EDITORIAL: The Importance of the Blockbuster in an Age of Indie Film

Blockbuster films have been a big part of the theater experience for decades.  These are the types of films that tend to draw large crowds to the theater, and it's these crowds that keep studios and theaters alike running.  But lately, it's the independent film that has been gaining popularity, as we see more and more these films getting awards attention, and for good reason.  You want a fun, exciting time at the theater?  Then you'll probably want to see a blockbuster like Rogue One or Doctor Strange.  But, if you're looking for something with more heart and depth, something with a story that will stick with you long after seeing it, then independent films, such as Moonlight or Sing Street, are the way to go.

Movie Review: ENEMY

Welcome back to this mini-series of reviews of the feature films* of revered filmmaker Denis Villeneuve in the lead-up to his latest film Arrival. This fifth review in the series is for his 2014 film Enemy.

Movie Review: MOONLIGHT

Moonlight is a 2016 film from director Barry Jenkins about a boy (and man) named Chiron who is gay in an environment (a poor, predominantly African-American, area of Miami) where being gay is not safe or socially accepted. Told in three acts covering three different moments in Chiron’s life, this film is an incredible introspective piece that is emotionally powerful, resonant, and complex. This film stars Alex R. Hibbert (Little – 9 year old Chiron), Ashton Sanders (Chiron – teenage years), Trevante Rhodes (Black – adult Chiron), André Holland, Jharrel Jerome, Jaden Piner, Naomie Harris, Janelle Monáe, and Mahershala Ali.

Movie Review: AMERICAN HONEY

American Honey is a 2016 film from director Andrea Arnold about an underprivileged young-adult who joins a roaming troop of others who drive around and sell magazine subscriptions to earn money whilst living together and partying. The film stars Sasha Lane as our lead character, Star, alongside others like Shia LaBeouf and Riley Keough, amongst others. This was a highly hyped indie and, for me, it turned out to be a massive let down. This film possesses a really well found realism but overstays its welcome and fails to have any real story.

Movie Review: SWISS ARMY MAN

When I first saw the trailer for this film, I didn't quite know what to make of it.  The "Farting Corpse Movie" as it became known as, looked like a weird indie flick that might be fun, but probably wouldn't have a ton of substance.  But after watching it at a recent press screening, I have to say, I was so wrong.  This film definitely is weird, but it's so much more.  It's a weird, wild story, full of emotion and heart, and really makes you think about what it is to be alive.

Movie Review: GREEN ROOM

In the last couple years, one of the most increasingly interesting studios in the film industry has been A24, a studio seemingly specializing in distributing interesting, quirky, and off-the-beaten-road films, such as 2014's Under the Skin. 2015 was their big breakout year, though, being involved either partially or wholly in the distribution of Academy Award nominees like Room, Ex Machina, and Amy. This year's been no slouch either, with this year's The Witch, one of the most fascinating horror movies in years, being released under their label. And now, for their latest venture, we have Green Room from director, Jeremy Saulnier, one of the most intense, brutal, and uncompromising films of the year so far.