Author Archives
Founder: Elements of Madness | Contributing Senior Film Critic: CLTure | Freelance Film Critic: Mountain XPress | Bylines at Pretty Vacant One and FilmFed | The Cine-Men podcast co-host | NC Film Critics Association, Southeastern Film Critics Association, & Critics Choice Association member | Rotten Tomatoes approved individual critic
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Meet Me at the Movies: The Holiday Special, Episode 409.
The holidays are upon us once more and Episode 409 of Meet Me at the Movies is all about the holiday cheer! MAM host Noel T. Manning invited EoM founder Douglas Davidson and many others to discuss films that bring… Read More ›
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Packed inside the superhero excess of “Wonder Woman 1984” is a compelling story of greed versus virtue.
As a follow-up to 2017’s Wonder Woman, director Patty Jenkin’s Wonder Woman 1984 is undeniably ambitious. It seeks to expand the mythos of Themyscria, the home of the Amazons; continue the story of Diana Prince as a continuation of her… Read More ›
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Beautiful and intimate, yet cold and distant, “The Midnight Sky” lacks the cohesion to make it wondrous.
When it comes to George Clooney films, there’s a little something for everyone. You like him endearing and silly, Return of the Killer Tomatoes (1988). You like him sexy and deadly, From Dusk Till Dawn (1996). Or perhaps more maudlin… Read More ›
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The Cine-Men, Episode 43: Favorite Midnight Movies.
Back in March friend of the show Thomas Manning debuted as a guest on The Cine-Men, discussing the 25th Critics Choice Awards and getting trounced in a special edition of “Test Your Might” trivia. For some unknown reason he decided… Read More ›
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Explore Alejandro Iñárritu’s first feature film, “Amores perros,” in a brand-new way thanks to its addition to the Criterion Collection.
Before The Revenant (2017), before Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), before Biutiful (2010), and before 21 Grams (2003), writer/director Alejandro Iñárritu made his feature debut with 2000’s hard-hitting Amores perros, a title translated to English as “Love’s… Read More ›
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Go deeper into the inverted world of “Tenet” via home video.
After revitalizing the superhero genre with his Dark Knight trilogy (2005-2012), taking on the heist thriller with Inception (2010), and exploring the sci-fi family drama with Interstellar (2014), writer/director Christopher Nolan has become somewhat of a pillar in modern filmmaking… Read More ›
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“All Roads to Pearla” is a strong feature-debut from writer/director Van Ditthavong.
Some argue that a town only truly comes to life once the sun has set. That’s when the things hiding from sunlight feel more comfortable to come out, stretch their legs, and roam the streets freely; when those who strive… Read More ›
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The Cine-Men, Episode 42: Favorite Animated Films.
As we head into the end of 2020, Douglas and Darryl discuss their favorite animated movies in cinema and the answers will likely not surprise you too much if you’ve been following The Cine-Men since the inception. That said, Douglas… Read More ›
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16 years later, Michael Mann’s “Collateral” is as strong a neo-noir as ever. But does HDR improve or distract?
In the included commentary for Collateral, director Michael Mann comments that the film picks up in the third act of a standard film. He’s not wrong at all with this description as the audience is given a clue of location… Read More ›
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Psychological thriller “Archenemy” explores man’s superhero obsession, asking who is the real enemy of our heroes.
Writer/director Adam Egypt Mortimer is developing a very specific artistic aesthetic after only three full length features. The first, Another Kind of Hate (2015), appears to explore bullying with a supernatural bend. The second, Daniel Isn’t Real (2019), is an… Read More ›
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Reintroduce yourself to the Daywalker in the first-time 4K UHD home release of “Blade.”
In the ‘90s, you couldn’t take two steps without seeing Wesley Snipes projected somewhere. A gifted actor and martial artist, Snipes demanded audiences’ attention with a varied list of projects including White Men Can’t Jump (1992); Passenger 57 (1992); Rising… Read More ›
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40 years later seems like a perfect time to revisit Robert Altman’s Broadway-esque “Popeye” in a special edition home release.
December 12th, 1980, isn’t that important to many people. Hanukkah had just ended, I wasn’t quite born yet, and Christmas was still just a glow in the distance. What it did bring is Robert Altman’s live-action ode to E.C. Segar’s… Read More ›
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“Possessor” is a cinematic experience unlike anything else this year.
There’s something particularly wonderful about a film that challenges you, one which unnerves, unsettles, and burrows in, prompting contemplation past its clear end. This happens with joyful films like Over The Moon (2020), whose infectious songs linger, instilling a desire… Read More ›
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“The Opening Act” Blu-ray Giveaway
If you’re any kind of comedy enthusiast, you won’t want to miss any of comedian Steve Byrne’s directorial debut The Opening Act, dropping on Blu-ray and DVD on December 15th. Thanks to a partnership with RLJE Films, EoM is giving away… Read More ›
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“Blade” 4K UHD Giveaway
You’re not afraid of the Daywalker, are you? Let’s hope not because EoM has partnered with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to giveaway a 4K UHD copy of the Wesley Snipes sci-fi action flick Blade, releasing on 4K UHD for the very… Read More ›
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Documentary “Dear Santa” showcases the magic of the season and the people who keep it alive for others.
From the director of Batkid Begins (2015) and Pick of the Litter (2018) comes a joyous and heartfelt exploration of Operation Santa, an initiative within the U.S. Postal Service that works to answer letters of children and adults sent to… Read More ›
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The Cine-Men, Episode 41: Favorite Disney Live-Action Adaptations.
With the live-action adaptation of Mulan hitting shelves on November 10th, we thought it would be fun to discuss our favorite of the adaptations Disney has released over the last few years. Now Darryl and I couldn’t do that alone… Read More ›
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Paramount Pictures releases four Eddie Murphy classics to help you get excited for “Coming 2 America.”
In preparation for the original December 2020 release of Coming 2 America, Paramount Pictures, with great anticipation, organized a wealth of home release material to celebrate Eddie Murphy. Even though audiences now have to wait until March 2021 for Coming… Read More ›
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“Possessor Uncut” Blu-ray Giveaway
Ready to get a little weird? Elements of Madness is excited to announce a giveaway of two (2) blu-ray copies for the upcoming home release of Well Go USA/Neon’s Possessor Uncut, coming available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD December 8th…. Read More ›
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“The Lord of the Rings” & “The Hobbit” Trilogy 4K UHD Giveaway
Are you ready to go on an adventure? Elements of Madness has partnered with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to giveaway both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit 4K UHD trilogy set, coming available for the first time on 4K… Read More ›