Bullying is a serious problem that could destroy people’s lives. Countless genre films have been made about this, including High Tension, Frontiers, and the extremes of Audition. The theme of a female protagonist doing evil things to males for various reasons is handled…
Read moreThe Big Picture Kneecap embraces a heightened sense of the past, rather than being bound by literal events. The main trio of maniac musicians are all captured authentically, with their rough edges remaining intact. Michael Fassbender's presence feels forced and…
Read moreWriter-director Kyle Butenhoff has designs on statement cinema with Laced. In his first feature, the director has attempted a tense and seedy domestic dramatic thriller, one baked with layers of symbolism and societal commentary. And while the filmmaker has conceived the…
Read morePARK CITY – Trend alert: drag queen movies might just be the not new thing in the contemporary indie film world. And as a fan of both the visual arts of cinema and drag performance, we certainly aren’t complaining. 2023…
Read moreThe Big Picture Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell is a quietly astounding film that explores themes of searching and meaning. The film's deliberate pacing, use of long takes, and stunning cinematography draw viewers into its world. It is a bold…
Read moreIn Its Wake, from writer/director Lee Foster and co-writers Angela Cavallin and Ryan Kobold, isn’t trying to reinvent the genre wheel. The film knows what it is and never strays from its monster movie path. Yes, the film introduces the…
Read moreOscar-winning actor-turned-filmmaker Daniel Kaluuya’s directorial debut, “The Kitchen,” is a slightly unusual, oddly shaped movie at times. And/or, another way to look at it is, depending on your point of view, Daniel Kaluuya’s filmmaking debut (co-directed with Kibwe Tavares, who…
Read moreThe Big Picture I.S.S. starts strong with an intriguing premise but ultimately becomes a mundane space thriller. The movie fails to reckon with the unimaginable horror of a war-ravaged Earth, ignoring the big questions presented by its concept. The cast…
Read moreWhat is it about food documentaries that make our mouths water? Is it that they lull you in with images of mouth-watering four-star meals followed by a hit you over the head with incredibly tense drama? Such is the case…
Read moreIn a university lecture on traumatic life events in psychology, I was told that “you never grow up till you bury one of your parents.” While we see true horror on television during wartime, for many, it is harder to…
Read moreWanted Man, an action film helmed by the multi-talented Dolph Lundgren, promised a concoction of adrenaline-pumping sequences and a riveting narrative. Unfortunately, the film struggles to live up to its potential, stumbling along the way with a convoluted plot and…
Read moreSummary Founders Day's characters are one-dimensional and lack depth, making it difficult to connect with their motivations. The film's story is jumbled and tries to do too much, resulting in a bloated plot and a weak ending that fails to…
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