2010s
Believe the hype. Avengers: Infinity War begins to close the portal to Marvel Studios’ three phases in an extravagant fashion, serving as a prime example that story and spectacle can coexist in a summer blockbuster.
Mary and the Witch’s Flower feels truly timeless, an animated classic in waiting that will delight audiences both young and old. Hiromasa Yonebayashi has captured the very essence of Studio Ghibli for this first Studio Ponoc effort.
Straight from Tribeca Film Festival, Lee Jutton two films; both are the feature directorial debuts of talented women filmmakers and both center on complicated women trying to come to terms with tragedies in their pasts.
Whether basking in the glory of its noir-style lighting, or admiring its Ennio Morricone-influenced score, or even if just a fan of the hodgepodge of films referenced in some way, there’s at least something in Pickings for people to enjoy.
With undefined characters and a hesitation to commit to the violent realism of the story, Spanish historical epic Gold (Oro) proves to be something of a tedious slog.
While Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable may be a wreck of its own, there are hidden treasures within that do deserve discovery.
There are those that may find Sgt. Stubby a little too twee for their tastes and it may not appeal to those who are not won over by doggy antics, but for those that are susceptible to a four legged friend, you will find Stubby a real heart-warmer.
The Party’s Just Beginning isn’t always fun, but it’s definitely a powerful vehicle for the very talented Karen Gillan.
It takes a lot to stand out among the numerous films about the AIDS crisis, but Campillo has managed to craft one that’s certain to stand the test of time. Distinctive characters and an astute understanding of what made ACT UP so memorable shines through in 120 BPM.
Funny Cow is one of the most harmful depictions of the British working class in popular culture since Sacha Baron Cohen’s Grimsby, in addition to being one of the most mindbogglingly racist and homophobic films in recent memory.
Director Adam MacDonald mostly succeeds with Pyewacket being a simple, heartfelt tale focusing on the disintegration of a mother/daughter bond, without too much background noise as a distraction.
Imitation Girl is an interesting character study focusing on women asking the questions: Who am I? and What do I have to show for my life? Lauren Ashley Carter gives strong performances as both Julianna and her imitation in this unique and captivating film about identity.
With exceptional performances from Hill, Phoenix, Mara, and Black, an inventive score from Elfman, spasmodically calculated direction by Van Sant, and an incredible true story, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot succeeds as a biopic.
Samuel Maoz’s Foxtrot toys with our emotions, but that doesn’t mean it lacks any of its own. This is an energetic and structurally audacious jukebox of sensations, prioritising impulse over precision and thought over action.
Casting, director Nicholas Wackerbarth’s meta tribute to Fassbinder’s 70’s masterpiece The Bitter Tears of Petra Van Kant, is a fantastically cringeworthy comedy in the same vein as Toni Erdmann.