Tag: Psychological

Joker: Folie à Deux’s Meta Commentary Boring Rather Than Poignant

Joker was a controversial hit in 2019, using the iconic comic book villain as a conduit to explore real world, grounded themes in a gritty, Scorsese like world. Director Todd Phillips defied the odds and created a billion…

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Blink Twice Has Interesting Visuals, Less Interesting Story

Actress Zoe Kravitz makes her directorial debut with a new thriller in theaters. Blink Twice introduces us to cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) who has a massive crush on tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum). King holds a…

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Trap’s Delicious Thrills and Josh Hartnett Help It Overcome a Bumpy Third Act

Director M. Night Shyamalan returns to multiplexes with his newest thriller. Trap introduces us to Cooper (Josh Hartnett), a dad from suburban Philadelphia taking his teen daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to see her favorite pop star Lady Raven…

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The Watchers Can’t Deliver On Its Promising Story Elements

M. Night Shyamalan is a name that has been long established and entrenched in the horror/sci-fi thriller space for more than three decades. While polarizing, his output has seen a renaissance over the past few years as he…

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I Saw The TV Glow Too Opaque, Niche For Its Own Good

I Saw The TV Glow introduces us to young teen named Owen (Justice Smith) who is shy and timid, living a typical suburban life with his mom Brenda (Danielle Deadwyler) and strict father Frank (Fred Durst). When accompanying…

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Challengers’ Technical Aspects Elevate This Enjoyable Thriller

Recently, many have lamented the disappearance of the erotic thriller from cineplexes in the modern era. The latest film from director Luca Guadagnino may be more thriller than erotic, but it’s the closest we’ve gotten in a bit….

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Civil War Is The Best Anti-War Film In Ages and a Stark Warning of The Monsters Conflict Creates

Much has been made about the release of writer/director Alex Garland’s latest film Civil War. Its appropriateness in these challenging times, what it may say about one side of the political aisle or the other and, now that…

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Poor Things is Hilarious but Challenging in A Way That Provokes Thought

Director Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone have teamed together on the big screen once more. Set in Victorian London, Poor Things tells the story of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman who curiously behaves like a toddler….

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May December Offers Surprising Nuance to Infamous Public Controversy (Middleburg Film Festival)

We’ve all heard and followed salacious and infamous cases of wrongdoing in the tabloid media, from OJ Simpson to Mary Kay Letourneau. In turning these stories into gossip, the real heinous effect on the lives of those involved…

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Saltburn Tackles Class Stratification Using A Familiar Gothic Story (Middleburg Film Festival)

Emerald Fennell burst onto the scene of talented writer/directors with 2020’s Promising Young Woman and three years later, she makes her anticipated return to multiplexes. Saltburn begins on the campus of Oxford University with freshman student Oliver Quick…

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