Tag: Thriller

BRAID: A Repugnant Psychedelic Horror Show

Braid Film Review

Braid, directed by Mitzi Peirone starts as a home invasion thriller in the vein of 2016’s Don’t Breathe wherein the target of a criminal heist quickly turns the tables on their aggressors, causing you to rethink who is in control in this scenario. The horror flick morphs throughout its runtime, incorporating elements of torture porn, stoner film, and even a David Lynch inspired abstraction towards the conclusion. None of this ultimately works though, as this hallucinogenic thriller is neither creepy nor clever, but rather uniquely unpleasant to watch.

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Why WIDOWS Was Unable To Commoditize Social Change

Why WIDOWS Was Unable To Commoditize Social Change

It has often been stated that every film, whether it be a fictional story or a biographical documentary, is political in nature. While movies that reflect on timely sociocultural issues have always been a driving force of cinema, recently this type of appeal has translated into massive success in terms of audience interest at the box office. Stories that have gone the extra mile to break the mold of societal and cultural norms are fueling a phenomenon in which social change is essentially being commoditized for moviegoers. Viewers are not only being drawn to the novelty of watching a film from a different cultural point of view, but they are also inspired to buy a ticket and become a part of history, doing what they can to support the paradigm shifts in Hollywood standards.

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Widows (2018) Review

Widows Review

3.5 out of 4 stars (3.5 / 4)

A twisted labyrinth of a heist thriller that will hijack your notions of the genre and throttle you with surprise after surprise.

After directing 2014’s Academy Award Best Picture winner, 12 Years a Slave, acclaimed director Steve McQueen could have followed up with virtually any type of film he so desired. Despite focusing on quiet, historical dramas in the past, McQueen has taken a surprising left turn with his decision to adapt an acclaimed but somewhat obscure 1980s British TV show about a group of widows who inherit their criminal husbands’ problems. At a glance, a more adult version of Ocean’s 8 appears to be an odd choice. Perhaps this is why the director presents a short intro video before the film where he reveals that Widows has been a passion project of his for some time and he is overjoyed to finally present it to the world. Ultimately, this passion is evident in the finely crafted end product, as it becomes evident that the surprising choice of a project is the perfect precursor for a consistently unpredictable ride, as McQueen has created a heist film unlike any other.

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The Girl in the Spider’s Web Review

The Girl in the Spider's Web Review

3 out of 4 stars (3 / 4)

Claire Foy’s vulnerably fierce performance and the film’s fast-paced action in a visually striking setting make for a worthwhile vehicle for the iconic Salander character, even if it doesn’t hold a candle to Fincher’s 2011 masterpiece.

The Girl in the Spider’s Web is (confusingly) the film adaptation of the fourth Millennium series novel as well a sequel to the 2011 U.S. version of the premiere novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. When the news first hit that Sony had decided to skip two of the books in the series and essentially wipe the board clean with a new director and a new cast, it was alarming for fans to say the least. Continue reading “The Girl in the Spider’s Web Review”