Medium Wide: 2023 in Indie
This week’s entry will be centered around the films in the independent sphere released so far in 2023. Some will have (and continue) to dominate the conversation in the film world. Others came and went without much discussion… However, most of the films on this list are interesting and deserve to be talked about alongside their higher-budget, major studio-released brethren. Each film we’re talking about is unique and worthy of a watch in its own right, so seek them out if any of them pique your interest.
Medium Wide: 2023 in Horror
Whether it be new franchises getting off the ground or long-established heavyweights getting back into the ring, horror franchises have had an exciting run this year. With even more to come in the latter half of the year, let’s talk about what 2023 has seen thus far.
An Exploration of Cinematography in 'Dune'
In "Dune," Denis Villeneuve's 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert's science fiction novel, the arresting cinematography sets it apart, translating the expansive universe of Arrakis into a visual masterpiece. Villeneuve, working alongside cinematographer Greig Fraser, delivers an ambitious vision punctuated by meticulous attention to detail and adept manipulation of light and shadow.
Medium Wide: 2023 in Blockbusters
There’s an observable phenomenon that happens every few weeks nowadays. The hype for the newest blockbuster entry in a beloved (or possibly not so) franchise reaches a fever pitch before getting lambasted by critics and fundamentally disappointing at the box office. These films land with a thud: resounding only in a dead empty room. We saw new releases within a handful of huge franchises during the early to mid-blockbuster season, with only a few making noise in the grand scheme. Even still, some things work in this early part of the season, so let's run down some of the best and the worst from the pre-summer blockbuster season.
Matt Johnson is a Master at Creating His Reality
Every filmmaker's journey begins within a field bounded by limitations. These constraints may encompass financing, technology, scope, and accessibility. A fledgling creative must navigate these boundaries, harnessing the power of resourcefulness. This is a test of their mettle, their ability to weave stories out of very little, and it's where the true magic of cinema is born. Among the luminaries who exemplify this spirit, one name rings out loud and clear: Matt Johnson, the Canadian indie-festival darling who recently graced the mainstream with his tech-corporate biopic, "Blackberry."
Beyond the Glitter: Delving into the Depths of 'Triangle of Sadness'
Triangle of Sadness is more than a satire on the fashion industry. It's a bold examination of the human condition, vanities, and vulnerabilities. It nudges us to reflect on what we value most and what it means to be truly human.
Couch Potato: Asian and Asian American Narratives for APAHM
So, whether you're seeking the epic tale of survival in "Life of Pi," the poignant exploration of love in "The Big Sick," or the empowering journey of Mulan in the Disney classic, each film in this curated collection brings something unique.
Looking–ahead: 2023 Films
The beginning of a new year is a time of hopeful anticipation: for what we expect to come and what we never knew we wanted in the first place. This goes for relationships, career changes, and, yes, even the movies. Each year is bookmarked by the notable points of popular culture that adorn its calendar.
The Best of the Newest: 10 Movies You Should See
The midpoint of every year is plagued with absolute dregs regarding film choices. The term ‘Dumpuary’ floats around in film fandom circles every year through January and February as studios dump the movies they lack confidence in and see if anything can land with audiences.
Back to Woodsboro: Scream (2022)
The era of the legacy sequel has been upon us for some time now. We’ve seen almost every monumental franchise from our childhoods and the previous generations' childhoods get the reboot treatment in the last 7 or 8 years. Whether it be Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Halloween, or Terminator, the big studios are obsessed with legacy sequels.
Scream: A Franchise Retrospective
Upon release in 1996, the original Scream set off a cataclysm of events: reinventing the stale genre of slashers and shaping its form for the remaining decade. The subsequent three sequels varied wildly in quality but ultimately united into a fascinating lineage of self-aware horror. All four films were headed by horror mastermind Wes Craven, whose undying love for the genre allowed him to lampoon the very tropes and archetypes he helped create. Now, with the fifth entry into the Scream franchise seeing release, let’s take a look back at what made each previous entry stand out: as well as what hasn’t worked.
Have We Really Saved the Movies?
2021 was shaping up to be everyone’s year to catch up: with friends, family, work, and even the movies. The communal solace of sitting in a theater and experiencing great art with a crowd of strangers had been sorely missed, but the chance to embark again was on the horizon. Each major blockbuster and indie darling alike—finally taking their rightful place on the biggest screen around after a calendar’s worth of delays. Like everything else this year, not everything quite went as planned.
Reflecting on David Lowery’s The Green Knight
The Green Knight is a decidedly difficult film to explain, as it’s premise is as simple as it is uncompromising. It appears to be a medieval action thriller, detailing the exploits of a young knight as he attempts to garner honor and status in Arthurian-esque England.
Black Boys are blue
When Moonlight came out in 2016, I hated when people called it a ‘love story.’ And that was because I never acknowledged the love Chiron and Kev had. It’s a love I believe many Black men struggle to name, because we don’t see it often. How do you heal from a wound you don’t acknowledge? How can you name something you’ve never seen?
A Sweeter Place: The newest short from Director Ricardo Bouyett
There is a certain brand of confidence that hangs over a filmmaker when they approach the genre of horror. Its conventions are so spelled out and defined that it is impossible to think that you will be the one to reinvent the genre. Many will try, but few will pave a new path in the well-driven snow. However, horror as a genre has been undergoing a revitalization of sorts.
Eric Effiong: A Strong Black Lead
One character in particular, Eric Effiong, played by Ncuti Gatwa, has become a standout in the show’s second season. Eric exemplifies everything that makes Sex Education fun. His various shades are vivid and contrasting, his decisions are precise, and his fashion is fierce.
The Observational Eye of Steve McQueen
In the words of The Atlantic Culture Writer David Sims, “Steve McQueen has an eye for the tiniest of details...even when making a Hollywood blockbuster, McQueen can coax powerful political commentary from a banal sequence.” Therein lies the power of Steve McQueen as a filmmaker. His attention to the minor things cements him as one of the most important voices in film today.
Five Documentaries for Black History Month
There is a rich and entirely separate art to the creation of a truly enticing documentary film. There are so many operative modes of documentary filmmaking that to list them all as plainly “non-fiction” would be disingenuous. A film that aligns itself with the tenets of cinéma vérité is not the same as a Ken Burns film, just as Agnes Varda’s “The Gleaners and I” is not the same type of film as Demott and Kreines’ “Seventeen.”
Judas and The Black Messiah
Anchored by electric filmmaking, courtesy of Shaka King, “Judas and the Black Messiah” is an immediately timeless and important work. The film is instantaneously gripping, as it centers around Fred Hampton, deputy chairman of the Black Panther Party, and the plot of the FBI and Chicago Police to have him assassinated.
Max Thomas On Comedy and Mobilizing
If laughter is the best medicine, then Max Thomson heals people one joke at a time. This comedian, actor, writer, and community organizer based in Chicago uses comedy to speak out about oppression and rally against injustices. In sitting down with him, I witnessed how fundamental Max’s activism is to his art. He creatively uses humor not merely as a mode of entertainment, but also as a form of critique and mobilization.