Matt Shiverdecker, Author at MendoWerks

Oscar-nominated Drama ‘Close’ Heading to VOD (Review)

24Feb

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Oscar-nominated Drama ‘Close’ Heading to VOD (Review)

Lukas Dhont's 'Close' premiered in compeition at the Cannes last year and won the Grand Prix, the festival's second highest honor. Acquired for U.S. distribution by A24, it has been nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards. Eden Dambrine (center) stars in Lukas Dhont's 'Close' (A24) Set in rural Belgium, Léo (Eden Dambrine) and Rémi (Gustav De Waele) are young teenage boys who have been best friends for years. As their teenage years begin they spend a blissful summer by each other's side, playing games and goofing around like any kids would. As they head to start a new school year, they find that their classmates perceive them to be gay. Without the maturity to deal with the shame and confusion this taunting brings to their friendship, they beg...

‘Infinity Pool’ Delivers Pure Nightmare Fuel (Review)

17Feb

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Infinity Pool’ Delivers Pure Nightmare Fuel (Review)

With 'Infinity Pool,' Brandon Cronenberg proves that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. And that tree is probably covered in blood. Yes, Brandon's dad is the one and only David Cronenberg and he's made some great films over the course of his career. For my money, 'Infinity Pool' is far more interesting than his dad's most recent effort. Of course, it helps to have two of the sexiest people on the planet along for the ride - Alexander Skarsgard and Mia Goth. Mia Goth stars in Brandon Cronenberg's 'Infinity Pool' (NEON) Skarsgard plays James Foster, an author with one middling novel under his belt who just can't seem to write a follow-up. To kickstart his brain, he follows his wife Em (Cleopatra Coleman) on a trip to a luxury resort in Li Tolqa (a location made up for th...

Military Drama ‘The Inspection’ is a Powerful Debut (Review)

10Feb

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Military Drama ‘The Inspection’ is a Powerful Debut (Review)

When he was just 16 years old, Elegance Bratton was kicked out of the house by his mother for being gay. After a decade of homelessness, he joined the Marines. That real-life story inspired his debut feature film, 'The Inspection.' Jeremy Pope earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in the lead role as Ellis, a stand-in for Bratton. He heads to boot camp in South Carolina at the height of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Once his fellow recruits discover his secret, he becomes a target for hazing. Jeremy Pope stars in 'The Inspection' (A24) The Verdict Bratton previously helmed the Vice series 'My House' and an acclaimed documentary entitled 'Pier Kids,' but his debut narrative feature is an astonishing leap in filmmaking. Chalk it up to the personal nature of the story, b...

What to Watch: February 2023 Streaming Preview

23Jul

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film

What to Watch: February 2023 Streaming Preview

If you’re looking for something new on streaming in February we’ve got you covered. Check out some of our picks for what you should add to your February streaming watchlist! What are you most excited to see? Newly Available on VOD this February Alice, Darling (PVOD, available now) Babylon (PVOD, available now) Ocean Boy (available now) Corsage (February 7) I Wanna Dance With Somebody (PVOD, February 7) Saint Omer (February 7) Swallowed (February 14) EO (February 21) A Man Called Otto (PVOD, February 21) Women Talking (PVOD, February 21) *PVOD titles are fresh from theatrical release and generally rent or sell digitally for $19.99 (or higher). https://youtu.be/dH7Sl2h_aHs Best Picture nominee 'Women Talking' hits digital services on February 2...

‘M3GAN’ is an Instant Camp Classic (Review)

27Jan

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘M3GAN’ is an Instant Camp Classic (Review)

With 'M3GAN,' Blumhouse has done it again. They've delivered a low-budget, high-concept thrillride that is a total blast, even if it's been watered down to a PG-13 rating. Producer James Wan ('Malignant') tapped New Zealand director Gerard Johnstone to helm this campy blend of horror and comedy from a taut script by Akela Cooper. Cady (Violet McGraw) has just lost her parents in a car accident and is sent to live with her aunt Gemma (Allison Williams), who just happens to be a high-end toy designer in Seattle. Gemma has no idea how to handle a young child and instead adapts a robot project she's been working on. It's easier for her to hand over M3GAN (Model 3 Generative Android) to babysit Cady and use its AI adaptive learning to keep her busy. But M3GAN takes her duties a ...

How to Virtually Attend the Sundance Film Festival 2023

31Jan

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Events, Features, Film

How to Virtually Attend the Sundance Film Festival 2023

The Sundance Film Festival 2023 is now underway in Park City, Utah. Despite the return of the in-person festival this year, organizers have continued with a way for film fans across the country to attend virtually. The in-person event is running from now until January 29. Titles will be available to watch at home from January 24-29. The full in-person lineup is not available virtually this year, but you will have the opportunity to watch every movie in competition in the dramatic and documentary categories as well as the NEXT programming and several other premieres. Tickets This year, most ticket packages sold out pretty quickly. Many festival titles are still available for individual purchase. You can buy access to all available movies for $20 each. Keep in mind that everyt...

Go Behind The Scenes With ‘The Return of Tanya Tucker’ (Review)

13Jan

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Go Behind The Scenes With ‘The Return of Tanya Tucker’ (Review)

Tanya Tucker is a legendary country singer who became a star when she was still a teenager, being named Most Promising Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1972. Her career has had its share of ups and downs over the years, with the end of the 1970s into the early 1980s being especially difficult. She had her first big comeback in the late 80s where she ended up not only selling strongly again, but by winning multiple awards again, including CMT's Female Video Artist of the Year in 1990. After multiple attempts at reinvention followed, Tucker was fairly off the radar again until her 2019 album While I'm Livin was released. Working with Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, Tucker won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2000 as well as Best Country Song for...