By: Addison Wylie A dangerous plague has wiped out most of humanity within wide proximity of Refuge’s main family. The secluded family has stowed themselves away in their crumbling abode as life around them breaks down and dawns a bleak future. Refuge isn’t a film where the infected are on the hunt for the living. Andrew Robertson’s slow burn is a study of survival as the human race turns on each other. Unkempt gangs roam…
By: Gesilayefa Azorbo Born to Fly: Elizabeth Streb vs. Gravity is a comprehensive portrait of a controversial figure in the dance world and beyond. Director Catherine Gund has created an in-depth exploration of the principles and people behind a unique dance ideology, pop action, which was created and developed by dancer and choreographer Elizabeth Streb beginning in the 1980s in New York City. Streb is the founder of Streb Extreme Action Company, a dance troupe that…
By: Addison Wylie Alex Ross Perry’s Listen Up Philip is decently crafted by biting dialogue and watchable performances. However, I’m unsure what audiences are supposed to “get” out of the film. Perry certainly pulls us in with an atmosphere reminiscent of films made during the 70’s. He has the correct details lined within his style, as well as the rebellious glimmers in his filmmaking. However, once we’re invested and get on board with the film’s…
By: Addison Wylie I don’t know a heck of a lot about Linkin Park turntablist Joseph Hahn. His feature film debut Mall could provide some insight; although I hope I’m mistaken. Hahn could’ve been that someone who grew up resenting authority. His teenage peers could’ve been burn outs and pot heads who had no aspirations. Meanwhile, his own observations bloomed into cynical opinions about the culture around him. To him, he might’ve been the smartest…
By: Addison Wylie With recent horror anthologies, it seems as though the first instalment serves as an extreme experimental period. There’s a foreboding feeling of failure when making a project that draws in different visions from all over a filmmaking pallet, but horror nuts who are true to their craft will let their audacious attitudes plow through anything resembling an obstacle. This was a clear example for the V/H/S series – an easy comparison to…
By: Addison Wylie Not everything in Eternity: The Movie works. However, filmmaker Ian Thorpe shows audiences that clean comedy leads to the best kind of laughs with this lo-fi send-up to the 1980’s. Barrett Crake plays Todd Lucas, because – I suppose – Jon Heder had a busy schedule. Lucas is new to the Californian lifestyle. Instead of one-night stands with bodacious babes, he wishes to escape the business and get to know a girl…
By: Addison Wylie The manipulation of time can lend itself to enticing stories and conflicted characters. Time Lapse would’ve delivered on both of those, but filmmaker Bradley King’s melodramatic presentation robs the audience of anything intriguing. Time Lapse wisely keeps its narrative between three leads. Those roles are filled out by Matt O’Leary, Danielle Panabaker, and George Finn who all appear and act as if their characters should be a few years older. Those close-knit…
By: Addison Wylie It’s funny to see Entertainment One attached to Wolves. It almost acts as an apology to werewolf fanatics who may have been bothered by the studio’s Twilight series. Even though Wolves wipes our memories of Taylor Lautner and his chiseled abs sprinting through the woods, David Hayter’s toothy flick isn’t anything too special. It’s a serviceable film with pop-up gems. Cayden is at that usual stage a young man hits in his…
By: Addison Wylie Director Adam Wingard and screenwriter Simon Barrett are two filmmakers who love the horror genre. Furthermore, they’re filmmakers who understand the genre. They deserve a ton of success and praise. I hope The Guest finally gets them there. You might say, “Addison! What’re you talking about? These two have made a name for themselves already!” Sure, they have; I agree that the duo have established themselves in moviemaking, but Wingard and Barrett…
By: Addison Wylie The suspiciously released comedy Best Night Ever could easily be retitled Wedding Movie. Or, Hangover Movie or Bridesmaids Movie to be a bit more on the nose. The reason why the film doesn’t go by those titles is because (A.) those suggestions are terrible and (B.) the directorial duo are most likely trying to distance themselves away from schlocky spoof movies. That duo: Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Friedberg and Seltzer need…