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Sometimes I Think About Dying 2023 (Sundance)

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  From the opening of this film, Lambert sets the tone by establishing the early morning landscape in a small town. Fran (Daisy Ridley) wakes up, goes to work, and sits in her cubicle all day. The aspect ratio being 4:3 also compliments the space used as a room with four walls. So with a few technical components, the viewer is already in Fran’s head, sitting at the desk with her. For those who have worked in an office space, one can relate to the bland and uninteresting aspects of sitting at your desk day in and day out. And yes, your mind does start to wander. But in Fran’s case, she thinks about ways to die. Fran is detached from everyone in the office and keeps to herself. The score is almost dreamlike as it accompanies the dull moments of office life and her so-called uninteresting life. It counters dark thoughts and creates a sense of hopefulness.  When Robert (Dave Merheje) steps into the office as a new hire, Fran’s world is turned upside down. And that glimmer of faith in human
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Magazine Dreams 2023 (Sundance)

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  Magazine Dreams  is unhinged, anxiety-inducing, and unpredictable. Bynum creates a chilling atmosphere with an incredible score and camera work to make you feel as impulsive as Maddox. He explores toxic masculinity, mental illness, trauma, and body image in a story filled with horrible circumstances. Jonathan Majors is at his best as Killian Maddox, and his performance will not leave anyone’s mind after they watch it. Maddox is a character that people can learn from, and it does end on a hopeful note. Bynum has created something that will help others understand that you are enough, and to always take care of yourself first. It is one of the most haunting films about body image and how to prioritize your mental health and self-esteem over trying to achieve perfection through societal norms. The obsession with his career as a bodybuilder took over his life and changed him. He did not socially interact with people the same way others would. He tried hard to be loved and accepted by othe
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Shrinking Episode 1& 2 Review

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  Brought to us by the minds behind Ted Lasso, Shrinking is a brand-new Dramedy beginning on Apple tv on January 27th. Jason Segal stars as Jimmy, a therapist who lost his wife and is struggling with helping people because he can't even seem to help himself. He realized that the only way to help others is to change his approach with his newfound outlook on life. This refreshing approach to helping his patients is very unorthodox and doesn't always sit well with his patients or his fellow colleagues but Jimmy is determined to make it work. This direct approach to therapy has been explored in media before but Jason Segal's unique comedy style makes this version that much more refreshing. Every relationship Jimmy currently has is rocky in some way, including his relationship with his Daughter Alice, played by Lukita Maxwell. Alice has grown distant from Jimmy after the death of her mother and has since turned to their neighbor Liz for guidance. After realizing his new methods
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Missing (2023) Review

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Missing is the follow-up to 2018’s surprise hit, Searching, utilizing the same multi-screen visual style to unravel its twist-filled mystery. Although the plot isn’t quite as tightly woven as its predecessor, this thriller delivers plenty of surprises that’ll keep you guessing.  Will Merrick and Nick Johnson, both of whom were editors for Searching, step in for directing duty this time around. They once again make outstanding use of the unique visual concept, with every inch of screen space being used to tell the story. Your eyes will constantly be scanning up and down, side to side, searching for clues that could lead to the next big revelation. The seamless transitions between various screens and types of media are cut together so smoothly, keeping the narrative flow at a brisk pace.  The core mystery is always engaging, and most of the (many) big reveals land with an appropriate level of shock value. The film does occasionally get tangled up in its own twists and turns, though, focu
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That 90s Show Review

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  That ‘90s Show is the latest attempt at reviving a beloved sitcom, and like most revivals, it‘s a bit of a mixed bag. Although it doesn’t totally justify its own existence, fans of That ‘70s Show will likely find just enough to make for a worthwhile binge.  There are a few key elements that made That ‘70s Show such a hit - the biggest one being right in the title. It was a time capsule of endless comedic potential, and the writers made excellent use of it. This show doesn’t tap into the potential of its time period as often as it should, leading to a season that sometimes feels like it could’ve been set in any decade. One of the best episodes sees the Foreman’s getting their first computer. It’s standard sitcom formula, but it’s really funny, and I wish we’d gotten more stories like that one.  We’re introduced to a new batch of teenage characters, but there are plenty of familiar faces too. Even if it’s just a quick cameo, it’s nice to see some series favourites return. Kurtwood Smit
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Plane Review

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Plane is one of those movies that sounds like it just should not work. Even as you are watching and questioning if a series of events as improbable as these could happen, it's the right amount for you to not turn away.  Captain Brodie Torrence (Gerrard Butler) is flying from Singapore to Tokyo to see his daughter. His flight of only 14 people contains a prisoner named Louise Gaspare (Mike Colter) which is just the first of many crazy plot points that are maybe just crazy enough to work. After being struck by lightning, Torrence must bring down a completely dead plane. He and his co-pilot manage to find a small island to land on but the situation only gets worse from there as the island is his home to a separatist militia and must first learn to survive before in order to get back home.   Butler and Colter have an interesting dynamic on screen but it was one that I enjoyed. Colter taking the lead in many cases are some of my favorite character moments in the film despite the fact th
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Koala Man Review

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  Kevin is a regular middle-aged man with a secret identity, He really is a crime-fighting Superhero named Koala Man and his mission is to protect his town of Dapto in Australia. He may not have special powers but he makes sure everyone in the town puts out their garbage bins on time. His family looks at his superhero extra curricular as a hobby but Kevin is out to show them and the rest of Dapto that they need Koala Man.  Many of Koala Man's villains are hilarious takes on many aspects of male adulthood. The traddies are a group of tradesmen that attack Kevin after he tries to help an old lady by looking at her electrical panel. Another villain is a garbage monster that attacks the town after no garbage is delivered to the dump after Kevin forgets to put out his bins causing a chain reaction across the town.  One of my favorite moments of the entire season is Koala Man getting mugged by a gang of Kangaroos  Koala Man takes place in an interesting alternate timeline of events that
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Last Resort (2023) Review

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Last Resort reunites director Jean-Marc Mineo with actors Jon Foo and Julaluck Ismalone from Bangkok Revenge for this action crime thriller. Jon Foo stars as Micheal, an ex special forces soldier who must save his wife and daughter from a terrorist cell that is attempting to rob a bank. Julaluck and her real life daughter Angelina are kidnapped by the terrorist leader, Cooper played by Clayton Norcross.  The action sequences are what really sell this movie. Jean-Marc has an extensive career as a martial artist and Kung Fu master so he has an eye for realistic fighting on screen. Jon Foo delivers fantastic fighting and martial art skills as well as weapons combat. I was really surprised that the whole film was filmed with one camera which is not evident at all, especially for the fight sequences.  The villain, Cooper is sometimes a bit over the top but it's welcomed as Clayton Norcross sells the crazy exaggerated villain well. His craziness does raise the stakes in this hostage situ
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