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.
Tag: Festival
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.
TIFF 2024: U Are the Universe
Written by Taylor Baker "...the simple, sometimes comedic relationship between Max-E and Andriy and the moments of romance made through the radio between Catherine and Andriy show promise for Ostrikov. Should he..."… Continue reading.
Venice 2024: Planet B (Planète B)
Written by Taylor Baker "Another year, another Adèle Exarchopoulos film, and for the first time in a while, a colossal misfire. “Planet B,” Aude Léa Rapin’s sophomore feature, is the type of science fiction film that makes a typical fan … Continue reading.
Wonka
Written by Anna Harrison "Raise your hand, please, if you were clamoring for a prequel about the man who put several children through severe trauma in his chocolate factory. Oh, I see—no one? No one was asking for this movie? … Continue reading.
SIFF 2024: The Major Tones (Los tonos mayores)
Written by Michael Clawson "A charming coming-of-age film with magical realist flourish, “The Major Tones” is the directorial debut of Ingrid Pokropek, whose sensibility is clearly informed by her background in production for El Pampero Cine..."… Continue reading.
SIFF 2024: In Flames
Written by Michael Clawson "Patriarchal oppression is a waking nightmare in Zarrar Kahn’s “In Flames.” It manifests as a sinister presence, haunting and terrorizing mother and daughter Fariha and Mariam as they navigate modern Pakistan as..."… Continue reading.
SIFF 2024: I Saw the TV Glow
Written by Taylor Baker "“I Saw the TV Glow” is another exploration of the truths and falsity we find growing up in the suburbs of America, how impactful each viewer finds this rendition of these ideas and feelings will determine … Continue reading.









