A Lyrical Documentary Is Passionate & Expressive, But A Little Too Linear [Sundance]

Category: Reviews

A Lyrical Documentary Is Passionate & Expressive, But A Little Too Linear [Sundance]

There’s an odd tension and dichotomy coursing throughout the new documentary, “Frida,” an intimacy meets a standard-issue form: a lyrical, magical quality next to something just maybe too safely chronological for its own good. Carla Gutierrez’s new documentary, her directorial…

‘I Saw the TV Glow’ Review — Jane Schoenbrun’s Film Is a Stunning Vision

The Big Picture I Saw the TV Glow is a fascinating and unconventional film that demands to be picked apart and explored. The film blends horror, nostalgia, and larger themes of transition, creating a unique and thought-provoking story. The cast…

Ruth Wilson Fumbles Through a Snooze-Fest

The Big Picture Showtime's The Woman in the Wall fails to effectively focus on its crime plot, resulting in a messy and confusing narrative. The characters lack depth and fail to evoke sympathy, particularly the protagonist Lorna, whose mental instability…

Founders Day Featured, Reviews Film Threat

The screenplay for Founders Day, by director Erik Bloomquist and his brother Carson Bloomquist, feels like a reaction to the ever-growing political divisiveness in the United States. In the town of Fairwood, the mayoral election is heating up. Incumbent Blair…

A Family Finds Solace In Community Theater

PARK CITY – Sometimes the star of the movie isn’t the cast or the director. It’s not the cinematography or the score. Sometimes you watch a film and realize you’re experiencing the unfurling of a pretty fantastic screenplay. That’s the…

Abigail Featured, Reviews Film Threat

Bullying is a serious problem that could destroy people’s lives. Countless genre films have been made about this, including High Tension, Frontiers, and the extremes of Audition. The theme of a female protagonist doing evil things to males for various reasons is handled…

Michael Fassbender Is an Absentee Irish Rap Daddy

The Big Picture Kneecap embraces a heightened sense of the past, rather than being bound by literal events. The main trio of maniac musicians are all captured authentically, with their rough edges remaining intact. Michael Fassbender's presence feels forced and…

Laced Featured, Reviews Film Threat

Writer-director Kyle Butenhoff has designs on statement cinema with Laced. In his first feature, the director has attempted a tense and seedy domestic dramatic thriller, one baked with layers of symbolism and societal commentary. And while the filmmaker has conceived the…

This Drag Queen Has Secrets [Sundance]

PARK CITY – Trend alert: drag queen movies might just be the not new thing in the contemporary indie film world. And as a fan of both the visual arts of cinema and drag performance, we certainly aren’t complaining. 2023…

‘Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell’ Review — 2024’s First Great Film Astounds

The Big Picture Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell is a quietly astounding film that explores themes of searching and meaning. The film's deliberate pacing, use of long takes, and stunning cinematography draw viewers into its world. It is a bold…

In Its Wake Featured, Reviews Film Threat

In Its Wake, from writer/director Lee Foster and co-writers Angela Cavallin and Ryan Kobold, isn’t trying to reinvent the genre wheel. The film knows what it is and never strays from its monster movie path. Yes, the film introduces the…

Daniel Kaluuya Directs A Dystopian Story Of Fathers, Sons & The Power Of Community

Oscar-winning actor-turned-filmmaker Daniel Kaluuya’s directorial debut, “The Kitchen,” is a slightly unusual, oddly shaped movie at times. And/or, another way to look at it is, depending on your point of view, Daniel Kaluuya’s filmmaking debut (co-directed with Kibwe Tavares, who…

Prev 1 … 379 380 381 382 383 … 689 Next