Reviews (Page 147)

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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.

Interviews

Director Emma Tammi on the Women of “The Wind” and the Isolation of the Old West

The Wind director sits down for a podcast interview to talk about her feature debut's feminist horror deconstruction of the Western.

Ash is Purest White Review: Jia Zhangke Embraces Long-Form Storytelling Once Again

Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke returns to long-form storytelling with this feature-length tale of the twisted romance between a gangster and his moll.

Pet Sematary Review: Raising the Dead Leads to Cat-astrophe

Initially faithful to the source material, Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer's take on the Stephen King classic goes in a new and creepier direction.

The Brink Review: Steve Bannon Doc Embraces Its Subject’s Moral Decay

Alison Klayman delves deep into the disturbing nihilism of the Breitbart figure in this occasionally uneven, but compelling documentary.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Part 2 Review: Missing That Old Black Magic

The second half of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's teen-witch update loses some of the winking charm that made its debut so magical.

Hall of Faces

Hall of Faces Minisode: “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” Recurring Characters (w/Danny Jolles)

Danny Jolles (George) joins us to talk about the wonderful recurring cast of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend as it wraps up its final season this week on the CW.

Features

When Johnny Met Tim: Burton, Depp, and the Limits of the Muse

Every artist has their muse, but sometimes that relationship grows toxic and strains - with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, that moment appears long passed.

Features

Heathers at 30: Loving This Dead Gay Movie

Thirty years later, Heathers still inspires discussions about what's too edgy to depict in movies, and whether a remake can still happen.

Features

“Mars Attacks” is Tim Burton’s Twisted Cautionary Tale About Trust

Adapting the Topps trading cards to cackling comic life, Tim Burton! offered a twisted alien invasion alternative to Independence Day.

Interviews

Composer Brian H. Kim (Abby’s, Star vs. the Forces of Evil) on Synths, Scoring, and Studio Audiences

The composer talks about scoring the final season of Disney’s animated adventure and crafting a theme for NBC’s outdoor multi-cam sitcom.NOW STREAMING: Powered by JustWatch Welcome back to More of a Comment, Really…, a weekly interview show hosted by Clint Worthington! Every episode will feature interviews with actors, filmmakers, producers, and more, giving you the skinny on the latest films and ... Composer Brian H. Kim (Abby’s, Star vs. the Forces of Evil) on Synths, Scoring, and Studio Audiences

Interviews

More of a Comment, Really…: Relaxer’s Joel Potrykus on the Gruesome Terror of the ’90s

RELAXER's director sits down to talk about video games and the horrors of Y2K.

Dumbo Review: Tim Burton’s Remake Is Light as a Feather, But Doesn’t Spread Its Wings

While it doesn't reach the heights of Pete's Dragon, Tim Burton's remake has its fair share of charms, and takes a few digs at the House of Mouse.

Sunset Review: A Dreamlike Drama Of A Woman Lost

While it's long, languorous and more than a little dreamlike, László Nemes' latest paints another sumptuous world of woe.

Starfish Review: Grieving Through the End of the World

Virginia Gardner plays a lonely woman on a mission to save the world in A.T. White's gripping, inscrutable essay on loss.

The Highwaymen Review: Bonnie & Clyde Cop Chase Runs Out of Gas

Recounting the tale of the men who hunted down Bonnie and Clyde, The Highwaymen is far too trite and hokey for its own good.

Features

C2E2 2019: Alien 40th Anniversary Shorts Revealed

Twentieth Century Fox aired four of its six upcoming anniversary shorts at C2E2 this weekend, xenomorphs feasting on space truckers and scientists alike.

Shazam! Review: Say the Name and Enjoy That Charisma

The DCEU continues its upward trajectory with a flashy, fun, and surprisingly heartfelt teen superhero story.

Features

With “Sweeney Todd”, Tim Burton Ditched Whimsy for Pure, Masterful Macabre

By channeling Burton's outsized whimsy into something darker, consistent, and more constrained, Sweeney Todd succeeds in ways his other adaptations fail.

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This Magnificent Cake! Review: Five Slices of an Interconnected Story

The Wind Review: Go West, Young Monster

The Best of Enemies Review: The Real Racism Was the Friends We Made Along the Way

Director Emma Tammi on the Women of “The Wind” and the Isolation of the Old West

Ash is Purest White Review: Jia Zhangke Embraces Long-Form Storytelling Once Again

Pet Sematary Review: Raising the Dead Leads to Cat-astrophe

The Brink Review: Steve Bannon Doc Embraces Its Subject’s Moral Decay

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Part 2 Review: Missing That Old Black Magic

Hall of Faces Minisode: “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” Recurring Characters (w/Danny Jolles)

When Johnny Met Tim: Burton, Depp, and the Limits of the Muse

Heathers at 30: Loving This Dead Gay Movie

“Mars Attacks” is Tim Burton’s Twisted Cautionary Tale About Trust

Composer Brian H. Kim (Abby’s, Star vs. the Forces of Evil) on Synths, Scoring, and Studio Audiences

More of a Comment, Really…: Relaxer’s Joel Potrykus on the Gruesome Terror of the ’90s

Dumbo Review: Tim Burton’s Remake Is Light as a Feather, But Doesn’t Spread Its Wings

Sunset Review: A Dreamlike Drama Of A Woman Lost

Starfish Review: Grieving Through the End of the World

The Highwaymen Review: Bonnie & Clyde Cop Chase Runs Out of Gas

C2E2 2019: Alien 40th Anniversary Shorts Revealed

Shazam! Review: Say the Name and Enjoy That Charisma

With “Sweeney Todd”, Tim Burton Ditched Whimsy for Pure, Masterful Macabre