★★★★★ A grounded, frequently disturbing sci-fi/fantasy drama, The Animal Kingdom tears into chilling body horror elements and complex commentary about embracing the animal inside. Set in the near future, a “disease” characterized by physical, animalistic transformations has spread across the world. Those infected face intense outward discrimination, not to mention asylum experimentation. Embracing the obvious … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: The Animal Kingdom
Interview: Actress Amrit Kaur
Putting the Toronto International Film Festival in our rearview, Allison sat down to chat over Zoom with The Queen of My Dreams actress Amrit Kaur about her cultural and cinematic influences, the complicated nature of arranged marriage, and using film to inspire conversation. In this unique film, when Azra’s mother, Mariam (Nimra Buch, Polite Society), discovers … Continue reading Interview: Actress Amrit Kaur
TIFF 2023 Wrap-Up
Similar to last year, 2023's Toronto International Film Festival was mainly an in-person affair, even further limiting access to some of the fest's biggest titles. That didn't stop us from consuming some of our favorite movies of the year! Don't miss our full coverage of this year's TIFF after the jump. Films A HAPPY DAY … Continue reading TIFF 2023 Wrap-Up
TIFF 2023: Sleep
★★★★ (Written by Allison Brown) What happens to our mind and body when we sleep is a superstitious enigma many have questioned throughout time, so much so that Billie Eilish recently used the concept as an album title. Writer/Director Jason Yu tackles this fear of the unknown, along with gender disparity in relationships, credibility of … Continue reading TIFF 2023: Sleep
TIFF 2023: Inshallah A Boy
★★★★★ (Written by Intern, Wyatt Frantz) The most provocative social narratives immerse its audience in issues that can be seen from the ground up. Through its strong characterization and grass roots focus, Inshallah a Boy wisely reveals how the muscle of patriarchal societies can take a firm hold over one's agency. That burden is rested … Continue reading TIFF 2023: Inshallah A Boy
TIFF 2023: Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person
★★★★ In the most uniquely-titled movie of the entire festival, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person delivers a modern coming-of-age vampiric dramedy with a subtle and elegant flair. This unique film marks the directorial debut of Ariane Louis-Seize, who co-wrote the screenplay with Christine Doyon. Together, the duo craft a genre-blending feature spilling over with … Continue reading TIFF 2023: Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person
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
TIFF 2023: Boy Kills World
★★★★★ Boy Kills World depicts a candy-colored ultraviolent post-apocalyptic vision of the future on steroids, complete with gory mayhem, note-perfect characterizations, and hilariously off-beat humor. It also happens to be one of the best movies at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. In-demand actor Bill Skarsgård (Stephen King’s It, Barbarian) plays deaf-mute lead Boy with … Continue reading TIFF 2023: Boy Kills World
TIFF 2023: The Queen of My Dreams
(Written by Allison Brown) ★★★★ Amrit Kaur, known for playing the witty Bela Malhotra in The Sex Lives of College Girls, instantly drew me to The Queen of My Dreams. The film is noticeably a very personal story, as Director Fawzia Mirza is both queer and Muslim just like her lead, Azra (Amrit Kaur, Ayana … Continue reading TIFF 2023: The Queen of My Dreams
TIFF 2023: Dumb Money
★★★ (Written by Allison Brown) Following the onslaught of thrilling corporate biopics over the past year, ranging from Blackberry to Tetris, I was highly anticipating Sony’s take with Dumb Money. Since r/wallstreetbets became public knowledge for analysis, nearly every major festival seems to have selected a documentary detailing the rise and fall of retail traders, … Continue reading TIFF 2023: Dumb Money