trauma

SMILE 2: An Ambitious Sequel That Shows That Sometimes Less is More
SMILE 2: An Ambitious Sequel That Shows That Sometimes Less is More

Smile 2 may occasionally overdo it with its over-the-top approach, and it contains a scattershot plot, but its strength lies in its presentation.

JOAN BAEZ I AM NOISE: Anger Lurking Under A Big Smile
JOAN BAEZ I AM A NOISE: Anger Lurking Under A Big Smile

Joan Baez is not without her flaws and shortcomings, but the noise she made with the song of her life continues to reverberate through time and space.

Interview With Megan Park, Writer-Director Of SXSW Winner THE FALLOUT
Interview With Megan Park, Writer-Director Of SXSW Winner THE FALLOUT

Film Inquiry’s Luke Parker spoke with SXSW-winning filmmaker Megan Park about her school shooting teen drama, The Fallout.

TIFF 2020: VIOLATION and BEANS
TIFF 2020: VIOLATION and BEANS

Wilson Kwong reviews Dusty Mancinelli & Madeleine Sims-Fewer’s Violation and Tracey Deer’s Beans as part of our TIFF 2020 coverage.

I LOST MY BODY: An Animated Reflection Of Life Affirmation
I LOST MY BODY: An Animated Reflection Of Life Affirmation

I Lost My Body leaves plenty to be interpreted and discovered by its viewers, making it one of the most thought provoking animated films of the 2010s.

A LIFE IN AUGUST: Intimate Melodrama Doesn't Quite Reach The Heights
A LIFE IN AUGUST: Intimate Melodrama Doesn’t Quite Reach The Heights

Writer, director, and star Haston McLaren focuses his film, A Life in August, on the quiet downfall of a relationship that has nowhere to go.

WELCOME TO MARWEN: Zemeckis By Way Of Doll Horror

Welcome to Marwen is an unfortunately shallow endeavor, with trite dialogue and a saccahrine portrait of very serious issues.

Combating Trauma Through Art: Interviews With Jeffrey Wright & Vainuupo Avegalio Of WE ARE NOT DONE YET
Combating Trauma Through Art: Interviews With Jeffrey Wright & Vainuupo Avegalio Of WE ARE NOT DONE YET

We were able to speak with Jeffrey Wright and Vainuupo ‘A.V.’ Avegalio, who are both involved with the documentary We Are Not Done Yet.

MINDING THE GAP: A Profound, Gentle Portrait Of Abuse & Survival
MINDING THE GAP: A Profound, Gentle Portrait Of Abuse & Survival

Minding the Gap is a harrowing portrait of trauma and abuse, and a hypnotic rumination on what it means to film, be filmed, and see yourself in film. And its ending is momentous.

KINGDOM OF US: Powerful, Unflinching, Necessary Viewing
KINGDOM OF US: Powerful, Unflinching, Necessary Viewing

Maybe it’s slightly too long and loses focus on a handful of occasions, but Kingdom of Us is a vital watch, carrying a real sense of urgency.

GERALD'S GAME: Yet Another Exemplary King Adaptation
GERALD’S GAME: Yet Another Exceptional King Adaptation

Mike Flanagan’s Gerald’s Game, though not quite as dark as its source material, still showcases his talent for immersive horror film-making.

AFTERMATH: A Shallow Dive Into Grief And Guilt
AFTERMATH: A Shallow Dive Into Grief & Guilt

Elliott Lester had juicy, absorbing material to work with. Unfortunately, he turns Aftermath into an underwhelming and empty endeavor.

THE SENSE OF AN ENDING: A Novel Adaptation That Was Best Left On The Page
THE SENSE OF AN ENDING: A Novel Adaptation That Was Best Left On The Page

The Sense of an Ending is a commendable effort from both director and cast, yet its underwritten characters become lost in adaptation.

FEAR ITSELF: A Half-Hearted Exploration Into A Fascinating Subject
FEAR ITSELF: A Half-Hearted Exploration Into A Fascinating Subject

Fear Itself is a series of montages of famous horror films, though it misses out on probing just why we are fascinated by being scared.

CLOSET MONSTER: The Queer Film You Need To See
CLOSET MONSTER: The Queer Film You Need To See

Closet Monster is a movie that fluently balances drama and humor, but the very essence within its message is one of defiant and radical hope.