Amazon Prime’s erotic thriller, The Voyeurs, stands tall as one of the best films of 2021. Allison and I sat down via Zoom for a special spoilery chat with three of the film’s central stars, as well as writer/director Michael Mohan. We talk the forgotten era of the erotic thrillers, first reactions to this twisty … Continue reading Interview: The Voyeurs Cast and Director Michael Mohan
TIFF 2021: 7 Prisoners
★★★ 7 Prisoners deals with an incredibly traumatic and upsetting facet of society: human trafficking. The fact that those preyed upon are trying to better their financial situations (often to help their families) makes it altogether more depressing. I found the methods of torment to be absolutely abhorrent and appalling, which I suppose is exactly … Continue reading TIFF 2021: 7 Prisoners
Film Review: Small Engine Repair
★★ Back in 2013, I very nearly caught John Pollono’s buzzy Off-Broadway production of Small Engine Repair. Honestly, I was slightly bummed that I missed it, as I kept hearing how great it was. Now in 2021, I finally have a chance to see the story come to life via John Pollono’s directorial feature film … Continue reading Film Review: Small Engine Repair
Film Review: The Gateway
★★★ A generic crime thriller that we have seen countless times before, The Gateway tries to keep it interesting by adding in a child endangerment angle. If one has seen any other 90’s action thriller dealing with drugs on the run, this film does indeed evoke a particular feel and style. In that regard, maybe … Continue reading Film Review: The Gateway
Film Review: Saving Paradise
★★★ Saving Paradise will deliver a familiar feeling to anyone who has ever watched a Lifetime movie from the 90s. The old-fashioned style, schmaltzy delivery, and cheesy, feel-good vibes will brighten any day. The film was formerly titled Pencil Town, which given the content seems to fit the movie and the tone much better. Love … Continue reading Film Review: Saving Paradise
Film Review: Summer Days, Summer Nights
★★★ Set in 1983 Long Island, Summer Days, Summer Nights is a charming slice-of-life coming-of-age dramedy that attempts to replicate the freewheeling filmmaking style of award-winning director Richard Linklater. Purely an ensemble piece through and through, it collects various rising talent, some of whom like Anthony Ramos have blown up significantly since filming commenced. The … Continue reading Film Review: Summer Days, Summer Nights
Fantasia International Film Festival 2021 Wrap-Up
2021's edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival collects genre cinema of the highest order and eclectic filmmakers with a unique vision. It also happened to have quite a few films I had seen at previous festivals. This wrap-up acts as the cherry-topper for an unconventional fest; included beyond the jump is our entire festival … Continue reading Fantasia International Film Festival 2021 Wrap-Up
Film Review: Rushed
★★★★ It is no secret that fraternity hazing, though a widely practiced tradition, is abhorrent and appalling. Films like Goat have examined hazing through the shocking lens of student perspective and insight—but what about a parent’s point of view? The excellent new drama/thriller Rushed, written by producer and lead star Siobhan Fallon Hogan in a … Continue reading Film Review: Rushed
TV Review: Only Murders in the Building
Hulu’s newest drama series, the mystery whodunnit Only Murders in the Building, has A-list talent, but commits the biggest genre cardinal sin: the central mystery is simply not that exciting. It brings together three crime podcast obsessed tenants who all live in the same apartment building—Oliver (Martin Short), content to direct as his day job, … Continue reading TV Review: Only Murders in the Building
Film Review: Echoes of Violence
★★★ Echoes of Violence, evoking slow-burn crime thrillers of yesteryear from writer/director Nicholas Woods, clumsily handles big topics like immigration and sex trafficking. However, its devotion to unfolding the story in an almost Tarantino style makes this a must-see. It spends a significant amount of time intimately acquainting us with its unique set of characters, … Continue reading Film Review: Echoes of Violence