Released to the Criterion Collection this week is Dogfight, Nancy Savoca’s 1991 movie that undoubtedly features one of River Phoenix’s finest performances. In a career that burned fast but brightly, the aptly named Phoenix was cast against type here as a belligerent, foul mouthed jarhead; a role that was arguably […]
directorial debut
Riddle of Fire (2023) One of the Most Authentic Modern Attempts at the 1980s-Style Kids Adventure Movie (Review)
When I think “Vinegar Syndrome”, I don’t necessarily think of a wholesome, feel-good, family-friendly adventure romp – for those not familiar with the iconic U.S.-based Blu-Ray label, you’d be more likely to see them announce a release of The Untold Story (1993) than The Neverending Story (1984), though I wouldn’t […]
Danger Zone (Kinoteka 2024) (Review)
Mind-Set (2023) A Bittersweet Observation of Modern Love (Review)
Released on demand and in select cinemas tomorrow, Mind-Set is the feature-length directorial debut of Scottish filmmaker, academic and festival programmer Mikey Murray, who also wrote the screenplay. The film is a story for our time, concerning a couple played by American actor Eilis Cahill (Mad), and Steve Oram (Sightseers), […]
Time Addicts (2023) The Foul-Mouthed Sleeper Comedy of 2023? (Review)
Time Addicts is one of the most singular concoctions that I’ve seen in some time. It tells a tale of time travelling, drug addiction, and eventually, intergenerational neglect and trauma, and all within the guise of an australian stoner comedy in possession of the godly gift of creative (bad) language. […]
Final Summer (2023): A Summer Camp Slasher Without A Deep Cut (Review)
Another Day to Live Through (2023) Majestic Finland, Less Majestic as a Psychological Thriller (Review)
In the last few years, horror and thriller movies have been slipping out of corners of the world not usually associated with darker storytelling standards – Lithuania, Malaysia and beyond. Peter Simmons has worked in short films as an actor, director, writer and producer for a number of years, and […]
Outpost (2022) Modern American Comedy Icon makes the thrillingly violent leap to Indie Horror (Review)
Outpost is the feature debut from comedy stalwart Joe Lo Truglio and begins with Kate (Beth Dover), who tries to find a life of peaceful tranquillity in an Idaho fire-watch outpost following a violent attack. With nobody but her neighbour Reggie (Dylan Baker), for company, Kate begins to learn that […]
The Black Mass & Black Mold (Frightfest 2023) (Review)
The Black Mass January 14th, 1978. While a mysterious man shaves, a warped voiceover explains how murderers have no identifiable features, which means that anybody in your life could be demonic. That chilling realisation lingers as the unnamed man (Andy Sykes), walks into a store intending to charm people, pick […]