2018 Archives - Page 2 of 7 - The Spool (Page 2)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Review – A Web-Slinging Animated Classic in the Making

Miles Morales gets the big-screen treatment he deserves, an aesthetically vibrant, action-packed story that might just be one of the best animated superhero films of all time. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood What if I were to tell you that one of the most dazzling, innovative, hilarious and poignant animated films of the ... Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Review – A Web-Slinging Animated Classic in the Making

Twisted Pair Review: Neil Breen’s Latest Exercise in Baffling Anti-Cinema

The deeply strange Neil Breen returns with an even more deeply strange entry in his filmography of homespun, barely-coherent ‘psychological thrillers.’ This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood One doesn’t review a Neil Breen movie so much as ponder its existence. It’s not even a question of how it got made—we know it was financed ... Twisted Pair Review: Neil Breen’s Latest Exercise in Baffling Anti-Cinema

Unraveling pop-culture one thread at a time
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.

Widows Review: An Enthralling Heist Thriller with Some Less Interesting Gangster Drama Touches

Steve McQueen’s ambitious, female-driven crime film sports fabulous performances, but bounces haphazardly between tones. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The opening of Steve McQueen’s riveting new heist movie Widows is a masterclass in storytelling efficiency. Four moments of domesticity—some happy, some far more complicated—are intercut with a harrowing heist-gone-wrong shot from inside the ... Widows Review: An Enthralling Heist Thriller with Some Less Interesting Gangster Drama Touches

The Front Runner Review: Hugh Jackman’s Misguided Political Drama Stumbles Across the Finish Line

Despite a stellar cast and some good intentions, Jason Reitman’s political drama about the rise of the tabloid age does a little too much finger-wagging in the wrong direction. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Watching the news can sometimes feel more like watching a drama than something informative. Headlines aim to create the ... The Front Runner Review: Hugh Jackman’s Misguided Political Drama Stumbles Across the Finish Line

Prospect Review: A Thrilling, Micro-budget Sci-Fi Western

Writer/director team Zeek Earl and Chris Caldwell craft a grimy, visceral space Western about a family of prospectors risking their lives on an alien moon. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Space-based science fiction is usually a big-budget affair – hundred-million-dollar space battles, exotic alien creatures and slick, futuristic spaceships. However, every so often ... Prospect Review: A Thrilling, Micro-budget Sci-Fi Western

The Girl in the Spider’s Web Review: Lisbeth Slander gets an action hero makeover

Lisbeth Salander returns, this time played by Claire Foy, in a slick but shallow sequel that trades in the series’ nuance for Bond-ian action. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Pre-screening chatter before The Girl in the Spider’s Web all seemed to center on the same questions: “What happened in the last movie?” “Is ... The Girl in the Spider’s Web Review: Lisbeth Slander gets an action hero makeover

Dr Seuss’ The Grinch Review: Illumination’s Slick Remake is Two Sizes Too Bland

Diving deep into Minions territory, Illumination’s revamp of the holiday classic sands off the Grinch’s hard edges and turns him into a blandly grumpy uncle. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The billboards for Dr Seuss’ The Grinch feature the eponymous antihero dishing out insults to the viewer. From the ads, you would think that ... Dr Seuss’ The Grinch Review: Illumination’s Slick Remake is Two Sizes Too Bland

Olympia’s Cast and Crew on Capturing Millennial Malaise in Chicago (Interview)

We talk to star/writer McKenzie Chinn, director Gregory Dixon, and actor Charles Andrew Gardner about their vibrant, Chicago-set indie about a young woman navigating her thirties. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood As we continue to wrap up our coverage of the Chicago International Film Festival, it’s important to take a look at some ... Olympia’s Cast and Crew on Capturing Millennial Malaise in Chicago (Interview)

Boy Erased Review: Joel Edgerton Exposes the Malpractice of Conversion Therapy

An all-star cast, including Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe, bring a serious issue for the GLBTQ community to a broader audience. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Based on the 2016 memoir of the same name by Garrard Conley, Boy Erased is the emotional journey of teenager Jared Eamons (Lucas Hedges) through ... Boy Erased Review: Joel Edgerton Exposes the Malpractice of Conversion Therapy

What They Had: Elizabeth Chomko and Robert Forster on Crafting Sensitive Family Drama (Interview)

The first-time filmmaker and the veteran actor sit down to talk about Chomko’s experiences with Alzheimer’s in her own family, the switch from studio to auteur filmmaking, and more. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood While dysfunctional family dramas are arguably a dime a dozen, Elizabeth Chomko’s Chicago-centric debut What They Had stands out substantially ... What They Had: Elizabeth Chomko and Robert Forster on Crafting Sensitive Family Drama (Interview)

The Price of Everything: Nathaniel Kahn on the Intersection Between Art and Commerce (Interview)

The documentarian talks about the relationship between art and money, the over-the-top personalities of high-powered art collectors, and what happens when artists have to commodify themselves. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The world of contemporary art is a wild, wild thing – millionaires bidding incredible amounts of money to collect works from modern ... The Price of Everything: Nathaniel Kahn on the Intersection Between Art and Commerce (Interview)

Bohemian Rhapsody Review: Malek’s Mercury Will Rock You, Its Queer Politics Less So

While Bryan Singer’s biopic takes some uncomfortable liberties with Freddie Mercury’s life, Malek’s eye-catching performance elevates the proceedings into a rocking ride. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood In a pivotal scene in Bohemian Rhapsody, Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek) tells his manager and future lover, Paul (Allen Leech) that he doesn’t know who he ... Bohemian Rhapsody Review: Malek’s Mercury Will Rock You, Its Queer Politics Less So