Ode to Joy, Jason Winer’s return to the cinema screen after 2008’s Arthur remake, takes the traditional romantic comedy story arc and adds a genetic disease into the mix. Unlike films that came before it, the mix of a humorous… Read More ›
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Horror film “D-Railed” would be stronger if it stayed on the tracks.
A private party train for a Halloween murder mystery is unexpectedly derailed when a group of thieves board the train looking to steal something a little more valuable than costume jewelry. The Conductor (Jack Betts) does his best to keep… Read More ›
“The Night Sitter” knows how silly it is, making for an entertaining watch.
The Night Sitter is the latest Christmas-set venture from directing team Abiel Bruhn and John Rocco. The pair have previously worked within short films and always seem to find a way to include the festive period within their work. With… Read More ›
You can catch all the action now that “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” is available on home video.
Of the various games and crazes to come out of the late ‘80s/early ‘90s, there is none still so active and prolific as the Pokémon games. First created as a card-based game which gamified Satoshi Tajiri’s childhood passion for collecting… Read More ›
Mystery thriller “8 Remains” is a strong tale of feminine empowerment, if frustratingly uneven.
The act of creating is a cathartic experience for most. That feeling of something welling up inside which must be written, crafted, or molded or else the creator will burst. Sometimes this results in an extremely personal work which resonates… Read More ›
Cody Meirick’s directorial debut “Scary Stories” explores the known and unknown behind the famous book series.
If you were in elementary or middle school between 1981 and 1991, chances are you’re familiar with the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series. From the iconic artwork created by Stephen Gammell to the haunting tales created by… Read More ›
Though predictable at times, “Astronaut” manages to hit escape velocity with its emotional moments.
Time has a way of putting things into perspective. In our youth, we think it a limitless resource. In old age, we think it precious. Often, the older we become, the less concerned we are for how things look or… Read More ›
Netflix Original “Point Blank” is a remake both familiar and unique.
In the battle for consumer attention, there are few who can proclaim the sheer amount of content Netflix offers on a daily basis. As one of the original disruptors of consumed content (first as a disc-only service before shifting to… Read More ›
“Into the Ashes” is an engaging, introspective crime thriller.
Writer/director Aaron Harvey has a distinct thing for set-ups and betrayals. His last two features — Catch .44 and The Neighbor — deal distinctly in these aspects as characters don’t know who to trust at any given moment. Where those films… Read More ›
“Iron Sky: The Coming Race” is the rare sequel to outdo its predecessor.
When director Timo Vuorensola made his feature debut with 2012’s Iron Sky, many likely presumed – this writer included – that a film centered on Moon Nazis likely wouldn’t make a splash, let alone create a cult following, when it… Read More ›
“Fast Color” is the superpower movie you missed this year, but now you can catch it on home video.
At their start, children are nothing but raw potential. As they grow, they are either lean into their potential or they run from it. Sometimes it’s a reaction to their environment, sometimes it’s in their nature, but it informs who… Read More ›
Now available on home video, director Neil Marshall’s “Hellboy” has freshman growing pains and potential for a great sophomore outing.
During ” The Forever Warriors: Story and Characters”, part one of the three-part documentary “Tales of the Wild Hunt: Hellboy Reborn,” lead actor David Harbour acknowledges that audiences are weary of anything seeming like a reboot or a remake. In… Read More ›
Teen drama “Saving Zoë” shines a reflective light on the teenage experience.
Note: Saving Zoë deals with some dark elements that might trigger some, specifically in regards to sexual violence and/or violence against women. The concept of the “teen movie” has evolved over the years. Initially used as a rebellion against the… Read More ›
“Amaurosis” excels in unsettling audiences through sensory stimulation, creating a uniquely disturbing experience.
It’s not uncommon for film to offer a catharsis in an environment far safer than any other. Emotionally, audiences go on a journey — can be comical or horrific or anywhere in between — and when the credits roll, everyone’s… Read More ›
Documentary “Origin Story” presents a raw and emotional journey for closure.
Imagine that you’re 14 years old, your parents are constantly fighting and you find yourself frequently in the middle of one of their arguments. You’re still in your formative years and this kind of persistent angst is routine in your… Read More ›
Greg Kinnear makes his directorial debut with dramedy “Phil”.
Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear makes his directorial debut with the new film Phil, and also stars in the lead role as the eponymous character. Phil McGuire is a fairly successful dentist who runs his own practice, yet struggles with deep… Read More ›
“Deadsight” delivers a taut, clever, and often humorous zombie thriller via simplicity.
The urge to create complications, to produce bigger and stronger obstacles within stories, is one of many balancing acts writers manage when crafting their stories. Introductions of characters and settings, moving the narrative forward, designing conflict – these are all… Read More ›
“The 16th Episode” features shades of other found footage films yet remains uninspired.
A movie that centers around three YouTubers wanting to make their own movie/documentary is something we saw about 20 years ago with The Blair Witch Project, which centered on three film students whose goal was to document the Blair Witch… Read More ›
Documentary “Nothing Changes: Art for Hank’s Sake” immortalizes the artist, not the art.
Why do we do what we do? What drives us? What inspires us to get out of bed each morning and tackle the day? This is the core question of director Matthew Kaplowitz’s documentary Nothing Changes: Art for Hank’s Sake,… Read More ›
Let’s talk about sex: dramedy “Making Babies” tackles the stigma of infertility.
More often than not, pregnancy is compared to a “miracle,” as though the act of conception isn’t part of the biological make-up instilled within the human machine. Defining pregnancy and childbirth as a “miracle” creates undue pressure on the women… Read More ›