drama

Film Fest 919: BOY ERASED: Conventional Awards Fare Has Moments Of Sensitivity
Film Fest 919: BOY ERASED: Conventional Awards Fare Has Moments Of Sensitivity

Boy Erased is a sturdy drama with some touching moments and strong performances, enhanced by much-needed glimpses of dramatic sensitivity within the confines of a tough story.

Film Fest 919 Part 3: WILDLIFE, NON-FICTION & THE SISTERS BROTHERS
Film Fest 919 Report 3: WILDLIFE, NON-FICTION & THE SISTERS BROTHERS

In his final Film Fest 919 recap, Josh Martin delves into Jake Gyllenhaal’s latest, a challenging take on the Western and the most delightful film of the festival.

Chicago International Film Festival 2018 Report
Chicago International Film Festival 2018 Report

Our report from Chicago International Film Festival, with reviews of, among others, Friedkin Uncut, In the Aisles, and Father the Flame.

“I wrote it really, for my family.” Interview With Elizabeth Chomko Writer/Director of WHAT THEY HAD
“I Wrote It Really, For My Family.” Interview With Elizabeth Chomko, Writer/Director Of WHAT THEY HAD

We spoke with the director of What They Had, Elizabeth Chomko, and the personal nature of her film, and filmmakers who inspire her.

THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN: A Worthy Swan Song For Robert Redford
THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN: A Worthy Swan Song For Robert Redford

The Old Man and the Gun is a love letter to many things: the 1970s/early ’80s, the aging outlaw trope so often seen in Westerns, and to film itself.

THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER: Maggie Gyllenhaal Towers Over Tough, Uncomfortable Drama
THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER: Maggie Gyllenhaal Towers Over Tough, Uncomfortable Drama

The Kindergarten Teacher is expertly magnetic as a vessel for a cringe-worthy effect of its own making, and with a strong central performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal as well.

Film Fest 919 Part 2: THE OLD MAN & THE GUN, THEY'LL LOVE ME WHEN I'M DEAD & WHAT THEY HAD
Film Fest 919 Part 2: THE OLD MAN & THE GUN, THEY’LL LOVE ME WHEN I’M DEAD & WHAT THEY HAD

For this latest report from Film Fest 919, we into Robert Redford’s final film, the documentary about Orson Welles, and a Hillary Swank-starring drama.

RODIN: Another Genius Antihero Biopic Lacking the Imagination Of Its Subject

Rodin portrays its titular character as a fiery genius who is much better interacting with lumps of clay than he is with human beings. For an artist biopic, this is both predictable and exhausting.

THE FRONT RUNNER: Scandal on the Road to the White House
THE FRONT RUNNER: Scandal On The Road To The White House

When the USA is safely within the next Democratic term of office, expect The Front Runner to be looked back upon more fondly; it’s mightily enjoyable political entertainment.

Screenplays With Unconventional Connections Part 2
Screenplays With Unconventional Connections Part 2

In the second of this series, we look at the screenplays of Citizen Kane and Velvet Goldmine, examining how the two stories share similar DNA.

57 LAWSON: Stories From The Poets Corner Flats
57 LAWSON: Stories From The Poets Corner Flats

Ben Ferris’ experimental docu-drama hybrid 57 Lawson has aged as an important archive of a brief period of time, a lyrical tribute to Australia’s often ignored lower class population.

HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER “The Baby Was Never Dead” (S5E3): When Is It Coming Together?
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER “The Baby Was Never Dead” (S5E3): When Is It Coming Together?

How To Get Away With Murder’s case-of-the-week format will work for some but those welcoming of the more complex journey of yester-series will find the current set-up lacklustre at best.

SHAMELESS "Face It, You're Gorgeous." (S9E6): Ian's Swan Song
SHAMELESS “Face It, You’re Gorgeous.” (S9E6): Ian’s Swan Song

After nine seasons, we say goodbye to one of the Gallaghers in what is easily the best episode of this season of Shameless thus far.

Film Fest 919 Review: ROMA: Cuarón Crafts An Overwhelming Audio-Visual Experience
Film Fest 919 Review: ROMA: Cuarón Crafts An Overwhelming Audio-Visual Experience

Roma is a film that improves with each passing minute; even though occasionally underwhelming, the longer it lingers in your mind, the more of an impact it will have.

Film Fest 919: GREEN BOOK: Friendship & Prejudice On A Journey Through The Deep South
Film Fest 919: GREEN BOOK: Friendship & Prejudice On A Journey Through The Deep South

Green Book is cinematic comfort food, equipped with witty performances and the aura of social importance, yet undistinguishable from the tons of other polite Oscar dramas that came before it.