By Elias Savada. A penetrating ride up the side of sheer madness, yet a celebration of one man’s individualism.” Been there, seen that. Well, if we’re talking about mountain climbing. No, not me personally. I’ve just watched a lot of rock (climbing) stars in movies glorifying those incredibly epic – […]
Old Math, New Tricks: Paul Schrader’s The Card Counter
By Elias Savada. Some of you may be screaming at Schrader for his obsession with tormented souls in slow-burning, character-driven, and fiercely impulsive dramas. But if anyone’s going to tackle the style, I want him driving the car. And Isaac is his poker face chauffeur in The Card Counter.” In […]
Pervasive Effects: Zhao Liang’s I’m So Sorry
By Yun-hua Chen. With a rather comprehensive scope, the documentary’s subject matter spans from the mid of 20th century to recent past and ongoing present, and encompasses the full spectrum of nuclear weapons, nuclear plants, and the storage of high-level radioactive waste.” The director of the documentary I’m So Sorry, […]
Smiles in the World of Tiles: Lily Topples the World
By Elias Savada. A lovely little crowd pleaser, devoid of drama but filled with captivating artistry.” Like a leisurely afternoon watching fun YouTube videos, Lily Topples the World collects a bunch of those, and more, as it puts a smile on your face as worlds (of tile) tumble. No matter […]
‘She’s not my partner – we’re feminists’: Nikole Beckwith’s Together, Together
By Charlotte Daraio. By parodying its viewers expectations, Together, Together proves that relationships, and films about them, don’t need to fit into a preconceived box to be legitimate nor need to be directly relatable to be poignant.” A film poster with a man and woman sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, since the dawn […]
Terror and Slow Reveals in a Gallery: Nia DaCosta’s Candyman
“Candyman Ain’t Real!” Nia DaCosta Begs to Differ
Deconstructing Uncertainty – Ambiguity and Film Criticism: Reasonable Doubt
Ten (Abbas Kiarostami, 2002) A Book Review by Thomas Puhr. Law’s selections are refreshingly diverse….Most importantly, his collection is a testament to the importance of active viewing, of entering a critical dialogue with a piece of art rather than taking it all in at face value.” “Ambiguity” is a go-to […]
Reminiscence: A SciFi-Noir Slog
By Elias Savada. A sad debut feature for Lisa Joy, the co-creator, often executive producer and producer, and sometimes writer of HBO’s highly regarded Westworld series. Her vision here totters between genres and usually just reminds you of better film….” With his Wolverine days behind him, his new role finds […]
High Concept, Low Bar: Neill Blomkamp’s Demonic
By Thomas Puhr. Different it is, though that’s just about where the praise will end. Outside of a promising first act and clever special effects, Demonic is an utter disaster.” I must admit I don’t understand the intense praise heaped on Neill Blomkamp’s feature debut, District 9 (2009). Its ham-fisted […]
A Worthy Rediscovery: Bill Duke’s Deep Cover (Criterion Collection)
Bill Duke’s 1991 neo-noir Deep Cover finding a home at the Criterion Collection gives the film the communal artistic reverence that it has always richly deserved. And there lies the bittersweet taste of acceptance.” By Johnnie Hobbs III. “So gather ’round as I run it down, and unravel my pedigree…” […]