Experimentation is rare in mainstream film these days, as most studios are content to churn out the same franchise-based IP they've done for years in hopes of a quick payday. Even when they do take calculated risks, most of their avenues are derivative at best, aiming for commercial tie-ins and corporate synergy when it makes … Continue reading DownStream – Fear Street
We're one week away from the Oscar nominations, people! It is very nearly GO time, and I am getting psyched up! The anticipation, the trepidation, the sheer worry about availability of nominees in this continuing pandemic have got me all of the dither right now. But at least there's one area where I can safely … Continue reading DownStream – Doc Stuffed!
The shortlists for this year's Academy Awards were released just over a week ago, which means I'm already in prime mode, trying to clear off as many potential nominees as possible before the official finalists are declared in just about four weeks' time. As ever, that includes the goal of clearing the shortlist for Documentary … Continue reading DownStream – Doc Stuffin’
We come to it at last. After months upon months of theatres being shuttered to the point that there's no realistic hope of reopening this year (at least in Los Angeles), I've come to the end of my 2020 catch-up. There is still a plethora of documentaries to sort through, and I'll get to that … Continue reading DownStream – The Summer’s Gone
If you've followed this blog since its inception, and even if you haven't, you might well be aware that I have a personal rule regarding cinematic remakes. With very few exceptions, the basic line is, "fuck those cynical cash grab pieces of shit." However, there are times when even I'll violate my longstanding procedure, and … Continue reading DownStream – Halloweenies
Summer has come and passed... you know the rest. Go wake up Billie Joe Armstrong, already. The autumn air is upon us, more theatres are opening up (except for Regal, which is closing some 350 locations, many of them permanently), and the deluge of online-only content is starting to abate. More films are getting their … Continue reading DownStream – Cruel Summer
I'm going to take a break from Netflix for this edition, because honestly, there's still so much to go - both in narrative films and documentaries - that I could do a column a day and still not be finished with Netflix by the end of next week. While I'm not the biggest fan of … Continue reading DownStream – Government Intervention
Movie theatres are starting to reopen across the country, and even flicks that initially went to a theatre are quickly becoming available on demand for those of us who still can't go. It's just the sort of thing to give us all a faint glimmer of hope that the world isn't completely terrible after all, … Continue reading DownStream – May Dates
This week, AMC theatres began opening again at various locations nationwide, with more scheduled to open next week. Regal is also back, as is Alamo Drafthouse. To those of you who are now able to go back to the cinema, I congratulate you, and beg you to be as safe as possible when you do. … Continue reading DownStream – April Showers
It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on all of us, and we've all suffered in different ways. As I've mentioned in my scant writings for the past five months, my biggest loss has been the ability to go to the movies and see new content. I'm grateful that I haven't … Continue reading DownStream – A Long Cold Lonely Winter
