Sundance Review: “John And The Hole”

Year: 2021Runtime: 98 MinutesDirector: Pascual SistoWriter: Nicolás GlacoboneStars: Charlie Shotwell, Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Ehle, Taissa Farmiga By Morgan Roberts “John and the Hole” (2021) is a film that possesses a lot of holes itself. The film follows John (Charlie Shotwell) is a privileged teenager living with his parents (Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Ehle) and older sister (Taissa Farmiga). John is introduced as a … Continue reading Sundance Review: “John And The Hole”

Saint Maud

“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

Time to Hunt

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

Review: The Wolf Hour

“The Wolf Hour” is set in an era ripe for cinematic depiction; the summer of 1977. We spend part of this summer with reclusive agoraphobic June (Naomi Watts) as she is cramped in the smoldering heat of her stuffy, dusty, apartment in a dilapidated South Bronx walkup. An apartment with a window which–as June peers through with a cigarette in nudged between her pointer and index finger–seems to be a television with a crime show playing on repeat.

The apartment itself is coated with dust; we see piles of books graying with grime, and what would appear to be discarded items pilling up in every corner. June herself has greasy coffee-colored hair; she is fleeced with a perpetual sheen of sweat. It’s miserable–the oppressive bleakness in her apartment mirrors the brutal crime outside. This is a rousing, dark look at a depressed, tortured woman’s self-imposed isolation. A near-colorless depiction of a mental struggle which is carried defiantly, from beginning to end, by a stunning performance from Watts. Continue reading Review: The Wolf Hour

ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 10: Zero Dark Thirty

We often associate the “male gaze” in cinema to how female sexuality is portrayed, but I would argue that it exists when it comes to modern military movies, as well. This is one of the thoughts that found itself moving through my brain rewatching Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty.” There is a jingoistic, action-driven version of this or “The Hurt Locker,” Bigelow’s Oscar-winning drama about bomb diffusers in Iraq, that could be made by a Michael Bay or Peter Berg. It would have been empty thrills compared to the contemplative work Bigelow does in both films. Continue reading ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 10: Zero Dark Thirty

ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 34: The Miseducation of Cameron Post

To capture the essence of the LGBTQ+ community is becoming a more popular narrative in contemporary cinema. But to be able to evidence their struggles and hardships, whilst also attaining a light-hearted atmosphere, showing raw emotion, and enabling a true presentation of a situation that can be reflected into many of the audience’s daily lives, is what is lacking in many of these recent movies. Yet Desiree Akhavan presents all of this so effortlessly in her film “The Miseducation of Cameron Post”. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community herself enabled significant support for Akhavan when she directed this beautiful narrative which follows friendships, betrayals and the exploration of sexualities. Continue reading ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 34: The Miseducation of Cameron Post