In 2015, freelance film writer Marya E. Gates embarked on a year-long project titled “A Year with Women” in which she watched nothing but films directed by women. Gates learned that there wasn’t a lack of female directors at all, but rather a lack of discussion and awareness around them. They were—and are—out there making…
2020s
Review: Renner
Computer genius Renner (Frankie Muniz) has developed an artificial intelligence named Salenus (voiced by Marcia Gay Harden). Functioning as a life coach, her number one directive is to increase Renner’s assertiveness so he can talk to his attractive new neighbour, Jamie (Violett Beane). After some initial awkwardness on Renner’s part, the pair agree to have…
Review: Blackwater Lane
Blackwater Lane opens with gorgeous shots of the landscape belongings to Elsing Hall, a medieval mansion in Norfolk. In the film, it’s called Crawford House and is home to teacher Cass (Minka Kelly, The Roommate) and her husband Matthew (Dermot Mulroney, My Best Friend’s Wedding), who is a successful businessman. He’s asleep in one room…
32 Most Anticipated Book Releases of 2025
At the start of the year, I often take an interest in the books coming out over the next 12 months. I usually end up buying a bunch, reading a selection, and finding myself no longer interested in the rest. But, for now, here are the ones that have caught my attention for one reason…
Review: Hot Frosty
When we meet widow Kathy (Lacey Chabert), she is struggling to stay warm in her apartment, switching quickly from blanket to coat on her way to the diner she owns. A note reminding her to call the repairman to fix the heating goes ignored yet again. While taking a stroll outside that evening, Kathy sees…
Review: Our Little Secret
Our Little Secret begins with the backstory of Logan (Ian Harding) and Avery (Lindsay Lohan), childhood best-friends-turned-lovers, told—for some reason—through animation. Then, it’s 2014 and Avery is moving to London for her dream job, which Logan struggles to accept. He thinks she’s running away from her father and childhood home following her mother’s death. After…
18 Fun Horror Films to Watch This Halloween
Horror is such a broad genre that it can still be enjoyed even if you hate being scared. One of my favourite subgenres is what I like to call “fun horror,” which I loosely define as horror films that are fun, silly, batshit, but not too scary (well, okay, some of them are kind of…
Review: Azrael
Set some time after the rapture, where speech is considered a sin, Azrael (Samara Weaving) is captured by a devout cult who want to sacrifice her to the evil lurking in the wilderness in exchange for their salvation. When Azrael escapes—as she often does—the cult, led by pregnant priestess Miriam (Vic Carmen Sonne), will stop…
Review: Clawfoot
Janet (Francesca Eastwood) is a wealthy, suburban housewife who takes pride in her meticulous housework. While going about her daily tasks, she is surprised when contractor Leo (Milo Gibson) shows up at the door claiming her husband, Evan (Nestor Carbonell), hired him to install a new bathroom, complete with a clawfoot bathtub. Janet is cautious…
Review: Subservience
AI (artificial intelligence) is not new to the horror genre, but it’s certainly felt more prevalent during the past few years with the likes of M3GAN and AfrAId. S.K. Dale is prepared to join the conversation with his new sci-fi thriller, Subservience. The film follows construction worker Nick (Michele Morrone) who is struggling to look…