“For all the praise showered on Almodรณvar’s later work, it lacks the wildness, freshness and exuberance of his 80s filmography, which often feels unfairly overlooked as a result.”
“The most powerful aspect of ‘Lost Course’ is how it portrays the struggle of the Wukan citizens as a general metaphor for political corruption and the futility of activism.”
“Jane Austenโs stories are already more pointed and complex than many people give them credit for, but two 2016 film adaptations took that caustic tone to new heights…”
“By spoiling Godโs servants with sex, drugs and doubt, films like Almodรณvarโs ‘Dark Habits’ show that earnestly criticising the Catholic Churchโs crimes is not the only way to weaken centuries of unchecked supremacy.”
“Mining the depths of her own hurt and regret as she does, singer-songwriter Julien Baker has positioned herself as something of a modern scholar on the second chance.”
“The foregrounding of Mohamedou’s experiences and perspective — and, by extension, all those subjected to Guantรกnamo’s purpose — is the fuel in The Mauritanian’s engine.”
“Pedro Almodรณvar adores women, and he’s a champion of feminism. In no other film is the Spanish filmmaker’s reverence for the female gender more evident than in the 2006 dramaย ‘Volver.'”
“Whereas many Netflix acts are so clearly designed to address cultural topics A, B, and C โ whether itโs politics, social media, or celebrity culture โ Regan riffs away with evergreen observational humor that gives ‘On the Rocks’ a timeless quality…”
“Good onscreen chemistry between Jena Malone and Pablo Schreiber lifts the filmmakerโs debut feature out of traps set by occasionally mundane dialogue and predictable complications.”