2021

Reviews

The Scary of Sixty-First

Until recently, when she was cast in the third season of HBO’s hit series Succession, Dasha Nekrasova was one of those niche internet celebrities that enjoys considerable notoriety in select circles while remaining virtually unknown in the larger public consciousness.  She is perhaps best known as the co-host of the popular left-leaning podcast, Red Scare.  Much like her podcast, Nekrasova’s debut directorial feature is calculated to invite controversy.  Brash and antagonistic, The Scary of Sixty-First…

Reviews

Benedetta

Set in 17th century Italy, and based on real people and events, writer/director Paul Verhoeven’s latest feature, Benedetta, is the story of a nun from a wealthy family (Virginie Efira) who experiences vivid, and highly erotic, religious visions.  After a pretty young novice named Bartolomea (Daphne Patakia) arrives at the convent, Benedetta’s visions become more intense and attract the attention of local religious leaders – threatening the sexual and romantic relationship that is beginning to…

Reviews

Titane

With all the commitment the production can offer, Titane tells a tall tale of an adult entertainer who uses her sexuality and a violent temper to hide her flaws.  Still carrying the near-death trauma she experienced as a kid, Alexia (Agathe Rousselle) projects her heated emotions on to new relationships (which sometimes includes her bizarre fetish for metal).

Reviews

Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn

Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (a title that sounds like misheard lyrics to Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”) is specific enough to be a filmmaker’s vision.  The problem is writer/director Radu Jude hasn’t found a cohesive or accessible way to deliver that vision to audiences.