Midwest Film Journal

26/07/2024

The ci******rk to end all ci******rks, "Deadpool & Wolverine" is a turgid, tension-free piece of garbage directed with the flair of a TV show. The party has wrapped, and this is a film built on playing as many old tunes as it can as the lights go dark.

The ci******rk to end all ci******rks, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a turgid piece of garbage directed with the flair of a TV show. The party has wrapped, and this is a film built on playing as many old…

25/07/2024

UTAH! Get me two (screenings of "Point Break" at the Kan-Kan Cinema & Restaurant this weekend)! And if you're hungry, there are FAR finer options than ... uh, ANY part of a rhino. Check out OG "Point Break" fan Joe Shearer's review from our Keanu World Order series in 2020 and get tickets in the comments below!

Joe Shearer looks at Reeves’ surprise surfer-action hit from the 1990s.

24/07/2024

Nick Rogers' Class of ... series — in which he looks back on films celebrating 20th, 30th or 40th anniversaries — continues with 1984's "The Last Starfighter."

Nick Rogers’ Class of … series — in which he looks back on films celebrating 20th, 30th or 40th anniversaries — continues with 1984’s “The Last Starfighter.”…

23/07/2024

How can you resist the tempting call of a slasher film that mixes biker gangs, crazy priests and the hedonism of late-1980s Miami Beach spring breakers? "Nightmare Beach" isn't exactly good per se, but it's not a bad time for slasher fans.

How can you resist the tempting call of a slasher film that mixes biker gangs, crazy priests and the hedonism of late-1980s Miami Beach spring breakers? “Nightmare Beach” isn’t exactly good per se…

23/07/2024

It's kind of neat that titles like "Uncle's Paradise" are getting real U.S. boutique label releases. But you'll hope those labels will throw work into more painstaking restorations of truly demented Japanese pinku titles than such minor mediocrities.

It’s kind of neat that titles like “Uncle’s Paradise” are getting real label releases in the United States. But you’ll hope those labels will throw work into more painstaking restorations of truly…

17/07/2024

"Star Wars: The Acolyte" ends as it began — inert, disappointing and emblematic of all things wrong with the general storytelling model of the streaming-series era.

“Star Wars: The Acolyte” ends as it began — inert, disappointing and emblematic of all things wrong with the general storytelling model of the streaming-series era.

15/07/2024

Still waiting on that guaranteed money-printing Oasis reunion? Until then, check out tomorrow's special IMAX screening of OASIS: SUPERSONIC from A24 — which Nick Rogers calls compelling despite a bit too much champagne and not enough supernova. Check local listings for showtimes (which include the IMAX Theater Indiana State Museum) & check out Nick's review from 2016:

Too much champagne, not enough supernova.

15/07/2024

Mitch Ringenberg says LONGLEGS — now in theaters from NEON — is a satisfyingly eerie and knotty horror-thriller that features a few genuinely shocking twists and a memorably unhinged Nicolas Cage performance as the titular villain.

A satisfyingly eerie and knotty horror-thriller that features a few genuinely shocking twists and a memorably unhinged Nicolas Cage performance as the titular villain.

14/07/2024

It could be argued that the comparatively darker tones of Timothy Dalton's two stints as James Bond were before their time. At least that's what staff writer Nick Rogers argued about LICENCE TO KILL in his 2012 reflection on the 007 film series. Dalton's second (and last) Bond film was released 35 years ago today.

You Only Live Twenty-Thrice is Nick Rogers’ look back at the James Bond films. Each Friday until the release of the 23rd official Bond film, Skyfall, Nick will revisit its 22 official predecessors…

14/07/2024

Befitting a weekend where another low-budget horror film is flourishing, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT turns 25 today. From our No Sleep October series in 2020, here's contributor Brent Leuthold (Awake in the Dark) on the film's staying power.

Brent gets lost in the woods with The Blair Witch Project.

12/07/2024

Regardless of which of the many cuts you watch on the The Criterion Collection's new 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid," you'll be taken away all over again by the film's raw power of death and anger for the rest of American history. Evan Dossey reviews the new release.

Regardless of which of the many cuts you watch on the Criterion Collection’s new 4K UHD Blu-ray release of “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid,” you’ll be taken away all over again by the film’s raw power of…

11/07/2024

The titular romance of Netflix's "Skywalkers: A Love Story" is the glue of this documentary, and its gorgeous, vertiginous photography is worthy of the IMAX release it's receiving at the IMAX Theater Indiana State Museum starting Friday. But the most fascinating element is an unvarnished look at the influencer economy and its consequences.

The titular romance of “Skywalkers: A Love Story” is the glue that holds together this documentary’s narrative, and its gorgeous, vertiginous photography is worthy of the limited IMAX release it’s…

10/07/2024

Since Facebook seems to be flagging any and all links related to reviews of a streaming series set in a galaxy far, far away, here's Evan Dossey's take on the latest episode ... in the comments.

09/07/2024

Great Odin's raven! "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" was released on this day 20 years ago! Here's what Nick Rogers had to say about it in Heroes of the Zeroes, his series looking back at the 365 best films of the 2000s:

Heroes of the Zeroes is Nick Rogers’ daily, alphabetical look back at the 365 best films of 2000 to 2009. Dorothy Mantooth is a saint. The arsonist has oddly shaped feet.

09/07/2024

Oft imitated by films that are still great but never equal, Jean-Pierre Melville's "Le Samouraï" gets a 4K UHD Blu-ray upgrade courtesy of the Criterion Collection.

Oft imitated by films that are still great but never equal, Jean-Pierre Melville’s “Le Samouraï” gets a 4K UHD Blu-ray upgrade courtesy of the Criterion Collection.

08/07/2024

Film Masters' new Blu-ray of "The Crippled Masters" offers schlock that hits on both levels: There's a sense that maybe you shouldn't be watching this. But where else are you going to see two men with respective attributes get the attention they deserve?

Film Masters’ new Blu-ray of “The Crippled Masters” offers the sort of 1970s schlock that hits you on both levels: There’s a sense that maybe you shouldn’t be watching this. But where else are you…

08/07/2024

Still looking for something to watch tonight? It's the 20th anniversary of 2004's "King Arthur" — far better than you remember, especially if you can choose the director's cut. Plus, it features Mads Mikkelsen in one of his earliest Hollywood roles. Here's Nick Rogers' piece on Mikkelsen's role in the film from 2022:

Mads Mikkelsen’s searing introduction to Hollywood cinema.

07/07/2024

It never feels like a puff piece, as is the problem with nostalgic documentaries. It makes a strong case for the Scala’s place in LGBTQ history and film history while remaining funny & informative. Most of all, it makes you appreciate places that matter.

It never feels like a puff piece, as is the problem with many nostalgic documentaries these days. It makes a strong case for the Scala’s place in LGBTQ history and film history while remaining funny…

06/07/2024

A weak cap to the "X" trilogy but a fun ride back in time.

A weak cap to the “X” trilogy but a fun ride back in time.

06/07/2024

On the 30th anniversary of the release of Forrest Gump, revisit the ultimate showdown over its worth as a film — slugged out in 2020 between staff writer Sam Watermeier and contributor Dave Gutierrez.

Sam and Dave face off on the film that cemented their respective feelings about Tom Hanks.

05/07/2024

Fritz on Fridays — Joshua Polanski's monthly reflection on the films of iconic filmmaker Fritz Lang — continues with his take on "Western Union," one of Lang's rare forays into the Western genre.

Fritz on Fridays — contributor Joshua Polanski’s monthly spotlight on Austrian “Master of Darkness” Fritz Lang — continues with his look at the second of Lang’s three Westerns, 1941’s “Western Union.”…

03/07/2024

All things considered, "Star Wars: The Acolyte" is on the upswing.

All things considered, “Star Wars: The Acolyte” is on the upswing.

03/07/2024

Heavily hyped after its festival debut, "Kill" quickly grows repetitive and routine in all the wrong, non-rollicking ways.

Heavily hyped after its festival debut, “Kill” quickly grows repetitive and routine in all the wrong, non-rollicking ways.

02/07/2024

"Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" sets up a valid reason to exist beyond serving a lukewarm nog of nostalgia. But then it morphs into genial and generic entertainment. At least the renewed light behind Eddie Murphy's eyes suggests he truly loves the character.

“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” sets up a rather valid reason to exist beyond serving a lukewarm nog of nostalgia. But then it morphs into something genially and generically entertaining.

29/06/2024

Sometimes inelegant and utterly indifferent to delivering self-contained satisfaction, "Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1" is nevertheless encouraging enough to see where actor-director-producer-co-writer Kevin Costner is taking this Western epic.

Sometimes inelegant and utterly indifferent to delivering self-contained satisfaction, “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1” is nevertheless encouraging enough to see where actor-director-producer…

28/06/2024

After 10 pieces highlighting 18 different films, The Marvelous Ms. Meryl — our monthlong ode to iconic actress Meryl Streep — comes to a close. Guest contributor Dave Gutierrez sends us out with a look at Streep's Oscar-nominated turn in 2016's "Florence Foster Jenkins." Read the whole series, comment, share & enjoy!

Dave Gutierrez concludes The Marvelous Ms. Meryl — Midwest Film Journal’s monthlong ode to Meryl Streep — with a look at her Oscar-nominated turn as Florence Foster Jenkins.

28/06/2024

With "The Game of Clones: Bruceploitation Collection Vol. 1," Severin Films has released an early contender for the best Blu-ray set of 2024. It's a substantial course in Bruceploitation that truly feels like a curated adventure.

With “The Game of Clones: Bruceploitation Collection Vol. 1,” Severin Films has released an early contender for the best Blu-ray set of 2024. It’s a substantial course in Bruceploitation that truly…

28/06/2024

A prequel that presents a poor interpretation of this series' strengths.

A prequel that presents a poor interpretation of this series’ strengths.

27/06/2024

"Daddio" is a depressingly clichéd taxicab confession drama that wastes seasoned actors like Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn on an antiquated story with harmful, reductive ideas.

“Daddio” is a depressingly clichéd taxicab confession drama that wastes seasoned actors like Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn on an antiquated story with harmful, reductive ideas.

27/06/2024

The Marvelous Ms. Meryl — our monthlong ode to iconic actress Meryl Streep in honor of her 75th birthday — continues with an essay from Eric Harris (Why Do I Own This?) on Streep's turn in the 2004 remake of "The Manchurian Candidate."

https://midwestfilmjournal.com/2024/06/27/the-marvelous-ms-meryl-the-manchurian-candidate-2004/