‘Destroyer centers around detective Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman), who as a young cop went undercover to infiltrate a gang. This leads to something so tragic that it still haunts her many years later. When she finds out that the same gang leader has recently resurfaced, she goes on a personal mission to take him down and finally find peace.
Film reviews
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Celebrating Women’s March with ‘Rafiki’ for FilmScene’s Pride Series
The second film in the Vanguard Series, ‘Rafiki,’ directed by Wanuri Kahiu, will play at FilmScene on Monday, March 11 at 6 p.m. as part of their monthly Pride series. ‘Rafiki’ is a Kenyan coming-of-age story that chronicles the budding romance between Kena (Samantha Mugatsia) and Ziki (Sheila Munyiva).
Posted inArts & Entertainment
2019 Oscar Shorts — Live Action: Ranked and reviewed
Oscar season is upon us, and in previous years, I haven’t been really tuned in to movies that are nominated. But this year I’ve made a conscious effort to see as much as possible, including the live action short films. To my surprise, a majority of the shorts were highly suspenseful; some have become favorites of the films I’ve seen in quite some time.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Death, rescue, racism and menstrual pads: A rundown of the Oscar-nominated documentary shorts
Plenty of politics play into the Oscar nomination process (often leading to some dubious selections in the Best Picture, Director and acting categories), but there’s one aspect of the Academy Awards circus that consistently feels pure and even altruistic: the spotlighting of short films. FilmScene is screening the Oscar-nominated short films in the animation, live […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Stan & Ollie’: The first home run of 2019
‘Stan & Ollie’ immediately interested me because of the perfect chemistry John C Reilly (‘Step Brothers’) and Steve Coogan (‘Tropic Thunder’) displayed in just the short trailer. After seeing the full feature film, I’m happy to say that it is my favorite movie so far in 2019.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
An overly in-depth and totally not bitter alternative Best Picture list
After dozens of forays to FilmScene and local multiplexes in 2018, crunching countless popcorn kernels in anticipation of celebrating the best of the best come February 2019, it was both anticlimactic and disappointing to see a line-up of Best Picture nominees that included the likes of Bohemian Rhapsody, Vice, Green Book and Black Panther.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
What it means to find a home: ‘Shoplifters’ provides a portrait of grace
‘Shoplifters,’ written and directed by Kore-eda Hirokazu, is an unsettling movie filled with a joie de vivre that proves unsustainable and falls apart.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘If Beale Street Could Talk’: the intensely emotional drama you’ve been waiting for
I was quite excited to see how Jenkins would follow up ‘Moonlight.’ ‘If Beale Street Could Talk,’ his third full-length effort, is already getting heaps of award buzz, and after seeing the film, I completely understand why.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Review: ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ — How not to do drama
By far the best thing about this movie is the two leads, Ronan (Lady Bird) and Robbie. Their performances made me emotionally invested in the characters.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
A valuable ally and a cunning enemy: Intrigue and rivalry shine in Lanthimos’ ‘The Favourite’
As with most of Lanthimos’ work, ‘The Favourite’ really defies category. Though the historical setting is inseparable from the narrative of the film, to call this a historical drama would clearly be wrong — the choreography, the foul-mouthed modern insults and the mostly casual regard for historical accuracy would all disqualify it.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa’s own Aquaman finally gets his standalone: Does it sink or swim?
DC movies have had quite the rocky road recently. The one beacon of hope was Patty Jenkin’s Wonder Woman. Ever since its release, people have wondered when we were going to get the next strong showing from DC.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Alfonso Cuarón’s masterpiece ‘Roma’ is now on Netflix — but it’s worth a trip to FilmScene
There’s a fine line between a movie that’s “artsy” and one that’s “artistic,” at least in my mind. Artsy films I associate with a palpable (and largely unearned) sense of importance, originality and depth. They may be unnecessarily abstract, employ an unsteady cam ~for realism~ and cannot end until at least one character has floated […]
