2010s

SONI: A Candid Depiction of India’s Gender Politics
SONI: A Candid Depiction of India’s Gender Politics

Soni, as a gritty realist portrait, feels fresh and unique – both in it’s portrayal of Kalpana and Soni and its technical achievements.

NINA: Messy Yet Compelling Slice of Polish Cinema
NINA: Messy Yet Compelling Slice Of Polish Cinema

Dynamic turns from its two stars and an intriguing relationship at its core makes Nina watchable, if occasionaly frustrating elsewhere.

THE QUAKE: Suffers From Sequelitis
THE QUAKE: Suffers From Sequelitis

The Quake repeats a lot of the same beats from The Wave, assuming it’ll be another sure-fire success – but it leads to a mild case of sequelitis.

SERENITY: Baffling, Outrageous, But Excitingly Original Nonetheless
SERENITY: Baffling, Outrageous, But Excitingly Original Nonetheless

Serenity is a little bit genius, a little bit of a mess, but at the very least it is something interesting, and it commits to itself and its choices.

LOST HOLIDAY: Lively, DIY Crime Caper Captures The Reluctance Of Accepting Adulthood
LOST HOLIDAY: Lively, DIY Crime Caper Captures The Reluctance Of Accepting Adulthood

Lost Holiday illustrates our inescapable desire for the days when irresponsible behavior was met with laughter and a slap on the wrist, but what happens when that responsibility is willfully ignored.

I AM THE NIGHT: The Insane Story Of Fauna Hodel Comes To Life
I AM THE NIGHT: The Insane Story Of Fauna Hodel Comes To Life

I Am the Night is a thrill ride that not only tells Fauna Hodel’s incredible story, but also pays homage to the LA noirs of the past.

THEN CAME YOU: Sweet Teen Tale Lacks Originality
THEN CAME YOU: Sweet Teen Tale Lacks Originality

Then Came You doesn’t break new ground, but Asa Butterfield and Maisie Williams have the film bursting with such a youthful energy that it’s hard to not at least enjoy the show.

THE VANISHING: A Slow, Occasionally Tense Exercise on Atmosphere
THE VANISHING: A Slow, Occasionally Tense Exercise On Atmosphere

Despite its eclectic performances, The Vanishing is a snail-paced buildup to real action and suspense that doesn’t have enough substance to give the narrative some weight.

CRYSTAL SWAN: A Charming If Downtrodden Tale Of Seeking The American Dream In Post-Soviet Belarus
CRYSTAL SWAN: A Charming If Downtrodden Tale Of Seeking The American Dream In Post-Soviet Belarus

Crystal Swan is about the murky foundation that the American Dream is built on, but the persistence it instills on those who are willing to fight for it.

ONE CUT OF THE DEAD: Zombies Bite Back On Blu-Ray
ONE CUT OF THE DEAD: Zombies Bite Back On Blu-Ray

 Proving the undead ain’t quite dead just yet, One Cut of the Dead remind us that even though some ideas might sound generic or overworked, it’s ultimately up to the execution

FYRE: THE GREATEST PARTY THAT NEVER HAPPENED: Significantly More Successful Than The Festival
FYRE: THE GREATEST PARTY THAT NEVER HAPPENED: Significantly More Successful Than The Festival

Not only does Fyre tell an interesting story, but it tells it well; the whole ordeal is tense and hilarious in equal measure.

IMPETUS: Ambitious Hybrid On Loss & Letting Go
IMPETUS: Ambitious Hybrid On Loss & Letting Go

Impetus is a film for those dedicated to the filmmaking craft, and the unconventional ways it can be molded to create unique means of storytelling.

THE STANDOFF AT SPARROW CREEK: Militia Men Stuck In A Who-Dun-It
THE STANDOFF AT SPARROW CREEK: Militia Men Stuck In A Who-Dun-It

The Standoff at Sparrow Creek is a shadowy, overly serious affair, and every element of its narrative and craft reflects the film’s white-knuckle grip.

ON THE BASIS OF SEX: A By-The-Numbers Biopic That Services A Very Specific And Unaware Crowd
ON THE BASIS OF SEX: A By-The-Numbers Biopic

On the Basis of Sex is not likely to plant the seed of determination in the next RBG, as they don’t need pop feminist representations of even the most laudable of figures.

PATRICK: A Twee Rom-Com With No Reason To Exist
PATRICK: A Twee Rom-Com With No Reason To Exist

Patrick takes a currently successful formula and twists it into an unbearably cutesy mess, created for shallow monetary gain from an indifferent public.