Written by Michael Clawson "“Blitz” is a film that’s easy to take for granted. A World War II thriller and melodrama from Steve McQueen, it is by most measures highly conventional, and with its handsome period recreation of 1940s London, … Continue reading.
Author: Drink in the Movies
Disclaimer
Written by Jeff Sparks "Present-day Catherine is surrounded by darker, muddy colors, captured in decisive camera movements in contrast to the bright, free-flowing cinematography that presents her affair at the beach. “Disclaimer” isn’t bad by any means, but it only … Continue reading.
Gladiator II
Written by Taylor Baker "The narrative and presentation of “Gladiator II” has an uncanny valley quality. It seems like an imitation of what a “Gladiator” sequel should be. It seemingly accounts for the mechanics and narrative details of..."… Continue reading.
Sue Bird: In the Clutch
Written by Jeff Sparks "The film is at its best early on when we learn about Sue’s childhood from never-before-seen photos, news clippings, and grainy footage of her in high school. Subsequently, the portion that sees her in UConn intrigues … Continue reading.
VIFF 2024: Measures for a Funeral
Written by Michael Clawson "“Measures for a Funeral,” arrives as her most ambitious work to date, and as a culmination of her collaborations with actress Deragh Campbell. More than just a leap in scale over her previous work, “Measures” suggests..."… Continue reading.
VIFF 2024: Dream Team
Written by Michael Clawson "Lev Kalman & Whitney Horn’s “Dream Team” is what you might call a “vibes” movie. A sparkly, sun-dappled, and pleasurably silly riff on crime drama, it melds erotica and absurdism through a plot that’s digressive and … Continue reading.
VIFF 2024: The Girl with the Needle
Written by Taylor Baker "Cinematographer Michal Dymek deftly frames interiors and captures exquisite light and shadow work to accentuate the increasingly hellish Copenhagen that Karoline scrapes by in. Puce Mary’s score haunts, chills, and soars along with every choice and … Continue reading.
VIFF 2024: Black Dog
Written by Michael Clawson "A film of expansive visual power, of so many rolling desert vistas and desolate townscapes coated in metallic gray, “Black Dog” depicts the transformation of rural China in recent decades through the washed-out aesthetic of..."… Continue reading.
VIFF 2024: Julie Keeps Quiet (Julie zwijgt)
Written by Taylor Baker "It's less about talking things out in “Julie Keeps Quiet” and more about watching Julie physically process her emotions and exasperation at the situation. Extended sequences beautifully express Julie’s internal discipline and determination through physical action."… Continue reading.
Megalopolis
Written by Taylor Baker "...we may need to hope for a director’s cut of “Megalopolis” to fully appreciate the sprawling fable of a falling civilization and how love, honesty, and a little magical plot device could help save us all. … Continue reading.
