Smash Cut

December 2, 2020April 8, 2023

‘Black Bear’ is Aubrey Plaza’s best performance to date | movie review

A young couple's relationship is thrown into turmoil when an enigmatic filmmaker moves in with them to try and complete her latest film in Black Bear. With its sharp script, interesting structure, and a watershed performance by Aubrey Plaza, Black Bear is a deliciously entertaining and satirical quasi-thriller romp about what it is to be…

April 6, 2023

‘Air’ balls hard | movie review

Ben Affleck's Air tells the story of how Nike struck the biggest partnership in sports history with Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan Air is a sturdy crowd-pleasing "based on a true story" dramedy that leverages every aspect of the biopic genre to a precision level. There’s always that one scene in movies about inventors…

April 4, 2023April 4, 2023

‘How To Blow Up a Pipeline’ review: An explosive eco-thriller

A group of strangers hatch a plan to blow up a pipeline in West Texas as an act of climate protest in Neon’s thrilling How To Blow Up a Pipeline Continue reading ‘How To Blow Up a Pipeline’ review: An explosive eco-thriller

March 17, 2023March 17, 2023

‘Peak Season’ is a late twentysomething anti-rom-com | movie review

Peak Season follows a burnt-out young professional who escapes to Wyoming where she strikes up a friendship with a local fishing guide Continue reading ‘Peak Season’ is a late twentysomething anti-rom-com | movie review

September 15, 2022March 15, 2023

‘The Woman King’ redefines the historical epic | TIFF review

Set in 1820s West Africa, The Woman King follows an all-female group of warriors as they prepare to face the rising threat from a rival kingdom Continue reading ‘The Woman King’ redefines the historical epic | TIFF review

March 8, 2023March 9, 2023

‘Scream VI’ is the series’ best sequel | Non-spoiler review

The survivors of the latest Ghostface killings try to escape their pasts in New York City in Scream VI. Unfortunately for them, Ghostface follows them to the Big Apple. Making perfect use of its New York City setting, Scream VI is bigger, bolder, and scarier than any of its predecessors. While it sticks to the…

January 24, 2023January 26, 2023

‘Infinity Pool’ review: Hedonistic holiday hell

Infinity Pool Infinity Pool plays like a campier version of Michael Haneke's psychological thriller Funny Games crossed with an upper class Spring Breakers all wrapped up in Brandon Cronenberg's infamous visceral body horror style. It's weird, grotesque, bleakly funny, and, most surprisingly, entertaining. People are going to detest it, but we can't all have taste…

January 22, 2023January 24, 2023

‘Sometimes I Think About Dying’ review: Daisy Ridley fights loneliness | Sundance 2023

Sometimes I Think About Dying follows a socially awkward office worker finds her lonely days interrupted by a new co-worker who piques her interest—and interest in herself. Continue reading ‘Sometimes I Think About Dying’ review: Daisy Ridley fights loneliness | Sundance 2023

January 12, 2023

RuPaul’s Drag Race “One Night Only” review (15×01): The best premiere in years

Each week I am ranking the maxi-challenge performances and runways each episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15. Here’s the rankings for “One Night Only”. Continue reading RuPaul’s Drag Race “One Night Only” review (15×01): The best premiere in years

January 4, 2023January 4, 2023

‘M3GAN’ slays her way into our hearts | movie review

A toy inventor and roboticist creates a lifelike AI doll to keep her recently orphaned to protect and befriend her niece. M3GAN takes her job deadly serious. Continue reading ‘M3GAN’ slays her way into our hearts | movie review