Captain Marvel Review | Empowerment with a Cause

Another post that I was slow on cross-posting, my overall take on Captain Marvel is that it is a solidly constructed super-hero flick with a couple of thematically interesting points that elevate it above the lesser MCU entries. At this point, it's hard not to be sucked into the orbit of mass anticipation regarding the …

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch Review | A Flawed Experiment

Black Mirror is a series with significant ups and downs. For every transcendentally uplifting San Junipero or grim masterpiece like White Christmas, there are unsuccessful mystery tales like Hated in the Nation or shallow depictions of the current political landscape like The Waldo Moment. Unfortunately, the series' first foray into interactive entertainment exists near the bottom …

Shoplifters Review | A Compassionate Small-Time Crime Drama

Pairing a crime story with something that resembles the transcendentalist trappings of Ozu isn't the most natural of combinations. However, with Shoplifters Hirokazu Kore-eda pulls off this pairing with such humanistic grace that I can't help but wonder why more stories about criminals don't mirror its empathy. The film presents moral ambiguity and complex characterizations …

The Favourite | Review: Real Politik and Toxic Love

Although Yorgos Lanthimos' ostentatious style has led to a mild case of diminishing returns, The Favourite deviates from his previous films while retaining his critical eye for depicting relationships. The result is his best picture yet, a period piece about political machinations, schemes, and twisted love. It's aesthetically brilliant, a moving Rembrandt painting that uses light …

The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs | Review – Highs And Lows Of The Old West

The hotly anticipated Ballad Of Buster Scruggs is finally upon us, and with it we have the Coen's latest foray into a Western setting. However, the film differs from the duo's previous entries in the genre in that it is an anthology, and this format is utilized to deliver a vastly different array of tones and …

The Night Comes For Us Review | Martial Arts Meets Grindhouse

You know what's cool? The non-stop masterpiece of fight sequence choreography, The Raid: Redemption. You know what else is cool? The Night Comes For Us, another Indonesia action flick that prioritizes innovative brawls, and memorable set-pieces above all else.  Its got more than a little bit of common DNA with The Raid, both in terms of influence …

The Other Side Of The Wind Review | A Master’s Cynical Take On Hollywood

Well it seems that Welles will have one final shot at award season. After an elongated, Kafka-esque process, The Other Side of the Wind has finally been released on Netflix more than 40 years after filming was completed on the project. Although in some ways it feels its age, the film is a delightfully sardonic mockumentary …

Mandy Review | A Hellish Descent Into Camp

Ah, what glorious insanity, an expert fusion of art house and schlock. With a distinctive aesthetic, a multifaceted Nic Cage performance, and a distinctive tone, Mandy is a must see for fans of action-horror. It's a great Halloween film, and conveniently is available for streaming alongside its limited release. Check out my full review of …

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Review – Heroism with Heart

There is just such pure optimism at the heart of My Hero Academia, an optimism that is routinely portrayed in the most genuine and expressive way possible. While it's battle-shonen pacing and slavish recreation of panels that were better served in manga can hurt its appeal at times, Bones adaptation is nothing short of a marvel to …

A Silent Voice Review – Bullying and Redemption

Kids are cruel, and there is no shortage of depictions of this cruelty in the world of film. The annals of cinema is littered with bullying heels, and under-aged villains who ridicule the protagonist for their perceived differences. Whether it's this year’s realist Eighth Grade, the bountiful Hughes-esque teen-comedies of the 80s, or the hyperbolic …