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Broken Wing - Maddwolf
Rita by Hope Madden In 2019, filmmaker Jayro Bustamante traced a history of state-sanctioned horrors exacted on Guatemalan women with his superb supernatural tale, La Llorona. With his follow up, he mines far more current history to uncover troublingly similar horrors. Rita is a fairy tale told from the perspective of the titular 13-year-old (Giuliana … Continue reading Broken Wing →
In Soviet Russia, Camp Labors You - Maddwolf
Whiteout by Daniel Baldwin One fateful day at work in St. Petersburg, Russia, engineer Henry (James McDougall) finds himself in a very bad situation. Armed men enter the office where he works, take Henry and his co-workers hostage, and cart them off to a labor camp. Not exactly the kind of workplace surprise that anyone … Continue reading In Soviet Russia, Camp Labors You →
Shades of Grief - Maddwolf
The Shade by Adam Barney You can’t outrun grief. You can’t hide from grief. It lurks and waits for an inopportune time to pounce. In director and co-writer Tyler Chipman’s melancholic psycho-horror feature debut The Shade, grief is physically embodied as a pale creature haunting a family. Ryan (Chris Galust) witnessed his father’s suicide at … Continue reading Shades of Grief →
Return of the King - Maddwolf
Gladiator II by Hope Madden Ridley Scott knows how to stage an epic. At 87, he’s lost none of his flair with massive battles on land or sea, nor with the brutal intimacy of hand-to-hand combat. And he still knows how to cast a movie. His narrative skills have taken a step back, but his … Continue reading Return of the King →
Garbage Day - Maddwolf
Street Trash by Hope Madden In 1987, J. Michael Muro unleashed a colorful, sloppy bit of nastiness in bottles labeled Tenafly Viper. Street Trash was unlike anything you’d seen, sort of fearlessly nasty and endlessly goopy, in a way that rejected the notion of a remake. Wisely, Ryan Kruger (Fried Barry) doesn’t remake it. His … Continue reading Garbage Day →
Holiday Season of the Witch - Maddwolf
Wicked by George Wolf Even if you’re only a little familiar with Wicked musical, you might know how part one of the long-awaited film adaptation is going to end. Yes, the closer reaches goosebump level, but director Jon M. Chu and some impeccable casting keeps the entire 2 hour and 40 minute flying pretty high. … Continue reading Holiday Season of the Witch →
Of a Feather - Maddwolf
Bird by Hope Madden There is nothing quite like an Andrea Arnold film. The writer/director sees through the eyes of cast aside adolescent girls like few other filmmakers, and her own eye for color and detail behind the camera creates transcendent cinematic experiences. Her latest effort, Bird, represents something closer to magical realism than anything … Continue reading Of a Feather →
Party on a Sled - Maddwolf
Underdog by George Wolf Underdog may be only 82 minutes, but by the time those minutes are up the film offers you a few possible motivations for its title. Doug Butler is an underdog in life. His sled dog team is an afterthought in the big race. And the American family farmer faces a constant … Continue reading Party on a Sled →
Brand New Bagmen - Maddwolf
Red One by George Wolf Do I want to see J.K. Simmons as a swole, supercool Santa? Yes, I do. That sounds fun, right? It does, so it’s a big letdown when Red One becomes a soggy holiday slog that feels like way too much like one of Tropic Thunder‘s parody trailers come earnestly to … Continue reading Brand New Bagmen →
Party on a Sled - Maddwolf
Underdog by George Wolf Underdog may be only 82 minutes, but by the time those minutes are up the film offers you a few possible motivations for its title. Doug Butler is an underdog in life. His sled dog team is an afterthought in the big race. And the American family farmer faces a constant … Continue reading Party on a Sled →
Cousins Are Forever - Maddwolf
A Real Pain by Hope Madden “My pain is unexceptional, and I don’t feel the need to burden everybody with it.” It’s a revelation articulated by David Kaplan (Jesse Eisenberg), and just one of countless memorable insights in the screenplay Eisenberg penned for his second feature behind the camera, A Real Pain. David and cousin … Continue reading Cousins Are Forever →
Fright Club: Teenage Monsters in Horror Movies - Maddwolf
I Was a Teenage Werewolf. Teen Wolf. The Craft. Even Carrie. Horror moviemakers have long equated coming-of-age with otherness, monstrosity. Sometimes it’s fun, sometimes it’s tragic, but whatever the result —the witches of The Craft or the mermaid of Blue My Mind, the zombie of Maggie or the werewolf (it’s so often a werewwolf!) of … Continue reading Fright Club: Teenage Monsters in Horror Movies →
Lock, Stockholm, and Two Empty Barrels - Maddwolf
Stockholm Bloodbath by Daniel Baldwin In 1520, Danish King Christian II (aka “Christian the Tyrant”) decided that he just had to have the crown of Sweden and would do anything necessary to snatch it for himself. Up to and including committing a barbaric mass execution that is commonly referred to as the titular “Stockholm Bloodbath”. … Continue reading Lock, Stockholm, and Two Empty Barrels →
Not So Silent Night - Maddwolf
Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point by George Wolf So, what happens on Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point? Murder mystery? Love triangle? A miracle of faith? No, none of that. Director and co-writer Tyler Taormina is more interested in an observational approach, just letting the night play out as members of different generations prepare for some … Continue reading Not So Silent Night →
Good Evening - Maddwolf
My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock by Matt Weiner My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock isn’t the first Alfred Hitchcock documentary in the last decade. It’s not even the second prominent one. But this unique take on the director’s entire filmography sets out to show why these movies have not only endured, but continue to speak to … Continue reading Good Evening →
For the Women's House - Maddwolf
Paint Me a Road Out of Here by Hope Madden In the spring of this year, the world lost a fearless, vivid and deeply American voice when Faith Ringgold died at 93. The artist, author and activist who made sure New York understood that art was political shared her talent in 1971 to inspire the … Continue reading For the Women’s House →
Play It With Feeling - Maddwolf
The Piano Lesson by George Wolf You can often find ghosts lurking in the plays of August Wilson. His characters work to forge a better future for their families, haunted by the trauma and systemic racism that has beaten them down for generations. Those themes also define Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, while a vengeful spirit … Continue reading Play It With Feeling →
You Need Involvement - Maddwolf
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by George Wolf It is surprising that it’s taken this long for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever to come to theaters. Well, it’s here now, courtesy of a release date that brings with it some sad irony. Barbara Robinson’s 1972 children’s novel did get a TV adaptation in ’83 with … Continue reading You Need Involvement →
Summertime Blues - Maddwolf
In the Summers by Rachel Willis Divided into four parts, over four summers, writer/director Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio’s debut film, In the Summers, is a touching, sometimes painful, story of a father spending time with his two daughters – carving out a relationship in the few months he has with them each year. Vicente (René Pérez … Continue reading Summertime Blues →
Have You Seen This Mollusk? - Maddwolf
Memoir of a Snail by Hope Madden Adam Elliot is an artist of singular vision. His stop-motion plasticine adventures discard whimsy in favor of almost Dickensian storylines told with eccentricity, dark humor, heartbreak and grit. Memoir of a Snail trails Grace Pudel (voiced by Succession’s Sarah Snook). Grace is a twin, an orphan, an introvert, … Continue reading Have You Seen This Mollusk? →
Brighton Beach Memoir - Maddwolf
Anora by Matt Weiner Sean Baker doesn’t shy away from seamy subcultures, and the worthiness of people trying to get by outside of conformity. Yet it hasn’t been until his Palme d’Or winner Anora that he has found one group without any redeeming qualities. This shocking and depraved group of people is, in this case, … Continue reading Brighton Beach Memoir →
Anywhere But - Maddwolf
Here by Hope Madden At what point did Robert Zemeckis stop making movies and start executing gimmicks? I suppose all of his films have begun with a gimmick—as so many movies must. What if a kid goes back in time and accidentally keeps his parents from meeting? But at some point, the gimmick—often mistaken for … Continue reading Anywhere But →
Is It the Path to a Better Movie? - Maddwolf
Across the River and Into the Trees by Rachel Willis Based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway, director Paula Ortiz’s Across the River and Into the Trees is a stunning-to-look-at film about an older man struggling with his past. The film opens with Colonel Richard Cantwell (Liev Schreiber) receiving unpleasant news from an army doctor. … Continue reading Is It the Path to a Better Movie? →
Forget & Forgive - Maddwolf
Absolution by Daniel Baldwin Sixteen years ago, a then-52-year-old Liam Neeson starred in the action-thriller Taken and his career completely changed. While he’s still made a few notable dramas since, the bulk of his work post-2008 has been in the action realm. This resulted in plenty of gems, particularly in his work with filmmakers Jaume Collet-Serra and … Continue reading Forget & Forgive →
Soul Salvage - Maddwolf
Emilia Pérez by George Wolf I’ll tell ya what, this year in movies is heading toward the finish line with some mighty ambitious swings. In just the last few weeks, Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis and Todd Phillips’s Joker: Folie à Deux brought grand, messy visions to the big screen. Such commitment is easy to appreciate, … Continue reading Soul Salvage →
Pork & Pickles - Maddwolf
Hitpig by Hope Madden Do you ever take one look at the villain in an animated film and know exactly how things will go? I don’t mean the villainy. I mean the comedy. The second Leapin’ Lord of the Leotard (Rainn Wilson) pranced across the screen in Hitpig, spilling over his thong and tights, I … Continue reading Pork & Pickles →
Long Way Home - Maddwolf
Black Cab by Hope Madden It’s a classic ghost story, complete with a creepy old car, winding English road and a figure in white. But who could be afraid to get in this friendly cab with affable old Nick Frost behind the wheel? Frost plays Ian, and his fare for the night is a bickering … Continue reading Long Way Home →
Games People Play - Maddwolf
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin by George Wolf If you join me in sometimes wondering whether we all might have been better off if the internet was never invented, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin will turn your head. It will also put tears in your eyes, so come prepared for a moving story about one … Continue reading Games People Play →
Happiness Is a Warm Puppy - Maddwolf
Hangdog by Rachel Willis Though not obvious at first, it becomes apparent that all is not right with Walt’s (Desmin Borges) world in director Matt Cascell’s film, Hangdog. Walt struggles to find work after leaving his job and moving to Portland, Maine with his smart, successful girlfriend, Wendy (Kelly O’Sullivan). Though their life from the … Continue reading Happiness Is a Warm Puppy →
Games People Play - Maddwolf
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin by George Wolf If you join me in sometimes wondering whether we all might have been better off if the internet was never invented, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin will turn your head. It will also put tears in your eyes, so come prepared for a moving story about one … Continue reading Games People Play →
Dear Diary: I Wanna Rock! - Maddwolf
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band by George Wolf In early 2020, Bruce Springsteen had a new album to promote, but – thanks to lockdown – no place to play. Instead, Bruce and longtime collaborator Thom Zimny filmed a very exclusive show at his New Jersey ranch, and released the Western Stars … Continue reading Dear Diary: I Wanna Rock! →
Monster Match - Maddwolf
Your Monster by Hope Madden Often, the most useful way to revisit the worst moments in a life is through horror or comedy. Genre lets us distance ourselves from the truth of a situation—that people are often selfish and even evil, and that the world can be bone crushingly lonely and cruel—with laughter or screams … Continue reading Monster Match →
Fright Club: Nightmares Film Festival New Distribution Panel - Maddwolf
The 2024 Nightmares Film Festival — the Cannes of genre fests — is in the books! One highlight from the fest was their panel discussion concerning independent film distribution. Hope joins filmmaker Joe Swanberg, marketer Cicely Enriques and Phil Garrett from Cranked Up/Good Deed Entertainment.
Jump Scare - Maddwolf
Rippy by Brandon Thomas We joke that the Australian Outback is full of animals that want to kill us. From coast to coast, freshwater and saltwater crocodiles, wild dogs, and poisonous snakes and spiders are found. And that’s not even counting the massive Great White Sharks in the waters off Australia’s beaches. But what about … Continue reading Jump Scare →
The Cook, the Nurse, the Musician & Her Daughter - Maddwolf
Allswell in New York by Matt Weiner A standout cast with grounded performances alongside a soufflé of light but surmountable tension—all the ingredients are there for a breezy, comforting hit. And Allswell in New York has its moments. The film shines as an ensemble piece with its three leads: sisters Ida (a sparkling and newly … Continue reading The Cook, the Nurse, the Musician & Her Daughter →
Life Finds a Way - Maddwolf
The Invisible Raptor by Rachel Willis Well, it’s safe to say director Mike Hermosa’s film The Invisible Raptor is, in fact, about an invisible velociraptor. It’s also laugh-out-loud funny, gory, and a bit of a love letter to Steven Spielberg. Dr. Grant Walker (Make Capes) is a washed-up paleontologist who works at the dinosaur theme … Continue reading Life Finds a Way →
Reality Bites - Maddwolf
My Imaginary Life for Someone by Adam Barney I hope this isn’t viewed as a cop out, but it is hard to explain My Imaginary Life for Someone. It must be experienced. It’s a film that is clearly not for everyone. For those who can match its wavelength, they will find a lot to like. … Continue reading Reality Bites →
Life in a Northern Town - Maddwolf
The Soul Eater by Hope Madden There’s a handful of filmmakers who raise anticipation with each new film. For horror fans, Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury have perched gruesomely within that prized group since their 2007 feature debut, Inside. 2021’s Kandisha was another highlight in a slew of genre films, all boundary pushers, all gorgeously … Continue reading Life in a Northern Town →
Fright Club: Weddings in Horror - Maddwolf
Brides are terrifying. That is a simple fact. It’s just one of the reasons that weddings are so ripe for horror’s picking: emotions are high, the promise of a lovely future creates ironic tension, a lot of people are confined (and often drunk). And do you really know who you’re binding yourself to for the … Continue reading Fright Club: Weddings in Horror →
Get the Date You Really Want - Maddwolf
Woman of the Hour by Hope Madden The Seventies were wild, weren’t they? No seatbelts, ashtrays at McDonald’s, gameshows fixed unsuspecting women up with wanted criminals. Plus, shag carpet! Anna Kendrick makes her directorial debut with Woman of the Hour, which revisits a popular 70s gameshow and its seriously suspect casting direction. Cheryl Bradshaw (Kendrick), … Continue reading Get the Date You Really Want →