Author Archives
MA in Cinema Studies, University of Chicago '19 | Gardner-Webb University '18 | Interested in the Representation of Trauma on Screen and the Ethics of Viewership| A Sucker for Classics, Film Noir, and Dramas| Violinist, When I Get Around to Practicing | Cat Mom
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Justin Johnson tells a “Naturally Impressive” story in “Mom & Dad’s Nipple Factory.”
Personal stories can be the most challenging stories to tell. Talking about yourself is easy, but refining a personal story in order to share it with others takes skill and humility. For an unskilled writer or filmmaker, the result is… Read More ›
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Writer/director Sarah Polley’s “Women Talking” has everything, except the specificity and unique point of view that women’s cinema needs.
With an impressive cast, best-selling source material, two Oscar nominations, and one Oscar win, Women Talking has gotten a lot of buzz. Unlike some of this year’s other best picture nominees, Women Talking isn’t supposed to entertain crowds or draw… Read More ›
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Eroticism is in the details in Patricia Ortega’s “Mamacruz.” [Sundance Film Festival]
When director Patricia Ortega found a revealing picture of her mother as a young woman, scantily clad in an open bathrobe, she didn’t recoil in embarrassment. She made a movie about it. Ortega was surprised by such a blatant display… Read More ›
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Maria Schrader seeks to honor the #MeToo Movement in “She Said,” available on home video now.
While the real-life work of an investigative journalist might feel like running head-first into a brick wall over and over again, movies and shows usually make it seem like an idealistic, noble, and exciting job that combines the thrill of… Read More ›
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Witness the joy and strength of sisterhood in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “The Woman King,” available on home video now.
The title of Gina Prince-Bythewood’s latest film alone is enough to inspire strength, courage, and bravery. The movie itself, The Woman King, lives up to the inspirational connotations of its name. Set in West Africa in 1823, the story focuses… Read More ›
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Get ready, get set, “Run Sweetheart Run.”
We’ve all been to at least one work event that went incredibly sour, but the average person’s worst day at the office has nothing on the nightmare of a client dinner that unfolds in Run Sweetheart Run. When pre-law student… Read More ›
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If a custom-made Dior dress is a bit out of your price range, purchase a copy of “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” on DVD or Blu-ray instead.
There’s no right or wrong way to make a feel-good movie. But there are certain elements that will make one feel-good film much more successful and enjoyable than another. Feel-good films require precise storytelling techniques and a little extra wow-factor… Read More ›
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Dive into the special and practical effects of “Jurassic World Dominion” with the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD home release
Earlier this summer, the release of Top Gun Maverick proved that it is possible to make a good sequel to a classic movie. Maverick’s secret sauce included strong writing and a steady, believable story, two things that sequels often lack…. Read More ›
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Jamie Hooper’s “The Creeping” is good scary fun. [Chattanooga Film Festival]
“Dad, can you tell me a scary story?” This is not how most children ask to be put to bed, but brave young Anna (Taliyah Blair) isn’t afraid of a few ghosts and goblins. Plus, her dad, Harry (Jonathan Nyati),… Read More ›
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Director Harry Cleven achieves something truly remarkable with his hypnotic experimental sci-fi film, “Zeria.” [Chattanooga Film Festival]
Harry Cleven’s Zeria is a wondrous and enlightening celebration of all the things that make us human. Using a combination of miniature sets, practical effects, and puppet-like masks, Cleven creates a breathtaking and unforgettable world that’s mesmerizing, comforting, and terrifying… Read More ›
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Somewhere between myth and reality, there is “A Pure Place.” [Chattanooga Film Festival]
One of the scariest things about cults is that they can form right under our noses. Cult leaders need to psychologically isolate their followers in order to maintain control, but they don’t have to keep everyone on a remote island… Read More ›
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Part expressionist melodrama and part campy horror, “The Attachment Diaries (El Apego)” sends mixed messages about trauma and mental health issues. [Chattanooga Film Festival]
Content/trigger warning: The Attachment Diaries deals with sexual assault, self-harm, mental illness, and abortion. These subjects are also briefly discussed in the review below. The Attachment Diaries is a difficult movie for two reasons. First, it focuses on a handful… Read More ›
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The “Strawberry Mansion” home release is your one-way ticket to a “retro-futuristic” adventure.
Inception (2010) may be one of the most well-known movies about dreams from the last 20 years, but the indie masterpiece Strawberry Mansion is by far one of the most creative and enchanting. From the minds of co-writers and directors… Read More ›
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A house divided: As various viewpoints fight for dominance in “House of Gucci,” Lady Gaga’s immersive performance is lost in the shuffle.
Money. Family. Power. Betrayal. Scandal. Murder. When the trailer for House of Gucci dropped in the summer of 2021, it promised all this and more. The ambitious film was set to bring one of the most infamous scandals in the… Read More ›
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Enjoy a little “Respect” when you get home — the anticipated Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson is now available.
Great performers like Aretha Franklin are remembered for much more than their God-given talents. They’re also remembered for their ability to connect with their audience. A good performer will practice and train for years to master their craft, but a… Read More ›
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“Knocking” takes its time building suspense, but Cecilia Milocco’s steady performance will keep you hooked.
If you’ve spent any time living in an apartment building or a dorm, you’ve probably had a few run-ins with noisy neighbors. It takes guts to knock on a stranger’s door and ask them to keep it down. Depending on… Read More ›
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In the style of teen classics like “The Breakfast Club” and “Dead Poets Society,” Daigo Matsui’s “Remain in Twilight” appeals to our restless youthful spirits with wit and sincerity. [Fantasia International Film Festival]
It’s not every day we get the chance to chat with a loved one who has passed on. Skeptics would say that we never get that opportunity. If you’ve lost someone important to you, you’ve probably at least imagined having… Read More ›
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Discover new life in “All the Moons (Todas las Lunas),” an enchanting and bittersweet vampire fantasy. [Fantasia International Film Festival]
No country’s literature or filmography is short of romance stories. If a writer tells you they’re working on a piece about love, you’ll probably assume they’re talking about romantic love. We live in a culture that prioritizes romance and marriage,… Read More ›
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Undeniable cast chemistry shines bright against the dark forces at play in “When I Consume You.” [Fantasia International Film Festival]
Do your worst childhood fears ever come back to haunt you? Does it feel like the monsters in your closet never left? Most of us outgrow our fear of shadows, monsters, and the dark, and we can now keep the… Read More ›
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“Be careful what you wish for, be certain what you pray for:” Religious intentions are put on trial in “The Righteous.” [Fantasia International Film Festival]
If you’re into Southern Gothic literature, you’ll go nuts over Mark O’Brien’s feature directorial debut, The Righteous, which screened at the Fantasia International Film Festival earlier this month. Granted, it was filmed in Canada and not the American South, but… Read More ›