Becoming a parent fills many with dread. The grip our children have over our emotions cannot fully be described. Despite this, many see their entire world shift beneath their feet. Yet, some parents sacrifice in ways that no parent would wish on their worst enemies. Throughout For Night Will Come, a mother tries to reckon … Continue reading Venice Film Festival 2023: ‘For Night Will Come’ Ruminates on Power, Sacrifice, and Family
Venice Film Festival 2023: ‘Through the Night’ – An All-Too-Common Tragedy
"He said, she said" narratives stem from a patriarchal lens, yet filmmakers continue to shift that truth. After all, in a post-Me Too era for American filmmakers, there's genuine hope that the lines have been redrawn. However, the mindset of "deserving" sex and power continues to corrupt. Director Delphine Girard reminds the audience in Through … Continue reading Venice Film Festival 2023: ‘Through the Night’ – An All-Too-Common Tragedy
Venice Film Festival 2023: ‘Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person’ Mixes Incredible Charm and Violence
In 2022, Bones and All sought to reshape the teenage cannibal film. Luca Guadagnino’s triumph did not work on some, but it also pushed for a reimagining of traditional horror tropes. The power of the monster has rarely been in its scares but instead in its commentary. This allows Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person … Continue reading Venice Film Festival 2023: ‘Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person’ Mixes Incredible Charm and Violence
Fantasia 2023: ‘It Lives Inside’ – A Stunning Monster Movie
Since the 1920s, monsters on the big screen have stood in for more complex ideas. That trend continues today, with powerful films like Nope and Barbarian utilizing their creatures in unique ways. In that sense, It Lives Inside comes from a long lineage of horror stories. Yet the specificity present within It Lives Inside helps … Continue reading Fantasia 2023: ‘It Lives Inside’ – A Stunning Monster Movie
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: ‘New Life’ – A Surprisingly Effective Horror Debut
Medical horrors have found their way back into the mainstream. Considering the world's reaction to events since 2020, it's no wonder that we've seen an uptick in the subgenre. However, that concept still provides plenty of wiggle room for exploration. John Rosman's directorial debut, New Life, takes advantage to craft an exciting new thriller. By … Continue reading Fantasia 2023: ‘New Life’ – A Surprisingly Effective Horror Debut
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
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: ‘Where the Devil Roams’ – A Carnival of Carnage
One of the most exciting filmmaking collectives working today, The Adams Family, returns. The family, comprised of directors John Adams, Zelda Adams & Toby Poser, has become a cult favorite among the horror community. Their 2021 film Hellbender gained acclaim among critics and fans alike. Their latest thriller, Where the Devil Roams steps up the … Continue reading Fantasia 2023: ‘Where the Devil Roams’ – A Carnival of Carnage