MANK, dispelling the myth of Welles
David Fincher’s long-awaited new feature, MANK, stylishly centers on the largely untold story of the co-screenwriter of CITIZEN KANE
BLACK BEAR is transformative, in more ways than one
Black Bear is a memorable tug-of-war that isn’t always pleasant, but thrives thanks to a trio of stellar performances led by a remarkable Aubrey Plaza.
THE CLIMB is a hill too far
An admirable effort that attempts to skirt its narrative shortcomings through waning technical ambition
The Monarchy hits its limits in THE CROWN’s stellar fourth season
Season 4 of The Crown is here. This is arguably the most anticipated season of the Netflix hit yet, by virtue of the ground it has to cover: anyone old enough to remember that fateful Paris car crash knows this season begins the public unraveling of one of the most private famous families in the world.
FREAKY whiffs on a great premise
The latest Blumhouse effort is a throwback to the horror comedies of yesteryear. Sadly, it can’t quite live up to its great premise.
THE WITCHES can’t conjure the original version’s charm
Another day, another “It’s fine, but the original was better” remake.
BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM is an arduous journey, but the destination is jawdropping
Borat returns, and has his sights set on the Trump administration, in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. How’s it stack up?
EVIL EYE and NOCTURNE step up the offerings from Amazon/Blumhouse
We look at Evil Eye and Nocturne, the most recent films from Amazon’s partnership with horror studio Blumhouse.
POSSESSOR is a fascinating, if a bit thin, sophomore effort for Brandon Cronenberg
Possessor marks a startling step-forward for Brandon Cronenberg.
BLACK BOX and THE LIE, Blumhouse’s first Amazon offerings, range from decent to dud
Blumhouse, the sort of oasis in the perpetual wasteland that is moderate to bigger budget horror, is now expanding its empire into the auspices of a streaming partnership. Having found a new collaborator in Amazon, “Welcome To The Blumhouse” is a series of films being released over time by a …
The Haunting of Bly Manor is even better than The Haunting of Hill House
The ingredients of the second series are basically the same as the first, though it’s a completely new story. Several cast members from The Haunting of Hill House have returned in new roles. On top of that you’ve got plenty of familial strife, a cast of characters each haunted in their own way, and the bones of it all: the haunted house itself.
THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 is Netflix’s Best Original Yet
Riding in the background, or perhaps its even in the foreground depending upon your political persuasions, in Aaron Sorkin‘s latest is an element of timeliness. It shouldn’t be lost on any viewer that a film about a group of activists being put on trial by a corrupt administration, and aided …
THE SWERVE finds its horror in the mundane
Two kids. A husband. A house in the suburbs. Bowling. Apple Pie.
The Swerve introduces us to the dread of its world in everyday, comfortable objects.
AFF 2020: FULLY REALIZED HUMANS is an Effective Indie Rom-Com
Jackie (Jess Weixler, Teeth, The Death of Dick Long) and Elliot (Joshua Leonard, The Blair Witch Project, Unsane) are a month away from their first baby’s due date. They are taking the classes, reading the books, and doing all the things they’re supposed to be doing. At their baby shower, however, their …
AFF 2020: Bigotry, Addiction, and Changing Minds in FOR THE LOVE OF RUTLAND
In the Summer of 2016, the small town of Rutland, Vermont was thrown into chaos. Then Mayor Chris Louras announced that the town would be be housing 100 Syrian refugees. This was one of the few cities in the U.S. to do so, and while some citizens were thrilled and …