Fifty years into her career, Tanya Tucker hates the word “comeback.” With over 20 studio albums and a roguish outlaw image to her name, Tucker’s carefree, defiant spirit continues to inspire musicians both within and outside the country music scene. Kathlyn Horan’s documentary captures this influence only in the most surface-level fashion. Aptly titled “The Return of Tanya Tucker,” Horan’s doc sprouted from a spur-the-moment invitation to film the creation of Tucker’s album “While I’m Livin’,” a project curated by singer-songwriter-activist Brandi Carlile.

Continue reading ‘The Return of Tanya Tucker’ Review: An Uneventful Celebration For A Trailblazing Icon [SXSW] at The Playlist.

Equipped with a hazy aesthetic and archival footage galore, “Nothing Compares,” Kathryn Ferguson’s documentary about the early stardom of controversial singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor, celebrates the Irish artist’s commitment to shattering industry trends but ultimately fails to break away from traditionalism itself.

“Nothing Compares” presents O’Connor as a pioneer, an artist whose foremost rationale for pursuing a career in music resided in her desire to craft art for the sake of social reform by way of personal catharsis.

Continue reading ‘Nothing Compares’ Review: Bio-Documentary Composes Sinéad O’Connor’s Life Into a Sanitized Greatest Hits Compilation [Sundance] at The Playlist.

Dressed all in black, Lilas Mayassi and Shery Bechara stand outside a restaurant while staring down at Mayassi’s phone, smiles painting their faces. The bandmates giggle to each other as Mayassi shows Bechara pictures of a woman she met at a nightclub the previous evening. As the two ruminate over Mayassi’s late-night excursion, a swarm of protestors rounds the street corner behind them; the demonstrators raise their fists, raise cardboard signs, and all preceding tranquility combusts into rage-fueled noise.

Continue reading ‘Sirens’ Review: Endearing Documentary About Lebanon’s First All-Female Metal Band Suffers from a Limited POV [Sundance] at The Playlist.

There is no shortage of fiery ambition in Claudia Llosa’s “Fever Dream.” Split between a dreamlike portrait of motherhood’s challenges and an allegorical thriller, the filmmaker’s psychological drama manifests its ideas with a woozy candor, a demeanor that demands its audience’s attention. It’s a disposition that warrants appreciation but does not succeed overall and, regrettably, equates to a wasted opportunity.

READ MORE: Fall 2021 Movie Preview: 60+ Must-See Films

Chronicling the summer vacation of a mother (Amanda, played by María Valverde) and her adolescent daughter, “Fever Dream” weaves the threads of its plot in a woozy, non-linear fashion.

Continue reading ‘Fever Dream’ Offers A Disorienting & Muddled Dissection Of Parental Anxiety [San Sebastian Review] at The Playlist.

“The Peacock’s Paradise” is one of the worst types of films to watch and review. Ineffectual in its style, but inoffensive in its content and execution, Laura Bispuri’s most recent directorial effort fails to move beyond the rudimentary elements that comprise the average movie.

READ MORE: Venice Film Festival 2021 Preview: 12 Must-See Films To Watch

The narrative centers on an estranged family gathering to celebrate the birthday of Nena (Dominique Sanda), its matriarch.

Continue reading ‘The Peacock’s Paradise’: Laura Bispuri Crafts A Masterclass In Mediocre Filmmaking [Venice Review] at The Playlist.

At its core, “Naked Singularity” embodies the traits of an inventive, or at the very least, entertaining, film. But, as social commentary, solid casting choices and science-fiction swirl together in Chase Palmer’s debut feature film, the result is a startlingly confused piece of kitschy, clunky neo-noir.

READ MORE: Summer 2021 Preview: Over 50 Movies To Watch

Casi (John Boyega) is out of his element.

Continue reading ‘Naked Singularity’: John Boyega’s All-Star Talent & Criminal Justice Commentary Collide In A Cosmic Mess [Review] at The Playlist.

Equipped with a breakneck pace and a grimy visual aesthetic, “All the Streets Are Silent,” a streetwise documentary entrenched in the convergence between hip-hop culture and the skateboard scene in New York City during the late 80s and early 90s, swelters with an indisputable passion for its subject matter, but lacks a much-needed edge to accompany its information-heavy, insider-focused disposition.

The 25 Best Music Documentaries Of The 21st Century So Far

With director/editor Jeremy Elkin working behind the boards, ‘Streets’ features an eclectic assemblage of talking heads, ranging from hip-hop legends (including Kid Capri and Darryl McDaniels) to skateboard royalty (i.e., Jefferson Pang and Mike Hernandez).

Continue reading ‘All The Streets Are Silent’ Surges With A Love For Skateboarding And Hip-Hop But Has Little To Say [Review] at The Playlist.

Much can be said about Megan Mylan’s latest documentary “Simple As Water.” Yet, as its title insinuates, the film succeeds in its calculated minimalism. Cataloging the plight of four Syrian families in the aftermath of war, Mylan’s heartfelt exploration of human strife infuses informative insight with harrowing revelations. Still, it maintains an acutely cinematic approach to its narrative, a feat that separates the film from most modern documentaries.

Continue reading ‘Simple As Water’: The Strength Of Family Endures In The Aftermath Of War [Tribeca Review] at The Playlist.

In the aftermath of unprecedented change, it’s anyone’s guess where the planet will be by the conclusion of the 2020s. As the globe shifts into the second year of the oncoming decade, questions regarding the future of the species have arisen, specifically concerning the ever-increasing relationship between humanity and technology. Is civilization becoming overly reliant on automation? What role does morality play in supplanting traditionally human roles with equally effective technology? Should morality be included in the conversation whatsoever?

Continue reading ‘Users’ Presents a Thoughtful, Yet Hollow Glimpse Into Earth’s Future [Sundance Review] at The Playlist.

You are being watched. In the era of facial recognition, targeted advertising, and social media, the threat of an omnipresent eye on the average human has passed. It’s here, and it’s real. Nevertheless, an assortment of valid questions remains. Who is watching? Why are they watching? What are they doing with this information?

READ MORE: 25 Most Anticipated 2021 Sundance Film Festival Premieres

In response, Theo Anthony’s latest documentary “All Light, Everywhere” adopts an essayistic approach to reveal the connective threads that link these questions to the rapidly developing technological renaissance occurring worldwide.

Continue reading ‘All Light, Everywhere’: An Unfocused Overview Of The Oncoming Surveillance State [Sundance Review] at The Playlist.

No one ever outruns their past. Momentary reprieves might mark your journey, but history always wins in the end. Akilla Brown knows this better than most. At the age of 15, Akilla (played by Thamela Mpumlwana) grows up embedded in the hustle of New York City’s concrete jungle, an environment governed by rival gangs and faction-fueled violence. In the wake of tragedy and death, the streetwise prodigy ventures into the unknown, forced to maneuver through the trials of adulthood alone. 

Continue reading ‘Akilla’s Escape’: A Mythological Crime Thriller With Strong Ambitions And Weak Execution [TIFF Review] at The Playlist.

In a post-COVID-19 world, ruminating upon memories seems like an everyday occasion—reflecting on the ways that that civilization functioned before the impact of an unforeseen global pandemic that robbed the globe of its perceived normality. Therefore, whether it takes the form of Steven Soderbergh’s bureaucratic procedural “Contagion” or Trey Edward Shults’ soul-crushing horror-thriller “It Comes at Night,” films that dive into the personal effects of worldwide diseases have adopted a renewed resonance over the past year.

Continue reading ‘Apples’ Merges Isolation, Loneliness, And Love Into An Endearing Pandemic Dramedy [Venice Review] at The Playlist.

As a film that documents the plight of an undocumented Filipina transwoman living in the United States, Isabel Sandoval’s “Lingua Franca” embodies the fresh face of cinema in 2020. As the first year of a new decade circles around the corner, Sandoval stands with her arms out, ready to greet the oncoming culture shift with a quiet, politically minded drama that strives to speak out for the unheard and shine a light on marginalized artists seeking to gain a foothold in the industry.

Continue reading ‘Lingua Franca’ Is A Sensual But Simplistic Examination Of Identity And Immigration [Review] at The Playlist.

Horror westerns are hard to come by these days. Although contemporary outings like “Bone Tomahawk” and “The Wind” earned their fair share of critical praise and audience approval upon release, blending supernatural scares with gritty Americana has remained largely underutilized. As two genres known for subversion and simplicity, it is surprising that more creators have not sought to capitalize on horror-westerns.

READ MORE: The Best Horror Movie Performances Of The Decade [2010s]

Respectably, as a member of the aforementioned subgenre, “The Pale Door” leans into its western roots with a commendable authenticity.

Continue reading ‘The Pale Door’: A Disorganized Mix of Western Archetypes And Horror Clichés [Review] at The Playlist.

As a genre fueled by the fantastic, colorful, and absurd, animation stretches storytelling beyond the realm of reality and logic. Although every genre, cartoon-related or otherwise, has been subjected to sanitized sellout flicks as the cinematic medium grows increasingly oversaturated, most mainstream animated films—except for (some) Pixar outings—have been neutered of any substantive artistry. Conversely, lesser-known jewels and artistic outliers linger within the depths of streaming services or obscure YouTube playlists.

Contrarily, while Marcell Jankovics‘ opus “Son of the White Mare” might not qualify as a recent addition to the genre, considering the film originally debuted in 1981, this psychedelic action-adventure epic serves as a reminder that the animation genre excels most when talent and creativity supplant the desire to capitalize on trends or cater to the lowest common denominator.

Continue reading ‘Son Of The White Mare’: A Psychedelic, Animated Adventure Beyond The Realms Of Imagination [Review] at The Playlist.

World War II does not require a formal introduction. The worldwide conflict claimed approximately 75 million lives from 1939 to 1945, and its ramifications continue to affect the nations involved decades later, especially on a cultural level. As the country infamous for dropping two atomic bombs on a pair of Japanese cities—a choice that ended the war—the United States’ fraught relationship with World War II has been marked by an incalculable amount of controversy both in defense of and opposing the decision to deploy nuclear weapons as a means to conclude the conflict between Axis and Allied forces.

Continue reading ‘Apocalypse ‘45’ Captures the Horrors Of World War II With Unforgettable, Heartbreaking Images [Review] at The Playlist.

The need for connection lingers in every human heart. Marriages and friendships both stem from the inherent desire to connect with another person, but no other relationship affects the human experience more than family. Mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, brothers and sisters—you are born into the aforementioned roles without a choice and required to coexist in some capacity. Even in cases of neglect, abandonment, or adoption, the deprivation of a traditional familial unit affects the individual due to absence or misuse, which frequently leads to a unique sense of loneliness or an endless search for affirmation.

Continue reading Family Romance, LLC: Werner Herzog’s Rent-A-Family Drama Never Finds Its Way Home [Review] at The Playlist.

The day begins like any other. Veteran pilot Tobias Ellis (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) sits down in the cockpit of a plane flying out of Berlin without a care in the world. He runs through the flight checklist, makes cute conversation with his girlfriend Gökce (Aylin Tezel) —a flight attendant on the plane—and before long, he is off in the air. That is, until an unexpected hijacking turns his routine into a nightmare.

Continue reading ‘7500’: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Shines In A Tense, Claustrophobic Thriller That Proves Less Is More [Review] at The Playlist.

Around 57 minutes into Boaz Yakin’s dance-driven romantic drama “Aviva,” the film’s protagonist looks straight into the camera and says, “Fuck consistency and tone.” The reason for his outburst? He’s addressing the random dance number that occurred 20 minutes earlier, in which a mob of middle school boys interrupts the plot to perform a dance number out of nowhere. It does not serve the plot, it is never referenced again, and if “Aviva” needed a thesis statement, there it is practically spraypainted in bold red letters: Fuck consistency and tone.

Continue reading ‘Aviva’: An Entrancing, Dance-Driven Experiment That Struts Into Self-Indulgence [Review] at The Playlist.

By and large, “Is ‘Showgirls’ a good movie?” might be one of the most unanswerable questions posed to our current generation. Aside from “What is the purpose of mankind?” or “Where do we go after we die?” the amount of genuine curiosity posed toward the intentional quality and unintended genius of Paul Verhoeven’s maligned opus has weighed upon the hearts of the casual film fan and hardcore cinephile for decades.

Continue reading ‘You Don’t Nomi’ Examines The Blurry Line Between The Genius & Tragedy Of ‘Showgirls’ [Review] at The Playlist.

Most film buffs do not casually drop “Kundun” into everyday conversation. Even if cinephiles were assigned to rank the most overlooked films of Martin Scorsese’s career, “Bringing Out the Dead,” “After Hours,” or “Shutter Island,” a criminally ignored masterwork within its own right, would likely make the list long before anyone remembered the director’s biographical drama about the life of Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama.

Continue reading ‘In Search of Kundun’: A Deep Dive into Martin Scorsese’s Unsung Masterpiece [Review] at The Playlist.

Everyone enjoys a director’s comeback movie because when they are good, they are typically great. After stumbling for a period, Paul Schrader bounced back with “First Reformed.” George Miller proved that sequels can still surpass expectations with “Mad Max: Fury Road.” And branching into television—David Lynch took a 10-year hiatus after the release of “Inland Empire” before unleashing the generation-defining genius of “Twin Peaks: The Return.” All that to say, there are some high expectations for Gerardo Naranjo’s newest film.

Continue reading ‘Kokoloko’: Gerardo Naranjo’s Feverish Follow-Up To ‘Miss Bala’ Falls Flat [Tribeca Review] at The Playlist.

Confronting the topic of conversion therapy in a film requires a remarkable amount of delicacy. Within the fictional side of cinema, films like “Boy Erased” and “The Miseducation of Cameron Post,” which both sprouted up in the late-2010s, have done their part to generate an increased awareness of the harmful practice within the culture. However, shockingly, the documentary scene has yet to contribute a triumphant piece of nonfictional filmmaking to the discussion.

Continue reading ‘Pray Away’: Kristine Stolakis’ Doc Is One Of The Most Important Films Of The Year [Tribeca Review] at The Playlist.

Every
once in a while, there arrives a piece of entertainment—be it a film or TV
show—that makes you stop and think, “Something about this isn’t right.” On the
surface, all the pieces seemed to be set in place and arranged in a way that
anyone not looking closely could dismiss as passable or even enjoy. But,
somewhere in the back of your mind, a worrying sensation will not let you move
past the questions circling in your head.

Continue reading ‘Normal People’: A Genuine But Seriously Problematic Romance [Review] at The Playlist.

No one grows up with the aspirations of becoming a drug addict. Yet, for countless individuals across the United States, that nightmare morphs into a reality, an eternal consequence arising from a moment of weakness. While “How to Fix a Drug Scandal” examines the motivation that invokes addiction from the vantage point of a legal documentary, the film’s heart remains rooted in an intimate analysis of how an individual’s personal choices can affect the lives of thousands.

Continue reading ‘How To Fix A Drug Scandal’: A Sterilized Tale Of Addiction & Corruption In America [Review] at The Playlist.