Author: Blake Van Poucke

“You have meddle with the Primal Forces of Nature, Mr. Beal”

November 15, 2021

It’s a film that utilizes the multinational Ecumenical Liberation Army, a scathing lunatic turned prophet in Howard Beale as the nightly news anchor, the concerning power grab of Saudi conglomerates buying up US news media and the implications, and finally, an idealistic version of capitalism with the greatest monologue arguably of all-time. … More “You have meddle with the Primal Forces of Nature, Mr. Beal”

Scottsdale Film Festival: Do Not Hesitate only scratches the surface of wartime psychology

November 13, 2021

The psychology of war is a tricky thing. War takes good natured men and turns them into machines, scaring the life out of them and making distrust a necessity for survival. It programs the youngest of adults, the most impressionable among us, with no capacity for dealing with life-or-death situations and brings out their worst instincts. Emotion needs to be stripped to make a good soldier, but what about the fallout of this stripped humanity?
… More Scottsdale Film Festival: Do Not Hesitate only scratches the surface of wartime psychology

Which Sadomasochist Hellraiser Cenobite is best?

November 13, 2021

The extra-dimensional, sadomasochist Hellraiser Cenobites out of Clive Barker’s novella and the 1987 film are a trademark of weird cinema. Any extra-dimensional being that finds pleasure in equal parts due to pain and mental suffering will have some play on this site, so we’ll break down the best of the best.
… More Which Sadomasochist Hellraiser Cenobite is best?

Scottsdale International Film Festival: The Salt in Our Waters, an exploration of changing cultural values

November 10, 2021

The Salts in Our Waters, a film out of Bangladesh, explores the disconnect between the old rule of the world against a dissenting outsider that provides a new perspective. The classic distrust when facing an unknown entity, finding their mere existence to be a threat to the established way of life.
… More Scottsdale International Film Festival: The Salt in Our Waters, an exploration of changing cultural values

Last Night in Soho and Antlers fail to attract a niche audience

November 8, 2021

Last Night in Soho and Antlers – two original Horror films with middling to negative reviews, opened up to 3,000+ theaters and found their average tumble and show the public is still not ready to see every new release in theaters. Edgar Wright’s films have ardent fans and their detractors, but his Dario Argento Giallo … More Last Night in Soho and Antlers fail to attract a niche audience

Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car gets new trailer and release date

November 8, 2021

Ryusuke Hamaguchi is having a moment. His 2018 film Asako I & II carved a path, but his latest film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival – Drive My Car – is making waves in Festival and award circles. The Best Screenplay winner at the 2021 Cannes awards is the Japanese Oscar submission for … More Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car gets new trailer and release date