Author Archive
Film Review – Disenchanted
Enchanted (2007) came as a surprise in how it balanced a traditional fairytale with a modern sensibility. It worked to undermine the familiar tropes of princesses, dashing heroes, and evil witches – and yet it had such an earnest sensibility that it can win over the…
READ MORE
Film Review – The Menu
The Menu (2022) operates as a black comedy involving the rituals of fine dining. In broader terms, it can be seen as an allegory for consumerism, art, and the commodification of basic human necessities. Whether a person has a fancy luxury vehicle or a cheap used…
READ MORE
Film Review – My Father’s Dragon
Cartoon Saloon, the studio responsible for the acclaimed animated features Song of the Sea (2014) and The Secret of Kells (2009) has returned with yet another marvel in My Father’s Dragon (2022). The film is reminiscent of the best Studio Ghibli efforts, in how it mixes fantasy and adventure with real life themes.…
READ MORE
Film Review – Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
Growing up, Weird Al Yankovic existed in a strange place in my memory, which he would probably take as a compliment. With his curly hair, mustache, and accordion, I always knew him as the musician who made those funny parodies of popular songs. As I got older,…
READ MORE
Film Review – Causeway
After a decade of high-profile projects and big budget franchise work, seeing Jennifer Lawrence in a smaller character piece is a welcomed change of pace. Her performance in Causeway (2022) is a reminder that she is not just one of the biggest stars in the movie business, but one…
READ MORE
Film Review – All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) begins with a powerful opening sequence. We open on a field of dead German soldiers, victims of WWI trench warfare. We see the bodies transported to a mass grave, but the journey doesn’t stop there. The camera follows their…
READ MORE
Film Review – My Policeman
There is one glaring omission with My Policeman (2022), and it is passion. Forbidden love, social conventions, guilt, and forgiveness are all key ingredients for a romantic drama. While those elements are certainly here, the final product is undercooked. This is a stuffy affair. Its languid approach…
READ MORE
Film Review – Decision to Leave
If there is one thing to expect from South Korean director Park Chan-wook, it’s the unexpected. From The Vengeance Trilogy, Thirst (2009), Stoker (2013), and The Handmaiden (2016), Park is a master of keeping us on our toes. Even when we have a familiarity with his set up, he has a knack for…
READ MORE