Movie ReviewsSeen a lot of movies, got a lot of opinions.
Let’s get Lily Gladstone her Oscar.
"The Complete Story of Film" - Blu Ray Release Review
The Complete Story of Film is an essential addition to the collection of anyone who loves films. It’s our closest means of summing up the totality of this beautiful medium.
"Carpet Cowboys" - Documentary Review
Carpet Cowboys is a deeply melancholic look at masculinity, loneliness, hope (and the lack of it), and living through the end of an era. Carpet Cowboys captures a dying ember in all its glory.
"River Wild" - Film Review
It’s not every day that Seth Cohen and Blair Waldorf fight for their lives on a whitewater rafting journey, but if River Wild proves anything, it’s that this should be an everyday occurrence.
"Minnesota Mean" - Film Review
Minnesota Mean is a hard-hitting introduction to roller derby, even if it does end up spinning its wheels a little too long.
"Haunted Mansion" - Film Review
Haunted Mansion is the sort of family-fun flick that movie theatres have been missing.
"Oppenheimer" - Film Review
Visually and auditorily, Oppenheimer stands alone, but it’s particularly haunting when the film is finally allowed to be silent. All that’s left is Oppenheimer’s unsteady breathing. It’s that moment where everyone realizes what they have unleashed upon the world.
"Barbie" - Film Review
“That felt achey, but good,” Barbie says when a tear escapes her eye for the first time in her life. That’s life as a human. The impossibility of perfection gives way to an ache in the soul about the beauty of existence and its doomed fleetingness. That is the essence of Barbie and the essence of life itself.
Outfest: "Chasing Chasing Amy" - Film Review
Art is constantly transforming and reinventing itself, and Chasing Chasing Amy is proof of the ever-changing nature of creation.
Fantasia Fest: "Lovely, Dark, and Deep" - Film Review
As with any movie that builds its premise so wholly on a creepy mystery, the success of Lovely, Deep, and Dark lies in how that mystery unfolds and what is revealed.
Outfest: "Big Boys" - Film Review
Big Boys is viscerally nostalgic. It’s an emotional time machine with no frills or fuss. A sweet snapshot of the ineffable experience of growing up.
Outfest: "Love, Jamie" - Short Film Review
Emblazoned on a self-portrait of Jamie holding a rainbow flag that turns into a dove and proudly walks down the street is a quote: “Our Flaming Queer Hearts Will Not Be Denied.” There are hundreds of ways to interpret what Jamie is attempting to convey here, but sometimes the simplest answer is the correct one. Do not deny the truth of who you are, wave your flag proudly, and hold your head up high.
Outfest: "Eitr" - Short Film Review
Eitr is instantly lovable, the kind of debut short film that’s a mark of an exciting beginning for Al-Hamaydeh Miller.
Outfest: "Playland" - Film Review
The film’s setting is the decrepit Playland Café with a bright pink neon sign ever-glowing in the background, a mix of what was lost and what endures. Playland is a rhapsodic testament to existence.
"Afire" - Film Review
Afire lacks the burning sense of humanity that is arguably the most essential part of art.
"Bottoms" - Film Review
Is there anything more relatable than starting an all-out, bloody, after school fight club because you want to make out with someone? Bottoms would argue no, then punch you in the face.
"Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning" - Film Review
Dead Reckoning is as advertised. A bombastic summer blockbuster that will put butts in seats, but will likely be forgotten before Dead Reckoning Part Two reaches theatres.
"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" - Film Review
It almost feels wrong to see Indy in high-definition like this. Dial of Destiny lacks the warmth of film, the spirit of adventure, and the twinkle in Indy’s eye.
"Shortcomings" - Film Review
Shortcomings bills itself as a dramatic romantic comedy, but never manages to fit into any of the molds of this genre. That’s not to say that it has to fit into a neat package in order to be a successful film, but Shortcomings isn’t as humorous or romantic as it should be.
"Past Lives" - Film Review
“Who do you think they are to each other?” The question echoes as the film’s ending returns to the bar where it was initially asked. Perhaps a better question is, what does it mean to know someone?
"august at twenty-two" - Film Review
august at twenty-two captures the incendiary magic of finding someone who you click with. It’s more than simply getting along and being able to make small talk.