1st Reviews

  We all experience life and situations in different ways through our own lense. Even the exact same situation can feel very different depending on your involvement and will drastically affect your memory of small details because memory is directly linked with trauma.   It's Nice in Here  tells the story of a police shooting that left a young boy dead, through two recounted stories. Imani tells us about her friendship with the kind boy, Crimson, while the rookie police officer tells us about his day leading up to the encounter with Crimson. Even though both people were present and involved, their recounts of the story are different because of their levels of stress and their ability to retain certain information. This type of storytelling really enforces the fact that our memory is very unreliable, especially in situations when necessary for recounting these events for judicial reasons.    Director,  Robert-Jonathan Koeyers does a fantastic job of play...

  The film begins with paintings as the credits roll, and there’s an instant familiarity with the artistic side of Guadagnino. Without doing much, he sets many locations for Maren and Russell acts like she is an outcast at this school. She wants to make friends, but she doesn’t understand her urges. When Maren goes to a sleepover (without her father knowing), she gets close to one of the girls. She asks about her past, but Maren is detached; her mind wanders because of her heightened sense of smell by inhaling her scent. The look of carnal desire on Russell’s face says more than words ever could. There’s a mixed wave of lust and discomfort while watching her, which is confusing. Then without thinking, she takes the girl’s finger into her mouth, and blood gushes everywhere. Guadagnino expertly combines grotesque imagery with sensuality to heighten every emotion in you. It’s impossible to look away at any point because it’s mesmerizing.  Guadagnino does highlight the morality of...

I’m going to make a bold statement here, but one I honestly believe to be true. Andor is the best Star Wars has been since the Original Trilogy. Fans in search of epic space battles, lightsaber duels, or a direct connection to the Skywalker Saga may walk away disappointed. However, those in search of a deeper, more mature entry in this long-standing franchise will bask in everything the show has to offer. Star Wars has always been more focused on telling a big, sweeping story filled with exciting action sequences. The galaxy always felt huge, but it never really felt full. Andor changes all of that, with a grounded and personal story unlike anything Star Wars has given us before. This is a thoughtfully constructed, character-driven series that adds depth and life to the galaxy in ways none of the movies or shows have been able to. With twelve episodes, this is the longest Disney Plus series yet, giving the story ample room to breathe and develop at a natural pace. It smartly avoids the...

  It has been a few years since we have seen the guardians of the galaxy on screen together in such a lighthearted fashion. This time, it is around the holidays and with all of the recent events in the MCU, mantis and Drax want to try to bring some Christmas joy to peters life. While at the home of the Ravagers they get this idea to get Peter the greatest gift he can ask for and travel to earth to fetch the gift which results in one of the most hilarious cameos in the MCU. James Gunn has shown us time and time again between marvel and DC why he is such a fantastic storyteller and Director; He has made us fall in love with this team, and really care for them. With Marvel phase 4 mostly consisting of films revolving around grieving, it is great to see the guardians taking some time off and enjoying the time together in such a wholesome fashion.  A few guardians didn’t get as much spotlight in this special, as it focused mainly on Drax and Mantis but there is only so much you can...

  It’s hard to believe Tim Burton has never helmed an Addams Family project before. The quirky gothic stylings of the franchise are right up his alley, so it was only a matter of time until we were treated to his version of the family. While Wednesday may not be exactly what fans envisioned for Burton’s take on these characters, it’s a fun and mildly twisted series elevated by the always-excellent, Jenna Ortega. Although this show is geared toward a young adult audience, older viewers will appreciate the clever nods and references to the family’s film and television history. Whether it’s the signature double snap or having Ricci return in a different role, there’s more than enough to please longtime fans. Burton’s signature style gives the series an appropriately dreary look, even though it doesn’t always meld with the teen-focused storytelling.  The production design is also quite impressive. Everything from the gothic architecture of the Nevermore campus to the creature desi...

  The film highlights the generational trauma that can be passed down from parent to child in an almost vicious cycle. Sometimes parents can take insecurities and project them onto their children. Other times parents can be exactly like their parents after trying incredibly hard not to turn out like them. Children battle with their parents at a young age over wanting to be an individual and not an extension of their parents. That is when the perception of a parent of their child begins to change. A child isn’t brought into this world for parents to fix the issues they couldn’t heal from in their childhood. This runs throughout the film with Searcher and his son Ethan (Jaboukie Young-White). Once Searcher finds some pests in his crops, he ventures to the outskirts of Avalonia to get to the root of the problem. During this adventure, Searcher wants Ethan to learn the farming ways with him. As Ethan explores with his father, he understands that he has a different perspective on living...

  Director Maria Schrader made some excellent choices to show the stories of the survivors. She let the stories breathe as the women would retell their painful memories to the journalists. Schrader never showed any physical moments between the survivors and Weinstein, which was the right choice. Given the title of this film, the words being spoken by the women became more powerful as there were only images implying how the situation had unraveled. It was more powerful to process the words than to connect to graphic images on the screen. These claims happen to women more than any of us care to admit, and the language used to explain what happened is more chilling than a re-enactment of a terrible memory. The script is co-written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Kantor, and Twohey. They highlighted the spaces in the timeline to keep a steady pace. There are tense moments that could resonate with journalists on a different level, and the score by Nicholas Britell would flow seamlessly in and ou...

Happily ever after is a fairytale ending that’s been used more times than any of us can count. It’s a cheerfully definitive conclusion to a story, leaving what happens next up to the viewer’s imagination. Disenchanted reopens a story that finished 15 years ago, to show us what comes after happily ever after.  This sequel doesn’t totally justify its existence, but the colourful presentation and energetic performances make it a delightful enough distraction for those who fell in love with the first film. Whereas Enchanted found Giselle as a fish out of water, lost and bewildered by the real world, Disenchanted takes the opposite approach - well, sort of. Here we have the down-to-earth characters from the original navigating new territory, as Giselle accidentally transforms her town into a magical, real-life version of Andalasia. There was the opportunity to twist what worked so well in the first film and have everyone else feeling lost and bewildered. Instead, they all pretty much pl...

  The cast works together extremely well, but the standouts were Nanjiani and Murray Bartlett, who plays Nick De Noia, an Emmy-winning choreographer. As the club received more attention, Banerjee needed to polish off his show for it to grow even bigger. One night, De Noia walked in and left him his card; perhaps it was fate that brought them together, but as the series goes on, it seems like their meeting did more harm than good. This series pits ego against ego and a businessman against a choreographer with status. There is plenty of flashy dancing and fun moments in the club, but the intense business negotiations and backstabbing are what made this compelling. No one ever fully understands what it means to build a business, and Robert Siegel made sure to show every inch of the mayhem. Nanjiani gives one of the best performances of his career as he descends into the madness of becoming the best in the world. He loses himself in this role, and it’s unlike anything we’ve seen him do...

  It’s almost hard to believe that the two of them haven’t worked together until now. Ferrell and Reynolds had wonderful chemistry and bounced off of each other incredibly well. Their line delivery, slapstick comedy, and timing all worked in every single scene they were in. On the one hand, you have Reynolds playing his dry sarcastic self, and Ferrell channels his inner Buddy with his whimsical zest for Christmas. Sure, they act as complete opposites for comedic purposes, but once Briggs and the Ghost of Christmas Present head back to their past, they discover they’re more alike than they think. Here, they begin to understand each other and connect on an emotional level to ground the film. There’s some Christmas magic to warm the heart, but it’s those tough, intimate moments from their past that will resonate with audiences.  Another impressive thing was the choreography in the musical numbers. It felt so extravagant and massive, which just added to the magic of Christmas. Rey...

In the years since The Shape of Water took home the top prize at the 90th Academy Awards, Guillermo Del Toro has branched out and brought his unique brand of storytelling to a variety of different artistic mediums. He worked with Hideo Kojima on his expansive video game   Death Stranding , opened a temporary art exhibition in Minneapolis inspired by the visual aesthetic of his films, produced several movies, and most recently created a horror anthology series for Netflix titled  Guillermo Del Toro’s “Cabinet of Curiosities.   Despite exploring different artistic avenues, Del Toro has remained very active within the film industry. Last year, he brought us his Best Picture nominated tribute to the noir genre,   Nightmare Alley . Less than a year later, he’s back with his interpretation of   Pinocchio.  Del Toro’s latest filmmaking venture finds him working within the realm of stop-motion animation, a style that his visual sensibilities are extremely well suit...

  Anytime I see a show that is only a few seasons long for creative reasons, that really peaks my interest to tune in. Many shows today run their course and drag on but executive producer Liz Feldman said early on that Dead to Men would only be three seasons long. This works in the show's benefit as the plot does not get too convoluted over time but instead focuses on crafting an intricate web of lies that constantly make its characters jump over hoops to cover up. This season tied up all of its loose ends and concluded the story and provided a satisfying conclusion to the insane antics of Jen and Judy. There is definitely a tonal shift this season as it has some of the most emotional scenes in the series. It has been a few days since I finished watching and I am still shocked at some of the major twists. I would love to say that things end happily ever after for our characters but based on the trajectory of the shows and the trail of blood left behind, there has to be a cost for t...

  Once the characters get seated for the meal director Mark Mylod does a wonderful job keeping everyone in the frame. Each couple is seated at a table and has their own issues. Multiple conversations are happening at once, and you’re able to get to know these characters quite easily. Mylod’s attention to detail inside and outside of the kitchen made for such an intriguing mystery. Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) at Hawthorne’s planned a menu for his guests that co-writers Will Tracy and Seth Reiss worked into the structure of the film. The way Mylod directed each scene with the following course, while still assembling the development of these characters on screen was a real treat.  The cast was really strong because they worked to the strengths of their characters. Taylor-Joy is always a delight to watch on-screen and Hoult barely gets the recognition when he has a good script to work with. Fiennes was unhinged as Chef Slowik and he was probably the most interesting to watch becau...

  It is one thing to discuss these matters with characters on screen, but it is another to show their feelings through the visual storytelling of the film. Wegner has been such an impressive force with her compositions within the frame that everything complimented Pugh's incredible performance. It seemed as though the visuals and Leilo's direction for this piece completely overpowered the story. To see a young woman conditioned to think a certain way after a traumatic childhood event is difficult to comprehend. Her parents have attempted to help her but have turned her into this empty shell of a young girl to fit their religious narrative of heaven and hell. At the cost of a young life, an older generation must enforce their ideals upon everyone, which is even more problematic in itself. Her parents test Nurse Wright's patience throughout the film, as she pushes her scientific rationalization as to why this young girl has survived without food.  The moments between Pugh and...

  With an increasingly chaotic plot unfolding in real time, Soft and Quiet is anything but what its title implies. Although it comes from Blumhouse, this isn’t your traditional horror fare, but it’s every bit as frightening knowing there are people like this in our world. The “one take” concept is executed seamlessly, with smart camera work that heightens the chaos, even if it leads to certain events unfolding a bit too quickly to be believable. This is an uncomfortable watch, but a relevant one that’s worth your time. Go into this blind if you can. I guarantee you’re in for a shock.  Available now on VOD.  Review by: Benjamin Garrett  7.5/10

  After a skiing accident, Sierra is left with amnesia, and she doesn’t remember anything before the accident. Jake is the one who finds her in the forest, and after bringing her to the hospital, they find out that she doesn’t have anyone looking for her. Jake naturally offers his Ski Lodge to help her until someone finds her. For Sierra to remember anything at all, she has to start doing normal things to jog her memory. This is where the humour comes in because she was privileged and never did household chores while she was growing up. So simple tasks like cooking, making the bed, and washing clothes were challenging for her. It was wonderful to see Lohan back on screen being adorable and charming while embracing the Christmas spirit. Her chemistry with Chord Overstreet did have some magic that made the Christmas atmosphere the perfect romantic setting at the Ski Lodge.  Writers Jeff Bonnett and Ron Oliver use the magic of Christmas and the classic “bump on the head” storylin...

Wakanda Forever is the most anticipated MCU film since Endgame. With the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, the team behind this film had a difficult task to take on but it was one that they approached with professionalism and grace. Ryan Coogler delivered a film worthy of Chadwick Boseman's Legacy and the Black Panther. Still grieving over the tragic death of King T'chala, a new threat emerges from below the ocean to challenge Wakanda during its darkest times. Shuri must navigate this new world without her brother and try and protect the world's newest genius; Riri Williams aka Ironheart. Grief and love are at the very core of the Black Panther series and this movie touched on that in almost every plot devise, including our villain. Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta is one of the strongest antagonists in the MCU. A good villain is usually mirrored by the hero, Namor and his city of Talokan are not that different than Wakanda. and their situation in the scale of the global ec...

Based on the true story surrounding one of Australia’s largest undercover sting investigations; The Stranger is a gripping, slow-burn crime drama, rife with constant tension.  The movie tackles some dark subject matter, and the bleak presentation captures the tone exceptionally. The striking, slightly desaturated cinematography, the creative editing, and the eerie score go a long way in pulling you into this unsettling investigation. It all works in harmony to convey a sense of isolation and hopelessness, adding more weight to an already grim story.  Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris are two underrated talents, and both are given a chance to showcase their abilities here. They give understated, quiet performances, but you can really feel the gravity of their situation, slowly wearing them down mentally over time. The true crime elements are intriguing, but the psychological aspects are downright fascinating.  The way the story plays out is handled in a way that adds further i...

  Three different stories are being told; it could have worked if they had been layered differently. Each new piece of information is being thrown into the mix for it to hold more of a personal tie to Kat. There are monsters that we carry, monsters that we don’t believe in, and monsters that manifest themselves in other people. Selick and Peele also try to address big corporate monsters who do not care about the little people which completely gets lost in this story. Kat is a different character, as her punk-rock look and detached demeanour somehow carry this movie. Not only is she a young teenager looking to find herself, but she is also a “Hellmaiden” with a direct link to the underworld. It is also a parallel to her being able to search deep within herself to expel the darkness from her mind to live free of her past.  Wendell and Wild  has strong themes of grief and guilt that come through in the stunning animation. Kat’s feelings are manifested in Wendell and Wild, bu...

  The direction by Chukwu is by far the most important aspect of this film because of what she chose to present to audiences. Her tender and careful direction of Emmett Till’s death was impactful because of what she concealed. Those moments when the camera stayed on Deadwyler to capture her emotions instead of showing the brutality that her son faced were important. There was a level of respect that came with the cinematography by Bobby Bukowski as well. It was a retelling through a mother’s eyes, and Mamie was devoted to her son in trying to expose the brutality of his death. Many powerful moments throughout Till will have you locked in on Deadwyler for giving such an emotionally nuanced performance that will have you in tears. Even though it is a heavy film, it is so unique in perspective and is another layer in understanding the lives of Black mothers in America. Two scenes, in particular, will never leave your mind, and Chukwu intended for them to make a lasting impact as they ...