★★★ The newest film from Amazon Studios comes in the form of sci-fi tinged Encounter, from director Michael Pearce. Plucking three lead performances all of Pakistani background, Encounter gets more right than wrong in general. However, I could not help feeling let down by certain elements of the storyline as they unfolded. The potential brimming … Continue reading TIFF 2021: Encounter
TIFF 2021: The Mad Women’s Ball
★★★★ The Mad Women’s Ball, set in 1885, is a French thriller whose closest thematic bond is 1975’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Based on the book by Victoria Mas, the film is a fictional account of wronged women and unjust horrors, as they are placed in asylums against their will. In this case, … Continue reading TIFF 2021: The Mad Women’s Ball
TIFF 2021: Inexorable
★★★★ (Written by Allison Brown) Merriam-Webster defines Inexorable as “not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped.” This film from director Fabrice du Welz certainly fits the bill, leaving the audience constantly on edge once the true story begins to unfold, and providing a roster of inexorable characters. I can’t believe I almost skipped this one; … Continue reading TIFF 2021: Inexorable
TIFF 2021: Huda’s Salon
★★★ (Written by Allison Brown) Living in the United States, women take for granted the basic human rights we are given, and mundane activities that can be done with ease. For Reem (Maisa Abd Elhadi), who lives in Bethlehem, West Bank, Occupied Palestine, a simple trip to the hair salon puts her in life-threatening danger. … Continue reading TIFF 2021: Huda’s Salon
TIFF 2021: Kicking Blood
★★★ Kicking Blood, my first film viewed for 2021’s Toronto International Film Festival, acts as a surprisingly great start to round off the festivities. Vampires have never been one of my favorite subgenres of horror (I tend to think they work better on the page or in television format to properly expand the mythology), but … Continue reading TIFF 2021: Kicking Blood
Film Review: The Voyeurs
★★★★★ Amazon Prime’s new erotic thriller, The Voyeurs, easily emerges as one of my favorite films of the year in more ways than one. What starts as a simple plot with a cute couple moving into a gorgeous loft apartment escalates into pearl-clutching moments of shocking intensity. Writer/director Michael Morgan, creator of the excellent but … Continue reading Film Review: The Voyeurs
Interview: The Voyeurs Cast and Director Michael Mohan
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
Film Review: The Scary of Sixty-First
★★ After hearing comparisons to Eyes Wide Shut shortly after the debut of The Scary of Sixty-First at the Berlinale Film Festival, my excitement level for this psychosexual horror thriller shot up immensely. That it did not live up to my lofty dreams speaks less about the quality than the actual style, which feels jammed … Continue reading Film Review: The Scary of Sixty-First
Film Review: Kate
★★★ Netflix’s action shoot-em-up, Kate, comes on the heels of several excellent movies from the streamer. While it may not reach the high highs of last month’s Gunpowder Milkshake, Kate will thrill fans craving John Wick-style visceral combat and choreography. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is firmly channeling Jason Statham in Crank, and every second of her … Continue reading Film Review: Kate
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