Reviews (Page 155)

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

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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.

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

TV

BoJack Horseman Season 5 TV Review: As Devastating and Bleakly Funny As Ever

Netflix’s bittersweet tale of talking animals and the vagaries of celebrity returns for a thoughtful fifth season filled with even more emotional depth and acerbic wit. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Television’s best series about depression returns for a fifth season, and with some stark reminders about how doing the right thing and ... BoJack Horseman Season 5 TV Review: As Devastating and Bleakly Funny As Ever

TV

The First TV Review: Hulu Ventures Into Space, Stays Disappointingly Earthbound

Despite brilliant performances and an intriguingly cerebral attitude, Sean Penn’s Hulu-set space race fails to reach for the stars, keeping its feet disappointingly on terra firma. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Let’s get this out of the way first: if you’re looking for The First to be a rollicking space adventure about Sean ... The First TV Review: Hulu Ventures Into Space, Stays Disappointingly Earthbound

Film Review: Netflix Explores the Metaphysics of Love with The Laws of Thermodynamics

Mateo Gil’s Spanish rom-com mockumentary tumbles toward entropy with beautiful visuals, but a scattered story and weak protagonist. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood As any science fiction nerd can tell you, people can be rudimentarily broken down into either Kirks or Spocks. One uses cold logic to solve situations, while the other acts ... Film Review: Netflix Explores the Metaphysics of Love with The Laws of Thermodynamics

Interviews

INTERVIEW: Searching’s Aneesh Chaganty and Sev Ohanian on Building Suspense Through Screens

This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood For the latest On Tap minisode, we air an interview Clint conducted for the new John Cho computer-screen thriller Searching – about a frantic father searching for his missing daughter by going through the clues on her laptop! Clint sits down with Searching director Aneesh Chaganty and producer Sev Ohanian ... INTERVIEW: Searching’s Aneesh Chaganty and Sev Ohanian on Building Suspense Through Screens

Film Review: Searching Is a Riveting, Screens-Only Missing Persons Thriller

Anchored by a layered lead turn from John Cho, Aneesh Chaganty’s screens-only thriller explores the formal implications of laptop cinema in new and exciting ways. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood (We previously reviewed Searching in our coverage of the Chicago Critics Film Festival. Read our capsule review.) While ‘laptop cinema’ films like Unfriended and Open Windows are becoming ... Film Review: Searching Is a Riveting, Screens-Only Missing Persons Thriller

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