While there’re varying degrees with which one can look at themselves in relation to the universe, there are two distinct perspectives which stand in opposition. Either the universe is an uncaring, vast space born out of chaos and we are… Read More ›
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“Ode to Joy” is a rom-com that reminds how good the genre really can be.
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 ›
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 ›
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 ›
On home video now, WB’S “Shazam!” is fun for the whole damn Shazamily.
If you’d said that a DC Comics live-action film would make it onto anyone’s Best Of list, I’d have been one of the first to act surprised. Granted, Patty Jenkins’s Wonder Woman remains an outstanding outing for the warrior princess… 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 ›
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 ›
Australian comedy “Swinging Safari” is a blissfully fun summertime romp.
Let’s talk comedy; more specifically, international comedy. For little, misunderstood kids growing up in the South, it feels like we all had an outlet to express our humor when we found that ours didn’t fall under what was considered popular… Read More ›
In the mood for good, cheeky fun? Look no further than teenage horror-comedy “Slaughterhouse Rulez”.
Chances are, even if you’re reading this, that the film Slaughterhouse Rulez is a bit of an enigma to you. Despite boasting a cast which includes Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz), Nick Frost (At World’s End), Michael Sheen (Tron: Legacy), and… Read More ›
Martial arts nostalgia only goes so far in “The Unity of Heroes”.
When it comes to crafting compelling stories, anything can inspire ideas: love won or lost, a desire to return to childhood innocence, moments of great historical significance. All of these and more provide the baseline for audiences to engage emotionally… Read More ›
You can’t get it at Blockbuster but Marvel Studio’s “Captain Marvel” is available on home video.
Captain Marvel represents several things for Marvel Studios and their audience. For one, it’s the first female-led film in their run of 22-films. Considering the absolute badasses which make up the current MCU – Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Wanda Maximoff/Scarlett Witch,… Read More ›
Holy 80th Birthday, Batman! In his honor, WB releases a 4K UHD remaster of the “Batman: Motion Picture Anthology”.
After 80 years in print, the DC Comics Dark Knight, the Batman, is still going incredibly strong. Whether you are an avid comic reader or primarily stick to the broadcast iterations, there’s likely a story that immediately endeared the bereft… Read More ›
Writer/director Jason B. Kohl’s feature debut “New Money” is an indictment of prescription culture.
Debut features are more than a coming out, they often represent the clearest version of the individual. In the case of directors, debuts provide the most honest interpretation of how the director views the world. In the case of Jason… Read More ›
“Isn’t It Romantic” lampoons rom-coms and owns every minute of it.
Before you can lampoon something, before you can satirize something, you must know as much can you can about it. You have to know the ins-and-outs of it, the heart and soul of it. In order for the humor to… 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 ›
Things do not go as planned when two brothers connect in “Long Lost”.
Expectations are frequently a killer when it comes to enjoying a film. Maybe it’s the fault of marketing in the way it frames a film. Maybe it’s what the audience brings to the experience. But however audiences approach a film… Read More ›
When we succumb to “The Browsing Effect” we forget to communicate.
In order for a romantic comedy to stand out among the pack these days, it needs to have more than a strong cast. Not every romantic comedy needs some gimmick to hook its audience, but it never hurts to appear… Read More ›
“Unicorn Store” ponders the eternal question: does growing old mean growing up?
Was is it about adulthood that makes people seemingly accept growing cynical and world-weary? Who created the rules which say that doing things one way, and only that way, is the right way? That once you reach a certain age,… Read More ›
“We Are Boats” explores a metaphysical current that keeps us moving from port to port.
For as long as humans have existed, there’s been a longing to explain that which we don’t comprehend. This longing gave rise to myths and legends born out of trying to rationalize why the sun sets and rises as well… Read More ›