It’s almost like Diablo Cody can’t help herself. The talented screenwriter has so many clever ideas that she’s just gotta stuff ’em all in there, even if the film would actually flourish with less interference. It was the case with her breakout project, Juno, and it’s the case now with her latest effort Tully (her third movie with director Jason Reitman). Tully initially soars, with an outstanding performance by Charlize Theron that’s a meditation on modern motherhood and the dangers of depression. I was all in until the the third act, which goes seriously off the rails with an unneeded twist. Damn it, girl – you were almost there! I hope Diablo finds the strength to lay off the tricks because she’s got a strong voice hiding under the gimmicks, dying to come out. More on my review at MovieBoozer here. xo
Big. Ass. Spider!
It’s crazy to call a movie named Big Ass Spider! a delight, but that’s exactly what this flick is – an all out silly good time, and a cast with chemistry to spare. Yes, of course it’s ludicrous – and that’s half the fun. Plus with the lean run time, you can’t afford not to watch it! Check out my review on Cinapse here – 200 words of raw movie critic firepower. Woot!
I’ve Got 99 Problems and A Quiet Place Is One!
No, YOU be quiet!
What happens when a critically-lauded film isn’t actually that great? In this case A Quiet Place has no sound, and the emperor has no clothes! This is a companion piece to the official MovieBoozer review for fun, and is in no way meant to disrespect the critic’s article or opinion. It’s simply a rebuttal to the movie itself from a mouthy broad who thinks John Krasinski looks mighty hot with a beard. Enjoy my write-up at MovieBoozer here! (Contains loads of spoilers, so read post-viewing.)
Wild Wild Country – My Interview with the Way Brothers
I had the honor of conducting a phone interview with the Wild Wild Country co-directors, Chapman and Maclain Way, on March 26, 2018. Their six-part docuseries, currently streaming exclusively on Netflix, is a compelling and engaging piece of work – a MUST-SEE, worthy of adding to the top of your binge-watch list asap. The brothers were an absolute delight to speak with – to learn about how they researched this massive project, what it was like spending time in the presence of Ma Anand Sheela, meeting the Duplass brothers, and more, click here. xo
[Maclain and Chapman Way. Photo Credit]
Wild Wild Country – The Docuseries Review
Attempted murder. Immigration fraud. A sex cult. Election tampering. The rumored act of grinding up live beavers in order to poison a town’s water supply?! No – it’s not a dystopian thriller coming to theaters near you. This the true story of the clash between Rashneeshees and citizens from the small town of Antelope, Oregon – a bizarrely compelling and terrifying moment in the state’s history that captured the eyes of the nation. Wild Wild Country covers one of the most outlandish and controversial times in Oregon’s, and possibly the United States’, history – the years when Bhagwan Shree Rashneesh and his dedicated followers took over the small town of Antelope. (The population hovered around 100 at one point, and is counted at 48 as of 2016.) What followed was an epic struggle as the supposedly peaceful religious cult/sect clashed with conservative ranchers over land use that escalated into accusations of immigration fraud, bioterrorism, attempted murder, and much, much more. The layers of deceit, crime, sex, devotion, betrayal, love, and loss are worthy of a soap opera. The fact that it’s all true will bend your mind. Read my review of this insanely compelling documentary at MovieBoozer now!
Return to MovieBoozer!
I’m thrilled to return to writing film reviews for MovieBoozer (we rate movies by the pint – way more fun than tomatoes)! Kicking it off with a writeup on the lovely indie flick, Band Aid, by Zoe Lister-Jones.
Hot people airing their marital problems in song? Yes, please! Read the review, see the film, hit me up with comments. xo