Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace came out when I was 5 years old. I had seen the original trilogy several times before, but this was my very first theatrical Star Wars experience. I was on summer vacation in Stowe, Vermont, and my grandpa brought me to the little 3plex theater in town.… Continue reading Star Wars is for Kids
Author: Samuel Russell
Marriage Story is a Glorious and Candid Tribute to Love
I arrived at the theater alone, bought my ticket, and took my seat. Nitehawk Cinema, the Prospect Park location, is the kind of theater that serves food and drinks and the chairs are set up in pairs, each pair sharing a mini table. I usually see movies alone, so this wasn’t the first time the… Continue reading Marriage Story is a Glorious and Candid Tribute to Love
Us and The Beach Bum are Two Films in Dialogue
*WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Us and The Beach Bum* Last weekend I saw Us and this week I saw The Beach Bum, and while these were both movies I have been anticipating I did not expect them to be in dialogue with one another. Watching any two movies in quick succession leads to comparison, but… Continue reading Us and The Beach Bum are Two Films in Dialogue
Is Vice a Bad Film? Or is it Not Trying to be a Film?
Adam McKay’s film Vice follows the life and political career of Vice President Dick Cheney, and it has been received with truly polarized reactions. The success of The Big Short was so resounding that I almost forgot that before that movie McKay films were gonzo comedies starring Will Ferrell. Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, and The… Continue reading Is Vice a Bad Film? Or is it Not Trying to be a Film?
Sam & Chris’ Picks: Best Films of 2018
Samuel Russell: When compiling my list this year I thought a lot about the criteria of what goes on a top 10 list. There’s a subtle but significant distinction between a “top 10 best” and “top 10 favorite” list. I decided to go with favorite. I’m not trying to judge these films on the merits… Continue reading Sam & Chris’ Picks: Best Films of 2018
Shrek Retold, and Respecting the True Love Behind Irony
Shrek Retold is a scene-for-scene remake of Shrek (2001) with each scene made by a different artist in their own unique (often batshit) style. The whole affair was coordinated by filmmaker and Shrek fanatic Grant Duffrin (he also runs the annual event known as ShrekFest.) When questioned about the sincerity of his Shrek obsession, Duffrin… Continue reading Shrek Retold, and Respecting the True Love Behind Irony
Widows is a Taut Thriller with a Heart of Cold
Christopher Maher: The premise of Widows is delightfully simple. Harry Rawlings (Liam Neesom) and his gang are killed in a robbery gone wrong. The man they robbed, Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry) wants the money back, but it’s gone, burned to a crisp along with the robbers. So, he turns to the Harry’s widow, Veronica… Continue reading Widows is a Taut Thriller with a Heart of Cold
Venom could have been better by being worse
Venom was a movie that I had absolutely zero interest in seeing. Aside from a shockingly good cast there was no reason to expect anything from it. I rolled my eyes with everyone else at the trailer. Surely a mediocre shart that I didn’t need to see. But as the “mixed-to-negative” reactions started rolling in… Continue reading Venom could have been better by being worse
Tully is a Candid and Humanizing Depiction of Motherhood
I’ve given a lot of thought to whether or not I want to have kids someday. The key word being “someday.” So much of that experience interests me, but I find it hard to imagine a version of myself capable of handling it. I’m 24 years old. I have two wonderful, low maintenance cats. My… Continue reading Tully is a Candid and Humanizing Depiction of Motherhood
Isle of Dogs is Usually a Good Boy but Occasionally Pisses on the Carpet
Samuel Russell: Isle of Dogs is, as all Wes Anderson films, an exercise in style as much as substance. His name is synonymous with meticulous art direction, dryly dark humor, and a fast-paced twee dialogue. As proved with Fantastic Mr. Fox, the medium of stop-motion animation pairs comfortably with his sensibilities. The movie follows a… Continue reading Isle of Dogs is Usually a Good Boy but Occasionally Pisses on the Carpet
Friends on Flicks 