Author: Jenni Holtz

Jenni Holtz is a film and culture writer. They are a staff writer at In Their Own League and Flip Screen with work appearing in FilmDaze, Screen Queens, Loose Lips, and Restless Mag. Their passions include transgender issues, genre cinema and LGBTQ+ cinema.
Acting, Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Film Reviews, Indie Film, Netflix, Reviews, Uncategorized, Women in Film

Review: “Jezebel”

Numa Perrier’s feature debut “Jezebel” (2019) is a deeply personal film that makes viewers feel like they’re a part of the action. Perrier, the writer director, and co-star of the film, based the film on her experiences as a cam girl. The film is an important step in humanizing sex workers, a group of people who are often looked down on and disrespected. At its heart, “Jezebel” is about sisterhood and grief through the lens of two sex workers struggling financially and emotionally.  Continue reading Review: “Jezebel”

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Acting, Directors, Female Filmmaker, Reviews, Uncategorized

ITOL 2019 Roundup: Honey Boy

“Honey Boy” is a deeply sad, yet still hopeful story of a child, Otis, who essentially raised himself. That child’s story is largely based on the life of Shia LaBeouf, the writer and star of the film who plays his own abusive father. The film is raw and hard to watch at times as a young Otis (Noah Jupe) acts to support his parents while living in a motel with his father, James (Shia LaBeouf). Even with the upsetting events that take place, Otis finds joy in his work and through his friendship with a neighbor (FKA Twigs).  Continue reading ITOL 2019 Roundup: Honey Boy

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Female Characters, Film Reviews, Reviews, Women in Film

ITOL 2019 Roundup: Knives Out

Rian Johnson’s new movie “Knives Out” is the best whodunit film since “Clue” (1985). The star-studded cast and multiple twists make it a wild ride, entertaining at every turn. With talents like Jamie Lee Curtis, Daniel Craig, LaKeith Stanfield, Chris Evans, Toni Colette, and so many more, I knew “Knives Out” would be good before I entered the theater. There was no way I could have predicted just how good, though. “Knives Out” is like popcorn; with each bite you can’t stop yourself from wanting a little bit more. As the mystery unravels, more questions arise and things get more and more complicated.  Continue reading ITOL 2019 Roundup: Knives Out

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Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Top 50 of the Decade, Women in Film

ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 5: The Babadook

Jennifer Kent’s 2014 debut feature film “The Babadook” is a hauntingly beautiful tale of a depressed mother and her young son. In a lot of ways, it’s a classic ghost story, but the deeper meaning Kent infuses takes the film to the next level. Essie Davis gives a stellar performance as Amelia, a widowed single mother facing a deep depression. Her son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), is a point of grief for Amelia since her husband died on the way to the hospital while she was in labor. Not only is Amelia left without her partner, she is left with Samuel, a constant reminder of her husband that also looks like him.  Continue reading ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 5: The Babadook

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Directors, Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Reviews, LGBTQ Cinema, LGBTQ Filmmakers, Top 50 of the Decade, Women in Film

ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 35: Professor Marston and the Wonder Women

Year: 2017 Runtime: 108 minutes Director: Angela Robinson Writer: Angela Robinson Stars: Rebecca Hall, Luke Evans, Bella Heathcote By Jenni Holtz   All too often, biopics are dismissed, especially by younger audiences, for being boring or Oscar-bait-y. They tend to be successful with older moviegoers and award shows, but the response from younger viewers appears lackluster in comparison. “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” defies … Continue reading ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 35: Professor Marston and the Wonder Women

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Female Characters, Film Reviews, Reviews, Women in Film

Review: Little Monsters

As part of their Huluween celebration, Hulu released “Little Monsters” (written and directed by Abe Forsythe) on October 11, 2019. The comedic zombie-horror flick comes just in time for spooky season and boasts a star-studded cast including Lupita Nyong’o (“Us”, “12 Years a Slave”, “Black Panther”) and Josh Gad (“Frozen”, “Beauty and the Beast”). Even with so many of the right ingredients, “Little Monsters” doesn’t follow through. Many of the jokes fall flat and the one-note characters make the film drag even though it’s just over ninety minutes long.  Continue reading Review: Little Monsters

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31 Days of Horror, Directors, Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Reviews, Halloween, Retrospect Reviews, Uncategorized, Women in Film

31 Days of Horror, Day 25: American Mary

“American Mary” (2012) is a criminally underrated dark comedy and horror film directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska. Due to its subject matter and gore, it was not widely released. It was released to V.O.D. and DVD quickly, though, helping the film amass a cult following. “American Mary” is often left out in discussions about women in horror. It’s overshadowed by more popular cult classics like “Jennifer’s Body” and “The Descent”  — both of which are vital to discussions about women in horror — but it’s a mistake to ignore “American Mary.” The film is disgusting, cathartic and creative. It deserves to be ranked amongst the best body horror and rape revenge films of the past decade. Continue reading 31 Days of Horror, Day 25: American Mary

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Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Reviews, Retrospect Reviews, Reviews, Women in Film, Writers

Review: Stray

By Jenni Holtz

Nena Eskridge’s “Stray” (2015) tackles the aftermath of trauma and the ongoing pain that infiltrates Jennifer’s life even after she tries to start again. The micro-budget psychological thriller is an unusual story of the not-so-pretty effects of abuse. With the limited resources it had, “Stray” still manages to be a thought-provoking thriller with strong performances.

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Female Characters, Film Reviews, Reviews, Women in Film

Review: Lucy In the Sky

That’s what you’ll find in Noah Hawley’s new film “Lucy in the Sky” (2019), complete with a Beatles-inspired name and a star-studded cast. The film is loosely based on the life of naval flight officer and astronaut Lisa Nowak, renamed Lucy Cola for the screen. Nowak was at the center of an attempted murder scandal in 2007. “Lucy in the Sky” tells the story of how she got to that point; starting with her mission on the Discovery space shuttle. Continue reading Review: Lucy In the Sky

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Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Film Reviews, Retrospect Reviews

Retrospective Review: All About Nina

Eva Vives’ 2018 film “All About Nina” is an incredibly relevant and surprisingly funny film about the effects of domestic abuse on women’s lives. Nina Geld (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) leaves her abusive, married partner in New York City. She restarts her life in Los Angeles, where she continues to pursue stand-up comedy. Onstage, Nina is known for talking about sex and being a strong woman. Offstage, though, Nina is struggling with the aftermath of her abusive relationship and childhood trauma. Continue reading Retrospective Review: All About Nina

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