Reviews
The Incoherents
The Incoherents is a charming, if somewhat cheesy and predictable, comedy that follows four forty-something men who attempt to revive their dreams of rock stardom by reuniting their old band.
Castle in the Ground
As the world struggles under this catastrophic pandemic, it seems prudent to remind us of another epidemic currently ravaging North America: the opioid epidemic. Consequently, Joey Klein’s timely Castle in the Ground depicts a band of young people struggling with addiction amid the trauma of their personal lives. While dramatically powerful and compellingly acted, the film has surprisingly little to say about the structural issues surrounding addiction and mental illness.
Porno
There’s been some really interesting efforts from filmmakers merging horror, comedy, and sex. There was Mitchell Lichtenstein’s Teeth, a movie that punished hormonal cravings with a violent medical disorder, and David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows, a more sobering film about when careless passivity meets vulnerability during intimacy. Keola Racela’s Porno should be another ambitious example but, instead, it’s rather a raunchy B-movie that has more in common with Piranha 3D and Piranha 3DD – films that use the…
The Assistant
The Assistant is a faithful portrayal of workplace harassment. Drawing from her experience as a documentarian (Ukraine Is Not a Brothel), writer/director Kitty Green brings layers of realism which she channels well through her actors. I think Green’s vision is admirable, but I completely understand if audiences feel disregarded watching the movie.
Robert the Bruce
Intended as a sequel, of sorts, to Braveheart, Robert the Bruce sees Angus MacFadyen (Braveheart, Alive) reprise his role as the titular Scottish king. Unfortunately, this is one of those movies with all the right ingredients – but no spark.
Extra Ordinary
Extra Ordinary, a horror-comedy from Irish filmmakers Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman, is loaded with ideas, concepts, and gags. But while these bits are funny individually, they don’t collectively contribute to an overarching story.
Guns Akimbo
Guns Akimbo is a great example of how talented people can turn guilty pleasure entertainment on its ear.
The Half of It
Two years ago, I seemed to be on the wrong side of the tracks when discussing Netflix’s bubblegum teen movie To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Everyone threw their arms around it, except for me who thought teenagers deserved a smarter movie. Excuse my déjà vu as I find myself in the same dilemma. The reviews are in for Netflix’s latest fluffy flick The Half of It and people find it endearing, except for…