Better Family Entertainment
by Tyler Smith One of the key elements of film noir is a downbeat ending that is so cynical, it turns its story into an oddly entertaining exercise in fatalism. It seems counter intuitive that the audience would enjoy such a dark end for its protagonists, but, somehow, the inevitability of failure in these films … Read More “Scarlet Street” »
Tyler Smith When we think of romantic movies, our mind will drift immediately to stories about a new, budding relationship. The excitement that comes with discovery and bonding, along with the complications and misunderstandings that go with it, naturally lends itself to conventional story structure. There are some films, however, that find romance in familiarity; … Read More “The Thin Man Review” »
by Tyler Smith They say that good artists copy and great artists steal. While there may not seem to be much of a difference in these ideas, artistically, the distinction is vital. One describes mimicry while the other describes absorption. There have been many films that have tried to capture the stylistic elements of certain … Read More “Rebel Moon Is A Shameless Patchwork…” »
By Tyler Smith When looking at a list of the most popular Christmas movies, it may come as a surprise – though perhaps it shouldn’t – that many of them contain an element of magic. From time traveling ghosts to living snowmen to basically everything associated with Santa Claus, the supernatural has always played a … Read More “A Christmas Story” »
By Tyler Smith As the song says, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. For some, however, it is exactly the opposite. It is a time of increased stress, resentment, and depression. A time of year that was previously associated with ideas like ‘peace on earth and good will toward men’ has very … Read More “A Charlie Brown Christmas Review” »
With Thanksgiving now over, the Christmas season has officially begun. We all know what this means: trees, lights, presents, carols, and all the other holiday trappings that emerge every December. All of us have different Christmas traditions like parties, dinners, and games. There is one thing, however, that seems to grow a little bit with … Read More “What Makes A Good Christmas Movie?” »
As a fan of both “New Girl” and “Freelancers,” I appreciate the unique charm each show brings to the comedy genre. “New Girl” has been a personal favorite for its witty humor and the delightful quirkiness of its characters, especially Jess. The show’s ability to blend sexual jokes and situational comedy in an urban setting … Read More “Review: “New Girl” vs “Freelancers” – A Tale of Two Comedies” »
As someone who journeyed through the whirlwind that is “Loki” Season 2, I’m left with an intriguing blend of confusion and anticipation. The initial episodes were a rollercoaster of timelines and realities, often leaving me wondering if I was watching a cleverly crafted narrative or merely a chaotic jumble of Marvel lore. The series’ penchant … Read More “Review of Loki Season 2: The Chaotic Puzzle and Its Concluding Revelation” »
“Thanksgiving” had me at its grindhouse roots – a promise of raw, unfiltered horror that harked back to the golden era of exploitation films. When Eli Roth first teased us with the mock trailer in “Grindhouse,” I was all in for a gritty, blood-soaked ride. However, the 2023 feature film, while entertaining, swerved off this … Read More “Review of “Thanksgiving” (2023): A Nostalgic Craving Unfulfilled” »
In film critic terminology, the word “genre” has a very specific meaning. While for many people the word is synonymous with “category”, for film fans it has a very deliberate purpose. It is a way to classify films based on how they look and what they are about. Any commonality between films could mean that … Read More “Niorvember: A Retrospective on film by Tyler Smith” »
