Disc Dispatch: FILM NOIR - THE DARK SIDE OF CINEMA XXI
by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport & Editor in Chief
For under thirty-five bucks one can lost in the shadows of not one, not two but three noir pictures in The Dark Side of The Cinema XXI collection.
The seaside simulacra of Cronenberg’s FOUR UNLOVED WOMEN
by Sasha Ravitch, Staff Writer
A stirring and memorable short film full of euphoria and despair.
HE NEVER LEFT can't reconcile whether it is a thriller or a slasher
by Allie Lembo, Staff Writer
He Never Left is a Halloween thriller that may disappoint the slasher fans it attracts. There’s the universal adage to ‘never judge a book by its cover,’ but the film poster’s bold border, masked killer and vintage font so resembles retro horror designs, it was impossible not to anticipate a slasher
VERMIGLIO looks at a 20th century village coming to terms with women's autonomy
by Jonathan Jansen, Staff Writer
A small mountain village called Vermiglio is far enough from World War II to not feel its effects, but war eventually is carried back to the village.
TIME TRAVEL IS DANGEROUS mashes silly science fiction with real character stakes
by Heidi Krull, Staff Writer
Time Travel is Dangerous has an impressive and unique take on time travel and its effects on the universe, while also being incredibly humorous.
MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS highlights the work of a living icon
by Ryan Silberstein, Managing Editor, Red Herring
Two notes (Jaws). Five notes (Close Encounters of the Third Kind). John Williams’ work is so iconic that you can likely hear the exact notes being referenced here, whether you want to or not.
ABSOLUTION is a disjointed character study with Liam Neeson
by Darian Davis, Staff Writer
Those looking for Neeson’s typical straight-ahead beat-em-up fare will be disappointed in Absolution, a slower, more introspective film that struggles to meet its aspirations as an abstract character study.
HERE takes a big swing, but its understanding of America is out of touch
by Ryan Silberstein, Managing Editor, Red Herring
It would be accurate to call Here a gimmick movie, as the film is essentially one static shot of the same place over the course of Earth’s history through the present–with a heavy emphasis on the residents of a house built on the spot in the early 20th century.
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS is a beautiful restoration, but remains a blue monday
by Emily Maesar, Associate TV Editor
If there was ever proof that adapting Vonnegut’s work is a Herculean task then it’s visible, without any abstractions, in Alan Rudolph’s 1999 fever dream of a film, Breakfast of Champions.
DOC OF CHUCKY is a comprehensive look at the long running horror franchise
by Avery Coffey, Staff Writer
Doc of Chucky brings familiar faces from past films and modern renditions to our screens to recount the impact of Chucky as a horror icon and Child’s Play as a genre franchise.
MISSING FROM FIRE TRAIL ROAD: one woman’s disappearance highlights the brutality indigenous women face
by Heidi Krull, Staff Writer
Directed by Sabrina Van Tassel, Missing from Fire Trail Road dives deep into the disappearance of Mary-Ellen, and shines an important spotlight on the violence women in indigenous communities face.
LUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCH hits all the right notes
by Stacey Osbeck, Staff Writer
In the documentary feature Luther: Never Too Much, director Dawn Porter draws on surprising aspects of the singer-songwriter’s drive toward stardom, keeping this life’s tale continually fresh.
THE GRADUATES explores the grief and struggle to move on after gun violence
by Chelsea Alexandra, Staff Writer
Hannah Peterson’s The Graduates delivers a powerful and courageous story about a young woman preparing to graduate high school in the wake of the gun violence that shook her community a year prior.
SOUNDTRACK TO A COUP D’ETAT strikes a chilling chord
by Christopher La Vigna, Staff Writer
Soundtrack To A Coup D’etat serves up a sobering reminder that for many parts of the world, blood has been spilt for independence campaigns that have never reached fruition.
THE LAST FRONT can't make its two sides come together
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
As excited as I was for this, and as much as the cast does, the film ended up disappointing me because it feels like two discordant movies in one.
Disc Dispatch: EMPIRE OF THE ANTS (1977)
by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport & Editor in Chief
When the next toxic chemical spill occurs and results in humongous, man-eating ants I’ll be very much like Roddy Piper in They Live, left only with the remark: “It figures it be something like this.”
MAGPIE is a modern noir that explores themes of obsession and betrayal
by Mo Moshaty, Staff Writer
With a modern noir twist which will be sure to satisfy mystery and mayhem lovers alike.
TIMESTALKER is a parasocial fever dream
by Megan Bailey, Staff Writer
This is a zany little film, and if you’re willing to follow along down the goofy alleyways it runs, you’re in for a good time!
CLOUD is a multifaceted look at how we treat others online
by Jonathan Jansen, Staff Writer
While it’s a compelling package, filled with commentary and fun filmmaking, it's a package that ultimately has a few items missing.
YOUR MONSTER is a horror rom com about why we love monsters
by Tessa Swehla, Associate Editor
Writer-director Caroline Lindy expertly weaves in horror elements into the film to challenge both Laura and the audience’s perception of themselves.