Crumb Catcher, directed by Chris Skotchdopole, thrusts the viewer into a world of dread and unease from the very beginning. The film's score amplifies this feeling, adding a layer of tension that permeates every scene. The location, dripping with seclusion, perfectly encapsulates the film's eerie atmosphere, making the audience feel as trapped as the characters.
Read MoreThe Neverending Story (1984) #RetroReview
I was six when I saw Wolfgang Petersen’s The Neverending Story in the mall movie theater in Springfield, Ohio. I can remember asking my parents if we could get some toys from the film as we filed out of the auditorium. I bet the Kay-Bee location down the way would’ve made a mint had they had Falcor plushies on hand during that initial theatrical run.
Read MoreThe Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974) #RetroReview
I love a good genre mashup. Their success might be gauged by how well they blend, or subvert, each genre’s respective rules. The results are usually quirky and interesting, due to this process.
Read MoreThe Inheritance (2024)
"The Inheritance," directed by Alejandro Brugués, presents a familiar yet intriguing premise that feels reminiscent of a high-end "Goosebumps" episode or a demonic twist on "Ready or Not." The film delivers a sense of dread, bolstered by a haunting score that keeps viewers on edge throughout its concise 84-minute runtime. Bob Gunton, looking older than ever, anchors the film with a solid performance as the paranoid billionaire.
Read MoreMaXXXine (2024)
Ti West's MaXXXine, the final installment in the trilogy that began with X and Pearl, takes us to the glitzy, perilous world of 1980s Hollywood. Following the harrowing events at the farmhouse in X, Maxine Minx, portrayed by Mia Goth, is now a successful adult film star with dreams of mainstream stardom. As she navigates her career in Hollywood, a shadowy killer reminiscent of the infamous Night Stalker begins targeting starlets, intertwining her ascent to fame with a trail of blood.
Read MoreDear Kelly (2024)
Director Andrew Callaghan opens Dear Kelly by challenging Maslow's hierarchy of needs, proposing that humans only require three essentials: security, significance, and connection. This unconventional theory sets the stage for a profound exploration of what happens when these needs are stripped away. Dear Kelly delves into the life of Kelly Johnson, also known as "Kelly J. Patriot," a figure familiar to fans of Callaghan's All Gas No Brakes and Channel 5.
Read MoreSocial Media Monster (2021)
I wasn't planning to review Social Media Monster. Honestly, I probably wasn’t even going to watch it. But after sharing the trailer on our social accounts, I was thrust into a world I didn’t want to be in.
Read MoreAction U.S.A. (1989) #RetroReview
In the mood for kickass old-school stunt work? John Stewart’s Action U.S.A. from 1989 will scratch that itch for you, right after it drops you off a helicopter from a hundred feet up into a lake below! Stewart spent most of his career as a stunt coordinator, and his directorial debut pays tribute to the underappreciated folks who put their bodies and lives on the line for our entertainment.
Read MoreJanet Planet (2023)
A24's "Janet Planet," directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker, will be released nationwide this Friday, June 28th. This film marks Baker's debut in the cinematic world, and it is nothing short of a sublime exploration of childhood and maternal bonds set against the evocative backdrop of rural Western Massachusetts in the summer of 1991. The story revolves around 11-year-old Lacy, played by Zoe Ziegler, who spends her summer immersed in her vivid imagination and the presence of her enchanting mother, Janet, portrayed by Julianne Nicholson.
Read MoreConan the Destroyer (1984) #RetroReview
For a long time, I was reluctant to revisit Richard Fleischer’s Conan the Destroyer from 1984. I remember thinking it paled in comparison to its predecessor. These days, I still think that. However, I also think that there’s quite a bit of fun to be had, once I decided to stop comparing it to John Milius’ masterful original and just go along for the ride.
Read MoreTuesday (2023)
"Tuesday," a debut film by Daina O. Pusić, is a heart-rending fairy tale that brings an unusual and profound story to the screen. Julia Louis-Dreyfus delivers a profoundly moving performance as a mother navigating the depths of grief alongside her teenage daughter, played by Lola Petticrew. Together, they must confront Death, which takes the astonishing form of a talking bird, making for a deeply emotive narrative about loss and resilience.
Read MoreSomnium (2024)
"Somnium" is a mesmerizing blend of sci-fi and horror, masterfully crafted by Racheal Cain. The film follows small-town Gemma, who moves to Los Angeles after a painful breakup, hoping to make it big. To get on her feet, she takes a job working the overnight shift at Somnium, a mysterious, experimental sleep clinic where dreams are made real.
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