NYFF 60 Review: The Eternal Daughter

Year: 2022 Runtime:  96 minutes Director: Joanna Hogg Writer: Joanna Hogg Cast: Tilda Swinton, Carly Sophia-Davies, Joseph Mydell, Alfie Sankey-Green By Tom Moore Writer/director Joanna Hogg has shown herself to be a masterful and personal storyteller with both “Souvenir” films and now reunites with Tilda Swinton for a third feature, “The Eternal Daughter,” that acts as a spiritual successor to “The Souvenir” movies in more ways … Continue reading NYFF 60 Review: The Eternal Daughter

The French Dispatch: NYFF 2021 Review

Year: 2021 Runtime: 108 minutes Director: Wes Anderson Writers: Wes Anderson (screenplay/story), Roman Coppola (story), Hugo Guinness (story), Jason Schwartzman (story) Actors: Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Tilda Swinton, Benicio Del Toro, Lea Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothee Chalamet, Jeffrey Wright, Stephen Park By Tom Moore Wes Anderson has created unique cinematic experiences for over a decade with his animated and live-action comedies that feature widely talented … Continue reading The French Dispatch: NYFF 2021 Review

The Souvenir: Part II: NYFF Review

Year: 2021 Runtime: 106 minutes Director: Joanna Hogg Writers: Joanna Hogg Actors: Honor Swinton Byrne, Tom Burke, Charlie Heaton, Tilda Swinton, Richard Ayoade By Tom Moore Joanna Hogg’s follow-up to her 2019 breakout film “The Souvenir” is a major milestone on multiple levels. Sequels are pretty rare in the indie film scene, so it’s pretty impactful that “The Souvenir: Part II” sees Hogg creating her … Continue reading The Souvenir: Part II: NYFF Review

25 Films Directed By Women That You Can Watch For Free

We now live in a time where it seems like every major studio has its own streaming service. This can be great for those who like to pick and choose specifically what they want to watch, but if you want to have it all, it can cost you a pretty penny. Over the past couple of years I’ve become
a strong proponent of ad-based streaming services. The one I champion the most is a service called Tubi TV. They started out as a company based out of San Francisco and were recently purchased by the Fox Corporation, (I hope that didn’t scare you away). Continue reading 25 Films Directed By Women That You Can Watch For Free

Review: “Last and First Men” #EdFilmFestAtHome

This is a meditative blending of monstrous sculptures, a beautiful score and an ethereal science fiction story. Viewers need to let themselves be absorbed and to let their imagination do a lot of work. But if you take a deep calming breath, unplug the phone and unlock that imagination you will be rewarded by something other-worldly, lamenting and inspiring Continue reading Review: “Last and First Men” #EdFilmFestAtHome

Best Actress of the Decade, Entry No. 13: Tilda Swinton

To celebrate the last decade 2010-2019 we are counting down the best actresses and discussing some of their most notable and memorable performances of the last decade. With the help of Film Twitter, the ITOL team have selected 30 actresses. Entry No. 13 is Tilda Swinton, and writer Jossalyn Holbert looks at her roles in “We Need to Talk about Kevin” and “Suspiria,” with “The Dead Don’t Die” as an honorable mention. Continue reading Best Actress of the Decade, Entry No. 13: Tilda Swinton

ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 8: We Need To Talk About Kevin

The Sandy Hook massacre in 2012 saw 26 people murdered – 20 kids and six members of staff. It remains the largest school shooting at an American primary or secondary school, and is the second-largest school shooting in American history (the tragedy at Virginia Tech in 2007 saw 32 people murdered). Coming out one year prior, “We Need To Talk About Kevin” is a film that explores one of life’s more terrifying recurring nightmares.

Based on the 2003 novel of the same title by Lionel Shriver, “We Need To Talk About About Kevin” focuses on successful travel writer Eva (Tilda Swinton) and the relationship with her son, Kevin (Rocky Duer, Jasper Newell and finally Ezra Miller). Kevin seems to antagonise and loathe his mum from birth: crying only in her arms as a baby, being entirely uncooperative with her as a young kid when they’re alone, and taunting her frequently as a teen. Continue reading ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 8: We Need To Talk About Kevin

ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 27: The Souvenir

Writer and director Joanna Hogg has always been known for her mysterious, creative and thoughtful films, but “The Souvenir” (2019) is her best yet. A tender tale of young love, it is Hogg’s most personal film to date, based on her own experiences at film school and dating an older, secretive and troubled man.

You can feel this personal touch throughout, in the gentle yet unflinching way Hogg’s camera follows Honor Swinton Byrne’s Julie, the young woman at the centre of this story. Continue reading ITOL Top 50 Films of the Decade, Entry No. 27: The Souvenir

ITOL’s Top 10 Female Focused Horror Films

What does “Suspiria”, “Carrie”, “The Witch” and “The Hunger” have in common? Well, these horror films are not only directed by a male director and are terrifying to watch, but they also pass the Bechdel Test. If you have managed to make it through our 31 Days of Horror countdown and you’re still looking to be well and truly creeped out, then ITOL recommends these horror films which see women at the centre of their plot. The films included on this list aren’t necessarily directed by a female filmmaker, but they are unique because they all pass the Bechdel Test.

The films below all meet the criteria set out by the test: (1) it [the film] has to have at least two women in it, who (2) who talk to each other, about (3) something besides a man. So, without any further ado, here are some must-see horror films this Halloween. Enjoy! Continue reading ITOL’s Top 10 Female Focused Horror Films