★★★ For those following Devon Sawa’s mid-life career revival, the seasoned actor has been cranking out some exceptionally good performances in nearly all of his work. Next up, we have hardboiled action thriller Gasoline Alley, which calls upon Sawa to play grizzled tattooist, Jimmy Jayne. If there is one thing I can walk away from … Continue reading Film Review: Gasoline Alley
Film Review: Last Looks
★★★★ A quirky Neo-noir mystery film, Last Looks is significantly better than I was initially anticipating. Despite a fantastic cast, it had been a long while since I watched Mel Gibson in a movie I genuinely loved. I have no clue where the spotty British accent came from, but Gibson is having a great time … Continue reading Film Review: Last Looks
Sundance 2022: Emily the Criminal
★★★★ Our final film of the virtual 2022 Sundance Film Festival, dark crime thriller Emily the Criminal, thankfully closes out our festival experience with a big taser-injected bang! The always-reliable Aubrey Plaza plays Emily, the titular character, a woman whose past continues to cause problems. Convicted of aggravated assault back in 2015, Emily’s record follows … Continue reading Sundance 2022: Emily the Criminal
TV Review: The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window
Described by Netflix as a “dark comedy thriller,” the preposterously titled, The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window is one of the most ridiculous mystery shows to emerge in quite some time. With Kristen Bell at its center (who is no stranger to mysteries considering her tenure on … Continue reading TV Review: The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window
TV Review: The Afterparty
I have been waiting for a show to come around like 2022’s The Afterparty—one in which the central mystery is as compelling as the acting performances. The dark comedy is perfectly on brand for this collection of character actors to each have a moment in the spotlight. Perhaps the single most exciting thing about the … Continue reading TV Review: The Afterparty
Film Review: West Side Story
★★★★★ The original West Side Story is widely considered one of the best movie musicals of all time, garnering a whopping ten Oscar wins, and spreading the gospel of Tony and Maria far and wide. Earlier in the week, I watched the 1961 classic for the first time ever (having known the songs mainly through … Continue reading Film Review: West Side Story
Film Review: House of Gucci
★★★★ House of Gucci is an epic family saga that fully embraces the campy ridiculousness, big accents, and scandalous intrigue of one of fashion’s biggest names. Before seeing the film, I knew very little about the Gucci family in general, with minimal knowledge of the Italian brand itself beyond being obscenely expensive. I had not … Continue reading Film Review: House of Gucci
Film Review: Night Teeth
★★★★ Night Teeth compiles a talented cast for a vampy Netflix romp that will thrill and surprise those already fluent in vampire cinema. The all-in-one-night logline promises intriguing scripting and compact, intimate characterizations. Personally, the biggest draw for me was this outstanding cast, which includes Debby Ryan, Megan Fox, Sydney Sweeney, Alexander Ludwig, and Alfie … Continue reading Film Review: Night Teeth
Film Review: South of Heaven
★★★ South of Heaven represents a thrilling neo-noir addition to the mostly comedic-leaning filmography of Jason Sudeikis. While I loved seeing him stretch his dramatic wings, I am not sure this was really the most successful project or match. How do you retread the same ground as so many other crime thrillers and still come … Continue reading Film Review: South of Heaven
Film Review: Queenpins
★★★★ Queenpins begs the question: is non-violent crime still grounds to get one put behind bars? This crime comedy, based on a true story, brings together Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste as two BFF’s with a penchant for couponing. It is a hell of a fun time and feels gift-wrapped from another era completely. Narrated … Continue reading Film Review: Queenpins