Review: Acute Misfortune

Artist Adam Cullen (Daniel Henshall) says early in “Acute Misfortune” (2020) that he paints because it’s the only job in the world where “your employer wants you to die.” In other words, his work will increase in value upon his death which he takes as justification for his blatant desire for it to happen. The film documents what transpires when a young reporter attempts to put down in words the life of this anguished, talented Australian version of Jackson Pollack in all his rebellious, self -destructive fury. It is not an easy watch but the riveting performances of the two leads make it an emotional roller coaster of a biography that risks making its subject unlikable, even if he is inspiring. Continue reading Review: Acute Misfortune

ITOL Top 15 Films of 2020 (So Far), Numbers 5-1

Phew! We’ve finally reached numbers 5 through 1. We hope you like our picks and maybe seek out the films that you haven’t yet seen. You can find numbers 15-11 here and numbers 10-6 here. Please let us know which films make your top 15 list and what films are you looking forward to catching later this year! A massive thank you to all the ITOL writers who contributed and voted. Here’s hoping the rest of 2020 won’t be so eventful! Continue reading ITOL Top 15 Films of 2020 (So Far), Numbers 5-1

Review: Babyteeth

The best way to describe Shannon Murphy’s engrossing and visually stunning “Babyteeth” is to imagine if Andrea Arnold directed “The Fault in Our Stars”. If this hasn’t piqued your interest already, then bear with me because there’s plenty of more wonderful things to say about this delight of a film.

Based on screenwriter Rita Kalnejais’ play of the same name, “Babyteeth” marks the arrival of an exciting fresh and innovative female filmmaker. Murphy gets extra points from us for selecting an all-female production and direction team, and for tackling the ‘cancer’ rom-com subgenre in a way that doesn’t feel over sentimental or contrived. Continue reading Review: Babyteeth