I'M STILL HERE avoids sensationalism to show reality of '70s Brazil
by Jonathan Jansen, Staff Writer
I’m Still Here avoids overt sensationalism by centering its attention on the hardships that the Paiva family had to grapple with.
DARK MATCH will delight both horror and pro wrestling fans
by Allie Lembo, Staff Writer
Dark Match combines the nostalgia for watching vintage horror with the nostalgia for watching pro wrestling making an absolute must-see film for fans of both.
TIME PASSAGES is a heart-wrenching reflection on family ties
by Chelsea Alexandra, Staff Writer
Time Passages is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that will resonate with anyone who has grappled with the complexities of family relationships and the inevitability of time.
DOG MAN boasts a bold visual style perfect for kids and families
by Tessa Swehla, Associate Editor
At its best, Dog Man feels like a story told by a child, albeit an incredibly imaginative and technically proficient child.
SWEPT AWAY still shocks after 50 years
by Carmen Paddock, Staff Writer
Even after 50 years, Swept Away is still as provocative as ever.
NOT AN ARTIST reminds us why art matters
by Christopher La Vigna, Staff Writer
Not An Artist succeeds by centering the heart of its story around the power of art to bridge gaps. To enlighten and move us. In a time when the arts seem more derided and dismissed than ever before, it's a welcome message.
THE DEVIL AND THE DAYLONG BROTHERS is a bloody, musical roadtrip for revenge
by "Doc" Hunter Bush, Staff Writer and Podcast Director
That aside, The Devil and the Daylong Brothers is a really pleasant experience. Strong and earnest performances, fun diversions into song, an exciting world with strong roots in folklore, and a really slick stylistic polish.
Underneath EXTREMELY UNIQUE DYNAMIC's meta schtick is a sweet movie about masc friendship
by Daniel Pecoraro, Staff Writer
While billed as “the first ever meta-Asian-stoner-bromantic-coming-of-age dramedy,” the film’s best moments are when it’s sticking to its core elements of masc bonding and friendship, growing up together and then growing apart.
BLACKWATER LANE struggles to stay afloat with predictable mystery and cliché-ridden scares
by Samantha McLaren, Staff Writer
Director Jeff Celentano’s Blackwater Lane crams enough tricks in to try and fill the film’s runtime, but the end package still feels empty.
PRESENCE has a unique perspective and tremendous performances
by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport and Editor in Chief
In my experience on this mortal coil I have found particular locations are undoubtedly haunted, especially those in which something tragic occurred or, in my case, hold strong personal memories.
INHERITANCE has cinematic chops but lacks a heart
by Megan Robinson, Staff Writer
There is a coldness to the techniques and ideas despite the rough, on-the-ground style of the film; audiences have seen this all before, but, now, it has been blended into one neat product.
Beauty is a bloody endeavor in GRAFTED
by Vannah Taylor, Staff Writer
Grafted is a Mean Girls meets Frankenstein body-swap romp.
ETERNAL YOU presents an ethical debate about the inevitability of death
Chelsea Alexandra, Staff Writer
Eternal You compels viewers to reflect on how far society is willing to go in its quest to conquer death and whether the cost is too great.
INTO THE DEEP is b-movie bliss
by Heidi Krull, Staff Writer
Into the Deep, directed by Christian Sesma, both revitalized my love for this genre and kept me laughing all the way through.
SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDIER is undercooked military propaganda
by Cleo Tunningley, Staff Writer
Sunray is interesting as a piece of propaganda because it fails to make its characters – these proud Royal Marine Commandos, on screen and off – into anything resembling sympathetic human beings.
BYSTANDERS brings gory, glorious catharsis
by Jill Vranken, Staff Writer
Bystanders takes revenge on rape culture and toxic masculinity.
GRAND THEFT HAMLET stages Shakespeare in an unlikely place
by Tina Kakadelis, Associate Editor
Just as humans hadn’t gone to the moon before 1969, humanity has not seen the famous “To be, or not to be” monologue interrupted by someone firing a rocket launcher while dressed as a mutant lizard until now.
ONE OF THEM DAYS is a buddy comedy about the grind of living paycheck to paycheck
by Tessa Swehla, Associate Editor
One of Them Days fits in the buddy comedy tradition nicely, with the basic plot points being predictable and comforting, but it cleverly brings in themes that are unusual in a buddy comedy.
WOLF MAN takes a non-traditional approach to the werewolf genre
by Ryan Silberstein, Managing Editor
Leigh Whannell’s take on the classic werewolf story offers solid body horror but not much else.
SOMEWHERE IN MONTANA is so distracted by partisan differences it ignores its own characters
by Ryan Silberstein, Managing Editor
There is nothing intrinsically bad about having a story where two characters from different worldviews learn something from each other. However, rather than focus on the culture clash elements intrinsic to those geographical backgrounds, Smith has gone all in on the political divide in America currently.