Interspersed throughout Susan Walter’s “All I Wish” are a series of wildly jarring, totally inexplicable straight-to-camera monologues from the film’s various characters. One moment Sharon Stone’s Senna is flirting with Tony Goldwyn’s Adam, the next Ellen Burstyn is sitting in front of a black background talking about how every woman wishes for “better boobs.” These interstitials are demonstrative of an insecure filmmaker; rather than allow the film’s narrative to speak for itself, Walter has her characters simply state their feelings, philosophies, and theses.

Continue reading ‘All I Wish’ With Sharon Stone Is A Derivative Romantic Comedy [Review] at The Playlist.

Television dramas set in the world of the restaurant industry haven’t had a great track record (remember AMC‘s “Feed The Beast“?), but Starz is going to the plate (sorry, not sorry) with “Sweetbitter.” And I have to say, this is pushing all my buttons hard enough that I’m going to give it a shot.

Based on the novel by Stephanie Danler, the show stars Ella Purnell, Caitlin FitzGerald, Tom Sturridge, Paul Sparks, Evan Jonigkeit, Daniyar, Eden Epstein and Jasmine Mathews, and follows a young woman who arrives in Manhattan, and joins the swirling restaurant scene.

Continue reading ‘Sweetbitter’ Trailer: Life Happens While You Wait at The Playlist.

As it begins its fourth and final season, “Rectify” is still among the most special series on television. The unsolved crime at its center isn’t what sets the SundanceTV show apart; in fact, if it were truly focused on solving a decades-old rape and murder, it would fit neatly with a number of other dramas or even true crime shows. But while the question of if Daniel Holden (Aden Young) killed his high school girlfriend is still a part of the narrative, it’s not what drives “Rectify” forward at its perfectly leisurely pace.

Continue reading ‘Rectify’ Continues To Be One Of TV’s Best In Its Fourth And Final Season [TV Review] at The Playlist.

The road to success sometimes leaves friendships behind, and from that kernel unravels the thriller “Always Shine,” which has been earning strong buzz on the festival circuit. And with director Sophia Takal‘s film now headed to cinemas, this tense and nervy new trailer certainly makes the case to see it on a big screen near you.

Starring Mackenzie Davis, Caitlin FitzGerald, Lawrence Michael Levine, Alexander Koch, and Jane Adams, the story follows two friends and actresses, who embark on a weekend getaway to reconnect.

Continue reading Friendship Unravels In New Trailer For Psychological Thriller ‘Always Shine’ With Mackenzie Davis & Caitlin FitzGerald at The Playlist.

Even if Sophia Takal’s second film were merely a straightforward psychological thriller about the rivalry between two actress friends, it would still be gripping from start to finish. There’s a rising feeling of panic as the movie speeds toward its conclusion, aided by effectively twitchy editing, a pair of intense lead performances and a taut, twisty script. You would still leave the theater wanting to discuss what just happened and think about it for days.

Continue reading Tribeca Review: Sophia Takal’s Superb Thriller ‘Always Shine’ Starring Mackenzie Davis And Caitlin FitzGerald at The Playlist.

Watch: New Trailer Rom-Com 'Manhattan Romance' With Katherine Waterston, Gaby Hoffmann, And More

Continue reading Watch: New Trailer Rom-Com ‘Manhattan Romance’ With Katherine Waterston, Gaby Hoffmann, And More at The Playlist.