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
Review: ‘Fair Play’ – Sex, Power, and Mayhem
For her directorial debut, Chloe Dumont dissects the intricacies at play of one couple’s power struggle. Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) and Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) are the recently engaged pair at the center of Fair Play. The two are employed at the same hedge fund management firm, where their relationship is kept secret, since it is at … Continue reading Review: ‘Fair Play’ – Sex, Power, and Mayhem
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
Review: ‘You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah’ A Refreshing Sandler Coming-of-Age Story
Adam Sandler, Happy Madison Productions, and Netflix have enjoyed a fruitful relationship since the release of the aptly titled The Ridiculous Six back in 2015. Centered around two best friends planning their Bat-Mitzvah, their latest collaboration, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, skims on the ridiculous in favor of earnestness. Based on … Continue reading Review: ‘You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah’ A Refreshing Sandler Coming-of-Age Story
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
Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ – Sexy, Bloody, Gothic Horror is Back on Netflix
Few would dispute that Mike Flanagan knows how to tell a great dramatic story. However, even the famed horror director has outdone himself this time. A master of suspense and dramatic storytelling, Flanagan tells his most ambitious story to date with The Fall of the House of Usher for Netflix. The eight-part limited series debuts … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ – Sexy, Bloody, Gothic Horror is Back on Netflix
Fantastic Fest 23: ‘So Unreal’ – Cyberspace and the Digital World on Film
While the 1999 Wachowski film The Matrix looms large over the cyberpunk genre, directors and artists have long been interested in the subgenre. After all, as computers gained a foothold in American culture, the figures that promoted them became fascinations. Through various projects, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Paul Allen became integrally tied to the … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 23: ‘So Unreal’ – Cyberspace and the Digital World on Film