The Coen Brothers are one of Hollywood’s most prolific directing duos, bringing story after story to audiences for the past 40 years. But only recently have they embarked on solo efforts. The pair are known for bringing a subversive spin, so it’s no surprise that Joel Coen would try his
Movie Reviews
‘Poor Things’ Is for Flawed Women Who Yearn to Be Free of Shame
In Poor Things, there’s a scene where the protagonist, Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), makes her way onto a dance floor, moving erratically with uncontrollable fervor. Her movements resemble that of a marionette without a puppeteer. With every step, it’s as though she is snapping away each invisible string. There’s a
‘Anatomy Of A Fall’ Is A Work Of Psychological Mastery
We Need More Agatha Christie Adaptations Like ‘A Haunting in Venice’
Hercule Poirot and his perfectly waxed mustache are back in A Haunting in Venice. This third entry in actor-director Kenneth Branagh's revival of Agatha Christie adaptations feels very different from the previous films. Set in a haunted palazzo, it perfectly fits the bill as a spooky mystery – and it
Product Placement Turns Into Artistic Genius In ‘Barbie’
Womanhood and what it means in today’s world are explored often in media, but discussed alongside the doll that for many children represented womanhood makes Barbie a wholly unique exploration of that topic. Barbie the product creates unrealistic expectations for little girls, and Barbie the character learns exactly what those
Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse Offers a Deep Dive Into Family and Identity
Savage’s ‘The Boogeyman’ Rekindles Childhood Fears While Addressing Grief and Family Dynamics in the Aftermath of Loss
The Little Mermaid is a Thoroughly Enjoyable Live-Action Film
To make a fairytale work, the biggest element required is believability. Readers have to believe that the world they’re reading about is possible and the characters within it create a sense of connection, and in Rob Marshall’s directed Disney’s first live-action film adaptation of The Little Mermaid, believing in singer-turned-actress
‘Renfield’ Serves up a Wacky Yet Effective Monster Story About Codependency
‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline’ Is an Explosive Exploration of the Climate Crisis
In an incendiary display of environmental activism, a group of young people band together to fight the corporate greed and malpractice of oil companies that are not only destroying land and lives but threatening our future. Protest and legal battles are getting nowhere, so the characters in Daniel Goldhaber’s How
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Stays True to Game Simplicity and That’s Okay
You can’t expect a lot out of a Mario movie, especially right out of the gate. Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie stays true to the games in the narrative. Meaning, there really isn’t one. Simple amusement is what gamers go to Mario for and that’s exactly what the film is. But
‘Scream VI’ Is the Biggest, Stabbiest ‘Scream’ Yet
Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Offers Nothing New to the MCU
To paraphrase Michelle Pfiffer’s Janet Van Dyne, ‘He seems like a lost soul, but he’s also terrifying.’ This is a description that appropriately defines the personality, mentality, and reality of Kang the Conqueror, Ant-Man, and the Wasp’s new nemesis who sees time as an ephemeral thing that can’t be fully
Review: “Tár” Is a Gratifying Depiction of A Fallen Maestro
In one scene of Todd Field’s newest drama, Lydia Tár (the effervescent Cate Blanchett) is teaching a class in which a BIPOC non-binary student opposes the glorification of the most respected classical musicians, many of whom have been known for their racist, homophobic or sexist views. Tár humiliates him on
Sundance Review: ‘Eileen’ Is an Intoxicating Revamp of the Noir
Imagine Carol but make it film noir. You'd get William Oldroyd’s Eileen. Based on Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel of the same name, it feels like a Patricia Highsmith novel directed by Douglas Sirk and Alfred Hitchcock. It has both that stunning Sirk cinematography, layered over Hitchcock suspense. One of the most
Sundance Review: ‘My Animal’ Is for Queer Horror Lovers
Jacqueline Castel’s debut feature, My Animal, is for queer horror lovers. Inspired by classic monster movies and '80s horror, it’s another intricately woven tale of otherness and the battle towards self-acceptance. By exploring relevant adolescent struggles and complex family dynamics, as well as themes of inheritance, it navigates the most
Sundance Review: ‘Sometimes I Think About Dying’ Is for the Depressed Introverts
Sundance Review: ‘Infinity Pool’ Cracks the Rich Wide Open in a Sick Satire
In Infinity Pool’s opening frames, the camera flips upside down to prepare its audience for a disorienting experience. Brandon Cronenberg delivers just that. His latest is The White Lotus dialed up to eleven on the violence scale. A kaleidoscopic, suspenseful, and sick satire that blends the thriller, horror, and sci-fi
Review: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is Magically Beautiful Tale About Fragility of Life, Friendship and Kindness
I recall the first time I experienced an anxiety attack. It feels like your throat is contracting as you try to take a breath and stop your heart from racing. In Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, an important scene deals with the matter of anxiety. Furthermore, the film continues to create great storylines
‘Babylon’ Is a Boisterous, Raw Take on Roaring ’20s Hollywood
‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ Will Get You Crying Over a Piece of Wood More Than Disney Ever Could
From Pinocchio’s very first frame, you’re hit by its stunning, intricate craftsmanship with almost tangible quality. The blend of practical and visual effects is so seamless that it’s hard to know what was handcrafted and what wasn’t. The first frame also carries symbolism. Guillermo del Toro and co-director Mark Gustafson chose
