“In a film world full of geek culture adaptations, Daley and Goldstein’s 2023 adaptation is the functional and rewarding film that ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ fans have long awaited.”
“‘I Got a Monster’ is incredibly evocative, the dissonance between the harshness of Baltimore’s architecture and old school activities providing yet another layer to the devastating story.”
“An exhilarating action film that takes itself and its bizarre world seriously.”
“One of the leanest, meanest and most violent ‘Scream’ sequels yet.”
“Thanks to some sharp, propulsive editing and a highly intriguing set of speakers, ‘Cassius X: Becoming Ali’ makes for an easily entertaining watch.”
“Michael B. Jordan makes his directorial debut with a sturdy piece of franchise storytelling.”
“‘Therapy Dogs’ skitters around far too freely to be restrained by any sort of conventional coming-of-age narrative.”
“In a world where Roe v. Wade has been struck down, and the rights of both women and LGBTQ+ people are consistently under attack, Cervera’s story feels especially vital.”
“‘Husband’ is a gentle manipulation of reality, a declaration of the focal couple’s intent to produce familiar yet innovative work.”
“‘In Water’ is a slight and tiny whisp of a film in which very little happens and the most memorable facet is the out-of-focus anti-style. But in the context of a film festival, in the context of Hong’s career, the 2023 movie feels amusingly brilliant…”
“Despite the variety of practical effects that routinely merit enthusiastic ‘Fangoria’ profiles, ‘Cocaine Bear’ lumbers along in lazy circles.”
“Through sheer technical editing brilliance that sculpts a world that is both recognizable and strange, Soda Jerk created a truly weird and engaging reflection of the uncanny valley that was the Trump era.”
“At its best, ‘Infinity Pool’ is astounding stuff, and one hopes Cronenberg senior is rightfully proud. But yet it is marred — not entirely, but enough — by a muddy texture at the sides, a failure of imagination and a cheap ethnic exoticism…”
“Lapia’s dynamic debut creates a powerful ode to escapism through its technical simplicity.”
“‘Ocean Boy’ peaks during superb acting changes from Hemsworth and King, both of whom sell a sense of existential despair and appreciation for life’s gifts.”
“Like so many of the best movies, ‘Smoke Sauna Sisterhood’ captures the universal in the specific.”
“Ohs works with little in ‘Jethica’ and yet achieves something grandiose.”
“Too grim to signal the likelihood of mainstream box office success, Bynum’s latest will draw attention for the muscular (in all senses of the word) performance of the increasingly vital Majors.”
“Although ‘Attachment’ is undeniably a horror movie, it’s also a sensitively played queer romance and a dissection of the way certain women bind themselves to strict edicts as a kind of self-protection.”
“‘Follower’ is a significant film that allows audiences to mull over the reality of how easily we react and get triggered by contrarian dispositions.”
