‘Materialists’ Review – The Most Cynical Rom-Dramedy of the Year is a Baffling Mess

‘Materialists’ Review – The Most Cynical Rom-Dramedy of the Year is a Baffling Mess

Following up Past Lives was always going to be difficult in my estimation. That movie is one that remains near and dear to my heart. It’s a movie that has affected me emotionally in ways I’m almost embarrassed to admit. So it’s conflicting to come away from Celine Song’s second feature Materialists feeling so ….

’28 Years Later’ Review – Somehow Still Alive… and Better Than Ever

’28 Years Later’ Review – Somehow Still Alive… and Better Than Ever

28 Days Later hit theatres in 2002 and has loomed large in the lexicon of horror fans everywhere. Even before I saw the full film, I knew the haunting image of Jim (played by now-Oscar winner Cillian Murphy) wandering the empty streets of London. To this day it remains one of the most striking and…

‘The Life of Chuck’ Review – A Quiet, Beautiful Reminder of Why I Love Movies

‘The Life of Chuck’ Review – A Quiet, Beautiful Reminder of Why I Love Movies

My first experience with Mike Flanagan came in 2016 when I watched Hush, a horror slasher with a deaf protagonist. This was a very simple movie, but felt incredibly fresh and inventive. Afterwards, Flanagan went on to make Ouija: Origin of Evil (aka the good Oujia movie), and a few series for Netflix, like Haunting…

‘Bring Her Back’ Review – It’ll Make You Squirm, But Will It Stick With You?

‘Bring Her Back’ Review – It’ll Make You Squirm, But Will It Stick With You?

Bring Her Back is the sophomore effort from Danny and Michael Philippou, after the critically and commercially successful release of their first film Talk To Me. Danny and Michael are twin brothers from Australia who you may know from their successful YouTube Channel RackaRacka. Bring Her Back stars Billy Barratt, Sora Wong and Sally Hawkins. …

‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ Review: This Is Why We Go to the Movies

‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ Review: This Is Why We Go to the Movies

I’m going to state my biases upfront: I think Mission: Impossible is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive film franchises of all time. If you listened to the latest episode of Talkies, you already know I think it’s only gotten better with age too. We recorded that episode the day after watching all…

‘Clown in a Cornfield’ Review – A Slasher That’s More Corny Than Clever

‘Clown in a Cornfield’ Review – A Slasher That’s More Corny Than Clever

It’s no secret that I love the horror genre. From classic slashers to the more modern era of “elevated horror” (not my favourite term), there’s so many interesting and unique things to experience in the genre.  When I saw the trailer for Clown in a Cornfield at the theatre I was intrigued, but skeptical. I…

‘Final Destination Bloodlines’ Review – Death Is Back and Better Than Ever

‘Final Destination Bloodlines’ Review – Death Is Back and Better Than Ever

It’s been 14 years since the last Final Destination movie and I, for one, thought the franchise was dead and buried. Thankfully, Final Destination Bloodlines, the sixth instalment in the series, brings some fresh blood to the lineage. I have a fondness for the Final Destination films, particularly the first three. As a kid, I…

‘Sharp Corner’ Review – Ben Foster Shines in This Solid Slow-Burn Thriller

‘Sharp Corner’ Review – Ben Foster Shines in This Solid Slow-Burn Thriller

Listen, when I read about the premise of this movie on Twitter, I thought it seemed silly, but when I realized Ben Foster was the lead, I was much more interested.  Sharp Corner is about a family that moves into a new home located right on the bend of a very, wait for it, sharp…

‘No Experience Necessary’ Review – Everhard’s Talent Isn’t Just Emerging, It’s Arrived

‘No Experience Necessary’ Review – Everhard’s Talent Isn’t Just Emerging, It’s Arrived

I’ve got a confession: I used to scoff at short films. I never even watched the Oscar-nominated ones. But writer/director Emily Everhard has shown me how wrong I was. Shorts aren’t just stepping stones, they’re vital training grounds for fresh voices and bold ideas. Whiplash, The Babadook, and Napoleon Dynamite all started as shorts. In…

‘Opus’ Review – Malkovich Mesmerizes, but Does the Movie?

‘Opus’ Review – Malkovich Mesmerizes, but Does the Movie?

Opus is the directorial debut for writer/director Mark Anthony Green and stars Ayo Edebiri as Ariel Ecton, our main character and an aspiring writer, and John Malkovich as Alfred Moretti, a musician with a Prince-esque aura and the global popularity of Michael Jackson.  The synopsis reads: “A young writer is invited to the remote compound…