Last Night in Soho: A Horrifying Thriller

Last Night in Soho might have a 60s soundtrack but it is a horrifying psychological thriller starring Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy. The film is classified in the synopsis as a psychological thriller. Let’s get it out of the way right now: Last Night in Soho is more than a psychological thriller. There are aspects of horror in this film. Put it this way: there’s enough horror in the film where I had to close…

"Last Night in Soho: A Horrifying Thriller"

The Souvenir Part II Continues Where It Left Off

Writer-director Joanna Hogg follows up on her critically acclaimed 2019 coming-of-age drama, The Souvenir, with The Souvenir Part II. Julie Harte’s (Honor Swinton Byrne) story continues where it left off in 2019 with Julie seeking to know more about Anthony’s last days. In many ways, the sequel improves on its predecessor. Julie no longer sees the world as she did during the earlier film. She’s changing for better or worse. Like many artists in real…

"The Souvenir Part II Continues Where It Left Off"

Stripes Celebrated 40 Years In June

Stripes, which marked its 40th anniversary in June, recently got an upgrade in the recent Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection: Vol 2. John Winger (Bill Murray) turns to enlisting in the army after losing his job, girlfriend, and apartment in the single span of one day. He’s a slacker so it’s no surprise to see Anita leave him. Best friend Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis), who teaches English as a second language, joins him in…

"Stripes Celebrated 40 Years In June"

Eternals Is An Epic Unlike Any Marvel Film

Eternals is an epic sci-fi adventure and different from other Marvel Studios films as Chloé Zhao puts her own mark on the MCU. If you do not read any further, there are mid-credits and post-credit scenes. When it comes to the mid- and post-credit scenes, I have questions. I will not get into those questions right now in case you still need to see the film. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 previously introduced Marvel…

"Eternals Is An Epic Unlike Any Marvel Film"

Joy Ride: Bobcat Goldthwait, Dana Gould Reflect

Joy Ride, the new comedy documentary from Bobcat Goldthwait, features two comedians reflecting on where they are in their lives. This film doesn’t happen without Goldthwait and Dana Gould previously getting into a near-fatal car accident. The two comedy veterans are frenemies and here they are getting back on the road throughout the American South. It goes without saying that the film features a mix of reflection and stand-up performances. Every now and then, we’ll…

"Joy Ride: Bobcat Goldthwait, Dana Gould Reflect"

We Burn Like This – Tallgrass 2021

For one young descendant of Holocaust survivors, trauma becomes real in Alana Waksman’s personal film, We Burn Like This. When Rae (Madeleine Coghlan) becomes a target of Neo-Nazis in Billings, Mont., the trauma her ancestors faced becomes all too real. Eventually, she hits her lowest and returns home. This is where Rae learns the truth about an accident during her childhood. Meanwhile, the rising antisemitism in Billings leads Rae on a journey in her own…

"We Burn Like This – Tallgrass 2021"

Where is Anne Frank – Animation is Film 2021

Where is Anne Frank works fine as a film but this one is geared more so for children than adults when it comes to Holocaust education. This film depicts Kitty (Ruby Stokes), the imaginary person that Anne Frank (Emily Carey) was writing to in her diary, coming to life in Amsterdam some 75 years after Anne was arrested and sent to her death. There are flashbacks to the past even though the film is set…

"Where is Anne Frank – Animation is Film 2021"

Ron’s Gone Wrong A Film About Friendship

A seventh grade middle school student and a B*Bot become strange pals in Locksmith Animation’s new film, Ron’s Gone Wrong. As Barney Pudowski (Jack Dylan Grazer) returns to Nonsuch Middle School for the new school year, he lacks what everyone else has: a B*Bot. He’s not the most popular kid in school and not owning a B*Bot makes him the outcast of the crowd. His dad, Graham (Ed Helms) knows how much he wants one…

"Ron’s Gone Wrong A Film About Friendship"

The French Dispatch Is Short of Masterpiece Status

The French Dispatch, Wes Anderson’s love letter to journalism especially The New Yorker, is a mostly good film that’s well worth the wait. This film is a series of vignettes focusing on a travelogue, art, student protests, and a police kidnapping. The four stories come from the final issue of The French Dispatch, based in the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé. Outside of the city, nothing ties them together. Together, the vignettes do feature an…

"The French Dispatch Is Short of Masterpiece Status"

Mayor Pete – Chicago Film Fest 2021

Documentary filmmaker Jesse Moss brings audiences inside Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign in the new documentary, Mayor Pete. My first thought upon watching this film is that it’s amazing that Boys State was finishing up while Moss was hard at work on this film. But more than that, it shows the ins and outs of a presidential campaign. We get an inside look at the debate prep that comes with running for president. Getting elected to…

"Mayor Pete – Chicago Film Fest 2021"