Nine Days (2020) is a science fiction drama film from writer-director Edson Oda in his feature film debut. It stars Winston Duke as a man who interviews prospective candidates for a chance to be born into life. It debuted at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, where Oda won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, and finally released in theaters on Friday. What has critics buzzing about this little indie?
Joe Bell (2021), previously titled Good Joe Bell, is a drama film from director Reinaldo Marcus Green and writers Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry (RIP). Based on a true story, it stars Mark Wahlberg as a grieving father who walks across the United States to raise awareness of bullying after his gay son commits suicide. The film debuted way back at the 2020 Toronto Film Festival, and after a name change it finally dropped in theaters last Friday to mixed reviews. What has critics conflicted on this one?
Continue reading “‘Joe Bell’ Film Review: A Simple Approach to a Complex Story”
Pig (2021) is a mystery-drama film from debut writer-director Michael Sarnoski. It stars Nicholas Cage as a reclusive truffle hunter in the Oregon wilderness who returns to his hometown to find his prized stolen pig. The film was theatrically released on Friday, July 16 by Neon to critical acclaim. What has folks talking about this one?
Continue reading “‘Pig’ Film Review: The Best Revenge is a Life Well-Lived”
Fear Street Part 3: 1666 (2021) is the third and final film in Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy by Leigh Janiak. It continues the story established in Part One: 1994 and Part Two: 1978 by flashing back to the story’s origins: the persecution of accused witch Sarah Fier. Most of the cast of the original two films reappear in this one, playing totally different characters in the 17th century. Does the gimmick work, and does the trilogy end on a high note?
Continue reading “‘Fear Street Part Three: 1666’ Film Review: Goode vs. Evil”
The 2021 Cannes Film Festival just closed its doors, and we have a new batch of exciting films to talk about! Which film won the Palme d’Or? Which films will have Oscar prospects? Let’s discuss!
Continue reading “2021 Cannes Film Festival Review Round-Up”
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021) is an action comedy-drama from writer-director Navot Papushado. It stars Karen Gillan as a young assassin who is forced on the run with a young girl after a hit job gone awry. The film opened on Netflix on Wednesday, July 14…is it worth the stream?
Continue reading “‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ Film Review: Jane Wick vs. the World”
Zola (2021) is a road-trip comedy-drama film from writer-director Janicza Bravo. It stars Taylor Paige and Riley Keough as two strippers who hit the road for Florida, where they have big plans to score big cash. The film is based on a viral 2015 Twitter thread – possibly the first time a feature film has been adapted from tweets. Is it a gimmick, or is the resulting film worth watching?
Fear Street Part 2: 1978 (2021) is the second installment in the Fear Street film trilogy based on the book series by R. L. Stine. The film goes back in time to the 70’s to tell the story of yet another grisly Shadyside incident: a massacre at a teen summer camp. Part One of the trilogy set in 1994 definitely had some problems, but I still enjoyed it as a pulpy slasher flick with compelling lore and a promising retroactive storyline. Does the second installment deliver on the goods?
Continue reading “‘Fear Street Part Two: 1978’ Film Review: The Devil In the Details”
Black Widow (2021) is a superhero action-drama and the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It stars Scarlett Johansson as the titular heroine, Natasha Romanoff, who joins forces with her estranged sister (Florence Pugh) and adopted parents (David Harbour and Rachel Weisz) to take down an underground child soldier ring. The film was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and finally released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ on Friday, July 9th. Was it worth the wait?
Continue reading “‘Black Widow’ Film Review: Scratching the Surface”
No Sudden Move (2021) is a period crime drama film from director Steven Soderbergh. It stars an ensemble cast including Benicio Del Toro, Don Cheadle, David Harbour, Jon Hamm, Brendan Fraser and more in the story of a simple blackmail job gone awry. Soderbergh has been on a filmmaking tear in the past few years, as this is his fourth release in two years, dropping on HBO Max last Friday. How does it stack up against the legendary director’s filmography?
Continue reading “‘No Sudden Move’ Film Review: A Web of Lies and Greed”
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