I was sold on seeing “Conclave” just by the sheer force of its cast. Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini instantly put the film on my radar. But for me the biggest draw was Edward Berger, the director, co-writer, and producer of the 2022 Academy Award-winning masterpiece “All Quiet on the Western … Continue reading
REVIEW: “Die Alone” (2024)
On the surface, “Die Alone” has all the markings of a standard-issue zombie flick: a deadly virus, a global outbreak, a society in ruin, the dead coming back to life as ravenous flesh-eaters. But “Die Alone” is a different kind of zombie movie. Yes, it proudly embraces a number of familiar horror sub-genre tropes. But … Continue reading
REVIEW: “Rumours” (2024)
Cate Blanchett continues her eclectic big screen run with “Rumours”, a movie that can’t possibly be categorized in any single genre. Directed by the filmmaking trio of Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson, “Rumours” is a black comedy and a biting political satire set within a story that subtly mixes end-of-the-world science fiction with … Continue reading
REVIEW: “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” (2024)
There was a day when superhero movies were actually a rarity. There were no big blockbuster franchises or sprawling cinematic universes. Perhaps that’s one reason 1978’s “Superman: The Movie” was such a critical and box office success. Another reason was the film’s lead, a young relatively unknown Christopher Reeve. It was a star-making role for … Continue reading
REVIEW: “We Live in Time” (2024)
Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh shine and carry “We Live in Time”, a romantic drama built upon and sustained by the sparkling chemistry of its two leads. The film is directed by John Crowley and is more in sync with his terrific “Brooklyn” (2015) than his lesser “The Goldfinch” (2019). Despite being low on theatrics, … Continue reading
REVIEW: “Dominique” (2024)
Oksana Orlan cements herself as an action movie force of nature in “Dominique”, a ferocious pulse-pounding thrill ride that sees her reteaming with director Michael S. Ojeda. The two previously worked together on the 2018 horror thriller “The Russian Bride”. Their latest collaboration is a pure action spectacle, shaped by Ojeda’s assured style and driven by … Continue reading