Upon seeing the costumes in “Women Talking,” I assumed that it was a period piece, perhaps set sometime in the 19th century. Then I learned that it was set in 2010, I was shocked — and intrigued.
“Women Talking” centers around an isolated Mennonite community that has had a series of violent sexual attacks come to light. When the menfolk...
Movie Reviews
In Retrospect: ‘Columbus’ reflects upon Kogonada’s delicate ode to architecture and those who long for more
Luke Liao -
Kogonada invites us to find solace through his gently moving story about architecture, friendship and belonging in his film, “Columbus.” Released in 2017, the video essayist turned director’s debut feature captures a junction between Casey (Haley Lu Richardson) and Jin (John Cho) in Columbus, Indiana, a conglomerate of modern architectural wonder.
Casey is a curious architecture enthusiast who works at...
An eerie gothic ambiance permeates “The Pale Blue Eye,” with crisp shots of the bleak, desolate landscape and the haunting figure of the Military Academy where much of the story takes place. The accurate 1830s costuming is gorgeous and stands out within the film. Most of the actors do a fine job with what the material gives them, but...
10. “Avatar: The Way Of Water”
James Cameron delivers yet again another action-packed, spectacle-fueled adventure, surpassing the already staggering technical prowess of the first installment. Our focus is placed on the mesmerizing visuals, and while the storytelling is still more than adequate, the engaging world-building heavily propels the film to excellence. The attention to detail and amount of time placed...
Movie Reviews
‘Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths’: A chimeric, sentient glimpse at the human condition
Luke Liao -
Alejandro González Iñárritu has a lot on his mind. Iñárritu’s newest film, “Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths,” marks his return to the director’s helm, nearly seven years after the 2015 film “The Revenant.” In “Bardo,” maestro journalist and documentary filmmaker Silverio Gama (Daniel Giménez Cacho) returns to Mexico, his homeland. Shortly after he arrives, personal, creative...
Movie Reviews
‘Aftersun’: an elegy for an elaborate portrait of missed human connection
Maximillian Briggs -
The film’s intricately woven saudade paints a picture of what could have been, ensuing in the emergence of a magical first feature.
A father and his daughter; a vacation in Turkey; a miniDV; a flicker of light; a wave cresting; and a peaceful yet fleeting night. These are the lone pieces of information that Scottish filmmaker Charlotte Wells projects to...
Movie Reviews
Ryan Coogler pays homage to Chadwick Boseman in a Black women-centric Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Sebastian Bustamante Ceja -
Themes of grief and loss complement the commentary on the destabilization of African and Mesoamerican lands by imperialist countries in a film full of setbacks.
The Marvel Studios logo is usually greeted with applause as images of previous projects rapidly cycle through before the start of every movie. That is not the case for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The film...
Movie Reviews
‘Triangle of Sadness’: a powerful, poignant analysis of the lives of the ultra-wealthy meets and exceeds all expectations
Maximillian Briggs -
The film’s ambitious mix of dark satirical comedy and social commentary culminates in a wondrous piece of art spearheaded by great performances.
Swedish director Ruben Östlund’s first foray into English language film, “Triangle of Sadness,” widely released on Oct. 7, 2022, took the Cannes Film Festival by storm, earning an eight-minute standing ovation and winning the illustrious Palme d’Or. A...
“Black Adam” is the latest entry within the DC Extended Universe. The film stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the titular Black Adam, Pierce Brosnan as Dr. Fate and Aldis Hodge as Hawkman. “Black Adam” has been a passion project for The Rock for over a decade. It’s been his dream role ever since his WWE days, but the...
Movie Reviews
‘Decision to Leave’ : a romantic detective procedural that is subtle in all the right ways
Luke Liao -
The emotional weight of “Decision to Leave” creeps up on you. It is a subtle film and fully embraces this, creating an individualistic romantic detective procedural. Compared to his Vengeance Trilogy and “The Handmaiden,” director Park Chan-Wook exchanges brutal violence and passionate romance for subtle mysterious and romantic elements that work on an undertone.
Park, who won best director at...












