The Holdovers – Shea’s Review

The Holdovers – Shea’s Review

“The Holdovers,” directed by Alexander Payne and starring Paul Giamatti, is a comedy-drama set in New England during the Christmas season of 1970. Giamatti plays an uptight professor at Barton Academy tasked with overseeing a group of students staying on campus during the winter break. The film is praised for its layered characters, humor, and touching moments, providing an experience that manages to be both hilarious and emotionally resonant. The reviewer considers it a potential addition to their regular Christmas movie rotation, balancing themes of family, loss, and depression with comedy.

Anatomy of a Fall – Shea’s Review

Anatomy of a Fall – Shea’s Review

“Anatomy of a Fall” is a French film directed by Justine Triet. The film, initially presented as a murder mystery, evolves into an exploration of relationships and truth, supported by remarkable performances. It explores the death of a man found by his blind son and his dog, Snoop, and delves into complicated familial relationships, and at times intense emotional scenes. Despite its murder mystery premise, the film’s true strength lies in its depiction of the messy nature of real life relationships.