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Sofia Coppola Explores Love and Loss with ‘Priscilla’ (Review)

10Nov

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Sofia Coppola Explores Love and Loss with ‘Priscilla’ (Review)

Priscilla Presley was little more than a footnote in Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' last year, despite being his only wife. For her eighth feature film, Sofia Coppola turns the tables and puts the focus on Priscilla's formative years. Based on the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' Roll, we are introduced to Priscilla when she is just 14. An American teenager living in Germany while her Air Force officer father was stationed there, she is lonely and homesick. Then, she meets Elvis. Already a worldwide star, Elvis was drafted into the Army and served from 1958 to 1960. He took a shine to Priscilla, but because of her age, he was cautious about going too far in their relationship. Or so we're led to believe. As they fell...

9Jun

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Longing, Loss and ‘Past Lives’ (Review)

Full disclosure: the first time I saw the trailer for 'Past Lives' in the theater, I began sobbing uncontrollably. Soundtracked by Cat Power's gorgeous cover of Rihanna's "Stay," I was instantly transfixed by the song's lyrics combined with the film's sumptuous visuals. Not really sure how to feel about itSomething in the way you moveMakes me feel like I can't live without you While the song does not appear in the actual movie, "Stay" perfectly accompanies 'Past Lives,' the first feature film from Korean-Canadian playwright and director Celine Song. It's a story so intensely personal and lived-in, that it doesn't seem possible that it is her first movie. It tells the story of Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) - two childhood friends from South Korea who fell out of touch w...

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...

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...

30Dec

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

The 10 Best Films of 2022

Despite going to the theater less than ever, I saw over 120 new release films in 2022. When it comes to the modern theatrical experience, I'm reminded of 'A Tale of Two Cities' when Dickens wrote “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." There are more opportunities than ever for premium moviegoing experiences with multiplexes adding IMAX and Dolby Cinemas across the country, but for the most part, the chain theaters are abysmal at technical presentation. Hell, many theaters aren't even screening movies on the proper sized screens. 'Nope' is one of the Best Films of 2022 (Universal Pictures) But with more and more 4K HDR offerings at home and many new releases being offered for viewing on my couch within 17 days of release, it makes it easy to watch exactly what ...

A24 is Serving a $6 Halloween Horror Marathon

28Oct

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film

A24 is Serving a $6 Halloween Horror Marathon

Indie stalwart A24 has become known for releasing some of the boldest and edgiest genre films around. Just in time for spooky season, they're offering a bargain virtual marathon that will allow you to stream six of their best releases from the last few years in one handy purchase from now through Halloween. For a mere $6, you'll have access all weekend to: The Witch (dir: Robert Eggers)Lamb (dir: Valdimar Johannsson)Hereditary (dir: Ari Aster)Saint Maud (dir: Rose Glass)Midsommar (dir: Ari Aster)Green Room (dir: Jeremy Saulnier) After you buy a ticket on the website, all six films will be available to view until Midnight PT on October 31 through the A24 Screening Room (which has Apple TV and Roku apps for television viewing). https://youtu.be/EXs2-TY9qok https://...

The ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ Hit The Floor This Weekend at Theaters Nationwide (Review)

12Aug

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

The ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ Hit The Floor This Weekend at Theaters Nationwide (Review)

'Bodies Bodies Bodies,' the latest release from A24, is a perfect pick if you're looking to get in some jump scares before the summer ends. Let's get one thing clear - this is not a slasher film. Just seeing the company's logo up top should give you an indication that this is something more unexpected. 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' expands nationwide this weekend. (A24) The Story In this wild satirical whodunit directed by Halina Reijn, a bunch of filthy rich kids plan a hurricane party at remote family mansion. Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) is a recovering addict. She hits the road with her girlfriend Bee (Maria Bakalova) to head out to a gigantic house where her best friend David (Pete Davidson) is hosting friends to weather a massive storm. Upon arrival, it's clear that Sophie and...

Catch an Alex Garland Double Feature in the A24 Screening Room This Weekend

15Jul

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Catch an Alex Garland Double Feature in the A24 Screening Room This Weekend

Alex Garland's 'Men' is one of the year's most polarizing films and it's about to become available for home viewing. In advance of the DVD and Blu-ray release on August 9, the independent thriller starring Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear will be hitting PVOD from all digital services on Tuesday, July 19. Jessie Buckley stars in Alex Garland's 'Men' (A24) If you're itching to see it a little earlier, you can pay $20 to rent the film directly from the A24 Screening Room (which has Apple TV and Roku apps available for viewing) on Sunday, July 17. Your rental will allow a 11-hour viewing window which begins at 2pm Eastern/11am Pacific and also includes Garland's 'Ex Machina.' https://youtu.be/HKJ4Thgk1Js Buckley stars as Harper, a woman who rents a country estate for a little...

‘Marcel The Shell With Shoes On’ is Truly Delightful (Review)

28Jun

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Marcel The Shell With Shoes On’ is Truly Delightful (Review)

Dean Fleischer-Camp and Jenny Slate's online phenomenon of Marcel The Shell earns his first big screen adventure in 'Marcel The Shell With Shoes On.' A24's first foray into family films is a feature-length adaptation of the short films that the former couple posted on YouTube over a decade ago. In the years since, the duo fell in love, got married, got divorced, and still managed to make this truly delightful film together. Marcel The Shell With Shoes On (the original YouTube video) https://youtu.be/VF9-sEbqDvU Marcel's Big Screen Adventure Marcel (voiced by Slate) is not a snail - he's a walking and talking (and often rolling) seashell with one googly eye. His family gets whisked away into a suitcase during a fight between the humans in the house where they lived. No...

Ti West’s ‘X’ Premieres Tonight in the A24 Screening Room

12Apr

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film

Ti West’s ‘X’ Premieres Tonight in the A24 Screening Room

Ti West's terrifying new A24 horror film 'X' is still playing in theaters across the country. Tonight, you can stream it at home for the first time. The cast of X (A24) Mia Goth (doing double duty in the cast), Brittany Snow, Jenna Ortega, and Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi star in this stunning slasher film about a group of actors in rural Texas who turn up at a boarding house to shoot a porno and end up getting way more than they bargained for. https://youtu.be/Awg3cWuHfoc 'X' has already earned over $11 million at the box office and will be hitting premium video on demand starting on Thursday, April 14. Tonight, you can pay $20 to rent the film directly from the A24 Screening Room (which has Apple TV and Roku apps available for viewing). Your rental will allow a 4-hour view...