Film Reviews

Reviews of movies

Chaos of Post-Truth: Alex Garland’s Annihilation

By Tyler Wells Lynch | Published: March 12, 2018
Annihilation film cover

Annihilation portrays the chaos of “post-truth” in narrative form.

Posted in Film Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

DVD Review: The Exterminator

By Mike Wood | Published: September 3, 2011
The Exterminator DVD

One of the first exploitation films to be shown endlessly during the early days of cable, 1980’s The Exterminator is also one of the more grim entries in the genre. Gory, jaded and ambivalent on the merits of the vigilante, it anticipated Bernard Goetz by a few years.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged | Leave a comment

Review: The Names of Love

By Matthew Sorrento | Published: August 21, 2011
Names of Love

Picture this: a secluded scientist waits in a checkout line for his new love interest to return with an item. An unusual pickup for him, she had invaded his radio interview about bird flu (he’s an expert) and then asked him to bed when they had drinks.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog |Leave a comment

DVD Review: Adua and Her Friends (Adua e le Compagne)

By Mike Wood | Published: July 15, 2011
Adua e le compagne dvd

Antonio Pietrangeli’s 1960 film Adua and her Friends (Adua e le Compagne) explores the end of an era and points to future cultural upheaval.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged | Leave a comment

Review: Page One: Inside the New York Times

By Matthew Sorrento | Published: July 6, 2011
Page One Ny Times

Andrew Rossi’s Page One: Inside the NYTimes looks to newspapers long past their heydey.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment

DVD REVIEW: Some Old Truths: True Grit and The Fighter

By Matthew Sorrento | Published: June 13, 2011
True Grit

Many recent films have brought historical verity to narratives clouded in myth.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Review: L’Amour Fou

By Matthew Sorrento | Published: May 27, 2011
L'Amour Fou

Those who love hearing fashion discussed as serious art will love this documentary, a portrait of the late iconic French designer, Yves Saint Laurent.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment

DVD REVIEW: The Lark Farm

By Phil Hall | Published: March 22, 2010
The Lark Farm

Credit should be given for putting a long overdue spotlight on this atrocious chapter of 20th century history.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment

DVD Review: Alice in Wonderland (1966)

By Phil Hall | Published: March 22, 2010
Alice in Wonderland

The most significant aspect here is reinventing Wonderland as a warped parallel universe to Victorian England

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Review: Mid-August Lunch

By Phil Hall | Published: March 14, 2010
Mid August Lunch

“Lunch” feels more like an unsatisfactory appetizer than a satisfying main course.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Really Irritable Dream: Scorsese’s Shutter Island

By Matthew Sorrento | Published: February 20, 2010
Shutter ISland

In this film, the director tributed classic crime with a modern, more visceral twist.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged | Leave a comment

DVD Review: The Best of Match Game

By Phil Hall | Published: February 12, 2010
Match Game

For those who survived the 1970s intact, or for those who weren’t around and have no clue why any mention of that decade still raises smirks, this DVD is a godsend.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment

DVD Review: Che – Criterion Collection

By Jessica Baxter | Published: February 10, 2010
Che

Benicio Del Toro is astoundingly at ease in Guevara’s skin. During the black and white sequences, it practically feels like a documentary.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

DVD Review: District 9

By Brad Cook | Published: February 10, 2010
District 9 DVD cover

“District 9” may not quite live up to what I was hoping to get out of it, but it’s a solid effort that’s admirable for its willingness to take the risks it does.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Review: Shuttle

By Jessica Baxter | Published: February 4, 2010
Shuttle film poster

At 2:30 in the morning, it’s tempting to accept a ride from anyone who seems to be in the ride-giving business.

Also posted in Side Shots Film Blog | Tagged | Leave a comment