After nearly a decade, Jenibel Heath (Shenae Grimes-Beech) returns home to be with her dying father. But her dysfunctional family still hasn’t gotten over her mother’s suicide and Jenibel struggles with her personal guilt and nightmares. Influenced by classics such as Vertigo, The Shining, and Rosemary’s Baby, Blood Honey is an enticing thriller set on a secluded island in […]
Author: Matt Prazak
‘Death Note’ Review: Fails to Recapture the Manga Magic
Based on the Japanese manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, Death Note is about high school student Light Turner (Nat Wolff) who discovers a notebook that has magical powers. When he writes someones name in the notebook while picturing that person’s face, that person will die. Playing God, Light is now drunk on power […]
‘From the Land of the Moon’ is a Meandering Melodrama
Official Synopsis: In post-World War II France, Gabrielle’s idealistic dreams of true love make her a rebel, and are even considered a sign of insanity. Forced by her parents to marry José, a devoted Spanish farm worker, Gabrielle vows never to love him, and is soon sent away to the Alps to receive a cure […]
‘Nowhere to Hide’ is Visceral in Storytelling
Nowhere to Hide is a story of a man struggling for survival in Iraq, where war has become the norm. The enemy is invisible, and neither women nor children have a safe hideout. Our protagonist, 36-year-old Nori Sharif, is husband, father of four children, and a male nurse. He becomes a videographer, documenting life over […]
‘The Bad Batch’ is Audacious Arthouse
The Bad Batch follows Arlen (Suki Waterhouse) after she’s left in a Texas wasteland fenced off from civilization. While trying to navigate the unforgiving landscape, Arlen is captured by a savage band of cannibals led by the mysterious Miami Man (Jason Momoa). With her life on the line, she makes her way to The Dream […]
‘Band Aid’ Shows Music Heals all Wounds
Band Aid, the refreshingly raw, real, and hilarious feature debut from Zoe Lister-Jones, is the story of a couple, Anna (Zoe Lister-Jones) and Ben (Adam Pally), who can’t stop fighting. Advised by their therapist to try and work through their grief unconventionally, they are reminded of their shared love of music. In a last-ditch effort […]
‘Manifesto’ Review: 13 Reasons Why Cate Blanchett is an Icon
Premiering at Sundance this year, Julian Rosefeldt’s Manifesto saw Cate Blanchett, one of the greatest actresses of all time, delivering a career best performance in 13 distinct, must-see vignettes. Blanchett seamlessly transitions from character to character, whether she’s portraying a school teacher, a homeless man, or a puppeteer and yes, her puppet. The natural charisma from Blanchett radiates […]
‘Berlin Syndrome’ is a Tourist’s Worst Nightmare
While holidaying in Berlin, Australian photographer, Clare, meets Andi, a charismatic local man and there is an instant attraction between them. A night of passion ensues. But what initially appears to be the start of a romance, takes an unexpected and sinister turn when Clare wakes the following morning to discover Andi has left for […]
‘War Machine’ is a Misfired Satire
Writer-director David Michôd (Animal Kingdom) recreates a U.S. General’s roller-coaster rise and fall as part reality, part savage parody – raising the specter of just where the line between them lies today. His is an exploration of a born leader’s ultra-confident march right into the dark heart of folly. At the story’s core is Brad […]
‘Risk’ is a Compelling look at a Controversial Character
By: Matt Prazak Laura Poitras, Academy Award winning director of Citizenfour, returns with her most personal and intimate film to date. Filmed over six years, Risk is a complex and volatile character study that collides with a high stakes election year and its controversial aftermath. Cornered in a tiny building for half a decade, Julian Assange […]
‘The Circle’: TECHnically a Letdown
By: Matt Prazak The Circle is a gripping modern thriller starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks and John Boyega. When Mae (Emma Watson) is hired to work for the world’s largest and most powerful tech & social media company, she sees it as an opportunity of a lifetime. As she rises through the ranks, she is […]
CUFF ’17: ‘Hounds of Love’ Review
By: Matt Prazak During the summer of 1987, women are disappearing from the streets of Perth at the hands of serial killer couple John and Evelyn White. Vicki Maloney, an intelligent and charismatic teenager, is spending the weekend at her mother’s house in outer suburbia. After friction between mother and daughter escalates, Vicki defiantly sneaks […]
CUFF ’17: Anne Hathaway in ‘Colossal’ Review
By: Matt Prazak After Gloria (Anne Hathaway) loses her job and is kicked out of her boyfriend’s apartment, she leaves her life in New York and moves back to her hometown. When news reports surface that a giant creature is destroying Seoul, Korea, Gloria gradually comes to the realization that she is somehow connected to […]
CUFF ’17: ‘The Little Hours’ Review
Official Synopsis: Medieval nuns Alessandra (Alison Brie), Fernanda (Aubrey Plaza), and Ginevra (Kate Micucci) lead a simple life in their convent. Their days are spent chafing at monastic routine, spying on one another, and berating the estate’s day labourer. After a particularly vicious insult session drives the peasant away, Father Tommasso (John C. Reilly) brings […]
A Close Look at the Trailer of ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’
With Star Wars Celebration heading to Orlando this year to honor its 40 year history it seemed suitable for fans to expect a few surprises. With the follow up to The Force Awakens coming out this year it seemed like an appropriate time to release the first official footage of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. […]