In First Reformed, writer/director Paul Schrader tells a story about characters living in excruciating personal turmoil. He then gradually develops his movie to be more visceral, so the audience can experience similar pain. You would think keeping movie goers in a state of compelling discomfort would be a tricky balancing act for Schrader, but he succeeds with ease; almost as if this area of emotional discomfort is a particular wheelhouse for the Taxi Driver screenwriter.
Another Soul will remind viewers of other movies. It’s an echo of supernatural horror stories told before featuring demons, possessions, conflicted parents, and exorcisms. But, Another Soul is also a shoestring effort working with limited resources that no one would truly want to slam because the cast and crew are simply “doing their best”. This, perhaps, could’ve acted as an excuse to criticize Paul Chau’s film on a curve, but I’m afraid the Paranormal Activity franchise has…
Talk about a documentary that really dives into its subject! The Gospel According to André, a slick flick from documentarian Kate Novack, embodies the enthusiasm of fashion editor André Leon Talley.
By: Jessica Goddard Charming and endlessly sensitive, Thomas Piper’s Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf presents an underacknowledged art form with patience, intrigue, and warmth.
By: Nick van Dinther Birthmarked isn’t a bad movie, but it still feels like a missed opportunity.
Your enjoyment for Michael A. MacRae’s indie Fishbowl California will vary on your tolerance towards its lead characters.
Deadpool 2 plays within the same flashback narrative and irreverent sense of humour that made its R-rated predecessor a hit. The new changes are behind the camera, with director David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde) picking up where Tim Miller left off.
RBG, a sleeper hit about the life and career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, seems as if it was directed by Ginsburg’s Wikipedia page. It was actually directed by ABC News producer Betsy West and documentarian Julie Cohen, but you could’ve fooled me. The filmmakers establish a consistent pace from the get-go, but West and Cohen also set RBG on autopilot as they lethargically follow a linear timeline through Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s…
Sebastián Lelio (A Fantastic Woman) follows up his recent Oscar win with Disobedience, an unforgettable drama that will have everyone talking.
By: Nick van Dinther Cartel 2045 was originally scheduled to be released three years ago. After years of tweaking and editing, it’s now available on VOD and Digital HD, but it still seems unfinished.