A movie relies on a lot of things to be successful, but one thing it relies on to capture audiences that does not get talked about nearly enough is the atmosphere. A movie can be the most horrifying thing ever… Read More ›
Month: June 2023
“Scarlet” soars on red romantic wings.
The hope found in love is the only hope we have, or at least, that’s what Pietro Marcello‘s Scarlet (2023) seems to be saying. This French period piece is firmly rooted in the cynical positivity of the meta-modernist era. Everything… Read More ›
EoM Presents: A Conversation with “Playland” executive producer Emily Ruhl. [Tribeca Film Festival]
EoM Senior Interviewer Thomas Manning recently chatted with executive producer Emily Ruhl about her project Playland, a selection for the Tribeca International Film Festival. Ruhl speaks about working with director Georden West to tell a story about Boston’s oldest gay… Read More ›
“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” does more world building than character building.
I was almost 11 years old when Michael Bay’s first Transformers film came out in the summer of 2007, and while I was never a fan of the toys (I was severely gay, and therefore loved my sister’s Barbies), I… Read More ›
“Somewhere Quiet” is predictable but Jennifer Kim stands out. [Tribeca Film Festival]
There is always something exciting about a thriller, it is in the name after all. But when there is a distinct lack of either performance or development of a character, any and almost all that excitement dissipates as intentions are… Read More ›
Your time in “LaRoy” may be brief, but its impact long-lasting. [Tribeca Film Festival]
If we’re lucky, when we start in this life, we approach it with a spark, an excitement for what’s to come. This could be pursuing a passion, exploring an idea, or just getting out of a dead-end town and away… Read More ›
Self-identification, reexamination, and reclamation are at the heart of Sav Rodgers’s doc “Chasing Chasing Amy.” [Tribeca Film Festival]
Holden: Oh no, here’s the big test. Quick Stop. Alyssa: My best friend fucked a dead guy in the bathroom. Holden: You know that girl? Alyssa: I did, before she was committed. – Chasing Amy (1997) Anyone who’s taken the… Read More ›
It is difficult to mind your “Dress Code” when dealing with complicated shadows.
Of the stories made in America, none are as prolific worldwide as mafia stories. They’re used to tell immigrant stories, crime stories, family dramas, and even comedies. You’d be hard pressed to find any genre today that doesn’t include some… Read More ›
EoM Presents: A Conversation with “To My Father” director Sean Schiavolin and producer John Papola. [Tribeca Film Festival]
EoM Senior Interviewer Thomas Manning recently spoke with director Sean Schiavolin and executive producer John Papola about their documentary short To My Father, the Tribeca International Film Festival selection which tells the beautiful story of Oscar-winner Troy Kotsur’s relationship with… Read More ›
Bring the dinos and Adam Driver home with Sony’s home release of “65.”
When I first saw some promotional material for 65 I was beyond excited as it was something that was immediately up my alley, a science fiction movie starring Adam Driver. At worst it was going to be a fun outing… Read More ›
Dramatic thriller “Decibel” is strongest when it leans into the thoughtful drama and relies less on the acoustics.
Marketing can be the best tool and the worst for selling movies. We’re not talking about deliberate misleads (like the trailer for Avengers: Infinity War (2018) that contained differently edited scenes compared to the final film) or the accidental kind… Read More ›
Sammo Hung’s action dramedy “Warriors Two” is the latest Hong Kong martial arts release from Arrow Video.
In the world of martial arts cinema, one of the greats is Hung Kam-bo, known more commonly as Sammo Hung. His resume includes acting, stunt choreography, writing, producing, and directing in films released by Cathay Asia, Bo Bo Films, Shaw… Read More ›
Open Dialogue with “About My Father” co-writer/actor Sebastian Maniscalco.
Sebastian Maniscalco brings a film based on his own life experiences to the screen in the Lionsgate release About My Father. Starring Maniscalco, Robert De Niro, Leslie Bibb, and Kim Cattrall, this comedy is directed by Laura Terruso. On this… Read More ›
“Renfield” Digital Code Giveaway
You think your job sucks? Imagine being Dracula’s bootheel. Thanks to Chris McKay’s Renfield, we no longer have to! If you happened to miss this horror comedy in theaters, it’s coming home on June 6th and Universal Pictures has kindly given… Read More ›
“Lynch/Oz” pulls back the curtain on America through film.
Moviegoers and Cinephiles today are privileged to receive insights into their favorite films through any number of Vanity Fair scene breakdowns, WTF Pod confessionals, and, despite studios’ best efforts, the Blu-ray special feature. Maybe this is why David Lynch, an… Read More ›
“All Man: The International Male Story” captures a sweet but brief moment in time.
It would be difficult to find an American adult who hasn’t heard of Playboy. Since the magazine was first printed in the 1950s, Hugh Hefner’s infamous publication has become an American cultural staple and a generalized symbol for a young… Read More ›
“Fist of the Condor” Blu-ray Giveaway
He’s gone head-to-head with Mr. Wick, played motorball with Alita, the Battle Angel, and taken on the one and only Machete. Martial artist, stuntman, and actor Marko Zaror has a solid catalog and only added to it with his latest… Read More ›
16 films to check out during the Tribeca Film Festival 2023.
For the second time, Elements of Madness will officially be covering the Tribeca Film Festival and we thought we’d offer up our recommendations of what to check out during the fest or what to keep an eye out for in… Read More ›