My Penguin Friend hearkens back to animal movies of the 90s – wholesome and cleaned up family flicks where an animal trainer was, off-screen, using all sorts of tricks to make a cuddly pet shake hands with a precocious child actor. My Penguin Friend is wise to use this nostalgia to remind viewers of how likeable and crowd-pleasing these films are; the reminiscing distracts audiences away from the lean film’s shaggier qualities (such as briefly…
Right up until practically the end of the film, Strange Darling features two mysterious characters who are trying to measure each other up.
By: Trevor Chartrand The notoriously quirky Jason Schwartzman (The Overnight) stars in Between the Temples as – brace yourself – an odd-ball character. Shocking, right? In all seriousness though, Nathan Silver’s offbeat film does ultimately prove to be a relatively serviceable, if tired, indie-style dramedy. To the movie’s credit, Silver explores an otherwise formulaic narrative with a character-focused vulnerability that truly enhances the material.
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat makes a strong case on the importance of compatibility. Not just within a production, but also regarding the bond between characters.
Close to You is stark with vulnerability, living within the vacuum of anxiety from the personal perspective of a trans man.
Already an established painter whose work had been previously featured as album covers for Genesis, British artist Paul Whitehead decided to expand his portfolio by exploring his own personality. Whitehead’s personal journey led him towards drag, and resulting in the artist developing a transfluid alter ego, Tricia Van Cleef.
By: Trevor Chartrand Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap takes a fresh take on music biopics – a welcome approach to an otherwise tired genre. Unapologetically grimy and raw, music is the beating heart of this surprising and enticing gem. The movie chronicles the dramaticized origin of Kneecap, the titular hip-hop band from Northern Ireland. Comprised of Irish rappers Naoise Ó Cairealláin (stage name: Móglaí Bap), Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (Mo Chara) and their mixer JJ Ó…
