July 2017
The Little Hours
The Little Hours fuses arthouse cinema with modern comedic stylings borrowed from Judd Apatow’s toybox. In other words, it’s a film with lovely cinematography and patient pacing, yet features bawdy behaviour and provocative profanity.
Once Upon a Time in Venice
I don’t know who bothers me more: indifferent Bruce Willis or cocky Bruce Willis. Precious Cargo and Marauders gave audiences more of the former, featuring the actor barely showing effort in his performances. Cop Out and his latest action flick Once Upon a Time in Venice shows more of the latter Willis as he smirks and sleepwalks through his role. The actor, who has been great and charismatic in the past, seems to be uninspired lately. Then…
Blood Hunters
The horror independent film scene may be the most supportive community of movie goers and filmmakers. Take Blood Hunters, for instance. Despite the movie’s routine qualities, I can imagine horror fanatics who scroll through weekly VOD titles every Tuesday will appreciate it for what it is – an honest effort with some admirably gruesome moments. Blood Hunters isn’t just for this niche audience though. It’s a harmless escape for those with a strong enough stomach…
The Journey
Summer blockbusters are sneaking up on us, and I’m really hoping Nick Hamm’s modest film The Journey doesn’t get lost in the seasonal shuffle.
Black Butterfly
Black Butterfly is practically a two-man show in the middle of the woods starring Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. Banderas plays Paul, a writer who has isolated himself to forge forward on his latest draft. Rhys-Meyers plays Jack, a prickly drifter who creates anxiety for those around him. An altercation brings the pair together, leading to an unconventional bond over Paul’s writing. Jack’s visit, however, takes a sharp turn as the duo exchange power over heated…
Austin Found
Austin Found is yet another case where the trailer sells the audience on a different kind of movie. In two-and-a-half minutes, the film is presented as a foolish dark romp featuring incompetent criminals. At 100 minutes, it’s warped southern goodness that’s tonally confused and ends in irony.
From the Land of the Moon
Marion Cotillard is a talented actress whose career has seen a steady increase in forgettable dramas over the years. For every The Immigrant and Two Days, One Night, there’s a Rust and Bone and an It’s Only the End of the World (though, I confess, I like the latter film, but it is unquestionably Dolan’s weakest film). Nicole Garcia’s From the Land of the Moon, which was in competition at Cannes last year, is yet another…
Okja
By: Jessica Goddard Bong Joon-ho’s Okja is not only packed with insight, imagination, and action, but mesmerizing visual effects. While this movie bounces around tonally, it’s consistently engaging and gripping. There are moments of camp and farce and exaggeration (cough cough – Jake Gyllenhaal – cough) but they are fun and mostly harmless. The premise is well-conceived, and the frequent use of subtitles under Korean dialogue is never fatiguing.