While the iconic imagery of Niagara Falls has been featured in countless films over the years (with “Superman II” and “Canadian Bacon” perhaps being the most notable examples), the landmark’s neighboring communities have rarely been the focus of any cinematic endeavors. On the Canadian side of the border, the tourist promenade Clifton Hill has always been known as a hotbed for consumerist entertainment and attractions. And although this is by no means a statement of consensus, some would even describe the street as a miniaturized watered-down version of Las Vegas.

Continue reading ‘Disappearance At Clifton Hill’ Trailer: Tuppence Middleton Stars In A Creeping Neo-Noir Thriller With David Cronenberg at The Playlist.

It’s almost surprising that abnormal neo-noir hasn’t seen more of an obnoxious resurgence post-“Twin Peaks: The Return.” Audiences have been re-introduced to its flavor, here and there, with films like David Robert Mitchell’s languorous and controversial “Under the Silver Lake” or the strangely unsung Hollywood mystery, “Gemini,” starring Lola Kirke in an underrated performance. Canadian filmmaker, Albert Shin has moved weird noir out of Los Angeles and into a slightly more rural setting, Clifton Hills — one of Niagara Falls most popular tourist locations — for his tonally confusing, spooky conspiracy thriller, whose title also shares the name of its crooked little casino town.

Continue reading ‘Clifton Hill’: A Neo-Noir Chasing The Tiger’s Tail Of David Lynch-Level Weirdness [TIFF Review] at The Playlist.

Watch: New Canadian Trailer For Wim Wenders' 'Every Thing Will Be Fine' Starring James Franco, Rachel McAdams, More

Continue reading Watch: New Canadian Trailer For Wim Wenders’ ‘Every Thing Will Be Fine’ Starring James Franco, Rachel McAdams, More at The Playlist.

Watch: New International Trailer, Images & Poster For Wim Wenders’ ‘Every Thing Will Be Fine’ With James Franco

Continue reading Watch: New International Trailer, Images & Poster For Wim Wenders’ ‘Every Thing Will Be Fine’ With James Franco at The Playlist.

Watch: James Franco & Rachel McAdams Star In First International Trailer & Clip For Wim Wenders’ ‘Every Thing Will Be Fine’

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Rachel McAdams Joins Wim Wenders' 'Every Thing Will Be Fine'

Continue reading Rachel McAdams Joins Wim Wenders’ ‘Every Thing Will Be Fine’ at The Playlist.

Dylan Moran, Marie Josée Croze & Isaach De Bankolé Join John Michael McDonagh's 'Calvary'; First Look At Brendan Gleeson In The Film

Continue reading Dylan Moran, Marie Josée Croze & Isaach De Bankolé Join John Michael McDonagh’s ‘Calvary’; First Look At Brendan Gleeson In The Film at The Playlist.

With “Tell No One,” we knew next to nothing. We knew it was French and we’d heard vague word of mouth rumblings that it was supposed to be great (and afterwards, we realize we had briefly skimmed a NYTimes review of it, enough to make the above image seem semi-familiar once we saw it again).

Continue reading ‘Tell No One’: An Emotional & Suspenseful Classic In The Taut Thriller Tradition at The Playlist.

The Diving Bell & The Butterfly (dir. Julian Schnabel)
A lock for Best Foreign Oscar nomination (that is unless France is stupid enough to not enter it as their country’s choice), “The Diving Bell And The Butterfly” might be the best movie we’ve seen all year. The painterly and gorgeous cinematography is graceful, moving and lush, the acting is top notch (the film features two “Munich” actors – Mathieu Amalric and Marie-Josée Croze), and former artist turned film director Julian Schnabel can make painterly, poetic images out of curtains lilting on a window pane or a skirt blowing gently on a bare female leg.

Continue reading NYFF Review: ‘The Diving Bell & The Butterfly’ Is Magnificent at The Playlist.