films Archives - The Spool
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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.

Mary Queen of Scots Review: A Riveting, if Ahistorical, Royal Drama

While it won’t win any awards for historical accuracy, Josie Rourke’s royal drama shines thanks to some gorgeous cinematography and the performances of Saiorse Ronan and Margot Robbie. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Whenever someone watches a Hollywood movie that focuses on a historical figure, they must ask themselves, “how important is accuracy?” ... Mary Queen of Scots Review: A Riveting, if Ahistorical, Royal Drama

The Favourite Review: Yorgos Lanthimos Holds Uproarious Royal Court

Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest is a droll, hilarious dramedy about the challenges of female power and competition, with three amazing performances from Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood When it comes to acid-tongued, deadpan humor, few do it better than Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos. While works like the ... The Favourite Review: Yorgos Lanthimos Holds Uproarious Royal Court

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

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