Review: Joe Denardo and Paul Felten’s ‘Slow Machine’
“The conspiratorial is everywhere in ‘Slow Machine’ but doesn’t come into focus.”
‘Smiley Smile’: The Perfect Summer Soundtrack for a Weird Year
“As 2021 hipsters search for the perfect retro record to play while they celebrate beach-bound pandemic liberation, ‘Smiley Smile’ stands at attention.”
Smoke ‘Em: ‘The Fast and the Furious’ at 20
Joey Keogh on the 20th Anniversary of ‘The Fast and the Furious’
Review: Mariem Pérez Riera’s ‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It’
“With ‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It,’ Pérez Riera strikes the right balance of ‘then-and-now’ throughout the fast-moving, 90-minute running time.”
Review: Eytan Fox’s ‘Sublet’
“‘Sublet’ is a well-done film that manages to fuse different cultures and stories through its central romantic fling, renting its short running time for a meaningful, if imperfect experience.”
Review: Jeanne Leblanc’s ‘Les nôtres’
“A stunning and suffocating Quebecois drama, ‘Les nôtres’ spotlights the exquisite directorial form of filmmaker Jeanne Leblanc and the industry potential of lead actress Emilie Bierre.”
Tribeca 2021 Review: Gaysorn Thavat’s ‘The Justice of Bunny King’
“The single element that carries ‘The Justice of Bunny King’ – as well as saves it during its spottier moments – is Davis, who gives a performance so good that it cements her as being in the top tier of film actors currently working.”
VVoices: Anticipated Movies for Summer 2021
VVoices #6: Film Critics List Their Most Anticipated Movies for the Summer of 2021
Annecy International Animated Film Festival Review: Alexander Kronemer’s ‘Lamya’s Poem’
“‘Lamya’s Poem’ is best suited for streaming distribution since the documentarian Kronemer only shows a trying ability to accomplish theatrical flair. Still, a parent viewing the film with children can surrender to its spell and ambition, and forgive its lags.”
Tribeca 2021 Review: Adam Leon’s ‘Italian Studies’
“If ‘Italian Studies’ is indeed a film about mental illness, with Alina suffering from a fugue state, Kirby’s performance is brilliantly subtle, as it never slides into showy grandstanding or Oscar-baiting dramatics.”
Review: Edgar Wright’s ‘The Sparks Brothers’
“Built to impress longtime listeners and new ears alike, Wright’s love letter to Ron and Russell Mael complements the sensibilities of the masterminds behind glories like ‘Kimono My House’ and ‘Angst in My Pants.'”
Review: David Charbonier and Justin Powell’s ‘The Djinn’
“The Djinn’s central performance is a demonically excellent tour de force, and the work’s inclusion of Islamic folklore is a welcome presence in the Christian-dominated sphere of demon-related American horror films.”
Insinuendos in the Hacienda: ‘Sexy Beast’ at 20
“Beautifully shot, wildly inventive and devilishly unpredictable – and with a swooning, dead-cool soundtrack to match – ‘Sexy Beast’ is well worth celebrating on its 20th anniversary.”
Tribeca 2021 Review: Hannah Marks’ ‘Mark, Mary & Some Other People’
“‘Mark, Mary & Some Other People’ ultimately has little to say on the big, unwieldy ethical topics it brings up, but it successfully paints a picture of how cluttered and confused dating continues to be…”
Review: Jon M. Chu’s ‘In the Heights’
“‘In the Heights’ is far from a smooth transition from stage to screen, but the film remains an infectiously charming tale of community, and a far more incisive piece of social commentary than one might expect from the creator of ‘Hamilton.'”
Review: Prano Bailey-Bond’s ‘Censor’
“‘Censor’ is an attention-grabbing debut whose true impact will likely only be felt with each subsequent viewing as the inner workings of the film’s darkest moments become clearer. Absolutely essential.”
The Unfashionable: Thomas Bezucha’s ‘Let Him Go’
“Unlike many neo-westerns, which bandy hollow notions of ‘civilization’ that play out on the film’s surface, ‘Let Him Go’ runs a classical plot through a refined image of modern society.”
Trash, Trauma and Revenge in Matthew Bright’s ‘Freeway’
“In ‘Freeway,’ Vanessa isn’t a girl who has won a battle, but one who has lost a war.”
‘State Funeral’: Joseph Stalin’s Grand and Ominous Farewell Procession Revisited
“Loznitsa’s ‘State Funeral’ is an important reflection on the moving image.”
Review: Michael Chaves’ ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’
“‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ fails to meet its potential as a thoughtful thriller that explores possession on both the supernatural and human front…”