July 2024

Reviews

The Fabulous Four

The Fabulous Four is a photocopy of a photocopy.  If you think I’ve used that criticism before, it’s because I have.  However, the filmmakers behind this contrived Floridian comedy had no problem recycling other material, including their own stuff.  So, you know what they say – “when in Key West…”

Reviews

Oddity

Oddity is a decent horror endeavour where the scares are more memorable than the film itself.  This ghost story, about a clairvoyant’s mission to find out the truth behind the death of her sister, is a haunting slow burn that loves to steep itself in atmospheric chills.  But also, the production can’t help itself when given the opportunity for shriek-worthy jump scares. Writer/director Damian McCarthy (Caveat) shows plenty of skillful competence for building tension. Even…

Reviews

Crossing

Levan Akin’s Crossing doesn’t take long to get going, but it takes a while for it to truly set in.  Akin’s film, which he wrote and directed as well as co-edited, is about personal connections.  As vague as that sounds, the concept explains itself as more characters intersect with each other.

Reviews

Cora Bora

Comedienne Megan Stalter receives an overdue leading role in Hannah Pearl Utt’s Cora Bora.  While the film may not make her an overnight star, similar to the likes of Bridesmaids’ Melissa McCarthy or Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’s Maria Bakalova, Cora Bora is a solid enough vehicle for Stalter to show her capabilities as a potential character actor.

Reviews

Sorry/Not Sorry

When he was at the top of his comedic and creative form, the New York Times ran an article accusing comedian Louis CK of indecent sexual behaviour involving a number of women who were coerced into his lewd activities. The comic was seemingly paying the consequences for his actions, and his victims finally had a collective voice. However, there wasn’t much longevity for justice. Louis CK reacquainted himself with success through independent endeavours, supported by…

Reviews

IF

John Krasinski may still be in an early chapter as a filmmaker, but he’s already carving out a nice reputation for having a fantastic knack for fantasy. With A Quiet Place, he was able to create a sensory-deprived moviegoing experience as a distraction to explore the bounds of his fantastical horror. In his latest film IF, a much more family-friendly vehicle, Krasinski has fun with the boundless limits of the imagination.

Reviews

Daddio

Daddio looks like an effortless movie, which is its greatest strength.  Some of this credit can be offered to its central stars, The High Note’s Dakota Johnson and Milk Academy Award winner Sean Penn, who are both working at the top of their games.  But, it’s writer/director Christy Hall who deserves to be praised for her impeccably controlled feature film debut.