Canadian-born and -bred Matt Johnson is no stranger to wearing many hats as he is constantly writing, directing, and starring in his projects (Nirvanna the Band the Show/Operation Avalanche), no matter what they might be. The man behind many constant… Read More ›
IFC Films
Come for the blood, stay for the sinister humor in “Consecration.”
Consecration is following in the footsteps of Watcher, Resurrection, and Skinamarink with IFC Films’s and Shudder’s distribution partnership, putting indie horror that would usually not get a chance for theatrical distribution out to the masses. Particularly with Skinamarink’s recent success… Read More ›
Director Marie Kreutzer’s “Corsage” is hilariously over-the-top look at the life of Elisabeth of Austria. [Film Fest 919]
Costume dramas are far from rare, and because of that, there is a want from production companies to justify new costume dramas by taking a tried and true concept and twisting it on its head. This was made perhaps most… Read More ›
Sci-fi drama “Vesper” is a richly constructed dystopian fairy tale with a prescient resonance. [Fantastic Fest]
Not all fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time.” Sometimes it’s a date/location with a brief setup and a rewinding of time (Pan’s Labyrinth). Sometimes it’s a voiceover that establishes a premise of wonder and awe (Stardust). In the… Read More ›
A Conversation with “God’s Country” director/co-writer Julian Higgins.
In this conversation, EoM contributor Thomas Manning speaks with director/co-writer Julian Higgins about his debut feature, God’s Country. During this discussion, Higgins talks about adapting James Lee Burke’s short story into a feature film, working with Thandiwe Newton in this… Read More ›
“Burial” stitches historical facts to examine complex conflicts as factual today as they were in 1945.
Berlin 1945, in an underground bunker shielded from the war, the would-be world dictator took a coward’s way out and shot himself in the head rather than face his crimes. Sadly, this supposed example of masculinity and human superiority which… Read More ›
Writer/director Andrew Semans’s psychological thriller “Resurrection” is a powerhouse of a film, holding the potential to devastate its audience.
There are a lot of things about parenthood that are kept from the general public. Most talk about the wonderful things that come from being a parent, like getting to see a first-time reaction to something or sharing an experience,… Read More ›
Phil Tippett’s “Mad God” is a gem…an oozing, ugly, horrid gem.
As much as I find amazement in the animation work of studios like Pixar and DreamWorks and feel the warmth of a hug in the hand-drawn animation of Studio Ghibli and Folimage, stop-motion always has felt like the pinnacle of… Read More ›
The kids are so incredibly not alright in Eskil Vogt’s “The Innocents (De uskyldige).”
“I believe the children are our future Teach them well and let them lead the way” – Whitney Houston Is there anything more innocent than the joy of a child’s summer vacation? Playing with friends in the sun all day… Read More ›
“Clean” Blu-ray Giveaway
Released in January, Adrien Brody starred in the dramatic thriller Clean, which he co-wrote with director Paul Solet. If you missed this redemption story when it dropped or are just prefer to own the cinematic stories you watch, Clean will hit… Read More ›
“John and the Hole” Blu-ray Giveaway
After having its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, Pascual Sisto’s directorial debut was released in select theaters and on VOD in August 2021. Whether you missed this tense thriller or want to revisit it any time you… Read More ›
Paul Verhoeven’s “Benedetta” weaves luridity in with heavy, impenetrable narratives to create something with a surprising amount of emotional heft.
This is absolutely a safe space to admit that Paul Verhoeven is one of the most well-rounded, self-aware filmmakers to ever live. We’re all thinking it, so someone might as well say it. His filmography can sometimes read like a… Read More ›
Fistful of Features investigates horror thriller “The Night” on home video from Shout! Factory.
Welcome to Fistful of Features, a celebration of film preservation through physical media and the discussion of cinematic treasures to maintain their relevance in the cultural lexicon. Today we’ll be discussing an independent horror film from the festival circuit that… Read More ›
Everyone’s a little suss when there are “Werewolves Within.”
When it comes to adapting games, especially video games, for cinema, the track record is low for success. While there’s some fun to be had in Doom (2005) or Mortal Kombat (1995), it’s best not to mention any appreciation for… Read More ›
Open Dialogue with “The Dry” writer/producer/director Robert Connolly and actor Genevieve O’Reilly.
Today on Open Dialogue, Noel T. Manning II interviews The Dry writer, producer, director Robert Connolly and acting talent Genevieve O’Reilly (Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One, and Rebels, The Matrix, Tin Star, The Glitch, Tolkien). Starring Eric… Read More ›
Open Dialogue with “Six Minutes to Midnight” director Andy Goddard and co-writer Celyn Jones.
Set in the summer of 1939, the IFC film Six Minutes to Midnight explores secrets, mysteries and a chaotic time in the world when an imminent war is in sight. A missing teacher, daughters of Nazi leaders, a girl’s school in… Read More ›
Keith Thomas’s phantasmagorical “The Vigil” explores the destructive terror of generational trauma.
When it comes to those who identify as Jewish, theirs is a life of constant reminders of threat, peril, and near-extinction several times over. Trying to explain holidays, for instance, to my eldest but still-quite-young son, is to find a… Read More ›
Open Dialogue with “Little Fish” director Chad Hartigan.
Little Fish is a story of love, lost memory, and a global pandemic. Film director Chad Hartigan had no idea when he was shooting this IFC film in March/April 2019, that Little Fish would carry such a different weight and… Read More ›
Psychological thriller “The Night” masters the familiar haunted hotel setting with technical excellence.
Kourosh Ahari’s psychological thriller, The Night, is a stellar example of a film that may not have the next best original ideas within its genre, but is so well done that it is nonetheless entertaining and worthwhile. Despite a handful… Read More ›
Open Dialogue with “MLK/FBI” director Sam Pollard.
Award-winning filmmaker Sam Pollard (4 Little Girls, Mo’ Better Blues, Jungle Fever) brings to the screen a documentary exploring the life of Martin Luther King Jr. through a different lens. Using never before seen footage, archival information and lost audio… Read More ›