been a source of discovery for some prominent voices while established names experiment with their craft. This year's V/H/S/85 features some of the biggest names to date, including Scott Derrickson (Black Phone, Doctor Strange) and David Bruckner (The Ritual). However, this will … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘V/H/S/85’ – Another Excellent Anthology for Shudder
Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘There’s Something in the Barn’ – Elves, Comedy, & Christmas Fear
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