1st Reviews

  A riveting, hilarious and startling self-portrait of the Unites States’ thorny political landscape - One Battle After Another is another crowning achievement for Paul Thomas Anderson. This near-masterpiece is thematically explosive, narratively gripping and masterfully acted by a cast at the top of their game.  This is a political powder keg packed to the brim with razor sharp relevancy. For as ferociously as it puts America’s current political climate on blast, it never feels like forceful pointed commentary. Rather, PTA has written a timely story that fits perfectly into the country’s increasingly volatile state of affairs. At every turn, it effortlessly paints a sobering picture of “the land of the free”, because this is the United States’ terrifying reality. It’s also surprisingly funny, without undercutting its own politically charged heartbeat. The comedy plays similarly to Inherent Vice’s brand of paranoid humour, but paired with one of PTA’s most propulsive and power...

  Benny Safdie and Dwayne Johnson make for the most unlikely but welcome director-actor pairing of the year, and the latter gives a performance that not only transforms him on screen, but his image for audiences. The massive movie star persona we're used to from him completely disappears and Johnson becomes one with Mark Kerr, the MMA fighter he plays in the film. Kerr is incredibly ferocious and determined, but sees losing as a non-option and can't quite cope with the idea of it, even when it's bound to happen for all athletes. Emily Blunt is also phenomenal as Dawn, Kerr's girlfriend, matching his anger and desire to be heard in many great scenes. The Smashing Machine , thanks to Safdie's brilliant directions, captures a feel beyond that of a three-act screenplay with actors reading dialogue, but rather feels like you're merely a fly on the wall inhabiting and moving through this space with the characters as you get to know them deeply and intimately. One of t...

ANN SEI LIN  is an author and librarian with a love for all things fantasy. Although London is now her home, she spent several years living and working in China, Japan, and is originally from Singapore. She received an undergraduate degree in  Japanese Literature  and completed an M.A.in  Creative Writing , for which she was awarded a Distinction. When not writing, she is studying gaming or doing origami.  Ann Sei Lin's enchanting and action-packed debut, first in a series, will sweep readers away to an aerial world of magic, danger and political intrigue. Perfect for fans of  Elizabeth Lim ,  Kalynn Bayron  and the films of  Studio Ghibli   Kurara  has never known any other life than being a servant onboard the  Midori , a flying ship serving the military elite of the  Mikoshiman Empire , a vast realm of floating cities. Kurara also has a secret — she can make folded paper figures come to life with a flick of her finger. ...

Let's Play Samara “Sam” Young is a developer in Los Angeles who’s about to achieve her dreams with her first video game, Ruminate. That is, until a popular streamer gives the game a scathing review. Even worse, Sam finds out the troublesome critic is now her new neighbor! Get lost in a comedic, romantic, and all-too-real story about gaming, memes, and social anxiety. Come for the plot, stay for the doggo Airdate: October 1st This Monster Wants to Eat Me   Hinako lives alone by the sea, quietly drifting through life after losing her family years ago. One day, a mermaid named Shiori saves her from a monster and says she’s come to eat her—just not yet. Until then, Shiori will stay by her side and keep her safe. In that moment, a deep hope swells in Hinako: Maybe this girl can finally grant her the ending she’s been waiting for. Airdate: October 2nd Shabake  Ichitaro, the young master of Nagasakiya, one of the top commercial stores in Japan during the Edo period, was bor...

  Swiped brings to light the story of Whitney Wolf, who co-founded Tinder and later became the CEO of Bumble, revolutionizing the world of online dating. It highlights her story as that of a woman who made a real difference in the face of cultural misogyny — from the workplace to the dating scene — in an interesting way. The film itself isn’t as enjoyable as learning about the feminist breakthrough that Bumble and Wolfe’s achievements were.  Lily James’ performance feels often too much like an impression of a voice, which distracts from the soul of the character she tries to dig into. Dan Stevens loves to play dress up and here the Russian accent and wig definitely stick out like a sore thumb in his role. Myha’la is great and her friendship with Whitney is a standout, particularly the film’s examination of sexist attitudes that even women are forced to buy into, like the idea that there’s only space for one of them in a male-dominated environment. The film examines this sexism...

  Showtime has given us some great series, but they’re also notorious for dragging their shows on for way too long. Shameless, Weeds, and perhaps most infamously, Dexter. With its eighth and “final” season being universally panned, it was eventually revived. Dexter: New Blood fumbled some key components, but served as a far more definitive ending… or so it seemed. Against all odds and logic, the series has been resuscitated a second time with the fittingly titled Dexter: Resurrection. Despite everyone’s collective hesitations on this seemingly unnecessary revival, Resurrection might be the best season of Dexter since it peaked in season 4.  Now, I’m not saying this is a flawless return to form. It may have a fancy new subtitle, but this is still technically the tenth season of a series that ran itself into the ground a long time ago. The first episode is amusing but laughably rough, as it clunkily sets the stage and shifts its setting to The Big Apple. The bumpy start is quick...

  Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut is filled with warmth and charm, despite its morally problematic storyline and protagonist who's still sympathetic. June Squibb is effortlessly hilarious in a brilliant and deep performance as a 94-year-old woman fearing loneliness at the end of her life, who strikes up a bond with a young journalist student Nina, played by Erin Kellyman in her best performance yet. Their on-screen connection is palpable and entertaining, while Nina (Kellyman) has a rather cold relationship with her father (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who has felt distant to her since the passing of her mother.  Beyond its heartfelt runtime, and despite a weak climax, the film does a tremendous job at shining a spotlight on Holocaust survivors, through Eleanor's relationship with her lifelong best friend Bessie, a survivor from Poland. The film showcases their trauma and the importance of their stories, as well as modern Jewish culture in New York. The directions the story ...

  Hedda  boasts an interesting power game and stunning costume design, carried by a strong leading performance from Tessa Thompson that emulates calculation, untrustworthiness, and deep discontent. Thompson plays the titular lead as a manipulative and selfish yet empty role trying to plan the best future for herself among this house party of elites, a life she married into. Nina Hoss also gives an excellent supporting performance as a party attendee from Hedda's past who shakes up her present. Nia DaCosta directs the film with such passion, and the costume design in particular is beautiful. Through the runtime, Hedda's plan leaves you guessing but soon spirals out of control. Though the pacing may struggle to hook you, especially in the first half, it also packs a thoughtful punch in the final few minutes and ending frame. 3.5/5 Review by: Gal Balaban 

  Ballad of a Small Player is a lot like stepping through the front doors of a casino - Endless flashing lights, the whizzing, clinking and beeping of countless gaming machines, and of course, the tantalizing possibility of winning big. While Edward Berger’s latest isn’t a total bust, it feels like the cinematic equivalent of breaking even.  Colin Farrell plays a degenerate gambling addict, passing himself off as a wealthy high-roller. Forever chasing a big win, pushing himself further into debt, he finds himself in an uncontrollable nosedive trying to keep his head above water. The film touches on themes of addiction, greed and guilt, but it barely scratches the surface of what should’ve been a far more interesting character study. We’ve seen these ideas explored before in better films, and this one adds absolutely nothing new or of value to the conversation.  It’s a perfect example of style over substance, and to a certain degree, it’s effective. Berger has re-teamed wi...

  Daisy Moriarty (Lili Reinhart) spends her days working a truly dreadful job as an internet moderator. We have all seen at least one traumatizing video online that stuck with us for a long period of time but Daisy’s job is to cull though the internets most disgusting, violent and sometimes grotesque videos.   Daisy and the rest of the staff  are traumatized so often by their job that to company has an on site therapist and a calming room. Ultimately, one particular video is central to the story that sets Daisy and her social life spiralling. In an effort to do what is right and seek justice for the crimes she witnessed, she searches for the man responsible for the crimes committed in the video she had to painfully watch.  Anyone who has had any sort of online bully encounters or online stalkers knows that the police are basically useless because there are too many variables with the internet.    Daisy must figure all of that out the hard way as she tries t...

  In the world of wrestling, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has made a name for himself. When he switched over to acting, it was a natural shift because of how talented he was in the ring. In his early years, Johnson had taken to comedies, which showcased his talents and made him enjoyable to watch.   Once he became an action star and a massive box office draw, that’s when his persona began to change. He became dependent on what would sell rather than what would make him grow as an actor. After one final straw with  Black Adam , Johnson turned a new leaf and chose different projects.  In Benny Safdie’s solo feature film directorial debut,  The Smashing Machine,  Johnson shines as two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Mark Kerr, in a more vulnerable and internalized role than we’ve seen him before. The prosthetics used to have him resemble Mark Kerr ultimately helped him transform in the role, but didn’t exceed expectations for his performance. It was nice to see Joh...