Possessor tells the gruesome story of an assassin who is able to take control of a subjects body to carry out her hits Possessor may be diabolically gruesome to the point of excess, however, it uses the gut-wrenching feelings it derives to great use in a story that is more than… skin deep. One could try…
Nomadland follows a widow as she tours the west living out of her van with just her fellow nomads for help, company, and strength Quick cut: Chloé Zhao makes Nomadland's melancholic but hopeful story of nomads traversing the American West a stunningly complex character study of life on the margins of society. It’s often drilled…
Happy Monday! I have a question for you: Do you remember the 21st night of September? Today’s movie is the 1985 vampire horror-comedy Fright Night—streaming on Prime Video. Like last week, I’m including a full review with an added “10-second cut” section for those of you that like shorter reviews. Here’s the trailer. ⏱ 10-second cut: Fright Night is…
Spiral follows a gay couple that moves to the suburbs with their daughter in the 90s to find their neighborhood is more than meets the eye Spiral is a mysterious act of dread and atmosphere that also taps into the inherent horror of being different in a world that isn't ready to accept that. ▶︎…
I'm Thinking of Ending Things is a twisting psychological thriller about a couple road-tripping during a snowstorm to meet their parents I'm Thinking of Ending Things combines a darkly comedic tone with a bleak atmosphere to make for a haunting portrait of a relationship on the rocks. ▶ Streaming on Netflix Loneliness is a prison.…
Host, billed as the first movie filmed and released during quarantine, follows a group of friends staging a Zoom seance with an uninvited guest Quick cut: At just 57 minutes, Host is far from overly long. Although it certainly stretches its interesting premise to the max. Still, it achieves an anxiety-inducing atmosphere coupled with genuinely…
Project Power takes place in a world where an illegal drug gives its user superpowers for five minutes—three strangers team up to stop it Quick cut: Project Power loses steam almost as quickly as the drug at the center of it. Though it's visually dazzling, its paint-by-the-numbers plot is exacerbated by hamfisted political commentary and…
Starred Up, David Mackenzie's eighth film, is a brutal and emotional prison character study about a father and son ? This review originally appeared in my weekly movie newsletter. You can sign up for it here. Happy Thursday! Hope this week is great. I’ll be taking next week off for some mental clarity, but you…
The Rental follows two couples who get more than they bargain for when they Airbnb a beautiful oceanside house for the weekend Quick cut: Dave Franco's directorial debut isn't a groundbreaking slow-burn thriller, but it is a competently made, supremely acted, and satisfyingly effective one. ★★★ Unlike many other feature debuts, especially those from actors…
The Old Guard follows a group of immortal mercenaries as they find themselves as the targets of a nefarious plot Quick cut: Director Gina Prince-Bythewood uses her keen sense for character to make The Old Guard a one of a kind groundbreaking Hollywood blockbuster that feels like a new, exciting direction for the action genre.…
