2018 Archives - Page 3 of 7 - The Spool (Page 3)

Can You Ever Forgive Me? Review: Melissa McCarthy Compels in Awards-Hungry Journalism Drama

While it’s patently hungry for awards, Melissa McCarthy’s biopic of infamous letter forger Lee Israel is compelling and darkly accessible, with some great supporting turns from Richard E Grant and Jane Curtin. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Oscar baiting: we know it when we see it, and Can You Ever Forgive Me? is ... Can You Ever Forgive Me? Review: Melissa McCarthy Compels in Awards-Hungry Journalism Drama

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The Spool is an irreverent, informative source for film and television coverage, focused on diverse, thoughtful opinions that seek out a greater understanding of the media we love.
BHFF 2018

Brooklyn Horror Film Festival Dispatch, Part 1: Tower. A Bright Day, Empathy, Inc., Antrum

This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood As horror continues its gradual moving away from traditional monsters and slashers to rawer, more unsettling scares that are COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE, we can look forward to more internet discourse about whether a movie qualifies as “horror.” This requires the sort of pedantry that is the ... Brooklyn Horror Film Festival Dispatch, Part 1: Tower. A Bright Day, Empathy, Inc., Antrum

Trouble Review: A Modest Small-Town Dramedy With an Overqualified Cast

While Theresa Rebeck’s low-budgeted rural hangout comedy sports a fine cast, they can’t quite elevate the proceedings beyond the occasional modest laugh. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Movies that are remembered are generally on a spectrum of cinematic triumph to shoddy exercise for an inexperienced rube’s hubris. Then there are the films that ... Trouble Review: A Modest Small-Town Dramedy With an Overqualified Cast

Malevolent Review: Netflix’s Latest is Stylish and Sloppy in Equal Measure

Netflix’s latest creep-fest is a schlocky bore filled with predictable twists and some dodgy performances, though it’s mitigated with some genuine visual style. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood “Horror isn’t easy” is probably one of the greater understatements in the history of film. Sure, it’s easy to crank out an hour and a ... Malevolent Review: Netflix’s Latest is Stylish and Sloppy in Equal Measure

Interviews

Trouble: Writer/Director Theresa Rebeck on Wrangling Low Budgets and Big Stars (Interview)

This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Novelist, screenwriter and Pulitzer-nominated playwright Theresa Rebeck is a woman of many hats – the latest of which is the director of the independent ensemble comedy Trouble. A film with modest ambitions but no small amount of charm, its tale of a small-town sibling rivalry is bolstered by tremendous ... Trouble: Writer/Director Theresa Rebeck on Wrangling Low Budgets and Big Stars (Interview)

The Book of Birdie Review: Atmospheric Chills Abound in This Convent Thriller

Elizabeth E. Schuch’s spooky, atmospheric horror gem prefers to keep its tale of demonic birth and possession filled with atmospheric dread rather than outright shocks. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Secluded from the world, convents offer filmmakers an isolated setting charged with religious significance. This combination especially lends itself especially to tales that ... The Book of Birdie Review: Atmospheric Chills Abound in This Convent Thriller

Bad Times at the El Royale Review: Good Times With Drew Goddard’s Gritty Ensemble

Sporting a brilliant ensemble cast, Drew Goddard’s throwback to the neo-noir crime films of Tarantino and Rodriguez is that rare example that actually works. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood It’s the sort of plot that’s been around for so long, Hollywood was essentially built on it: a bunch of ne’er do well strangers ... Bad Times at the El Royale Review: Good Times With Drew Goddard’s Gritty Ensemble

All About Nina Review: Mary Elizabeth Winstead Struggles to Succeed in the Standup Boys’ Club

Mary Elizabeth Winstead lashes back at the stiflingly male-dominated world of standup comedy in Eva Vives’ acerbic, stunning debut. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood “Isn’t it great how all of the sudden they know that we’re funny?” comedy club owner and former stand-up Pam (Pam Murphy) tells her younger counterpart, Nina Geld (Mary ... All About Nina Review: Mary Elizabeth Winstead Struggles to Succeed in the Standup Boys’ Club

A Star Is Born (2018) Review: Lady Gaga Soars In Sumptuous, if Shallow, Remake

Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut features strong performances and some catchy tunes, but he’s just the opening act for Lady Gaga’s revelatory breakout performance. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood When that first teaser for Bradley Cooper’s version of A Star Is Born dropped in early June, jaws were justifiably dropped. The skepticism around the ... A Star Is Born (2018) Review: Lady Gaga Soars In Sumptuous, if Shallow, Remake

Mountain Blu-Ray Review: An Arresting Climbing Doc Gets Pristine Treatment

Jennifer Peedom’s intriguing blend of documentary filmmaking and classical music comes to home theaters courtesy of a stunning Blu-ray release. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Jennifer Peedom’s essay film Mountain begins not with snow-capped summits or other skyward fantasias, but the tuning of an orchestra: instruments are assembled, the conductor readies his baton, ... Mountain Blu-Ray Review: An Arresting Climbing Doc Gets Pristine Treatment

The Sisters Brothers Review: Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly Upend the Western

Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly are a pair of offbeat gunslingers in Jacques Audiard’s unconventional, gorgeously energetic Western. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The American Western has been told in every conceivable fashion, but they often feature the same sort of lead – a man who, when faced with great adversity, buries ... The Sisters Brothers Review: Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly Upend the Western

TV

The Haunting of Hill House: Netflix Adapts Shirley Jackson’s Novel, Loses Some of Its Essence

Netflix’s adaptation of the classic Shirley Jackson horror novel boasts a brilliant cast and some intriguing scares, but disappointingly reduces the book to a spooky soap opera. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood To ask “why was this made” when it comes to a remake or reboot is to be rhetorical – the answer ... The Haunting of Hill House: Netflix Adapts Shirley Jackson’s Novel, Loses Some of Its Essence

Interviews

3100: Run and Become’s Sanjay Rawal on Running as Prayer (Interview)

We sit down with the director of the upcoming long-distance running doc 3100: Run and Become to talk about the spirituality of running and their responsibilities toward the marginalized communities they highlight. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The Self-Transcendence Race in New York City is a grueling, unrelenting 3,100-mile race held every year ... 3100: Run and Become’s Sanjay Rawal on Running as Prayer (Interview)

The House with a Clock in its Walls Review: Eli Roth Tries (and Succeeds) at Spooky Kid’s Fare

Fresh off a string of failed horror flicks, Eli Roth bounces back with an unexpectedly fun, faithful adaptation of John Bellairs’ classic kid’s adventure books. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The prospect of grindhouse provocateur Eli Roth directing a four-quadrant kid’s flick is a dicey, but fascinating one – yet here we are ... The House with a Clock in its Walls Review: Eli Roth Tries (and Succeeds) at Spooky Kid’s Fare

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