Damaged, a film directed by Terry McDonough and fronted by the formidable pairing of Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel, sets out to carve a niche for itself in the action-thriller genre but unfortunately falls short of the mark. This…
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The Big Picture Blackout fails to build tension in a werewolf plot, veering towards a Hallmark Channel drama. The film underutilizes impressive werewolf makeup and offers limited monster appearances. Blackout struggles to balance being gory and introspective, leaving viewers searching…
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LaRoy, Texas, a crime thriller comedy that saunters into the limelight with a cocky smirk, can easily be described as a hidden gem among modern cinematic endeavors. Shane Atkinson, known for his keen eye for blending genres, presents us with…
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In his debut feature film, Rain (Lluvia), Rodrigo García Saiz intertwines six stories as continuing vignettes throughout 24 hours, culminating in endings that reveal the human condition in subtle revelations. A constant character in each story, torrential rain appears to…
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Based on the short film of the same name, The Founder Effect, written and directed by Justin MacGregor, blends light sci-fi with mystery in the hunt for a missing child. Declan Bakker (Greg Sestero) is a missing persons and unsolved cases…
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Director-writer Nitzan Gilady delivers a sensory gut punch in his Israeli thriller, In Bed. Guy (Israel Ogalbo) and his bestie Joy (Moran Rosenblatt) are already taking ecstasy from their water bottle when they head into the street in full rave…
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A meditation on what it means to be the family provider, What Matters focuses on two men. Malcolm (Malcolm David Kelley) is an overworked man who likely won’t make his own son’s birthday party. Whereas Mark (Rick Gifford) is attempting…
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Summary Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, & Mike Faist excel with sizzling chemistry & breathtaking performances. Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross provide an electrifying score that elevates the film. Luca Guadagnino's direction makes tennis matches feel like intense action sequences. Zendaya often…
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Written and directed by Patrick Meaney, The Brink Of is a drama centered on a two-person band. Lena (Nicolette Norgaard) and James (Tim Hoffmann) went to high school together, though they could not be more different. He was the coolest…
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Summary Worthy subject matter, themes & strong performances are marred by an overstuffed, tedious plot. Interesting experimental flourishes can't overcome the jarring shifts between political drama & werewolf horror. An ambitious narrative tackles addiction, corruption, atonement, and prejudice with varying…
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Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Fallout Episode 8. The Big Picture Fallout 's Season 1 finale reveals major character developments and sets up a compelling second season. Lucy confronts her father's dark secrets, unleashing chaos in a…
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Marriage is a continuous journey, requiring compromise and ample communication before resentment boils over in an irreparable eruption of vitriol. It’s always easier said than done because the status quo feels safe and predictable, and rocking the boat becomes even…
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