Judy - Review

The biopic and awards season, two things that go together like peanut butter and jelly. Less in an enjoyable way, more in the repeatedly eaten for every meal kind of way until you’re sick of it. However there are exceptions, days where a biopic actually connects and accomplishes its goal, and the results can be magnificent. Judy may not reach those heights, but it sure is a heck of a lot better than most.

Ad Astra - Review

Here it is. The annual space film about an individual who has to go to the vastness of space to find out who they truly are. Many have tried, and many have failed, to tell a sweeping narrative amongst the stars that gets to the root of humanity, but none have been quite as brilliant as James Gray’s Ad Astra. While those seeking a fast-paced thrill ride may not find what they’re looking for, but for those willing to look beneath the surface, they’ll find an exploration of what it means to be human.

Downton Abbey - Review

The cultural impact of a TV series always, or at least usually, becomes more clear after the show has actually finished its run. There are exceptions, no one would deny the immediate impact something like Game of Thrones had on popular culture, but as something ages and new fans are brought in that watch it in syndication or streaming these days, a show can take on a new life. Downton Abbey had plenty of impact when it aired from 2011 to 2016, but even still, three years later, the show’s fanbase is just as big as it ever was.

Hustlers - Review

Everyone is hustling in Hustlers. Based on the title, that may seem fairly obvious, but the film is about far more than just these women turned criminals and what they do to survive. From the strippers to the club managers to the bankers, everyone treats money and commodities as the ultimate prize. The premise of the whole film is summed up best by a line near the end of the film: this whole country is a strip club, some people are throwing the money and others are doing the dance. A Fitting conclusion to a fascinating and fantastic film.

Brittany Runs a Marathon - Review

More and more, roles keeping finding people that have deserved a showcase for their talents long before they actually get to. For Jillian Bell, that role is Brittany Forgler, a late 20-something who desperately needs to get her life together, a relatable character if there ever was one. Of course if you know anything about Bell’s sensibilities, then you should also know that the film just so happens to be one of the funniest of the year as well.

Tigers Are Not Afraid - Review

In 2019, the number of female directors making their mark on filmmaking from the director’s chair is still far too low. But it’s far from a lack of talent or ability, and nothing proves that more than the one genre that seems to afford these women an opportunity: horror. Much like The Babadook introduced the world to Jennifer Kent or Raw introduced us all to Julia Ducournau, Tigers Are Not Afraid brings us Issa López, another exciting new voice for horror and filmmaking alike.

It: Chapter Two - Review

Sequels often fall into the trap of supersizing the elements of the original to make the follow up bigger and better. Being a Part 2, or in this case Chapter Two, doesn’t make that general rule any different. Where the first Chapter in 2017 was a fantastically crafted and atmospheric horror film with a sizable budget, the follow up, It: Chapter Two, misses the mark and bloats to a near three hour runtime that it just cannot justify in the slightest.