thriller

PIERCING: More Style Than Substance, But Still Wickedly Enjoyable

Piercing is an absolutely weird, kinky, stylish film that might not be to everyone’s taste; it is guaranteed to thrill some filmgoers and offend some others.

Sundance Film Festival 2019 Report 4: VELVET BUZZSAW, THE REPORT, & THE WOLF HOUR
Sundance Film Festival 2019 Report 4: VELVET BUZZSAW, THE REPORT, & THE WOLF HOUR

My next report from Sundance 2019 finds the festival really hitting its stride. An artsy…

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.

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.

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.

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.

GLASS: A Grossly Disappointing Superhero Film
GLASS: A Grossly Disappointing Superhero Film

Glass may have been a film nineteen years in the making, but it feels superfluous and incredibly out of touch in a world littered with superhero films.

ESCAPE ROOM: Come For The Thrills, Stay For The Kills
ESCAPE ROOM: Come For The Thrills, Stay For The Kills

A thriller like Escape Room is a good time so long as you switch your brain to “just go with it” mode.

CLOSE: Extremely Watchable, But Frustratingly Shallow

Close is frustratingly shallow, and in its breakneck pace leaves some of its character development in the dust, while trying to wring every bit of emotion out of its quieter moments.

AN ACCEPTABLE LOSS: In With A Bang, Out With Whimper
AN ACCEPTABLE LOSS: In With A Bang, Out With Whimper

An Acceptable Loss opens with a big, burning question mark that hooks you, but rather than answering its core moral question, it simplifies the conversation.

Lumos: The power and influence of the HARRY POTTER generation
Lumos: The Political Power & Influence Of The HARRY POTTER Generation

A form of political agenda has been present in film since the dawn of cinem, with YA adaptations like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games influencing a new generation.

BLOOD BOUND: It's "Twilight" – But With Incest Instead of Vampires
BLOOD BOUND: It’s “Twilight” But With Incest Instead Of Vampires

Blood Bound is a good film to watch if you’re looking for 98-minutes of chuckles and seat-squirming, but you’ll still be abundantly aware that it could’ve been a whole lot more.

BACKTRACE: The Cinematic Equivalent Of A Headache
BACKTRACE: The Cinematic Equivalent Of A Headache

Backtrace is too ridiculous and underwritten to be a full-fledged crime thriller and too self-serious to be an enjoyable B-movie.

THE PINCH: A Commendable Low Budget Effort That Falls Somewhat Short
THE PINCH: A Commendable Low Budget Effort That Falls Short

The Pinch is occasionally funny, occasionally violent, and occasionally surprising, which makes for a just about passable watch. 

All the Devil's Men is a montage of cheap jokes and even cheaper action sequences, offering nothing new to the espionage genre.
ALL THE DEVIL’S MEN: One Of The Most Lacklustre Films Of The Year

All the Devil’s Men is a montage of cheap jokes and even cheaper action sequences, offering nothing new to the espionage genre.