It amazes me that Todd Field has only directed three feature films in his career to date, because he has a truly unique ability to draw out some of the best performances from his actors. This is especially impressive because in his films, the characters themselves are either deeply flawed, or at the very least … Continue reading Damage, Control – Tár
When it's at its best, satire derives humor from skewering the powerful and playing into the inherent absurdity of those with nothing better to do in their lives than maintain a status quo that continually privileges them. It's an artistic form that has been mastered many times over the years, from Jonathan Swift's "Modest Proposal" … Continue reading The Depths of Shallowness – Triangle of Sadness
When I randomly saw Clifford the Big Red Dog last year, I remarked that the film was incredibly flawed, especially in the CGI design of the titular giant cuddle pup, but that none of it really mattered because the little children in the audience were enraptured the entire way. The movie didn't offer anything beyond … Continue reading Musical Scales – Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
There's something to be said for sticking to a successful formula. When certain elements work, it's natural to want to go back to the well and try it again. I totally get that. And there are plenty of filmmakers who've relied on tried and true methods to come up with an entertaining product, be it … Continue reading The Department of Redundancy Department – Amsterdam
You know, sometimes I really do second guess myself on this blog. I'll post a review and think maybe I've been too harsh or missed an important detail. I'll link to my YouTube videos and honestly wonder if I'm crossing the line into shameless self-promotion. And this year, I can say with no reservation that … Continue reading Good Riddance, Norma Jeane – Blonde
Awards Season is officially underway. The studios are already initiating their campaigns for various films and performers, the festival circuit has become a contest of one-upmanship to see which upcoming movies can have the longest standing ovation to generate buzz, and yesterday was the first major deadline for the Oscars, including for countries submitting an … Continue reading Bending Towards Justice – Argentina, 1985
Earlier this year, Alex Garland's Men gave audiences a thoughtful, layered, and visionary approach to the concept of toxic masculinity, creating a story that blurred the lines of horror, fantasy, and reality, led by absolutely deft performances from Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear. It wasn't perfect, but it was a raw, visceral depiction of how … Continue reading Significantly Less Pleasantville – Don’t Worry Darling
There was a mild controversy this past weekend when Gina Prince-Bythewood's latest film, The Woman King, finally hit theatres. Concerning the movie's historical accuracy, there are some who raised a stink about how the Dahomey (the West African kingdom at the center of the action) are depicted with regards to the slave trade. There are … Continue reading William Wallace Meets Viola Davis – The Woman King
If there's one thing we can all agree on when it comes to David Bowie, it's that he was impossible to pin down. I mean, that was always sort of the point, wasn't it? He was eclectic, transformative, mercurial, and of course, a fucking genius. He could appear as a meek waif on the streets … Continue reading He Knows It’s All Worthwhile – Moonage Daydream
There's a fine line to walk when a writer - and by extension a film - makes light of tropes and genre clichés. When done properly, it can lead to grand satires and parodies, most notably the likes of Airplane!, Hot Fuzz, and most recently, Knives Out. However, when executed poorly or haphazardly, like in … Continue reading There’s No Mystery Here – See How They Run
I Actually Paid To See This 