fantasy

NINE DAYS: Beautiful & Heartbreaking, Edson Oda's Brilliant Debut Stares From The Abyss
NINE DAYS: Beautiful & Heartbreaking, Edson Oda’s Brilliant Debut Stares From The Abyss

Written and directed by Edson Oda in his directorial debut, Nine Days is as thoughtful as it is beautiful, as heartbreaking as it is jovial.

JUNGLE CRUISE: How Is It This Bland?
JUNGLE CRUISE: How Is It This Bland?

Jungle Cruise is far from cringe or embarrassment, and sure, it’s never actively terrible. But the bar shouldn’t be set this low.

THE WANTING MARE: A Visionary Debut
THE WANTING MARE: A Visionary Debut

For its high-concept presentation, The Wanting Mare is not a very demanding picture but more of an invitation to a unique passion.

I AM LISA: A Female Led Lycanthropic Thrill-Fest
I AM LISA: A Female Led Lycanthropic Thrill-Fest

It mostly delivers on the thrills and kills, providing enough of a jolt of energy to satisfy genre fans.

LISEY'S STORY: Love, Loss & And The Power Of Imagination
LISEY’S STORY: Love, Loss & The Power Of Imagination

Lisey’s Story is a miniseries of magic, both in what it explores universally, but also what it generates internally.

EARWIG AND THE WITCH: Studio Ghibli's Riskiest Director Dives Into The Third Dimension
EARWIG AND THE WITCH: Studio Ghibli’s Riskiest Director Dives Into The Third Dimension

The potential with this was promising, and yet they couldn’t quite make it work.

ABOUT ENDLESSNESS: Roy Andersson's Latest Is A Splendid Existential Work
ABOUT ENDLESSNESS: Roy Andersson’s Latest Is A Splendid Existential Work

With About Endlessness, Roy Andersson once again weaves together short vignettes that uncover the intricacy and vulnerability of the human condition.

SHADOW AND BONE: A Shining Adaptation
SHADOW AND BONE: A Shining Adaptation

While it takes the series a few episodes to find its footing, it eventually settles into an even pace, supported by the strong performances and adaptation.

Horrific Inquiry: THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920)
Horrific Inquiry: THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920)

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, from Robert Wiene, is a film held close to the hearts of film historians, German expressionists, and horror fans alike.

Horrific Inquiry: LEPRECHAUN (1993)
Horrific Inquiry: LEPRECHAUN (1993)

Gold at the end of the rainbow, ancient magics, and leprechauns all to delight and even terrify. This was the goal of Mark Jones’ Leprechaun.

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON: A Beautiful Albeit Flawed Tale of Unity
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON: A Beautiful Albeit Flawed Tale of Unity

It might be conventional in its storytelling, but the stunning animation, lovely characters, beautiful music, and heartfelt messages won me over.

CÉLINE & JULIE GO BOATING Criterion Review: Jacques Rivette's Masterpiece Gets A New Restoration
CÉLINE & JULIE GO BOATING Criterion Review: Jacques Rivette’s Masterpiece Gets A New Restoration

With a beautiful 2K restoration, a great audio track, and an incredible selection of supplements, this is absolutely worthy of addition to any collection.

THE MAP OF TINY PERFECT THINGS: Full Of Tropes Yet It Still Works
THE MAP OF TINY PERFECT THINGS: Full Of Tropes Yet It Still Works

Despite its conventional, problematic, and at-times tedious first half, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things finds its footing delivery emotionally rewarding.

PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND Trailer
Sundance 2021: PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND And Interview With Bill Moseley

Kristy Strouse reviews the campy action fantasy, Prisoners of the Ghostland, and spoke with star Bill Moseley.

Sundance 2021 Report 2: HOW IT ENDS, EIGHT FOR SILVER & MAYDAY
Sundance 2021 Report 2: HOW IT ENDS, THE CURSED & MAYDAY

In her second report, Kristy Strouse shares three more films that she adored, all very different, but each with fantastical elements.