In 2018 Universal saw a surprising hit with the release of Halloween, a modern set sequel to the original 1978 film, which ignored the muddied continuity of the previous sequels. This idea of a “Legacy Sequel” paid off big, both financially and critically, with the film being the most successful sequel to date. Realizing the […]
Film Reviews
When I’m a Moth Review
In 1969, Hillary Rodham (soon to be Clinton) went to Alaska (Valdez, to be exact), to slime fish. It’s a surprisingly true story – as told by Clinton in her 2017 memoir “What Happened” – and it’s the seed from which the film When I’m a Moth grows. Now, the film isn’t interested in offering […]
Reminiscence Review
Sci-fi and noir thrillers are two genres that many filmmakers have merged together. Directors like Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, and Christopher Nolan have made great films in the neo-noir genre and Westworld co-creator Lisa Joy attempts to join them with her feature film debut. In the future, Miami has been flooded by rising sea levels. Dikes […]
CODA Review
CODA is a formulaic and syrupy sweet film. It’s also perfectly designed to be a crowd pleaser – and it’s nearly impossible to not become charmed by its wonderful cast and the familiar path of its story. In short, you will almost certainly find yourself swept away by this story of a young woman who […]
People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan Review
Films based on TV shows are a staple of the British film industry. BBC Three’s People Just Do Nothing is the latest show to get the cinematic treatment. It has been three years since the Kurupt FM boys have split up and gone their separate ways. During that time one of their songs has been used […]
Rare Beasts Review
Billie Piper is a great actress. With Rare Beasts, her feature film writing and directorial debut, it appears she also has solid directorial chops as well – although her script leaves a bit to be desired. What we get with the film is a stellar starring turn from Piper, but a confused narrative that has […]
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins Review
There were many cartoons based on toys in the ‘80s. Transformers, He-Man, and My Little Pony being some of the most famous. G.I. Joe was another one of these toy-based cartoons and Paramount and MGM have attempted to reboot the movie series. Snake Eyes (Henry Golding) watched his father being killed when he was a child. As an adult, Snake Eyes […]
Free Guy Review
Online gaming has become an important part of pop culture and it serves as the basis for the action-comedy Free Guy. Guy (Ryan Reynolds) is a bank teller and an NPC in the game Free City. He cares for his goldfish, goes to work, gets robbed, and avoids the violence that plagues the city. Guy believes […]
Don’t Breathe 2 Review
The 2016 horror film Don’t Breathe concludes with Stephen Lang’s “Blind Man” character tying up the protagonist and attempting to sexually assault her in the hopes she’d give birth to a new child to replace his late daughter. It is an exceptionally dark and disgusting place for the movie to have gone, but it went […]
Pop Culture Maniacs Podcast #27: The Suicide Squad Review
Kieran and Jean review the latest entry in the DCEU.