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2/5
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Transmutations
(1985)
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Joe Lipsett
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A surprisingly dull and uninspired affair. George Pavlou's direction only comes alive in the underground sequences and the script, plagued by producer interference, bears few traces of Clive Barker's penchant for sexy violence.
Posted Jul 09, 2024
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The Straight Story
(1999)
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Joe Lipsett
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A sweet, simple story that feels unorthodox for Lynch, but eventually reveals it contains a number of his signature themes and visuals. Farnsworth's Oscar nomination was well-deserved; he anchors the film with humanity and boundless empathy.
Posted Jun 27, 2024
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2.5/5
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The Girl on the Train
(2016)
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Joe Lipsett
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Blunt does her best to elevate the material, but dividing the film's focus between three different women (and all of their men) means no one has an opportunity to develop a fully formed character.
Posted Jun 04, 2024
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4.5/5
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Lost Highway
(1997)
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Joe Lipsett
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Lynch's surreal masterpiece is infused with film noir conventions and characters, real world ties to true crime, and a fantastic dual performance by Patricia Arquette. Rarely has inky blackness ever looked so simultaneously romantic and terrifying.
Posted May 30, 2024
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2.5/5
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M. Butterfly
(1993)
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Joe Lipsett
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Jeremy Irons and John Lone are both doing great work, but the film's reticence to engage with its gender, queer, and even political themes is frustrating. The film is a bad marriage of director and material.
Posted May 16, 2024
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2.5/5
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The Woman in the Window
(2021)
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Joe Lipsett
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Too long by far considering its obvious twist and nonsensical killer reveal. Amy Adams is doing her best with a nothing character, swathed in billowing pyjamas and hysteria, but aside from a few great visuals by director Wright, this is a miss.
Posted May 14, 2024
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4.5/5
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Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
(1992)
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Joe Lipsett
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Bleak, nihilistic, and haunting, Lynch's prequel to his infamous TV hit is a moody and surreal fever dream of trauma. Anchored by a career best performance by Sheryl Lee, Fire Walk With Me lingers long after the credits roll.
Posted May 02, 2024
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4/5
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Clive Barker's Book of Blood
(2008)
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Joe Lipsett
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Despite having nearly the same narrative as the 2020 Hulu Books of Blood, John Harrison's take has all of the requisite grime and sexuality of the short stories. It actually feels properly Clive Barker-y!
Posted Apr 30, 2024
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2.5/5
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Naked Lunch
(1991)
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Joe Lipsett
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A challenging film to engage with if you're unfamiliar with the life and work of William S. Burroughs. Visually it's very surreal and fantastical (the typewriters!), but narratively it doesn't come together in a satisfying way.
Posted Apr 18, 2024
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Books of Blood
(2020)
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Joe Lipsett
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A visually and narratively bland adaptation of two of Clive Barker's books of blood stories. The anthology format is reminiscent of Trick r'Treat (but inferior) and the decision to place the Jenna character at the center is perplexing.
Posted Apr 16, 2024
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3.5/5
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Wild at Heart
(1990)
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Joe Lipsett
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Something of an desert noir/soap opera fever dream with completely over the top performances (MVP Diane Ladd). Cage and Dern are both incredibly hot, even if the film itself feels slightly disjointed and never truly comes together cohesively.
Posted Apr 04, 2024
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3.5/5
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The Slumber Party Massacre
(1982)
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Joe Lipsett
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This low-budget parody of slashers has a subtle, but strong female perspective (courtesy of its writer and director) which more than makes up for the occasionally wobbly tone and speedy shooting schedule.
Posted Mar 21, 2024
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4/5
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Eileen
(2023)
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Joe Lipsett
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Featuring a scene stealing turn from Marin Ireland, this adaptation of Ottessa Moshfegh's book isn't afraid to revel in the messy, grossness of women. And it's all the better for it. Sexy, chilly and confronting, Eileen is a winner
Posted Feb 21, 2024
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4.5/5
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Martha Marcy May Marlene
(2011)
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Joe Lipsett
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Elizabeth Olsen stuns in her feature debut in a film that perfectly embodies PTSD. While the murder sequence doesn't fully work, the way Durkin shifts between timelines and the "before they were famous" cast makes this a must-see
Posted Jan 11, 2024
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2/5
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Don't Worry Darling
(2022)
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Joe Lipsett
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Despite great chemistry between Pine and Pugh and amazing production & costume design, the obvious and nonsensical plot and Harry Styles' unconvincing performance ultimately sinks the film. Also: Why is this 2 hours long?!
Posted Nov 23, 2023
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3/5
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The Dead Zone
(1983)
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Joe Lipsett
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The Dead Zone is a better Stephen King film than a David Cronenberg film. There's some great imagery here, but the best storylines (the murders) are speedily wrapped up to get to the hastily developed battle between Johnny and Stilson
Posted Nov 21, 2023
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4/5
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Fair Play
(2023)
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Joe Lipsett
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Regardless of how you feel about stock market films, this exceptionally well-acted relationship thriller is guaranteed to entertain, even if it will ruin Alden Ehrenreich for you (because he's so hissably awful)
Posted Oct 26, 2023
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2.5/5
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Pet Sematary: Bloodlines
(2023)
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Joe Lipsett
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Simultaneously overstuffed and completely hollow, the prequel's hot actors and welcome indigenous content can't save it from poor character development, bad editing, and a reliance on cheap jump scares. Give me this story with Manny and Donna as leads.
Posted Oct 09, 2023
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1.5/5
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King on Screen
(2022)
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Joe Lipsett
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A doc that features exclusively white men (and neither of the two female directors) is an extremely bad call. This is more about King than his adaptations and there's virtually no criticism of bad titles. This is far too complimentary and self-indulgent
Posted Aug 11, 2023
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3/5
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Scanners
(1981)
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Joe Lipsett
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Obviously the exploding head is iconic, but the rest of the film is nearly as messy. An on-the-fly script and paper thing characters hint at more intriguing ideas than what is actually seen on screen.
Posted Jul 21, 2023
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4/5
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Influencer
(2023)
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Joe Lipsett
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A smart, savvy thriller anchored by star Cassandra Naud's magnetic performance. The way the film uses her natural birthmark is particularly innovative, as are the multiple shifts in perspective that help to keep the story fresh.
Posted Jul 21, 2023
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3.5/5
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9 to 5
(1980)
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Joe Lipsett
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While the lengthy fantasy sequences take up too much screen time, Fonda, Tomlin and Parton are delightful as three different types of women uniting to fight the patriarchy. The film's subtle racial and class critiques are most welcome.
Posted Jul 06, 2023
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4.5/5
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Blue Velvet
(1986)
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Joe Lipsett
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Daring, provocative and influential, Lynch's seminal ode to the rot that lurks just beneath the surface of suburban domesticity remains as potent today as it was back in 1986.
Posted Jul 04, 2023
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3/5
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Dune
(1984)
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Joe Lipsett
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Dune's biggest issue, It's too short, Lynch's attempt to fit in key characters and plot results in a over stuffed back half that is jarring and confusing, but the FX, costumes, and performances are solid. Harkonnen is uncomfortably queer coded, though.
Posted Jun 06, 2023
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4/5
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The Elephant Man
(1980)
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Joe Lipsett
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Despite the grounded nature of the film, Lynch finds opportunities to infuse his trademark surreal visual imagery, as well as harrowing sequences in both a bedroom and a train station. Hurt is a marvel, though the depiction of disability has aged
Posted May 09, 2023
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4.5/5
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The Stepford Wives
(1975)
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Joe Lipsett
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As timely and relevant as ever, this slice of feminist paranoia is expertly anchored by two female performances and taunt direction. Logistically there are gaps, but the chilling finale has lost none of its impact.
Posted May 02, 2023
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2.5/5
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Rawhead Rex
(1987)
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Joe Lipsett
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Hardly the disaster its reputation would have you believe, Rawhead Rex is a perfectly fine, very average creature feature with a, yes, very unfortunate immobile prosthetic head. The caravan attack is decent and so the golden shower is surprising.
Posted Apr 16, 2023
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Eraserhead
(1977)
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Joe Lipsett
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Confronting and nightmarish in equal parts, David Lynch's infamous first feature is a surreal masterpiece. The imagery might be iconic, but its the omnipresent industrial score that sticks with you.
Posted Apr 11, 2023
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4.5/5
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Palm Trees and Power Lines
(2022)
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Joe Lipsett
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This movie is exceptional and I never want to see it again. It's executed so well, particularly Lily McInery and Jonathan Tucker's performances and that simple, devastating ending. A film that's hard to watch and even harder to forget
Posted Mar 07, 2023
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3/5
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The Crush
(1993)
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Joe Lipsett
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Elwes is at peak hotness while Silverstone's unhinged performance as Dorian is inspired. Like any good Erotic Thriller, suspension of disbelief is key (a carousel in the attic?!) but The Crush is plenty of fun.
Posted Mar 03, 2023
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3.5/5
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Fear
(1996)
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Joe Lipsett
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Aside from instigating a sexual awakening for a generation thanks to the rollercoaster scene, this murky, messy erotic thriller features a bad boyfriend AND a bad dad, a madonna/whore complex and a very savvy younger brother.
Posted Feb 11, 2023
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4/5
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The Net
(1995)
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Joe Lipsett
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Both prescient and utterly ridiculous, this technothriller is a perfect vehicle for Bullock. Bonus points for fitting in both a water AND a carnival set piece, thereby cementing its status as an iconic 90s title
Posted Jan 16, 2023
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3/5
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It's Christmas, Carol!
(2012)
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Joe Lipsett
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Questionable depictions of book publishing and female entrepreneurs aside, this Hallmark take on Scrooged gets a lot of mileage from a dry, aggravated Carrie Fisher and a game Emmanuelle Vaugier. The guy is bland, but the film is surprisingly enjoyable
Posted Dec 22, 2022
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3.5/5
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Sleeping With the Enemy
(1991)
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Joe Lipsett
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Sleeping with the Enemy is an extremely over the top 'woman in peril' film that stars Julia Roberts' magnificent locks and Patrick Bergin's exquisite moustache. It's lurid, but this domestic abuse thriller holds up on a rewatch.
Posted Dec 01, 2022
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4/5
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Dolores Claiborne
(1995)
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Joe Lipsett
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Bates and Jason Leigh both shine in this savvy adaptation of a challenging Stephen King book. Dolores Claiborne proves that when the right people board a project, there's no such thing as an unfilmable book
Posted Nov 02, 2022
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4.5/5
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Gerald's Game
(2017)
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Joe Lipsett
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Flanagan's thrilling adaptation shouldn't work, but the director's style, plus Gugino and Greenwood's acting, is never less than captivating. The coda works better in hindsight, particularly when it's presented as Jessie's Good For Her moment.
Posted Nov 02, 2022
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3.5/5
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Double Jeopardy
(1999)
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Joe Lipsett
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Who doesn't love a 90s female-fronted action thriller? Judd completely sells Libby's transformation in this wannabe The Fugitive sequel. While some of the politics of Lee Jones' character are icky, it's very satisfying seeing Greenwood get his comeuppance
Posted Nov 02, 2022
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2.5/5
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Mr. Harrigan's Phone
(2022)
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Joe Lipsett
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There's tension between the nostalgic coming of age components in the first half and the back half's killer ghost plot (which is a generous description) that begs the question: who is the intended audience for this? It doesn't satisfy anyone.
Posted Oct 05, 2022
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3.5/5
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Species
(1995)
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Joe Lipsett
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An entertaining creature feature crossed with an erotic thriller, featuring a stacked cast. The film seems to understand that Natasha Henstridge's Sil is more interesting than the humans, who putter around uselessly for most of the film.
Posted Apr 26, 2022
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3.5/5
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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
(1992)
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Joe Lipsett
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While certain elements (such as the depiction of people with disabilities) has aged poorly, the consideration of women and motherhood still resonates. This is 100 De Mornay's show and Peyton is a hugely compelling, and surprisingly sympathetic, villain
Posted Mar 09, 2022
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4.5/5
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Wild Things
(1998)
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Joe Lipsett
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This sweaty, sexy, naughty neo noir is a testament to the kind of film that could never be made today. It is so delightfully convoluted that the explanation for the film's machinations continue well into the credits
Posted Sep 15, 2021
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