★★★★ In the spirit of Knives Out and other modern whodunnits, indie flick Hayseed depicts an engaging treat that challenges viewers to actually pay attention. Writer/director/producer Travis Burgess embraces his obvious inspirations with a loving touch of admiration that permeates the film. The phrase “passion project” is maybe a tad bit overused, yet that perfectly … Continue reading Film Review: Hayseed
Film Review: The Marsh King’s Daughter
★★★★ (Written by Intern, Kali Coogan) Need to heal some deep childhood trauma? A rifle and the wilderness is surely the key to a solution in tense thriller The Marsh King's Daughter. Based on Karen Dionne's bestselling novel, the story delves into an intricate web of family dynamics, redemption, and a haunting specter of a … Continue reading Film Review: The Marsh King’s Daughter
Film Review: Pain Hustlers
★★★ The opioid epidemic has been covered cinematically to the point of overexposure, so what more could a new Netflix drama really add to the conversation? Pain Hustlers aims to tell a different story, shifting focus from the victims of the crisis to the greedy pharmaceutical companies responsible in the first place. Morally grey and … Continue reading Film Review: Pain Hustlers
Woodstock 2023: The Kill Room
★★★★ The logline of The Kill Room sounds like the start of some bad joke. A hitman, his boss, an art dealer, and a money-laundering scheme—what could possibly go wrong? This dark comedy crime/thriller is far more entertaining than I had ever expected. Setting aside the obvious draw of a Pulp Fiction reunion with the … Continue reading Woodstock 2023: The Kill Room
TIFF 2023: After the Fire
★★★★ (Written by Allison Brown) Arriving in a burst of flames, After the Fire brings a timely story of a family affected by omnipresent police brutality from a new perspective. The cinematography starts off at its peak with the opening credits and particularly, as it come to a close. A car slowly burning throughout … Continue reading TIFF 2023: After the Fire
Film Review: Retribution
★★★★ Another day, another Liam Neeson actioner racing to cinemas. In the wake of Taken’s outrageous success way back in 2008, Neeson appeared to be stuck doing carbon-copy rehashes of that same formula for quite some time. With Retribution, directed by genre vet Nimród Antal (2010’s Predators, Vacancy), I was afraid Neeson would again be … Continue reading Film Review: Retribution
Film Review: God is a Bullet
★★★★★ Based on the book of the same name by Boston Teran, God is a Bullet may be the feel-bad movie of the year. The film, written and directed by Nick Cassavetes (Alpha Dog, John Q), has especially gnarly gore sequences, coupled with explicit sexuality/violence—think: a modern, less horror-centric The Last House on the Left … Continue reading Film Review: God is a Bullet
Tribeca 2023: Maggie Moore(s)
★★★★ With a cast that includes Tina Fey and Jon Hamm, hopes were high for interesting title Maggie Moore(s) to hit the mark. Mad Men’s John Slattery takes on directing duties in a script from Paul Bernbaum (Halloweentown, Rent-a-Kid)—neither are strangers to crafting quirky characters or balancing darker tones. Sometimes a cozy darkly comedic crime-drama … Continue reading Tribeca 2023: Maggie Moore(s)
Tribeca 2023: He Went That Way
★★★ Anchored by a captivating, intense performance from Jacob Elordi, He Went That Way is a strange crime comedy based “mostly” on the true story of a traveling chimpanzee. Director Jeff Darling passed away shortly after filming wrapped, making the movie an understandably somber affair for all involved. That said, Darling would definitely be proud … Continue reading Tribeca 2023: He Went That Way
TV Review: The Crowded Room
Apple TV+ adds to an already stellar lineup (including The Afterparty, Servant, Black Bird, and Ted Lasso) with their new crime/mystery/thriller The Crowded Room. Starring an ensemble cast of rising talent, The Crowded Room is unique in the way it approaches how we view mental illness and trauma. Tom Holland delivers an acting masterclass that … Continue reading TV Review: The Crowded Room