“Women Talking” Film Review: Faith Under Fire

Women Talking (2022) is a period drama film from writer-director Sarah Polley. It stars an ensemble cast including Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Ben Whishaw, and Frances McDormand in the tale of a group of women in a closed Mennonite colony who meet to discuss whether to leave after a series of brutal sexual assaults by their male counterparts. The film debuted at the Telluride Film Festival and is scheduled for release this December by United Artists. Will this be a big Oscar player?

“Empire of Light” Film Review: Lazy Social Cinema

Empire of Light (2022) is a romantic drama film from writer-director Sam Mendes. It stars Olivia Colman as a schizophrenic theater manager who falls in love with a new employee who begins working at her theater (Micheal Ward). The film debuted at the Telluride Film Festival to lukewarm reviews, and is schedule for release in December by Searchlight Pictures. Is this yet another success story in a long line of Mendes masterpieces?

“The Son” Film Review: Tough Love and Tenderness

The Son (2022) is a drama film from writer-director Florian Zeller, based on his French play of the same name. It stars Hugh Jackman as a workaholic father whose teenaged son (Zen McGrath) moves in with him and his new wife (Vanessa Kirby) after difficulties arise with his old living arrangements with Jackman’s ex-wife (Laura Dern). The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival and is scheduled for theatrical release on November 25. Will this be a player at the Oscars?

Foreign Film Fridays: “Holy Spider” (Denmark, 2022)

Holy Spider (2022) is the sophomore feature from Iranian filmmaker Ali Abbasi. Based on a true story, it stars Zar Amir Ebrahimi as a journalist investigating the infamous “Spider Killer”, a serial killer who targets female prostitutes. The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, where Ebrahimi won the Best Actress prize, and it is slated for release later this month by Utopia. Can this contend for Best International Feature at this year’s Oscars?

Best Picture Power Rankings: October 2022 Edition

Another month, another update to the Best Picture Power Rankings for the upcoming Oscars! Which films have moved up and down over the past month? What will jump up into the lineup at the last moment, and what will fall by the wayside? Let’s discuss the state of the race!

Mill Valley Film Festival 2022: Day 2 Recap!

My adventures continue at the 2022 Mill Valley Film Festival in sunny coastal California! We managed to fit in three awards contenders today, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on each of them! Which films are they? Join me and find out!

Mill Valley Film Festival 2022: Day 1 Recap!

This week I am attending the 2022 Mill Valley Film Festival in the Bay Area, California, and I’m here to share my thoughts on all the films I am seeing! Today I saw two excellent films that I can’t wait to talk about…what were they? Join me and find out!

“Triangle of Sadness” Film Review: The Filthy, Stinking Rich

Triangle of Sadness (2022) is a satirical black comedy film from Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund in his English-language debut. It follows various rich patrons of a luxury cruise liner as things begin to go terribly wrong for both the guests and employees of the ship. The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the prestigious top prize, the Palme d’Or, ahead of its theatrical release in the U.S. by NEON. Can this break into the Oscar race?

“Bros” Film Review: The Rom-Com Recontextualized

Bros (2022) is a romantic-comedy drama film from writer Billy Eichner and director Nicholas Stoller. Eichner also stars in the film as a gay man navigating modern-day relationships in New York City. The film debuted to strong reviews out of TIFF ahead of its September 30th release. Is this the next classic in rom-com genre?