Arts
Film Review: Foxtrot
Foxtrot’s three acts are tonally distinct, each bringing their own lurching plot twists, each grim or violent or (bleakly) humorous in their own ways. But the final chapter becomes oppressive in its reality, and however Maoz employs the hypnagogic and the hyperreal, he asks his audience to ponder war and borders. … read more
Film Review: Tomb Raider
While there have already been two mediocre productions developed for the Tomb Raider series starring Angelina Jolie, this reboot, now starring Alicia Vikander, closely follows the revamped video games’ storyline created in 2014. Rather than being objectified with skimpy clothing and cartoonish body characteristics, the new Lara Croft is more about survival and becoming a strong, leading-woman hero. … read more
Content Shifter: 14 Fixes for Friends Fans
But where to go once you’ve binge-watched all 236 Friends episodes? Here are 14(-ish) shows starring The Artists Formerly Known as Monica, Joey, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross and Rachel outside of Central Perk (sorry, no Gunther) … read more
Film Review: Ready Player One
Steven Spielberg’s latest project, Ready Player One (based on the 2011 novel by Ernest Cline, who also co-wrote the screenplay), is essentially a modern-day tale of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with references to video games, movies and television shows. … read more
Film Review: Loveless
From the director of Gloria and Leviathan comes Loveless, Andrey Zvyagintsev’s bleak depiction, simultaneously brutal and measured, of a failed marriage and fractured family—a lost child and a lost society. … read more
Film Review: A Fantastic Woman
Director Sebastián Lelio crafts an empathetic and surprisingly soft portrait of Marina (Daniela Vega), a trans woman, as she pushes fiercely for a chance to carve out space for herself, a space to mourn. … read more
Content Shifter: 8 Series to Scratch Your Buffy the Vampire...
Even though it premiered 21 years ago this month on The WB—it was The CW of ancient days, kids—the influence of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on TV is nearly as inescapable as that of Black Sabbath on stoner metal. … read more
Film Review: Black Panther
As a geek, I am always accused of giving the superhero genre a pass with less critical reviews. To that accusation, I say: Show me a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie that flopped horribly. I’ll save you the time, because one hasn’t yet, and Black Panther continues the untainted legacy. … read more
Film Review: Game Night
As a connoisseur of trivia nights and game shows, this critic loved every second. I want to see Game Night again to hear the multiple jokes that were drowned out with my laughter. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Bernard and Huey
Bernard and Huey is about what happens when two middle-aged men meet 25 years after their young friendship ran its course. It’s a film about men navigating their relationship to sex in the shadow of their own egos, of the confident and put-together women they fuck and, of course, each other … read more