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satire

Austin Film Festival: “Death of a Telemarketer” puts thoughtful commentary on hold

Death of a Telemarketer
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While effective at first, Khaled Ridgeway’s feature debut goes from dark comedy to conventional sappiness.

Douglas Laman Posted on October 28, 2020October 28, 2020

This isn’t Camp. This is holy water!: “Showgirls” at 25

Showgirls
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Paul Verhoeven’s infamous 1995 satire isn’t Camp going by Susan Sontag’s definition, but it is one of the great American movies.

Matt Cipolla Posted on September 22, 2020September 23, 2020

Jon Stewart’s “Irresistible” is toothless, out-of-touch political satire

IRRESISTIBLE
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The former Daily Show host’s sophomore film is a dated, centrist screed that fundamentally misunderstands our current political moment.

Andrea Thompson Posted on June 23, 2020June 23, 2020

“The Hunt” is too safe to really be called a satire

The Hunt
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The once-controversial story of “liberal elites” hunting people for sport has a provocative premise, but it’s far less than the sum of its parts.

Matt Cipolla Posted on May 28, 2020November 3, 2020

“Upload” gives us the digital afterlife we’ll probably get IRL

Upload
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Greg Daniels dreams up a perfectly imperfect portrait of a heaven owned by shareholders. Don’t worry; it’s also funny.

Jon Negroni Posted on April 28, 2020April 28, 2020

Sundance 2020: “Spree” Goes for the Kill But Lacks the Edge

Spree
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Eugene Kotlyarenko’s satire about a rideshare driver who murders for online fame lacks the bite or nuance its premise deserves.

Matt Cipolla Posted on January 25, 2020January 25, 2020

Bombshell Review: Fox News Satire Has Enough of a Bang

Bombshell
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Jay Roach’s retelling of the Fox News harassment scandal has sufficient momentum and typically strong performances to largely overcome its undercooked politics.

Matt Cipolla Posted on December 9, 2019July 2, 2020

CIFF Dispatch: “Jojo Rabbit”, “A Girl Missing”, “The Torch” and More

CIFF Jojo Rabbit Girl Missing Jesus Takes You Highway The Torch
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(This dispatch is part of our coverage of the 2019 Chicago International Film Festival.) Welp, CIFF keeps chugging […]

Clint Worthington Posted on October 24, 2019October 24, 2019

The Day Shall Come Review: Chris Morris Satire Lacks Bite

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Tone-deaf obviousness and blunt-force capitalist critiques plague Morris’ latest, letting down its good intentions with disappointing bluntness.

Matt Cipolla Posted on September 26, 2019July 2, 2020

The Righteous Gemstones Review: Show, Don’t Televangelism

The Righteous Gemstones
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Danny McBride’s latest collaboration with Jody Hill and David Gordon Green doesn’t quite keep the faith.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on August 15, 2019August 15, 2019

Succession Recap: Season Two Regroups at “The Summer Palace”

Succession The Summer Palace
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HBO’s cuttingly dark upper-crust family drama carves new depths of capitalist depravity in the season premiere.

Clint Worthington Posted on August 11, 2019August 11, 2019

Tel Aviv on Fire Review: Even Soap Can’t Clean Dirty Politics

Tel Aviv on Fire
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Sameh Zoabi’s politically-charged satire of Palestinian soap operas works better as farce than social polemic.

Matt Cipolla Posted on August 3, 2019July 2, 2020

Fantasia 2019: “Homewrecker” Wants to Be Friends 4-Ever

Homewrecker
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Zach Gayne’s psychological thriller/comedy about female friendship starts out strong, but quickly loses its way.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on July 26, 2019July 24, 2019

The Unsubtle Social Satire of “Natural Born Killers”

natural born killers
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An early Quentin Tarantino screenplay is turned into an over the top look at America’s obsession with crime & criminals.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on July 13, 2019July 13, 2019

The Fall of the American Empire Review: Toothless Capitalist Satire

The Fall of the American Empire
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Denys Arcand’s droll French caper comedy leans a little too hard on cliche and creaky anti-capitalist screeds.

Matt Cipolla Posted on June 8, 2019July 2, 2020
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