Biopics are tricky. Just ask 2019 Oscar winning films Green Book and Bohemian Rhapsody. For the former, the issue is telling the tale of a Black musician through the lens of his White companion. For the latter, the writers reconstructed… Read More ›
Reviews
Tragicomedy “Funny Story” offers career-redefining performances from leads Matthew Glave and Emily Bett Rickards.
Intentions always come down to perception. Doesn’t matter how well you intended something to be, how an action or word is received almost always carries more weight. The destructive and rejuvenative power of intent is explored in a surprisingly deep… Read More ›
Despite some drawbacks, “Ladies in Black” is a charming and airy comedic drama.
Book adaptations are tricky beasts. Take the Game of Thrones series. Beloved by fans, readers, and television watchers alike, the finale season is drawing ire for a perceived underdevelopment of one of the lead characters. In the books by George… Read More ›
Bone-crunching crime drama “Avengement” breaks expectations by defying conventions.
One of the biggest travesties during the annual Oscars celebration is the continued disregard for stunt work. Sure, studios and talent will rave about the incredible, death-defying work that Tom Cruise attempts in the latest Mission: Impossible film and franchises… Read More ›
“Big Brother” delivers heart, kicks, and kicks to the heart.
Real life can be a crushing, soul-sucking experience. Even in the best of circumstances, hardships can come from anywhere, putting the best and worst of us all on equal footing in an uncertain word. As cynicism becomes status quo, reminders… Read More ›
There’s only one thing to say about “John Wick: Chapter Three – Parabellum”: Welcome Back, Mr. Wick.
For audiences, the blood-soaked tale of melancholic assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) has been told over the last five years. For the character, his adventures have been an on-going nightmare for only a few weeks. In that time, he’s suffered… Read More ›
“Extracurricular Activities” is a surprisingly smart and funny dark romp.
A good dark comedy can be a blessing in disguise. It’s a way for an audience to embrace and enjoy the darker sides of themselves vicariously through the terrible acts of others. Even better, since it’s all imaginary, who cares… Read More ›
Inconvenience turns to opportunity in the musical “Stuck”.
In 2008, writer Riley Thomas premiered his musical Stuck at the La Costa Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. From there, it moved to off-Broadway in 2012 before being commissioned as a film in 2016. With screenings taking place at festivals as… Read More ›
“Just Say Goodbye” tackles suicidal ideation with brave honesty.
Depression lies. It whispers in our ears, penetrating our minds, until it resides in our hearts, turning all that’s good into ash. It tells us the worst we can imagine and removes all hope, convincing us that the world might… Read More ›
“The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” is super cool amazing on home video.
If you didn’t catch The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part when it was in theaters and you want to remain unspoiled about whether you should or should not see it, then check out the spoiler-free review of the film… Read More ›
“Charlie Says” challenges audiences to reconsider what they know of the Manson Family.
Simply hearing the name “Charles Manson” is enough to send a chill down the spine of most people even somewhat familiar with this disturbingly vile and despicable figure. Known as the infamous cult leader responsible for the deaths of nine… Read More ›
After every “Storm” comes a chance at a new beginning. [Tribeca Film Festival]
There’s a notion that bigger is always better. Creators of short films disprove this notion every day. The latest is Storm by writer/director Will Kindrick, currently screening in the short program section “Down to Earth” in 2019’s Tribeca Film Festival…. Read More ›
Documentary “Cradle of Champions” puts you right in the mix without a cornerman to guide you.
Developed with obvious love for boxing, director Bartle Bull’s Cradle of Champions shifts between feeling like an absolute first feature and the work of a seasoned pro. It’s the way Bull frames his subjects – three fighters competing in New… Read More ›
“Room for Rent” doesn’t deliver on the scares or the fun audiences want.
Let’s talk horror of the modern age. With the huge success of studio darlings like It, Us, and Halloween, as well as smaller, artsier films like Hereditary, The Witch, and It Comes at Night, there is a big discussion of… Read More ›
Short film “Albatross Soup” turns a simple riddle into an existential journey.
A man goes into a restaurant and orders albatross soup. After he eats, he goes outside and shoots himself. Why? Ever wondered what it would look like to animate confusion, to make visual the inner turmoil one feels when confronted… Read More ›
Short film “The Shipment” is an absolute labor of love. [Tribeca Film Festival]
The fact that this film was created is a notable achievement in itself. Director Bobby Bala made remarkable sacrifices of time, energy, and financial stability to even make the science fiction short, The Shipment, a reality. Fittingly, the story itself… Read More ›
Beautiful and powerful, director Zhang Yimou’s “Shadow” achieves the balance it seeks.
If you’ve ever seen one of director Zhang Yimou’s films, then you’re aware of his general aesthetic: beautiful colors, historical periods, and performances wherein feats of martial arts are as essential to communication as dialogue. His latest work, Shadow, contains… Read More ›
“Avengers: Endgame” is here and it’s the perfect end to the MCU’s Infinity Saga.
After an unprecedented 21-film lead-up, Avengers: Endgame, the culminating moment in what’s now been dubbed “The Infinity Saga,” is finally here. Audiences are coming to this film with a hope of closure after an emotionally devastating end to 2018’s Anthony… Read More ›
Transhumanist thriller “Replicas” suffers from an identity crisis.
Humanity’s been fascinated with extending its life since about the time it realized its mortality. Stories run rampant of the relics like the Fountain of Youth or the Holy Grail, believed to possess restorative powers strong enough to put a… Read More ›
“J.T. LeRoy” is a soft entry point to learn more about the once-and-former literary icon, J.T. LeRoy.
All art walks a line between reality and intention. This is made more complicated when the reality and intention the artist puts forth conflicts with that of the receivers. In many ways, the artist themselves becomes unimportant in comparison to… Read More ›