2010s

A SUN 陽光普照: Bloated But Moving
A SUN 陽光普照: Bloated But Moving

Chung takes heavy, economic, social, and intimate struggles of one middle-class family and trusts the audience to find something relatable and universal in their story.

Staff Inquiry: Best TV Series Finales
Staff Inquiry: Best TV Series Finales

This month for our Staff Inquiry, we’re highlighting some of the TV series that left us feeling just right.

THE SONATA: A Sharp Concept Played Flat
THE SONATA: A Sharp Concept Played Flat

The Sonata attempts to be moody, brooding, and dark, only to come off as predictable, cliched, and silly.

THE LEUNIG FRAGMENTS: The Product Of A Reluctant Subject
THE LEUNIG FRAGMENTS: The Product Of A Reluctant Subject

The concept of a documentary feature exploring Michael Leuni, such an eminent figure of Australian culture, was promising, but eventually disappoints.

DARK WATERS: A Gritty Look At Corporate Greed And Deception
DARK WATERS: A Gritty Look At Corporate Greed & Deception

Dark Waters is poignant, infuriating, and anxiety-inducing in the best possible way, and serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and responsibility — now more than ever.

SYNONYMS: Farewell to Language
SYNONYMS: Farewell To Language

The conflicts at the heart of Synonyms will resonate deeply, thanks to Lapid’s deeply personal storytelling and Mercier’s fiery performance.

HONEYLAND: Crucial & Universal Documentary Filmmaking
HONEYLAND: Crucial & Universal Documentary Filmmaking

Honeyland proves to be an immensely intimate look at the life of a woman whilst also remaining completely universal.

Queerly Ever After #21: ROMEOS (2011)
Queerly Ever After #21: ROMEOS (2011)

Romeos gets points for being one of the few films out there about a trans-man who gets a happy ending, but it is mired in unlikable characters who run the gamut of stereotypes.

WHITE SNAKE: The Classic Myth + A Mesh of Hollywood Ideas
WHITE SNAKE 白蛇:緣起: The Classic Myth + A Mesh Of Hollywood Ideas

This telling of White Snake adds an action-fantasy plot to its romance story, and feels like a mesh of other fantasy films you’ve seen before.

THE LODGE: A Fun, Subversive Horror Hit
THE LODGE: A Fun, Subversive Horror Hit

The Lodge is inventive, it’s clever and it’s pretty damn spooky. If you’re a horror fan, don’t let this one slip under the radar.

THE WILD GOOSE LAKE: Bleak, Restrained & Sensuous Film Noir
THE WILD GOOSE LAKE: Bleak, Restrained & Sensuous Film Noir

The Wild Goose Lake’s glaring missteps aren’t enough to sink the film and its overall affect, which remains consistent and engaging throughout.

Berlinale Film Festival 2020: THE ASSISTANT
Berlinale 2020: THE ASSISTANT

For such a quietly paced film, The Assistant certainly tackles a very serious topic through an intensely contemplative lens.

GRIM WOODS: A Grim Fairy Tale Of Its Own
GRIM WOODS: A Grim Fairy Tale Of Its Own

Each of these stories featured an intriguing idea with theirr own successes, yet the compilation of Grim Woods leaves much to be desired.

MANARA: Highlights Lebanon’s Increasing Mental Health Crisis
MANARA: Highlights Lebanon’s Increasing Mental Health Crisis

Manara is a thoughtful and quietly powerful short film, and feels particularly timely, deserving to be a part of the conversation

DEAD SOUND: Do Not Let This One Go Quietly Into the Night
DEAD SOUND: Do Not Let This One Go Quietly Into The Night

Coupled with skill in front and behind the camera, It is not gore or a body count but pure tension that pulsates through Dead Sound, pushing it forward.