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
Green Book Review: Playing the Same Old Song About Jim Crow Racism
Peter Farrelly’s period road movie about a black piano player and his Italian driver in Jim Crow America doesn’t dig deep into American racism, but charms and moves nonetheless. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The discussion of racism in America is a Pandora’s box for Hollywood. On one hand, it’s a vastly important ... Green Book Review: Playing the Same Old Song About Jim Crow Racism
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Review: The Coen Brothers Spin Six Tales of Old West Tragicomedy
The Coen brothers return to the Old West for a darkly comic anthology of six stories of doomed men and women out on the frontier. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Watching a Western movie means feeling a strange surge of patriotism, of pride and awe for the American men and women who made ... The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Review: The Coen Brothers Spin Six Tales of Old West Tragicomedy
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
Overlord Review: Nazi Zombie Shoot-Em-Up Is Fast and Furhrer-ious
The JJ Abrams-produced Nazi zombie flick provides plenty of schlock and scares, but stumbles over its own rotting feet when it reaches for profundity. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood If Indiana Jones has taught us anything, it’s that Jehovah starts with a ‘Y’ and there’s nothing more satisfying that watching someone kick the ... Overlord Review: Nazi Zombie Shoot-Em-Up Is Fast and Furhrer-ious
10 Movie Witches to Hex Your Halloween
This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Halloween season is here, which means it’s the season of the witch. The witch has long been a part of our collective unconscious, mostly in our nightmares where she tended to be a convenient scapegoat. And she continues to be a part of our culture today, albeit in ... 10 Movie Witches to Hex Your Halloween
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
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
CIFF Dispatch, Part 2: What They Had, Retablo, Maria By Callas, and More
This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The Chicago International Film Festival keeps chugging along this week, and so does our coverage. From upcoming big indie films to smaller local works, to foreign films that may never see mainstream distribution here, CIFF is a great time to stock up on works you may not get ... CIFF Dispatch, Part 2: What They Had, Retablo, Maria By Callas, and More
Five Movies We’re Dying to See at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival
This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Now in its third year, the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, taking place October 11th through the 18th, has become one of the fastest rising venues to catch the next best thing in scary movies months before everyone else gets a chance. This year’s line-up showcases both new faces ... Five Movies We’re Dying to See at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival
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
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
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
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
Five LGBTQ+ Films We Can’t Wait to See at the 36th Reeling Film Festival
The 36th annual LGBTQ+ film fest starts up this week in Chicago, and we talk about some of the queer films we most look forward to. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood For decades, Chicago Filmmakers has been one of the city’s greatest champions for arthouse and independent film. Part of that is the ... Five LGBTQ+ Films We Can’t Wait to See at the 36th Reeling Film Festival