new movies

‘Scrambled’ Combines Humor, Empathy to Portray the Tribulations of Adulthood

Ben Friedman

McKendrick’s film is in communication with other adult coming-of-age films. Whether it is Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy, Sam Mendes’s American Beauty, or the films of Judd Apatow, they all share one trait in common with Scrambled: humor. Said humor may be seen as politically incorrect in the context of hindsight, yet it is not a sign of failure in the filmmaker’s writing -- rather it showcases a willingness and honesty in their exploration of self.

‘Distant Tales’ Is a Fascinating Depiction of Pandemic-Era Psychological Turmoil

Ben Friedman

Shem Bitterman is fascinated by that human perversion that grows ever more clear as the brain is subject to social and physical isolation. When Distant Tales is at its most successful is when it follows the nuances of psychological warfare.

‘The Holdovers’ Ushers in a New Holiday Classic

Ulises Duenas

If you can find this in theaters, watch it; if you see it on Blu-ray, buy it; and if it shows on a streaming service, then grab a drink and get ready for a top-tier classic. The Holdovers has what it takes to be a timeless film that will be replayed every holiday season for years to come.

‘Dumb Money’ Illustrates How Creatively Starved Movies Can Be

Ulises Duenas

If you were alive a few years ago, you might remember the time when GameStop was in the news and blowing up social media. If you don’t remember, don’t worry, because this movie will go over the whole thing in detail. You might be left wondering why anyone would bother making a film about something that is already well-documented, but if nothing else, this movie is a great indicator of how uncreative some writers have become.

Action Movie ‘King of Killers’ Reaches Farther Than It Can Grasp

Ulises Duenas

After Garan is sent to Tokyo to complete the job, he meets a group of killers who are there for the same reason. It’s revealed that they will be forced to compete to see who can kill the king of killers, the same man who hired them. While the concept is interesting, the lack of any interesting characters hurts the plot. By the time the movie hits the halfway point, it seems things have only started to get going.

Cinequest 2023 Features a Wide Array of Ambitious, Impressive Films

Ben Friedman

In failing to reach agreements with the striking guilds, Hollywood executives are essentially forced to promote movies without their A-list cast. The first signs of danger may present themselves this month – August -- with the Venice International Film Festival and Telluride Film Festival beginning at the end of this month. In the meantime, film festivals such as the Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival offer a glimpse of what this upcoming season has in store for Hollywood, both professionally and creatively.

‘Asteroid City’ Delivers Wit and Charm but Nothing New

Ulises Duenas

While the film deals with themes of grief, government suppression, and love, it’s the theme of moving on that is most interesting. The freight train that moves through town does a good job of symbolizing the sometimes grim reality of life. You move forward, pick up baggage along the way, and even though there are moments that make you wish you could stop time, you have to keep going.

‘Sisu’ Bombards You With Relentless Violence

Ulises Duenas

This movie is like a slasher flick crossed with “Fury Road,” and while the kills can get creative and ridiculous in a fun way, I wish there was more heart underneath all the blood and gore. If the movie didn’t have the budget for constant spectacle or complicated choreography, then it would have been nice if it fleshed out the main character to be more interesting, but he doesn’t say a word for most of the movie.

‘Mafia Mamma’ Brings Laughs but Also Rom-Com Baggage

Ulises Duenas

It takes a while for the movie to get going, but once Kristen is in Italy, the humor starts to pick up. Collette has a good sense of comedic timing and the supporting characters do a good job of keeping the movie light and charming. The downside is the humor constantly clashes with the romantic elements, which feel like they were pulled out of a novel you’d find at the airport. 

The Most Anticipated Movies of 2023

Ben Friedman

The trailer set to Also Sprach Zarathustra pays direct homage to 2001: A Space Odyssey, highlighting the tongue-in-cheek humor Gerwig brings to the property. Accompanied by lavish costuming, impressive set designs, and dance montages, Barbie looks to achieve something wholly unique. Hopefully, the film shares more in common with The Lego: Movie rather than G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra.

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