Music biopics have grown increasingly popular with studios. Just in the last few years we’ve seen onscreen biographies of such acts as Elvis Presley, Queen, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, and most recently Bruce Springsteen. Casting is already completed for The Beatles. But before their movie hits theaters, we’re getting “Michael”, a … Continue reading
For us film critics, November and December are the busiest months on the calendar. It’s when studios and distributors send us their biggest movies of the year for awards consideration. So we go on a two-month cram session, watching every big or small awards contender before our voting deadlines. These are often more serious-minded movies. … Continue reading
Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson are a couple trapped in a doomed relationship in director Lynne Ramsay’s grueling new feature, “Die My Love”. This is her first film since 2017’s much different but equally grim “You Were Never Really Here”. Though based on a 2012 Ariana Harwicz novel, Ramsay’s adaptation says nearly everything it has … Continue reading
In the opening moments of “The Beldham”, we read that the title refers to an old crone. More explicitly, a bird-like witch who feeds on the souls of infants. That description alone is enough to paint the film as a dark and unsettling chiller. But that turns out to be somewhat of a misdirection. It’s … Continue reading
“Affection” opens with a startling shot of a car in the center of a rural road, its headlights illuminating the dark. The camera then cuts to a severely injured woman lying motionless on the pavement, bloodied and bruised, her eyes blankly staring as a small tear leaks across the bridge of her nose. Suddenly she … Continue reading
From film critic to filmmaker, Chris Stuckmann moves from his YouTube screen to the directing chair with his debut feature “Shelby Oaks”. This unique supernatural horror mystery makes for an impressive feature film debut for Stuckmann who serves as director, writer, and producer. Even with a small budget, Stuckmann’s film almost didn’t get made due … Continue reading
Keith & the Movies 