A quote from noted surrealist Leonora Carrington kicks off the proceedings for writer/director Travis Stevens’ new Shudder original movie, A Wounded Fawn. It’s an indicator that while we may start off in the realm of relatively recognizable reality, that’s not where we’ll be staying. The next 91 minutes detail a visually sumptuous journey to the heart of a particularly feminine rage.
Read MoreThe Wild Man (2022) #AustinFilmFest
The prospect of caring for an elderly or mentally unwell parent is a daunting and all too real prospect for many people from all over. That’s what makes writer/director/star Riley Cusick’s The Wild Man so relatable. On the surface, it trades in quirky indie film sensibilities with its tender folky soundtrack and its general premise, but the young filmmaker opts for genuine humanity over superficial laughter and feel-good foolishness.
Read MoreUnmasking the Idol (1986) #RetroReview
Do you like James Bond? How about ‘80s ninja flicks? Old school GI Joe cartoons?
Read MoreAftersun (2022)
Aftersun eloquently encapsulates the best and worst moments of parenting while also exploring the awkwardness of that time just before high school. Poignant yet hopeful as heavy themes are examined without effort. This is easily one of the best films of the year and it couldn't come at a better time.
Read MoreBrooklyn Horror Film Fest (2022)
Like with Fantastic Fest, I’ve never attended Brooklyn Horror, and with FF wrapping up and Halloween right around the corner, of course, I’d take a stab at watching a few horror films that hadn’t been released yet. While I wish I had gotten to more, I very much enjoyed viewing and covering the films that I had time to watch. There are a bunch of gems here, so I’d say that horror is in good hands for the years moving forward.
Read MoreFirst Blood (1982) #RetroReview
Ted Kotcheff’s First Blood from 1982 celebrates its fortieth anniversary on October 22nd. Let’s take a look back at this beloved flick. Sylvester Stallone of course plays the lead of John Rambo in one of his most iconic roles.
Read MoreThe Killing Time (1987) #RetroReview
The thirty-fifth anniversary of a film you may not have heard of is October 23rd. Rick King’s The Killing Time from 1987 is hindered by some shaky scripting and its insistence on presenting Beau Bridges sex scenes, but its solid premise and Noir-ish atmosphere make it entirely watchable. I’d never heard of the film before Scorpion Releasing announced they were putting out a blu ray back in 2020.
Read MoreMasking Threshold (2021)
Right off the bat, I’m going to tell you that Austrian filmmaker Johannes Grenzfurthner’s Masking Threshold is not going to be for everyone. Its uncompromising presentation and shocking imagery make for a challenging watch. I personally loved its wholly unique vision.
Read MoreHellraiser (2022)
This movie was something I really cared about. It should be huge. it needed a lot to make it up to the frightening level of the original.
Read MoreFantastic Fest (2022)
I’ve never attended Fantastic Fest and looking back, it was one of the many reasons I even made this website. Well, maybe not exactly, but I do want to see all the unreleased stuff before everyone else. So when I had the opportunity to cover the prestigious Austin movie festival, I did.
Read MoreDark Glasses (2022)
Dario Argento has returned with his first directorial effort in ten years! Of course, there are many fans who will just shrug at the release of Dark Glasses, as the legendary Italian auteur hasn’t produced any must-see work for decades. What we have here is a simple return to form, with Argento stretching his legs in familiar territory, and while not everything lands, I was never less than engaged and entertained.
Read MoreSaloum (2021)
Do you like movies that thumb their noses at genre rules and eschew tropes? How about narratives that successfully pull the rug out from under you multiple times? If so, have I got an action/thriller/horror flick for you!
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