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 ›
thriller
Be careful out there. If you “Flinch,” you’ll catch a bullet.
If you’re familiar with Cameron Van Hoy, it may be because of his work as Eddie Alvarez in STARZ’s Crash or as Deputy Duke in the hilarious slasher-comedy Tragedy Girls (2017). With luck, thanks to his feature-length directorial debut Flinch,… Read More ›
A true story, “The Mauritanian” presents the moral failings of a country who mistakes vengeance for justice.
… We think of justice as a quality that may exist in a whole community as well as in an individual, and the community is the bigger of the two. Possibly, then, we may find justice there in larger proportions,… Read More ›
If “‘Wolfenstein’ in the Pacific Theater” meets “Overlord” sounds enticing, check out director Roseanne Liang’s “Shadow in the Cloud.”
It’s a tough conversation, but one that needs to be addressed head-on before jumping into actually talking about the film itself. Shadow in the Cloud, despite its best efforts, is written by Max Landis. Landis, the son of veteran filmmaker… Read More ›
In a world full of criminals, what we need is an “Honest Thief.”
At this point in Liam Neeson’s career, the frequency of Taken-like stories he headlines has got to be purposeful. For one, Neeson makes for a damn fine action hero. His characters tend to be believable in their strength and skill,… Read More ›
Quick Take Review: “Greenland.”
Greenland is a family drama disguised as a disaster film. When the clock is ticking on an extinction-level event, a mom and dad (struggling with a failing marriage) must do everything within their power to find safe passage to Greenland;… Read More ›
With strong performances, a compelling story, and a satisfying blend of romance and mystery, all “32 Weeks” needs is a better ending.
Sometimes, writers get a tad bit lazy with their narratives and throw in a character with amnesia as a cheap and easy way to wiggle themselves out of plot holes and avoid the extra work of coming up with a… Read More ›
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 ›
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 ›
“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 ›
Quick Take Review: “Beasts Clawing at Straws.”
If you found a duffle bag filled with money, what would you do? That’s the question that drives the Korean film Beasts Clawing at Straws. The mystery crime-noir thriller is from first time director Kim Yong-hoon. On this Quick Take… Read More ›
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 ›
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 ›
Open Dialogue with “Girl” director Chad Faust.
Chad Faust is the writer, director and talent for the film Girl starring Bella Thorne, Mickey Rourke and Faust. This action-thriller is a throwback to ’70s revenge flicks. Here on this episode of Meet Me at the Movies: Open Dialogue,… Read More ›
“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 ›
“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 ›
“The New Mutants” drops on home video and so ends the Fox Era of “X-Men” stories.
If you’ve been tapped into the entertainment industry at all over the last few years, you’ve likely heard about the tumultuous release of the final 20th Century Fox X-Men-related film, Josh Boone’s The New Mutants. Set for an original release… Read More ›
Don’t wait. “Run” toward Aneesh Chaganty’s latest psychological thriller.
You know when you have a friend who is smart, pretty, and generally good at everything, but has a significant other who constantly brings them down? And how you can’t imagine that someone with so much talent and potential could… Read More ›
The good intentions of dramatic thriller “Choir Girl” fall flat as the story devolves into a questionable savior fantasy.
Choir Girl sets up a story that begs to be told through pictures. Its protagonist, Eugene (Peter Flaherty), is a shy street photographer who hopes that his pictures will expose the hardships of everyday life in his neighborhood and, eventually,… Read More ›
Propelled by grief, haunted by loss, Johannes Nyholm’s repetitious “Koko-di Koko-da” is an unexpected ear worm of horror.
There is, in nature, an expectation of form and function. The seasons bring about growth and change as Earth undergoes a period of refreshment and blossoming before wilting and decaying, only to start it over again with the return of… Read More ›