Search the IR archives
IR Film Review: HEAD COUNT [Shout]
The context of escape and resolution simply comes from a life lived. With "Head Count", the lead character of Kat (Aaron Jakubenko) just wants to escape and yet his circumstances simply make him more prone to the possibility of loss. Jakubenko has the cool and the comic timing down but the "Raising Arizona" vibe never quite rachets up to what it could be.
IR Film Review: NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU [20th Century Studios/Hulu]
The revelation of "No One Will Save You" comes in its ability to show both old school paranoia within the context of a creature feature not trying to make an overt statement about the state of the world. It is simply one woman's journey with the world against her in a way though she is simply in a cage of her own circumstance. In that way, the film is undeniable.
IR Film Review: CREATION OF THE GODS I - KINGDOM OF STORMS [Well Go USA]
Creating an epic that can balance mythical and a sense of traditionalism, especially out of the Chinese market without falling into melodrama is a specific balance. This of course has to do with the nature of translation but when a sense of visual style and storytelling find a balance, it can really work.
IR Film Review: A HAUNTING IN VENICE [20th Century Studios]
The adventures of Hercules Poirot play on the texture of perception, location and deduction while still creating both a sense of time and tension. While the last two films directed and starring Kenneth Branagh understood their task, the style applied to "A Haunting In Venice' (enhanced for IMAX) really uses the approach as an exercise but also a classical progression of how such a film is done.
IR Film Review: THE NUN II [Warner Bros]
The context of "The Nun II" has to do with progression of character versus context of the journey. After the events of the first film, the ideas of faith versus intent would seem to be a solid approach for the sequel. While this film does it admirably on certain levels including via locations, visual style and efficient storytelling (for the most part), it does have some issues.
IR Film Review: EL CONDE [Netflix]
The aspect of a vampire debating the textures of life from a very geographical point of view is unusual but with a director like Pablo Larrain, like Jim Jarmusch and Abel Ferrara before -- directors known for different kinds of films —- taking a swing at this idea/genre can produce both interesting results but also missed opportunities.
IR Film Review: BLOOD FLOWER [Shudder]
The essence of the Djinn mythology has played a large part in the context of Far East mythology specifically in Indonesia and the Indian subcontinent. Using this element in a horror structure while surrounding it with social context, conscience and battles of good vs. evil creates complex ideals that are both intense and yet mythic and thematic
IR Film Review: THE EQUALIZER 3 [Sony]
The basis for "The Equalizer" is in its name. The concept of quid pro quo despite an end game that is very finite. When we last saw McCall (literally in the middle of a storm), the idea was that the wolf will always be hunting. What is interesting in the forward plot of "The Equalizer 3" is the essence of human nature, including compassion, especially for a hit man in the time he finds himself.
IR Film Review: BLUE BEETLE [DC/Warner Bros]
The progression of DC superheroes depends usually on the aspect of perspective of what kind of persona it implies. "Blue Beetle", at least envisioned as he was in animated form, was more of a goofy, more Deadpool-spun (but PG rated) pop culture referencer who skewed a little younger but cooler. In reinventing the approach here, director Angel Manuel Soto has created a different universe but one that in and of itself has its own unique energy.