Author Archives
Founder: Elements of Madness | Past Bylines at CLTure, Pretty Vacant One, FilmFed, & Mountain Xpress | NC Film Critics Association, Southeastern Film Critics Association, & Critics Choice Association member | Rotten Tomatoes approved individual critic
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Step into the theatrical life of Robbie Williams in the musical biopic “Better Man” via home video.
Trigger Warning: Better Man features several sequences involving flashing lights that may be troubling to photosensitive viewers and the narrative explores depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation that may be hard for some viewers. You may not be immediately familiar… Read More ›
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“Captain America: Brave New World” tries to explore the legacy of “a good man” and falls short lacking intentional focus and depth.
“But, there were other effects. The serum was not ready. But more important, the man. The serum amplifies everything that is inside. So, good becomes great. Bad becomes worse. This is why you were chosen. Because a strong man, who… Read More ›
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Affleck and Bernthal deliver quality action from boss battles to sibling squabbles in “The Accountant 2.”
The hot titles seared into my memory from 2016 include 10 Cloverfield Lane, Keanu, Everybody Wants Some!!, Kubo and the Two Strings, and The Accountant. At the time, I praised director Gavin O’Connor and writer Bill Dubuque’s film, saying it… Read More ›
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Julien Colonna’s crime thriller “The Kingdom” grapples with the complexity of choice and consequence. [ATLFF]
Choices and consequences. Most of the time, when we think of choices and consequences, it’s within the framework of ourselves. We view it from the perspective of the decisions we make and the repercussions that follow. In reality, our choices… Read More ›
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“Mongrels” explores the complexities of a transplanted family in a strong feature-debut by Jerome Yoo. [ATLFF]
What does it mean to be happy? The answer changes depending on who you ask, what mood they’re in, where they live, what their own experiences/philosophies are, and more. If you live in a capitalist society, happiness is based on… Read More ›
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Brandon Colvin deafens with silence in drama “The World Drops Dead.” [ATLFF]
Trigger Warning: The World Drops Dead involves both suicidal ideation and execution that may be difficult for sensitive viewers. Additionally, be advised that this will be discussed in the following review. God is Silence — this is the title of… Read More ›
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The hard-hits within “Holy Night: Demon Hunters” partially make up for the as-expected elements of a supernatural thriller.
There are some who will tell you that horror is having a resurgence right now, and they’d be misinformed at best, misunderstood at worst. Horror films have been a steady part of storytelling since before the advent of moving pictures… Read More ›
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“Tombstone” 4K UHD in digital will tide you over ‘til more physical editions come home.
Films may endure for a number of reasons. Maybe there was a stacked cast of actors in parts large and small, each making their mark. Maybe the script was highly quotable. Or maybe it was run so often on cable… Read More ›
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Seijun Suzuki’s third film restored by Radiance Films is the tragicomic “A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness.”
In January of 2025, Radiance Films released Underworld Beauty, a 1958 yakuza drama from filmmaker Seijun Suzuki, the second restoration by the boutique distributor of the filmmaker’s work. Now, with A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness (1977), Radiance Films offers… Read More ›
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Filmmakers John Dierre and Ryan Dutter invite audiences to voyage toward the underworld in their darkly comedic surrealist thriller feature film debut “Meta Take One.” [ATLFF]
Trigger Warning: Meta Take One contains several instances of flashing light and visual distortion that may disturb photosensitive viewers. How far would you go to make your dreams a reality? What would you give up or sacrifice? In a society… Read More ›
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Sequel story “Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League” is a remarkable love letter to yakuza cinema wrapped in a phenomenal DC Comics package.
“What If …” is not a question reserved for Marvel Comics; rather, it’s a question that’s been asked by philosophers, scientists, and more for the bulk of humanity’s existence. Within that question lives innumerable possibilities that no amount of planning… Read More ›
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Gareth Evans returns with a film that embodies the notion of “Havoc.”
“Cry ‘Havoc!’, and let slip the dogs of war.” – Mark Antony in William Shakespeare’s Julius Cesar. Though his debut short released in 2003, filmmaker Gareth Evans wouldn’t make his international mark until 2011’s The Raid, also known as The… Read More ›
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“Tombstone” 4K Digital Code Giveaway
In 1993, a western released into theaters, re-telling the legend of Wyatt Earp and the events surrounding the shooting at the O.K. Corral. Led by Kurt Russell (Big Trouble in Little China) and co-starring Val Kilmer (Top Gun), Sam Elliot… Read More ›
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15 Atlanta Film Festival 2025 films that may be worth the watch.
For the second time in a row, Elements of Madness will officially be covering Atlanta Film Festival so, ahead of the festival start, here’s a few films that I’m hoping to see or recommend to keep an eye out for… Read More ›
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The Criterion Collection re-releases Kenji Mizoguchi’s “Ugetsu” in a first-time 4K UHD edition.
In November 2021, The Criterion Collection debuted their first 4K UHD edition — that of Orson Welles’s Citizen Kane. Since then, they’ve released and re-released 4K UHD editions of titles new and old in an effort to continually meet consumer… Read More ›
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Missed the Don Lee-led action thriller “The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” back in 2019? Now’s your chance with this home edition re-release.
True crime stories are nothing new in terms of being a source for adaptive works. Law & Order consistently takes their inspiration from real crime tales, as do a variety of films. The four-film deep Crime City series led by… Read More ›
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Explore Shōhei Imamura’s “The Eel” via a strong HD release from Radiance Films.
What would you do to make amends with your past? For some, it means rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard work to atone; while, for others, it means living a life of abstinence. Both can be viewed as… Read More ›
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Before you go fast to pick up “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” on home video, know your options and what you’re getting.
Of all the video game adaptations made (and there are several folks may not even realize are adaptations), none have met or exceeded expectations like director Jeff Fowler’s Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy. Each one is an entertaining family film with… Read More ›
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A look at the larger and personal legacy of “Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight” on its 30th Anniversary. [The Overlook Film Festival]
Trigger Warning: Though there is no rain, there’s a great deal of lightning in the film which may impact photosensitive viewers. If you’re a person of a certain age, one only needs to hear a few notes of Danny Elfman’s… Read More ›
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“Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write about a Serial Killer” lays its comedy well among its perceived tragedies.
Pretentiousness is a matter of perspective. What one person may find authoritative and compelling may be viewed as utter hogwash by another, and usually it has to do with the way one views the person or art at the center…. Read More ›