Movie Review – Before I Wake
Mike Flanagan and his writing partner, Jeff Howard, have developed a smart tale of fantasy and terror.
Streaming
Movie Review – Okja
It risks early and often, you’re either on board soon or in for a long movie.
Movie Review – I Am Not Your Negro
I knew little about James Baldwin before this film, but anyone who comes out on the other side of this documentary is guaranteed a provocative introduction to him.
Movie Review – The Discovery
A fascinating conceit that gets explored in highs and lows.
Movie Review – I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore
What do you want out of your ‘90s movie? First of all, was it a Sundance hit? Check.
Movie Review – Colin Hay: Waiting for My Real Life
Colin Hay is quite deserving of a documentary, if for no other reason than to give us all a reason to hang out with him for an hour and a half.
Movie Review – Barry
Most viewers will probably find Vikram Gandhi’s new film, Barry, about the college life of Barack Obama, challenging, because not a lot happens.
Movie Review – De Palma
Here is Brian De Palma recounting fighting the good fight, making due with whatever was passed on to him, and retelling it all at his unabashedly best.
DVD, Blu-Ray & Streaming – Hell or High Water
Not just a classic Robin Hood-type fable, but an ode to the fading American way of life.
Movie Review – Divines
Don’t let names like Djugui and Oulaya fool you into thinking this is going to be one of those inaccessible foreign films.
Movie Review – Asperger’s Are Us
A documentary with off-centered humor and a dash of warmth.
Movie Review – The Shelter
Fallon has rested the weight of the world on his star, Michael Paré, as Thomas, a homeless man who seeks shelter in a mysterious abandoned home only to find that it may be his final resting place.
Movie Review – The Dark Tapes
It has enough macabre moments to whet the genre fan’s ravenous appetite
DVD, Blu-Ray & Streaming – Killer Party
Drummond and company are out to break many taboos.
Reflecting on Stranger Things…
Let me explain what it felt like watching “Stranger Things”: like I had crawled into a time machine and I could smell it, I could feel it, I could see it and my heart broke into a multitude of pieces.
Web Series Showcase – The Adventures of Superseven, Tap It! & Black
Creating content for people to watch on the web is an uphill climb. With literally millions of choices, how on earth does one go about standing out?
Indie Report – The Radiant Spider-Man
In 7min., 46 sec., the short offers drama, action, and comedy.
Is It Possible to Predict the Ending of “Game of Thrones”?
Justin Bowler looks at “Game of Thrones” – is it a depiction of medieval literature OR of the medieval world itself?
DVD, Blu-Ray & Streaming – Batman: The Killing Joke
Alan Moore’s gotta be pissed.
Cult Status, Part 1 – Examining “The Path” & “The Leftovers”
I have a twisted fascination with cults. The focus on smaller sects are the ones that are mesmerizing and right now seem to be another cultural touchstone. Another indication of troubled times, lost souls and perhaps a universal cry for change.
Those Who Are Cursed – A Look at “Outcast” & “Penny Dreadful”
A long time ago we used to tell ourselves the kind of stories these two shows are portraying. The mythologies, legends and stories of gods and witches, ghosts and creatures otherworldly, that magic and glamour of the supernatural.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – BATMAN: BAD BLOOD
“Batman: Bad Blood” carries the torch for the new series (“Son of Batman”, “Batman vs. Robin”) and has it burn brighter than ever before.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – BREAD AND BUTTER
Imagine, if you will, a romantic comedy minus all the romantic notions, minus all the cute or beautiful looking actors (young or old), and still delivering all the goods with a very strong resolve.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – MARTYRS
Nothing will prepare you for the onslaught to the senses from one of the most intense and grueling horror movie experiences I have ever set eyes on.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – BATMAN VS. ROBIN
While DC Comics has been playing catch-up to the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC’s animated films have delivered strong stories and quality animation consistently.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – PREDESTINATION
Aided by a complex story, interesting characters and tight direction, the Spierigs deliver a powerful punch that has you talking about the film long after it is over
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – I AM SANTA CLAUS
In the case of “I Am Santa Claus”, a doc following a year in the life of real-beard Santa Clauses, the diversity and eccentricities of the men profiled make the film a winner.
RANDOM MOVIE REVIEW – SIN CITY
The first review in a new column where Brendan Fleming arbitrarily looks at a film on DVD & Blu-Ray: “Life in the world of Sin City is not like life anywhere else. At least I hope not. It seems that all the inhabitants here lost their moral compass some time ago, and have no interest in finding it.”
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – STRETCH
Joe Carnahan’s finest film. A biting satire of everything wrong with L.A. and its ugly underbelly.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – WITCHING AND BITCHING
“Witching and Bitching” comes to us just in time for Halloween. It starts off small and frenetic, and soon becomes giant in scope in its visual flair and hyperkinetic style.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – MOTIVATIONAL GROWTH
The ride genuinely makes you uncomfortable from turn to turn but elates you in between.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – UNDER THE SKIN
Sounds interesting, cool, unique and it is all downhill after the first ten exhaustive minutes.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – CHEAP THRILLS
There is so much wrong going on in “Cheap Thrills,” but none of it is the acting, writing or production.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – BIG BAD WOLVES
The filmmakers have not opted for the straight forward horrific narrative, but tease us with twisted dark humor that makes us chuckle and gasp at the same time.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING MOVIE REVIEW – CUJO
My 16-year old niece (who, I will be the first to admit, is smarter than the average teenager, but yet still representative of her age group) and her friends can tell you that a scary dog is referred to as Cujo. But they have no idea why.
NEW ON DVD & STREAMING – HERE COMES THE DEVIL
Here Comes The Devil taps into some real fears and uses surprisingly realistic dramatic turns, but there are dark forces at work in this shocking horror film from Mexico.
NEW ON DVD – QUICK TO DUCK
The great thing about indies is that they are experimental in nature. They aren’t as polished and high budget as blockbusters, simply because they don’t have the money. But, they allow the filmmaker to explore and try new things never done before. Robin Mountjoy attempts just that.
NEW ONLINE – DEWITT & MARIA
A fresh and unique look at a romantic comedy that a studio could never achieve
MOVIE REVIEW – “RAIDING THE LOST ARK: A FILMUMENTARY”
Movie Guy Justin Bowler fills Indiana Jones fans in on an inventive new feature-length documentary about “Raiders of the Lost Ark” that’s available for free on Vimeo.
NEW ON DVD – THIS IS 40
“This is 40” is a return to the same kind of foul-mouthed-with-a-heart-of-gold comedies that make up the best of the Apatow catalog.