Category: End of the Year Recap

Documentaries, End of the Year Recap, Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Reviews, Women in Film, World Cinema

Personal Best: ITOL’s Favorite Films of 2022

A year’s end inspires memories, contemplation, aspirations—and for critics, talk about which films we loved and which ones we missed. As 2022 winds down, the ITOL team raises a toast to our personal favorites, from a mother’s fight for justice and a father-daughter sojourn to fierce pursuits of agency, pleasure, identity, and power. The films below (more than 50, with links to our writers’ reviews … Continue reading Personal Best: ITOL’s Favorite Films of 2022

Valerie KalfrinLeave a comment
Animated, Documentaries, End of the Year Recap, Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Film Reviews, Women in Film

Top 5 Favorite Films of 2021

Am I the only one that felt like 2021 was just 2020 on repeat? Thank whatever gods may be for the movies to help us all cope. In no particular order, here are my favorites for this year. There is a little something for everyone, so enjoy! 1. Flee (Director: Jonas Poher Rasmussen): As a lover of animation, I am in awe of how “Flee” … Continue reading Top 5 Favorite Films of 2021

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End of the Year Recap, Retrospect Reviews, Reviews, Women in Film, Writers

A Look Back at Malignant: The underrated horror gem of 2021

By Tom Moore Although it’s been great to see director James Wan’s vision stretch outside of the horror genre, his return to horror with “Malignant”(2021) delivered one of his best films to date but didn’t get the recognition it deserved. While “Malignant” certainly got the opportunity to be seen with it debuting in theaters and HBO Max on the same day, it’s lack of strong … Continue reading A Look Back at Malignant: The underrated horror gem of 2021

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Directors, End of the Year Recap, Female Filmmaker, Interviews, Spotlight

Interview: Scarecrow Video Chats About Their Favorite Films of 2021 Directed by Women

By Joan Amenn It’s already that time of year when film fans start compiling lists of their favorites and the great team at Scarecrow Video are jotting them down and checking them twice. We got to sit down with Emalie Soderback and Kevin Clarke from Scarecrow’s fun YouTube program, “VIVA PHYSICAL MEDIA!” which you should definitely check out (VIVA PHYSICAL MEDIA episode 28 – YouTube) … Continue reading Interview: Scarecrow Video Chats About Their Favorite Films of 2021 Directed by Women

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Saint Maud
End of the Year Recap, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Film Reviews, Personal Essays, Reviews, Women in Film

“Saint Maud” and That 2020 Vibe

Year: 2020Runtime: 1 hour 24 minutesDirector / Writer: Rose GlassStars: Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle By James Cain When ITOL editor-in-chief and leader Bee Garner asked us to send in a piece on “one film which helped you get through 2020”, there was no doubt for me: Rose Glass’ incredibly dark, disturbing film “Saint Maud” wasn’t just my favourite film of 2020: it also offered a … Continue reading “Saint Maud” and That 2020 Vibe

James Cain1 Comment
End of the Year Recap, Female Characters, Television Review

Surviving 2020: Watching “Lovecraft Country”

By Joan Amenn If there was any cinematic solace to be had for me in 2020, it was Misha Green’s “Lovecraft Country.” COVID-19 became symbolized in the supernatural horror of the series while the injustices of this year were echoed in the experiences of the characters in the 1950’s. As producer, writer and director (of the episode, “Jig-a-Bobo”) Green brought the issues that were flashing … Continue reading Surviving 2020: Watching “Lovecraft Country”

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The Broken Hearts Gallery
Acting, Directors, End of the Year Recap, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Reviews, Women in Film

Morgan’s Top 10 Films of 2020

By Morgan Roberts Wow. 2020 was a giant dumpster fire, wasn’t it? But here’s the thing: television and films saved us. The arts are always the first thing to go with budget cuts, but without art this year, how many of us would have the respite we so desperately needed during this time? So, thank you to everyone who puts their all into their craft, … Continue reading Morgan’s Top 10 Films of 2020

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Time to Hunt
Acting, Directors, End of the Year Recap, Women in Film

JC’S TOP 20 MOVIES OF 2020

By James Cain The “Black Axe” series. “A Sun”. “Babyteeth”. Despite 2020 having a decent amount of time where you had nothing to do but stay inside and watch films, as with every year, there are still heaps of movies from the last 12 months that I’m yet to see. Thankfully, despite all of this, 2020 still featured a veritable smorgasbord of absolute bangers. So, … Continue reading JC’S TOP 20 MOVIES OF 2020

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