Anthony Francis
‘Rebel Ridge’ Film Review: A Wire-Tight, Unique, Thriller
Writer-director Jeremy Saulnier knows how to craft suspense. His 2007 debut feature, Murder Party, was a fun low-budget horror comedy that was filled with film references. It was a wild picture, but tightly designed. With 2013’s Blue Ruin, 2015’s Green
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Film Review: A Fun, Funny, Gothic Blast
Armed with wildly macabre humor and a bevy of creativity, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a triumphant return to the wacky afterlife shenanigans of the 1988 original. With Tim Burton in the director’s chair, the filmmaker assures that his beloved characters are
‘City of Dreams’ Film Review: True-Life Subject As Exploitation Film
Writer-director Mohit Ramchandani’s City of Dreams walks a less-than fine line between an urgent call for action and an exploitation picture. Sometimes the line becomes too blurred, as many moments go all in for cheap thriller tactics and melodrama. As
‘1992’ Film Review: A Tired Heist Movie Disguised as Something Important
In his excellent 2002 cop drama Dark Blue, director Ron Shelton weaved a powerful story of police corruption into the backdrop of the L.A. riots of 1992. The filmmaker didn’t use the incident as a prop, but a canvas to
‘Slingshot’ Film Review: Interesting Premise Gets Lost in Space
The isolation of deep space. Astronauts on a mission for Earth’s survival. Members of a small crew losing their grip on reality and blurring the lines of what is real or imagined. Hallucinatory mind games from beyond the stars. Director
‘You Gotta Believe’ Film Review: An Inspirational True Story
These days, there aren’t enough well done family friendly films. There are even less worthy sports pictures. Written by Lane Garrison and directed by Ty Roberts, You Gotta Believe doesn’t break new ground, but exists as a warm and inspirational
‘The Killer’ Film Review: A John Woo Classic Reimagined by Woo Himself
With this year’s The Killer, legendary filmmaker John Woo remakes one of his finest. His 1989 blood and bullets masterpiece of the same name is widely (and rightfully) regarded as one of the great action pictures. Redoing such a beloved
‘The Crow’ Film Review: A Gen X Goth Classic Respectfully Updated
It will be tough for devoted fans of Alex Proyas’ 1994 original to put aside their biases and go into the update with an open mind. If audiences will give this new version a chance, they will find Rupert Sanders’
‘The Omicron Killer’ Film Review: Low-Budget Slasher Fun
For horror purists, there is nothing like a good old-fashioned slasher movie. A little blood, a lot of victims, and a mad killer makes the perfect slasher stew. Director Jeff Knite (who co-wrote the screenplay with Paugh Shadow and Johnny
‘Happy Campers’ Film Review: A Tender Tribute to Community
Deserving mention alongside Errol Morris’ wonderful 1981 documentary, Vernon, Florida, Amy Nicholson’s Happy Campers is an empathetic and heartfelt film. The doc is an empathetic and moving celebration of community. Nicholson examines the lives of the people who reside (seasonally)