The plight of the American immigrant is a seemingly bottomless well from which to draw stories and drama for film, and really all media. Part of this is because this nation was founded on the principle of being a beacon of hope and freedom for oppressed peoples the world over. Immigration is part of the … Continue reading Immigrant Song – The Brutalist
The films of Pedro Almodóvar have a few tried and true trademarks. They're often fascinating character studies, deal with complex emotions often without overly expressing them, tend to be darkly humorous, and can have odd sexual dynamics. He's an absolute master of Spanish cinema, and his knack for telling deeply human stories without resorting to … Continue reading Tilda’s Death Do Us Part – The Room Next Door
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
Did you know there's a remake of The Lion King out right now? Did you know it sucks and shouldn't exist? Did you know there were other movies that came out over the last two weeks that you could've watched instead? Well, fear not, for your intrepid small-time blogger offers an alternative to Disney's unceasing parade … Continue reading Everybody’s In Kung-Fu Fight Club! – The Art of Self-Defense
I saw 111 new films in 2018 between the theatre and streaming services. Eleventy-one movies, eleventy-one reviews, either stand-alone or in groups. Eleventy-one chances to thrill, to laugh, to cry, and to outright despise. It's been a hell of a run this first year, and we're still not done. There are still plenty of movies … Continue reading The Best (and Worst) of 2018
Sebastián Lelio is having himself quite a year. A couple of months ago he won an Oscar for A Fantastic Woman, and now he comes out with his first English-language film, Disobedience, an achingly beautiful look at love and choice, without taking the easy road and vilifying a single person or establishment. After a beloved rabbi in … Continue reading All Good, No Bad, Love Wins – Disobedience
I Actually Paid To See This 