‘Squid Game’ Series Review & Analysis: Tribalism, Altruism and Aestheticism

Squid Game (2021) is a survival drama television series written and directed by South Korean filmmaker Hwang Dong-hyuk. It stars Lee Jung-jae as a gambling addict who joins 455 other strangers in a series of deadly children’s games in an attempt to clear their debts. The series was commissioned by Netflix and released worldwide on September 17th, where it quickly became one of the most talked-about TV shows in the world. What has viewers from all nations buzzing about this one?

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Film Review: High School Musical 4

Dear Evan Hansen (2021) is a film adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical of the same name, directed by Stephen Chbosky. It stars Ben Platt (who also originated the titular role on stage) as an anxious high school student who uses the suicide of a classmate as an opportunity to advance his social standing. The film debuted at TIFF earlier this month to mixed reviews ahead of its September 24th release in theaters. How does it stack up to the original play?

‘The Guilty’ Film Review: Simple Story, Complex Character

The Guilty (2021) is a remake of a 2018 Danish thriller film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Nic Pizzolatto. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Joe Baylor, an LAPD officer working in a 911 emergency dispatch center who goes to great lengths to rescue a female caller who has been kidnapped. The film premiered at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) earlier this month ahead of its Netflix streaming release. Is this a return to form for Fuqua and Gyllenhaal?

‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’ Film Review: Lipstick on a Pig

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) is a biopic directed by Michael Showalter and written by Abe Sylvia. The film stars Jessica Chastain (who also produces the film) as the titular Tammy Faye Bakker, the famed televangelist who build a media empire with her husband Jim Bakker in the 70’s and 80’s. This is a passion project for Chastain, who has been trying to get the film made for nearly a decade, and it was finally released in theaters by Searchlight Pictures last Friday. Will this be the project to get Chastain back to the Oscars?

‘Cry Macho’ Film Review: One Last Rodeo

Cry Macho (2021) is a Western drama film from director Clint Eastwood, who also stars in the film as Mike Milo, a retired rodeo cowboy hired to cross the border into Mexico and escort a teenaged Mexican boy back to the United States. The film, written by Nick Schenk, is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by N. Richard Nash. The film was released this past Friday on HBO Max and in theaters by Warner Brothers. Does Clint still have enough star power and filmmaking ability to give us yet another memorable experience?

Best Picture Power Rankings: September 2021 Edition

Welcome to another monthly edition of Best Picture Power Rankings, in which we look at the year’s major Oscar contenders and gauge how they are faring in the ongoing awards race! Which films will make it into the expanded lineup of 10 at the 94th Academy Awards? What has risen and fallen over the past month as the fall film festivals conclude? Let’s take a snapshot of the race and make our predictions!

2021 Toronto International Film Festival Review Round-Up

The 2021 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has concluded, and we have a slew of new awards hopefuls to talk about! What movies impressed at the fest? Which ones turned out to be duds? What won the highly-coveted People’s Choice Award? Let’s check out what critics and audiences alike had to say!

‘Blue Bayou’ Film Review: How (Not) to Tug on the Heartstrings

Blue Bayou (2021) is an American drama film written and directed by Justin Chon. Chon also stars in the film alongside Alicia Vikander in the story of a Korean-American immigrant who faces the threat of deportation from the only country he’s ever called home. The film debuted at Cannes Film Festival ahead of a theatrical release by Focus Features this weekend. Can this simple family tale break through at the Oscars?

‘The Power of the Dog’ Film Review: Subliminal Subversion

The Power of the Dog (2021) was directed by Jane Campion who also adapted the Thomas Savage novel of the same name. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, a hyper-masculine rancher who grows irritated when his brother (Jesse Plemons) brings home a new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and her effeminate son (Kodi Smit-McPhee). The film debuted at Venice Film Festival before screening at Telluride, TIFF and NYFF, and is scheduled for release by Netflix this November. What has critics raving about this Western?

**Some spoilers ahead!!**

2021 Venice Film Festival Review Round-Up

The 78th Venice International Film Festival has closed its doors after a week and a half of new movie premieres! Awards were given out, critical opinions were thrown about…what’s the consensus on the films that debuted at the fest? Let’s dive in and see what the results from Venice say about the upcoming Oscar race!