Movie ReviewsSeen a lot of movies, got a lot of opinions.
Let’s get Lily Gladstone her Oscar.
“Scarlet” is a Gender-Bent Take on “Hamlet” That Misses the Mark
Scarlet is a visual odyssey across a wasteland made in the name of absolution, but it doesn’t delve into the thorniness that comes with forgiveness when revenge was the original intent.
“Whistle” is a Pitch-Perfect Teen Slasher
Whistle isn’t made for horror aficionados who have spent decades loving the genre. It’s for the version of themselves when they were younger. When they were in their friend’s basement for a sleepover and someone pulled out a DVD of a movie that would begin their life-long love affair with horror films.
“Misfits” Finds Friendship and Family in the Ring
Misfits is a shaggy little flick whose heart is far larger than the sleeve it’s worn on.
“A New Love in Tokyo” Finds Beauty of Life in Pain
This is a hangout movie about the absurdities and contradictions of life. How pain can create pleasure, fleeting connection can endure, and love can blossom in the unlikeliest of places.
“2DIE4” Shows All the Glory and Guts of Le Mans
2DIE4 is action, reaction, and the aftermath, presented without any pretension. It’s the dream of one man presented in glorious IMAX.
“Baby Brother” is a Potent Reminder of the Pain from the Ties That Bind
Even if someone like Adam tries with all his might to build a dam that will drown him but save his brother, that trickle can turn into an unruly rush of rapids. Baby Brother offers no answers because it doesn’t have any.
“Stripper Boyz” Will Pelvic Thrust its Way to Your Heart
Stripper Boyz is an incredibly entertaining blend of dry, mumblecore-esque comedy and a surprising amount of heart. Who knew the answer to insecurity was ripping your clothes off on a stage in Las Vegas?
“Send Help” Needs a Little Help of its Own
It’s exceptionally difficult to spin the plate of a topic like abuse while also spinning the plate of Rachel McAdams flying through the air with a spear she sharpened herself to kill a boar. There’s a way to keep those plates going, but it takes a lot more effort than Send Help wanted to give.
“In Cold Light” is a Stark, Gritty, Beautifully Styled Thriller
Stylistically flashy in parts In Cold Light and with a dizzying infrared section, this film is a throwback to not-quite-action movies. The entire world doesn’t hang in the balance, but Ava’s entire livelihood does. That sure seems like enough to fight like hell for.
“The Compatriots” is a Love Story in the Name of Friendship
In his director’s statement, Cohen says that he hopes those who watch The Compatriots will fall in love with Javi and the people he represents. It’s safe to say, mission accomplished.
“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”…Did Everyone in Hollywood Just Reread “Frankenstein?!”
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple doesn’t expound upon the world of its predecessors and undermines the complex emotions laid out in the franchise’s return.
Does “The Rip” Rip?
Without an escalation of tension, The Rip has no energy to ignite its story of betrayal, so it ends up not as a rip, but as a mere tear.
“If That Mockingbird Don’t Sing” is Unfiltered Teenage Anxiety and Humor
If That Mockingbird Don’t Sing is an introduction to Bones’ directorial voice, one that is sharp and funny, with room to grow.
“No Other Choice” is Park Chan-wook Firing on All Cylinders
No Other Choice is a thriller, yes, but it’s also a profoundly sad retrospective on the state of the world today.
“Sound of Falling” is a Masterclass in Generational Echoes of Memories
Reflections on the state of world affairs at four different points in time and portraits of families, Sound of Falling is an epic that cannot be contained within the frame of a camera or the confines of a home.
“OBEX” is a Lynchian, Analog Quest
Those who enjoy the corner of cinema Lynch has carved out will appreciate that OBEX does its best to fill in the space he has left behind.
“People We Meet on Vacation” is a Sweet Escape
There’s also a thin line between romance and friendship, and People We Meet on Vacation revels in the magic that happens when we step across that line. It’s exactly what the doctor ordered for a cold, rainy day.
“Primate” Goes Bananas
Primate is quick, dirty, and lean, a throwback, no-frills survivalist thriller that revels in its bloody monkey business.
My “Anaconda” Don’t Want None Unless You Got Originality, Hun
Anaconda could have been included in that conversation, but instead it’s too much like a big studio poking fun at itself while doing the exact thing it attempts to make light of.
“Belén” Fights for Truth
Belén is a fight for truth to be seen, heard, and, most of all, respected. Anyone can tell the truth, but those who control the scales of justice have to uphold it, even if it doesn’t align with their own assumptions.