Film Review: HOSTAGES (TORONTO TRUE CRIME FILM FESTIVAL)
HOSTAGES is a true crime film by Georgian filmmaker Rezo Gigineishvili. Set in the Soviet Union in the 1980s, it is as much a political drama as it is a crime thriller. HOSTAGES is showing in Toronto as part of the TORONTO TRUE CRIME FILM FESTIVAL and with its Russian
FILM REVIEW: 42 COUNTS (TORONTO TRUE CRIME FILM FESTIVAL)
Screening this weekend at the TORONTO TRUE CRIME FILM FESTIVAL is the short film 42 COUNTS. Written, edited and directed by Jill Gevargizian, the film is based on real events with the title of the film referring to the number of charges laid against the perpetrator in one arrest. Ava
FILM REVIEW: ABDUCTED IN PLAIN SIGHT (TORONTO TRUE CRIME FILM FESTIVAL)
This month will usher in the inaugural Toronto True Crime Film Festival, and with it, some of the most disturbing true crime films from around the world. I had the good fortune to get my hands on the surreal, stranger-than-fiction, true crime documentary ABDUCTED IN PLAIN SIGHT. It’s one of
FILM REVIEW: FIRST REFORMED
I would like to start this review with what I call an “Initial Emotional Reaction” (IER). My IER of FIRST REFORMED, written and directed by Paul Schrader (RAGING BULL, DOG EAT DOG, TAXI DRIVER), was dread. Dread mixed with a touch of hope, if that’s even possible. Dread for humanity
CONTEST: WHAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE (TORONTO ONLY, SORRY!)
CONTEST TIME! To celebrate both Canadian horror and the INSIDE OUT TORONTO LGBT FILM FESTIVAL, we are giving away two pairs of tickets to see WHAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE courtesy of the lovely folks at INSIDE OUT. The film is playing on Saturday June 2nd at 9:30 pm at the
FILM REVIEW: THE RANGER
One of the strangest genre offerings this year would have to be Jenn Wexler’s THE RANGER. After making its debut at SXSW earlier this year, this unusual little film has been making the rounds on the festival circuit ever since. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s something different, and
FILM REVIEW: ISLAND ZERO
ISLAND ZERO is the low budget creature feature and debut film from director Josh Gerritsen. Directly inspired by the original eco-horror, 1954’s THEM! and horror classic, THE THING; ISLAND ZERO is quite clearly a film about natures revenge on humanity and the horrors of isolation. The residents of a small
FILM REVIEW: RACER AND THE JAILBIRD
RACER AND THE JAILBIRD is the story of a calculated criminal named Gino (Gigi for short), and his passionate connection with girlfriend and professional race car driver, BiBi. Gino is trying to navigate his persistent internal battle of being the bad ass gangster that he’s always been, and transitioning into
FILM REVIEW: ONCE UPON A TIME AT CHRISTMAS
When it comes to the many, many sub-genres of horror, there are few more satisfying than that of holiday horror. If you look hard enough, you can find a film to suit any occasion. Christmas is the big daddy of holiday horror, and I could probably name you 20 films
FILM REVIEW: THE 12TH MAN
Confession time: Traditionally I find trying to digest war dramas to be fairly work intensive and this is especially the case when it’s based on a true story. If I’m not busying myself by questioning the accuracy of the story, I’m working to navigate through crowds of convoluted subplots that