Reviews

Madame Web needs an overhaul to survive long enough for a sequel

An NYPD EMT, Cassie Web (Dakota Johnson), has a lonesome existence, but she’s more than happy with the way things are while her partner Ben forces her out of her shell and into socializing. A life and death experience brings out a new power laying dormant within her brought on by her mother’s time in the Peruvian Amazon. As her mother lay dying during child birth, locals save Cassie’s life with the help of a rare spider that supposedly offers supernatural powers. Double crossed by her supposed protection Ezekiel Sims (Tahar Rahim), she clung to life just long enough for the birth of her daughter.

Reviews

Glazer’s The Zone of Interest oozed apathy amidst horror

The commandant of the Nazi encampment Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, along with his wife and children live idealistic lives. They reside in a sweetly comfortable home surrounded by a beautiful flower garden, a dog always running underfoot and a swimming hole within walking distance.

Reviews Year End Lists

Morgen’s Favorite Films of 2023

As per usual, I was cramming in as many movies as I could so I had a chance to actually create a top ten that is accurate and I’m pretty proud of. That being said this is totally relative to each individual, but hopefully it’ll give you a place to start when you’re looking for some fantastic films to spend your precious time watching. I’ve got comedy, action, supernatural fun and even a frightening, energy barfing behemoth; so whatever your mood or taste, there’s something here for you.

Reviews

Nostalgia, silliness and oddly placed innuendos meld to make Trolls Band Together

In this newest installment of the Trolls franchise we find Poppy, queen of a large gathering of adorable trolls, and Branch, her eternally sour but also sweet boyfriend prepping to celebrate a wedding between their unlikely friends King Gristle and his sweetheart Bridget, both being the once-hated Bergens. Celebrations are halted when Branch’s older brother John Dory crashes the party to ask for his help to save Floyd, their sibling whose been kidnapped by a nefarious pop duo. John Dory believes the only way to save Floyd is to bring all the brothers back together to reform BroZone, their long-since dissolved boy band.

Reviews

Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman is your next favorite adventure movie

Dr. Cheon (Gang Dong-won) has a long history with the supernatural, magic and shamanism, but as of now he’s a huxter that uses his studies in psychology, keen eye and sparkling whit to help those tormented by supposed ghosts. With the help of his “assistant” and technical whiz In-bae (Lee Dong-hwi) creating quite a show so every customer is thoroughly convinced of their abilities. Along comes Yoo-gyong (Esom) with a bit more than just a hunch of a haunting as her sister is in mortal danger. The situation quickly devolves into an all-out battle not only for both Yoo-gyong and her sister’s lives, but for revenge of Cheon’s family lost years ago in a clash with the same supernatural powers.

Festivals Previews

Mill Valley Film Fest, maybe not a household name, but a heck of lineup

n 2021, in the heat of the pandemic, I was looking for anything to keep my mind busy and find new films that deserve attention. Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF), was more than happy to help me on this venture and I had an incredible time even if just from my living room. While, once again, I’m not able to head down to California to catch it in person, they’re still offering virtual viewing options not only for press but more importantly, you the viewing audience!

Reviews

Strange Way of Life, a short, sweet and dusty Western

Set in the old west, a small and somewhat peaceful town sees a stranger walk straight down Main and into the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Jake (Ethan Hawke) hesitates only a moment before granting a warm greeting to his old friend Silva (Pedro Pascal). The energy between them becomes more intense and while the old friends reminisce, the Sheriff knows there’s more to this reunion than a wish to see each other again after so many years. Emotional and physical chaos brings things to a head, and you wonder if their relationship can survive it.

Reviews

The Moon is Korea’s answer to Apollo 11 on steroids

As two seasoned space men are out fixing the damage on their lunar-bound rocket, a catastrophic explosion sends one out into oblivion and punctures the others’ suit leaving the rookie Hwang Seon-woo (Kyung-soo Do) to fend for himself in an increasingly dangerous thrill-ride of a mission.

Reviews

Landscape with Invisible Hand creates a weird, yet apt look at inequity but falls a bit flat

Aliens have made contact. They aren’t the grey, lanky kind so often portrayed, but a flat, squishy rectangle… think pink, fleshy end table with eyestalks. The Vuvv communicate through scratches and scrapes via pads at the end of their front appendages. Neither have they “come in peace” or aggression, they’re here to get access to humanity and our resources using commerce as the common language.