Author Archives
My name is AJ Friar. I am a critic and journalist wanting, wanting to expand my horizons rather it be written reviews or conducting interviews showcasing filmmaking.
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“Psycho Killer.” Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away.
Actress Georgina Campbell (Lovely, Dark, and Deep) has been on a quiet but undeniable hot streak over the past couple of years, carving out a strong presence in the indie horror scene, most notably with her standout performance in Barbarian… Read More ›
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“Lurker” delves into the parasocial relationships of fame and fanatics.
Lurker is one of those rare films that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. Much like The Surfer starring Nicolas Cage, which also dropped earlier this year, it’s a film that demands repeat viewings, not just for… Read More ›
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A Conversation with “Over Your Dead Body” director Jorma Taccone.
During SXSW 2026, director Jorma Taccone premiered his latest feature, the action horror comedy Over Your Dead Body, starring the fantastic ensemble cast comprised of Samara Weaving, Jason Segel, Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, Paul Guilfoyle, and Keith Jardine. On this… Read More ›
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“We Bury the Dead” home release offers little incentive to purchase as it lacks special features.
We Bury the Dead features a strong central performance from Daisy Ridley (Ophelia), but, unfortunately, that standout performance is not enough to elevate a film weighed down by familiar genre problems and uneven storytelling. While Ridley brings emotional commitment and… Read More ›
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A Conversation with “Mermaid” filmmaker Tyler Cornack.
Led by Johnny Pemberton and featuring Robert Patrick, Kevin Nealon, and Avery Potemri, writer/director Tyler Cornack’s horror comedy Mermaid is an ode to Florida Man. In a brief five-minute conversation for EoM Presents, EoM Contributor AJ Friar chats with Cornack… Read More ›
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“The Man with the Big Hat” mirrors the style of its focal point, Steven Fromholz. [SXSW]
Documentarian Austin Sayre’s The Man with the Big Hat reintroduces audiences to the independent legend of country music, Steven Fromholz, name that, for many, has lived just outside the mainstream despite a songwriting legacy that quietly shaped the genre. Having… Read More ›
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“The Yeti” brings perfect creature feature excitement and personality for an entertaining venture.
The Yeti feels like a lost midnight movie discovered in a vault and somehow rebuilt for modern audiences without losing any of the raw, unpredictable energy that made grindhouse creature features so memorable in the first place. It plays like… Read More ›
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“Heritage” utilizes creativity in the found-footage genre to create an atmospheric experience. [Unnamed Footage Festival]
Heritage is a strong example of how found-footage filmmaking can still feel fresh when handled with restraint and intention. From its opening moments, the film carries a quiet confidence that immediately recalls the tonal playbook of the Coen Brothers, not in… Read More ›
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“Crash Land” embraces the messy improv of life. [SXSW]
Crash Land can easily be pitched as Jackass with a ton of heart, but that shorthand barely scratches the surface of what makes the film resonate. Beneath its chaotic, stunt-driven exterior lies a surprisingly tender coming-of-age story that uses absurdity,… Read More ›
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“40 Years of Fuckin’ Up” captures the life and times of NOFX.
NOFX’s 40 Years of Fuckin’ Up is a loud, irreverent, and surprisingly heartfelt documentary celebrating four decades of chaos from one of punk rock’s most enduring bands, NOFX. For longtime fans, the film lands with a bittersweet edge. The band… Read More ›
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“Plantman & Blondie” commits fully to the absurdity for a wild and fun time. [SXSW]
Plantman & Blondie: A Dress Up Gang Film is destined to be one of this year’s breakout cult classics to emerge from the SXSW Film & TV Festival 2026. An offbeat comedy about friendship, purpose, and trying to grow something real… Read More ›
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“Beyond the Duplex Planet” examines the creative experiment zine known as The Duplex Planet. [SXSW]
Beyond the Duplex Planet is a slow and methodical documentary that explores art, aging, and human connection through the work of writer and interviewer David Greenberger. In 1979, Greenberger was a recent art school graduate searching for direction when he took a… Read More ›
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Sci-fi action comedy “Operation Taco Gary’s” is a frustrating mission: unaccomplished.
Operation Taco Gary’s has all the ingredients of a modern cult comedy on paper: an absurd premise, a self-aware tone, and a cast filled with performers who understand how to toe the line between satire and sincerity. With Simon Rex… Read More ›
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“Song Sung Blue” is a very human musical romantic drama based on real life events.
Song Sung Blue stands as one of the most grounded and quietly affecting performances in Hugh Jackman’s career, a surprising turn for an actor often associated with larger-than-life characters and blockbuster spectacle. Here, he strips away the bravado and theatricality… Read More ›
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The spectacle of “Ben-Hur” elevates in 4K Ultra UHD.
Ben-Hur remains one of the most magical and overwhelming moviegoing experiences ever created and its arrival on 4K Ultra HD only reinforces its reputation as one of the most important and influential films in cinema history. Watching it today, especially in… Read More ›
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“Suspect” is sus for getting a bare bones Blu-ray release despite its heavy-hitter cast.
Suspect is definitely a product of the 1980s and, in some ways, that’s part of its charm. The film boasts an impressive cast led by Cher (Moonstruck), Dennis Quaid (The Substance), and a very committed Liam Neeson (The Naked Gun),… Read More ›
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“Twisted” comes up short taking the road well-traveled.
Twisted is a new horror film from Darren Lynn Bousman, a director whose fingerprints are permanently etched into the genre thanks to his work on the Saw series. Bousman helped elevate that franchise into a cultural phenomenon, and while he… Read More ›
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“Killer Whale” gets back to what audiences love about creature features.
Killer Whale is reminiscent of the killer shark movies audiences were spoiled with throughout the 1990s, yet it feels noticeably more grounded and contemporary in its approach. Rather than leaning entirely into camp or excess, the film finds a satisfying… Read More ›
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“Boogie Nights” on 4K disappoints in its lack of Hi-Fi but satisfies with its entourage of special features.
The video transfer of Boogie Nights doesn’t exactly scream top-tier 4K. In fact, at times it looks closer to an upscaled DVD than a true high-end restoration, which is more than a little disappointing for one of Paul Thomas Anderson’s… Read More ›
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Revisit “Awakenings” with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro in 4K UHD.
Awakenings was the movie that finally paired the late Robin Williams with one of the all-time greats, Robert De Niro, resulting in a film that showcases career-defining work from both actors — performances that often get overlooked due to the… Read More ›