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FlixChatter Film Blog Let's Chat Movies! - Movies & Series
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FlixChatter Review: WICKED Part I (2024) – Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande are wicked good in Jon M. Chu’s vivid, dazzling, and surprisingly heartfelt movie musical – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
As you’ve likely seen on social media, it’s that time again in Hollywood where two blockbuster juggernauts are competing at the box office. Forget Barbenheimer, it’s the year of GLICKED (Gladiator II and Wicked). I have to preface my review by saying that I haven’t seen the Broadway version and I’ve just recently seen The…
FlixChatter Review: Small Things Like These (2024) – Cillian Murphy brings a subtle intensity to this slow yet absorbing historical drama – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
As the holidays are approaching, there are a bunch of new movies coming that are set at Christmas time. Well, Small Things Like These takes place over Christmas in 1985, but this is NOT a warm and fuzzy holiday movie. Adapted from the Booker Prize-nominated novel by Claire Keegan, it’s a sobering film dealing with…
FlixChatter Review: GLADIATOR II (2024) – The cast bring their A-game but this sequel is heavy on CGI spectacle, light on logic + emotional resonance – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
It’s been 24 years since Gladiator was released and it remains one of my favorite movies of all time. I rewatched it recently and it still holds up exceptionally well. It starts strong and ends with equal fortitude. The hero’s journey is complete with Maximus’ death, as he sacrificially saves Lucilla, her son Lucius, as…
TV Review: AppleTV+’s SLOW HORSES (S4) – the best yet underrated spy series that just keeps getting better every season – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
My pal and FC loyal contributor Ted S. and I are huge fans of the Slow Horses, the acclaimed dark comedy spy series on Apple TV+. I'm thrilled that in addition to the upcoming 5th season, we'll be getting a new 6-episode sixth season as well, expected to air in 2026. This is one of…
FlixChatter Review: A REAL PAIN (2024) – Jesse Eisenberg + Kieran Culkin’s bittersweet buddy dramedy is a real delight – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Making a film that deals with the holocaust as a buddy comedy seems like an audacious choice. Yet that is what actor/writer/director Jesse Eisenberg managed to do with A Real Pain and managed to create a heartwarming and funny film that is not at all painful to watch. I have to admit I’m not all…
TCFF 2024 Review: BLITZ – Saoirse Ronan is luminous in Steve McQueen’s impeccably-crafted but emotionally underwhelming WWII drama – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Blitz tells the tale of a group of Londoners navigating life during the bombings of World War II in the 1940s. Written and directed by Steve McQueen, the film opened with a fiery inferno right from its opening scene. Firefighters desperately try to put out the blaze that engulfs a row of houses, one of…
TCFF 2024 Review: La Cocina – a visceral cinematic experience set in a bustling kitchen boldly explores power & class dynamics – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
La Cocina (aka The Kitchen) immerses viewers into the world of a bustling kitchen, The Grill, in NYC’s Times Square. It’s also an American immigrant story as it opens with a young woman Estela (Anna Diaz) on a ferry to Manhattan she sneaks in through the side door and slyly manages to land a job…
FlixChatter Review – VENOM: The Last Dance (2024) – Tom Hardy bids farewell to his chatty, bombastic symbiote in a whirlwind of crazy fun – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
I came into the Venom franchise quite late as I just didn’t care for it initially, despite being a big fan of Tom Hardy. Then I saw the mid-credit scene of Spider-man: No Way Home featuring Hardy’s character Eddie Brock with his alien parasite in a Mexican bar talking to a bartender played by Ted…
FlixChatter’s OCTOBER viewing recap + Mini Reviews + Movie(s) Of the Month – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Happy November! We're down to the last two months of the year already?? Wow, where has the time gone? Well, after an unseasonally warm October, we finally got our first snow on Halloween. Fortunately, the ground was still so warm that it didn't stick, so nothing like the Halloween blizzard of 1991 that dropped a…
Special Guest Post: 10 Great Scary Movies For Children At Halloween – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Guest post by Dan Stephens of Top 10 Films Get ready to grab your blankets, snuggle up, and settle in for a night of delightful frights with these family-friendly scary movies! There's nothing quite like the thrill of a spooky movie night, where the whole family can gather around the screen, popcorn in hand, and…
TCFF 2024 Review: UNSTOPPABLE (2024) – this sports biopic doesn’t break new ground, but Anthony Robles’ incredible story is truly inspiring – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Unstoppable might be an overly generic title for a film, but the story of wrestler Anthony Robles, an American wrestler who was born without a right leg is anything but. The story is lifted straight out of his autobiography, Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated Champion, and this is very much an underdog sports story just…
TCFF 2024 Award Winners + Highlights: Interview with Daisy Ridley + Tom Bateman on their psychological thriller MAGPIE – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
It's been a hectic but gratifying 10 days covering the Twin Cities Film Fest on its 15th anniversary! Monday, October 21 was truly an evening to remember as I got to meet both Daisy Ridley and Tom Bateman who were in attendance to promote their psychological thriller MAGPIE (read my review). Thanks to TCFF executive…
TCFF 2024 Review: MAGPIE – Daisy Ridley continues to show off her range in this enigmatic, slow-burn thriller – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Magpie is a Neo-noir thriller that marks the first feature collaboration between Daisy Ridley and her husband Tom Bateman. I read that the idea came from Ridley herself, which was inspired by her role in The Marsh King's Daughter where she played a mother of a young girl. Written by Bateman and directed by Sam…
TCFF 2024 music-themed documentary reviews – LUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCH and CAMP RICSTAR – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
LUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCH Luther Vandross is a singer I don't know much about, and that is the appeal of this documentary for me. Luther: Never Too Much covers the journey of this legendary artist, starting from his childhood talent all the way to his global success. It dives into his collaborations, influences, personality, his…
TCFF 2024 Reviews: dramedy ‘A Little Family Drama’ + horror thriller ‘The Activated Man’ – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
A LITTLE FAMILY DRAMA Movies frequently highlight dysfunctional families to explore the intricacies of human relationships, and the chaos within families can make for some great comedy. That is the premise of A Little Family Drama by writer/director Nadia Zoe, which centers on the multi-generational Mexican American family, the Sepulvedas. The story revolves around a…
TCFF 2024 Review: CONCLAVE – Ralph Fiennes delivers his finest performance in this engrossing papal mystery thriller – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Twin Cities Film Fest kicked off its 10-day film festivities yesterday with Focus Features’ papal mystery thriller CONCLAVE. It’s one of my most anticipated Fall films thanks to the all-star cast filled with Oscar nominees, Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow. Directed by Edward Berger, the 2023 Oscar winner for All Quiet on the…
FlixChatter Review: Saturday Night (2024) – Jason Reitman’s retelling of the first SNL episode in real-time is a fun, frenzied ride – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
As Saturday Night Live enters its 50th season, it’s quite fun to revisit the day the first-ever episode went live. As so happens, I saw the film on the big screen exactly 49 years to the day it aired on October 11, 1975. Generally, I’m not a super huge fan of SNL and rarely see…
Twin Cities Film Fest countdown: 10 must-see DOCUMENTARIES to watch at TCFF 2024 – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
The Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) arrives in TWO DAYS, that is Thursday, October 17th. Though we got a bit of a frost happening in some parts of the cities, we're getting a bit of Summer-like weather just in time for this fall's film festivities, with temps in the 70s and perhaps even hitting close…
FlixChatter Review: WE LIVE IN TIME (2024) – Florence Pugh & Andrew Garfield create a delectable concoction out of a vanilla romance – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
With Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield as the leads, it’s easy to see why We Live in Time is one of the most anticipated Fall releases. Both actors are at the top of their game and massively popular, and they’re definitely the reason to see this film. Directed by John Crowley from a script by…
Twin Cities Film Fest countdown – 10 must-see narrative INDIE FILMS to watch at TCFF 2024 – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Can't believe that the Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) is less than 10 days away!! The Twin Cities has been blessed with glorious weather, no sign of the white stuff (aka snow, in case you're wondering) as temps are well above normal. A few weeks ago, TCFF unveiled the complete lineup filled with exciting buzz-worthy…
FlixChatter Review: THE OUTRUN (2024) – Saoirse Ronan superbly portrays a woman battling addiction in this year’s hidden gem – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Saoirse Ronan is an actress I’d watch in pretty much anything. That’s the main appeal of The Outrun for me. I don’t usually go for addiction films simply because Hollywood has a history of glamorizing drug and alcohol use as a way to enjoy life, often hiding the harsh truths of addiction. Although some movies…
Documentary Review » Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story – a fitting homage to an extraordinary man who redefined what it means to be a real-life hero – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Certain actors hold a special place in my heart and Christopher Reeve is one of those, so I’m grateful that I saw this film on the big screen on his birthday on Sept 25. My first theatrical experience when I was a toddler was Superman: The Movie. My parents got divorced when I was only…
FlixChatter Review: MY OLD ASS (2024) – Maisy Stella + Aubrey Plaza have a nice chemistry in this coming-of-age comedy with a sci-fi twist – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Directed by: Megan Park Starring: Maisy Stella, Percy Hines White, Maddie Ziegler, Kerrice Brooks, Aubrey Plaza Fantasy dramedy My Old Ass is actress turned director Megan Park’s second full feature after the critically acclaimed The Fallout (2021). 18-year-old Elliott (Maisy Stella), a spirited young Canadian adult about to enter college and semi-independence, is eager to…
SEPTEMBER viewing recap + Mini Reviews + Movie Of the Month – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Happy October, everyone! Remember I said 'buh bye Summer' in my last post? Well, as it turns out, September was pretty much a carbon copy of August, temps were so hot up until yesterday (mid-80s Fahrenheit!) that I put off updating my closet to Fall wardrobe, ahah. I am looking forward to Fall movies, so…
RIP Dame Maggie Smith – 10 favorite roles of the venerable Grande Dame of Films + TV – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
This weekend started with a somber note with the passing of Dame Maggie Smith last Friday, who died at the age of 89. It's disheartening that I'm doing another tribute post after we lost the great James Earl Jones earlier this month, but I simply had to do a tribute to one of my favorite…
FlixChatter Review: MEGALOPOLIS (2024) – Chaotic, bloated with garish visuals, but there’s no denying Coppola’s grand yet earnest ambition – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Much has been made about Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis, a passion project of the 85-year-old auteur that’s envisioned since the 80s. The IMAX presentation was preceded by a Q&A hosted by the New York Film Festival with Coppola, Robert De Niro, and Spike Lee, and the director touched upon how he was able to finance…
FlixChatter Review: LEE (2024) – Kate Winslet is fierce as the model-turned-wartime photographer Lee Miller – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
In a sea of biopics, LEE is one I’ve been looking forward to this year. I’m mildly familiar with the subject matter, Lee Miller, an American fashion model turned war photographer whose photos became one of the most significant contributions to WWII archives. Kate Winslet’s passion project, which she co-produced and even partly funded herself,…
FlixChatter Review: A DIFFERENT MAN (2024) – Adam Pearson & Sebastian Stan are tremendous in this surreal + darkly funny genre-bending film – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
The whole "twin films" phenomenon in Hollywood is happening again right now with The Substance and A Different Man. Released around the same time by different studios, both films share similar stories and themes around identity and the unyielding quest for beauty. I don’t have the stomach for gore, so I asked my friend and…
FlixChatter Review: THE SUBSTANCE (2024) – a stylish and entertaining body horror if you can stomach the gore – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Directed by Coralie Fargeat Starring: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid The Substance is a body-horror-psychological thriller and French Director Coralie Fargeat’s sophomore feature film after 2017’s Revenge. It tells of aging celebrity-turned-fitness-host Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) who is fired from her show by a venomous executive (Dennis Quaid) as she is no longer able…
Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) unveils 2024 lineup – featuring Ralph Fiennes’ thriller CONCLAVE as its opening night film – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Autumn Equinox is coming this Sunday 🍂 ... and almost on cue, this year's Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) lineup just dropped!! I can't believe it's been 15 years since the first TCFF opened here in the Twin Cities, and every year, it's always an exciting time to see which buzzy films make the lineup!…
FlixChatter Review: THE CRITIC (2024) – Ian McKellen is always a delight to watch even if the material fails to meet his character’s lofty standards – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
I love movies set in the world of theater, though the premise of The Critic is intriguing as the center of the story is a theater critic. Directed by Anand Tucker from a script by Patrick Marber, it's an adaptation of Curtain Call, a novel by former film critic Anthony Quinn. I read that Quinn…
FlixChatter Review: REBEL RIDGE – Aaron Pierre is the new cerebral action hero in Jeremy Saulnier’s lean, taut thriller – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Netflix churns out SO MUCH content every week but few are actually worth watching, so it’s nice when something comes along that ends up being a pleasant surprise. The main draw for me was London-born Aaron Pierre, who I first saw in the dystopian sci-fi drama FOE with Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal. The three…
FlixChatter Review: SIGHT (2024) – Dr. Ming Wang’s remarkable story still shines in this uplifting but tepid biopic – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Another week, another biopic hitting the screens, proving that real-life stories are ripe for cinematic treatment. I had no clue who Dr. Ming Wang was before this movie. He’s this amazing Chinese genius who escaped Communist China in the 1970s and went on to become a world-renowned, groundbreaking eye surgeon in the U.S. After watching…
RIP James Earl Jones (1931-2024)—what an iconic voice, but he was so much more than just a voice actor – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
We lost a great Hollywood yesterday… James Earl Jones has passed away at the age of 93 in his home in Dutchess County, New York. He's indeed lived a long life but it was still a punch in the gut when I heard about his passing on NPR while I was driving… I was astonished…
Emmy Awards 2024: Chatting about Costume Design Nominations with Emmy Voter Resa McConaghy – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards is just around the corner… it's set to air on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Sunday, Sept. 15. I have been watching more TV the past year so I've been paying more attention to it than I usually would and I've always been a fan of fashion…
Twin Cities Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Woodbury is back!! – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
One of my favorite cinemas in the Twin Cities - Alamo Drafthouse Woodbury is back!! Photo courtesy of drafthouse.com/twin-cities Can't believe it's been nearly three months since the Alamo Drafthouse in Woodbury (the only Twin Cities location so far) suddenly shut down due to a franchisee going bankrupt. The Texas-based chain revealed that all six locations…
FlixChatter Review: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)—can’t beat the original, but this one is a surprisingly enjoyable sequel – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Tim Burton's 1988 film Beetlejuice is the first live-action movie I remember seeing. My dad showed it to me when I was four or five years old; it gave me recurring nightmares and taught me an especially crass swear word. In Dad's defense, it was only rated PG (the '80s were a lot more generous…
FlixChatter Review: La Chimera (2023)–beautifully enigmatic & beguiling… Josh O’Connor delivers a sublime performance – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
I usually chose a lighter film on the plane but I just couldn’t pass out on La Chimera as I’ve been wanting to see this for some time. It turned out to be a good decision as it allowed me to get lost in a poetic world with a touch of magical realism for two…
AUGUST viewing recap + Mini Reviews + Movie Of the Month – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Happy August, everyone, and say buh-bye to Summer! We're in the 'ber' month already, which means Summer is pretty much done even though we'll likely still have warm temps for another month or so here in Minnesota. Even today, we have a touch of Fall with temps in the early 60s F. I love it…
FlixChatter’s Most Anticipated Fall 2024 Movies – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Labor Day weekend is upon us. For us movie enthusiasts, it’s time to get pumped: the real cinematic treats are on the way! Summer is the time when studios crank out big films with jaw-dropping visuals and plenty of explosions. When autumn hits, the studios switch gears to embrace the gloomier vibes. Expect to see…