1st Reviews

  Emerald Fennell’s new film may not be as socially relevant as  Promising Young Woman , but it’s even more daring as it presents a world in which everything is just a little crazier than our own. The world of  Saltburn  is drenched in beautiful colors thanks to the remarkable cinematography, and Barry Keoghan gives a psychopathic performance — not his first of the sort, but it feels like everything his acting career has built up to. The production design subtly symbolizes Oliver’s journey in the film into becoming something he’s not, but soon you may believe he’s really shedding his skin and showing his true self. Jacob Elordi gives a charismatic performance that dominates the screen just as his character Felix is made to feel like he owns every room he enters. The chemistry between the two men treads the line between friendship, adoration, and unhealthy obsession. Rosamund Pike also gives a highlight performance as Felix’s mother, who’s caring yet eccentric and eve...

  Gobble gobble! Thanksgiving has come early (or very late if you’re from Canada), and Eli Roth has prepared a gruesome feast for slasher fans to devour. Adapted from the infamous fake trailer seen in 2007’s Grindhouse, this ultra violent b-movie is a ridiculously over-the-top treat.  If you’re watching this movie looking for a well written story and three dimensional characters, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. The narrative is thin and the characters play more like caricatures, but that’s part of the charm. Actually, it’s kind of the whole point. Roth has made a film teetering on the edge of parody, but thanks to his wealth of experience in the horror/slasher genre, one that never fully crosses that line. The gratuitous violence is both disturbing and hilarious, which is an impressive balancing act.  The film relies on a borrowed formula to work through its plot and collection of brutal kills. Look at the story’s framework and it’s impossible to ignore a s...

Does the average person prefer seeing positive or negative content? Based on what we see in the news and media, It would look like negative and disastrous stories make all of the headlines and seem like we are in a constant stream of world-ending scenarios. This is even the case in film and entertainment as serial killer and murder mystery stories become ever more popular but music has always been a medium that has fueled positive emotion and even protest. Can music be a tool to unify a people as a collective for a common goal? Jillian and Nathaniel go on a journey to answer that very question.  State of the Unity tells a story that is refreshing and incredibly uplifting. In 2016, the band "the Bergamot" (Jillian and Nathaniel) traveled to all 50 states to perform and spread the message of unity to all Americans. Using music to spread the message, Jillian and Nathaniel would impromptu perform in every location they drove through. This spontaneity would give them the coura...

  For one hundred years, Disney has created magical original stories that have enchanted the hearts of children and adults everywhere. Their mission was to create beloved characters that children could identify with and learn from. With powerful themes, great music and a little bit of pixie dust, these films have stood the test of time with a lasting impression on animated features. Disney films have been a staple in everyone’s childhood, and the princesses they have created have been important for young girls everywhere. The female characters have always been a strength in Disney animation, and they have developed their stories quite well with songs to express their true feelings. In Disney’s new animated feature   Wish,  Asha (Ariana DeBose) feels like a mixture of every princess combined to create a new origin story for a special character.   Asha wants to become King Magnifico’s (Chris Pine) apprentice and has her first interview with the King. She expresses the ...

  Considering all of the legendary animated     movies Disney has given the world, it would make sense that the movie released to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of Disney animation would be equally as legendary as those that came before it. Sadly, “Wish” is an entry in the Disney pantheon that fails to live up to the prestige of its predecessors and instead is a lazy rehash of the studio’s greatest hits. Without any hyperbole, about 80 per cent of this movie is ham-fisted references and blatant Easter eggs to past Disney classics. Look, Sleeping Beauty’s dress! Look, The Evil Queen’s poison apple! Spotting these references are where the majority of the entertainment value of “Wish” lies. The biggest problem with “Wish” is that there isn’t anything original about it. It feels as though the filmmakers took whatever elements they liked from past Disney movies, put them in a blender, looked at what they had and said, “meh, this’ll do. It’s worked in the past!” The son...

When most cinephiles think of modern day historical epics, the films of Ridley Scott often come to mind. Initially known for his contributions to the science-fiction genre helming classics like Blade Runner and Alien, Scott has dedicated the large majority of the second half of his storied career to crafting large scale epics with various degrees of success. Ridley Scott returns to the genre with one of his most expensive and ambitious efforts to date. Napoleon is a gargantuan historical tale starring Joaquin Phoenix as the titular French military leader, exploring his rise and fall as the world’s most talented, yet overly ambitious war strategist, as well as his tumultuous relationship with Empress Joséphine.  While Napoleon Bonaparte isn’t considered a heroic figure by any means, history doesn’t necessarily view him as unfavourably as we should, especially in France where some still shockingly view him as a national hero. Ridley Scott’s may completely change the public perception...

  ‘Rustin’ tells the true story of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin’s pivotal role in orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington. The film recounts a monumental chapter in Black history, and brings due attention to a largely unsung hero, but it lacks focus, making for a slightly disjointed effort.  The movie splits its time between the orchestration of the Washington March, and Rustin’s private life. Both angles are interesting, and deserving of the spotlight, but there isn’t enough time spent on either to fully draw you in. Considering the film is centred around such an iconic historic moment, it rarely feels as inspired as it should. It’s educational and relatively insightful, sure, but moments that should land with roaring celebration often come across like you’re reading them from a history textbook.  Colman Domingo is undoubtedly the heart and soul of the film, infusing so much passion and charisma into an otherwise paint-by-numbers biopic. In a movie full of exce...

 Scott Pilgrim is one of those properties that has something for absolutely everyone. A genre mashup done absolutely perfectly that combines anime, video games, music, comedy, superhero action and teen romance drama. Anything that is thrown into the Scott Pilgrim world, just seems to work and this new series is an example of that.  This new series combines the art style from the original comic series with the heart and wit of the 2010 movie. All of the original cast from the 2010 film return to voice their respected characters which make this one of the most stacked animated series on Netflix. I was shocked to see that all of the actors returned including Brie Larson and Chris Evans which really shows how beloved the series is and how much they probably enjoyed working on the film.  Lucas Lee, voiced by Chris Evans, is one of my favorite expanded characters in the series. His deep voice is just so hilarious and I found myself laughing every time h...

  Revenge is a dish best served with a blade. At least, that’s what the protagonist of Netflix’s latest animated series ‘Blue Eye Samurai’ believes. This ferocious tale of vengeance is a gorgeously animated, blood drenched epic that ranks among the year’s best shows.  Using a perfectly balanced combination of 2D and 3D animation techniques, this series dazzles with its gorgeously rendered imagery. This unique style adds so much depth and fluidity to every frame, especially during the exceptionally choreographed combat sequences. Whether you’re looking at a sweeping vista, or watching a group of Ronan warriors being sliced to pieces, the visual style makes it all look like a stunning work of art.  This is an ultra-violent outing, and one that doesn’t shy away from sexuality either. Its explicit nature may turn some viewers away, but know that none of it comes across gratuitously. instead, every burst of violence and moment of sexual vulnerability serves purpose in building...

  The   Trolls  films have been entertaining to watch because of the musical numbers and vibrant colours that come with the Troll territory.   Trolls  and   Trolls World Tour  are two animated features that feel different because of the song choices and the fun adventures the characters go on. Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) have great voices and perform unique mash-ups of iconic songs while they journey to different territories within the kingdom. Along the way, they meet new characters and sing even more songs with them. The   Trolls  films have always been about accepting everyone no matter their differences, and they unify the kingdom through songs. Poppy and Branch are two sides of the same coin, but because of their life experiences, they see the world through different perspectives. That’s also what made their relationship worth watching in both films.  In  Trolls Band Together,  co-directors Walt Do...

  When Time Got Louder is a story about a family struggling to take proper care of their Autistic, non-verbal son named Kayden. Through their retelling, it seems life with Kayden was managed well until their daughter, Abbie went off to college in California. This throws off the family dynamic and the whole family feels the loss of Abbie, especially Kayden.  In the present, the family is distraught as something unknown happened to Kayden which leads them to be interrogated by a social worker to get to the root of the issue. As the story is told to the social worker, we see how their parents deal with not having Abbie around to care for Kayden until the story inevitably gets to the present time.  Parents Tish and Mark, played by Elizabeth Mitchell and Lochlyn Munro take life day by day as everyone is adjusting to their new life structure without Abbie. Both are not only fantastic in their roles but have a constant look of defeat ...

  The first season of Loki remains one of the strongest Marvel offerings of the past few years, but was its success an anomaly? Would it suffer the dreaded sophomore slump? Here we are, over two years since the God of Mischief’s last appearance, and I’m thrilled to say Loki defends its throne as the very best MCU series.  The dire sense of urgency from last season flows seamlessly into this one. The story picks up right where it left off, continuing without missing a beat. These six episodes build on everything the show previously established, while also throwing plenty of exciting new elements into the mix. Aside from episode three, which is an exposition heavy lull, the whole season is exceptionally paced. The final product is an epic, high stakes and ultimately fitting conclusion to Loki’s story, twelve years in the making.  His journey from villain, to antihero to Multiversal saviour makes him arguably the most fascinating character in the MCU’s history. Tom Hiddlesto...

  If you’re a fan of David Fincher, you know he is a master at constructing psychological thrillers. He has a way of delving into the psyche of his characters and projecting their thoughts most viscerally. Fincher’s   The Killer  is a return to form and has one of Michael Fassbender’s best performances. Fincher and Fassbender create a cold and calculated assassin attempting to battle his employers after a hit goes awry. From the moment the film begins, Fincher places you in the mind of a killer. The killer is stationed in an empty apartment across from a hotel where his target is staying. Fincher references   Rear Window  as The Killer scopes the apartment through binoculars and his sniper lens to get everything in place. Then, the killer’s internal dialogue has Fassbender going through the motions of what it takes to be an assassin: don’t show empathy, and don’t improvise.   The film is based on the graphic novel written by Alexis Nolent and illustrated by...

  Ever since Avengers: Endgame tied up loose ends and provided a satisfying conclusion to the Infinity Saga, the MCU has been struggling to regain its footing. Marvel’s attempt to make the TV series mandatory viewing to understand the films and incorporate multiple timelines into the MCU, has turned the once beloved franchise into a convoluted mess. Almost every entry in phase four thus far has been a mere stepping stone to set up a future instalments, rather than a satisfying film on its own merits. There has been a significant decline in interest surrounding the MCU and superhero films in general. That is certainly reflected in the projected box office numbers for  The Marvels , which is widely predicted to be the MCU’s first genuine financial flop.  However, I don’t believe this is necessarily fair. Despite its tumultuous production and having many of the glaring flaws that have been persistent within phase 4,  The Marvels  is the most fun and irreverent the ...