New to Me 2024: Kevin Murphy's Top 7 film discoveries
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
Here are some of those films that stuck out to me–dramatic powerhouses, refreshingly hopeful stories, or whimsical delights.
Noir Nasties: Richard Widmark in DON'T BOTHER TO KNOCK, PICKUP ON SOUTH STREET, KISS OF DEATH
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
One actor who is memorably unpleasant in so many performances throughout his career is Richard Widmark.
Noir Crime: ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW uses noir trappings to talk about racial strife
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
Odds Against Tomorrow was released at the tail end of the main noir cycle, and just before the start of the Civil Rights movement in the ‘60s.
THE FIX has solid sci fi ideas but is hindered by its performances
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
How much would you change yourself to survive an increasingly toxic climate? Your behavior? Your body? How much of what makes you you?
THE LAST FRONT can't make its two sides come together
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
As excited as I was for this, and as much as the cast does, the film ended up disappointing me because it feels like two discordant movies in one.
THE STOIC is a fun thriller with a novel setting
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
The Stoic feels like a short thriller concept expanded to feature length, but feels lean and steadily-paced rather than sagging heavily in the middle.
THE CONVERT depicts colonialism in New Zealand with mixed results
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
This is a fine production with strong cinematography, writing, and acting; however, the film fails to untangle itself from those problematic conventions which exist as a lasting result of the imperialism it comments upon, which is unfortunate.
Ghost Week: Seances on screen, from traditional to fraudulent and beyond
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
Exploring some great examples of seances on screen–from the traditional to the modern, the fraudulent to the unguided nightmare scenarios.
Coppola Week: THE RAIN PEOPLE embodies the transient experience of its shoot
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
The film is something of a transient experience for everyone, especially the characters.
Legendary TV series LOST turns 20!
As legendary television series LOST turns 20, our staff writes a bit about their relationship with the series.
Read MoreTHE FEATHERWEIGHT shines a spotlight on an unknown boxing legend
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
The Featherweight a smaller work that delivers emotionally thanks to strong performances and the choice to focus not on the rise and fall of a young champion but the comeback of someone well past his prime.
THE PARAGON shows how to do a cosmic comedy on a tiny budget
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
Even if it’s not quite grimy enough to be a "midnight movie" of the sort it aspires to be, The Paragon gleefully holds the vibe of something you'd stumble across at 2AM.
MY PENGUIN FRIEND offers little other than adorable penguins, but is that enough?
by Kevin Murphy, Staff Writer
My Penguin Friend is a low-stakes adventure that offers charming scenes but no real tension or development.