★★★ The Exchange leans much harder into the comedy than the drama, but that doesn’t stop it from occasionally delving into deeper issues, particularly prejudices based on skin color and the difficulties of being a foreigner. Set in Hobart Ontario “Godforsaken Canada” in 1986, a town whose mascot is a white squirrel of all things, … Continue reading Film Review: The Exchange
Film Review: Ride the Eagle
★★★★ If Jake Johnson smoking weed and playing with his dog in the woods sounds like your idea of a good time, boy have I got a surprise for you! Ride the Eagle, which Johnson also co-wrote and co-produced with director Trent O’Connell, is a note-perfect dramedy that, for me, doubles as perfect catharsis. Having … Continue reading Film Review: Ride the Eagle
Cannes 2021: Bloody Oranges
Bloody Oranges is a strange and convoluted disaster that haphazardly sketches out multiple threads without tying them together. The French film from director Jean-Christophe Meurisse is fast-moving and dialogue-heavy. The tone, more confused than assured, is too chaotic and nonsensical to work. I think people will be surprised at not only the blatant disregard to … Continue reading Cannes 2021: Bloody Oranges
TV Review: Turner & Hooch
While I’ve never seen the original Turner & Hooch starring Tom Hanks, I have to imagine it is significantly better than than this strange mish-mash of clashing tones and action drama. Explosions, shooting, blazing fire, and hand-to-hand action combat—2021’s Turner & Hooch reboot is certainly not what I was expecting from Disney. The pilot is … Continue reading TV Review: Turner & Hooch
Film Review: Here After
★★ A rom-com this generic and misogynistic in 2021? Okay then! Here After has probably the most annoying romantic protagonist I can recall seeing recently, and that is before even getting to the strange plot. Things start off with a fourth-wall breaking story about a sexual experience with a redhead, recalled by Michael (Andy Karl). … Continue reading Film Review: Here After
Film Review: How to Deter a Robber
★★★ How to Deter a Robber starts off very strong right out of the gate, with a solid foundation of humor within a dysfunctional family unit. It seemed to me like it would be able to maintain the same level of snarky humor and snappy dialogue throughout the duration. However, the first half of the … Continue reading Film Review: How to Deter a Robber
2021 Midyear Favorites
Can you believe 2021 is already halfway over? I have watched almost 400 brand-new releases for the year, so I feel pretty confident in selecting a top 10 (and of course a few honorable mentions!) I have only included films here that are readily available or have shown in the theater first. Read on for … Continue reading 2021 Midyear Favorites
Film Review: The Boss Baby: Family Business
★★★★ I was very late to the party when it came to 2017’s The Boss Baby. Though it rather controversially was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Film, it was critically overlooked. When I watched it for the first time on Netflix, I was surprised at how harmonious the heart and humor work together. … Continue reading Film Review: The Boss Baby: Family Business
Film Review: Long Story Short
★★ Long Story Short is a disposable, time-jumping romantic dramedy, with a general premise that doesn’t seem as novel as it did before. By this point, I am so burned out from time-jumping, day-repeating, and throwaway rom-coms. A fresh spin on a tired formula is always welcomed with open arms; however, Long Story Short does … Continue reading Film Review: Long Story Short
Film Review: Zola
★★ Based on a series of tweets chronicling how “me and this bitch here fell out,” Zola lacks the stylistic craftsmanship that could have made this strange story crackle and pop. It plays out as if you are just reading the Twitter thread that inspired it, and it sadly works better on paper, where your … Continue reading Film Review: Zola