By - Gareth Jones For fans of Chilean film and history, stunning black/white cinematography, genre-bending cinema Pablo Larrain is a force to be reckoned with as a writer/director and as a producer.  He may now be Chile’s greatest filmmaker.  He has written and directed multiple films with the great Gael Garcia Bernal including No, Neruda, and 2019’s Ema.  He has also turned his vision to female icons in the United […]

By - Gareth Jones For fans of modern British horror stories, portmanteau horror films, Martin Freeman I must admit, I am susceptible to the portmanteau or anthology horror film sub-genre.  Last week on Sleep In Cinema we talked about Tales from the Hood, a fantastic version that took the sub-genre and wonderfully constructed it through a black lens.  Earlier examples include 1945’s Dead of Night, 1963’s Black Sabbath, all iterations […]

By - Gareth Jones For fans of Alfred Hitckcock, early sound films, Edmund Gwenn Released in 1930, The Skin Game was Alfred Hitchcock’s fourth feature film in the still new sound era of film.  For multiple reasons I had not watched this film yet. I watched the majority of his films as an undergraduate, and when I worked at the old Foothill Video store, I tried to watch all of […]

By - Gareth Jones For fans of Scandinavian cinema (Bergman, Dryer), epic battles between man and nature, films in 4:3 ratio Godland is a magnificent example of epic cinema.  It utilizes all the artistic tools of the art form to create a distinctive Icelandic tale, while also continuing the neverending tale of humanity in its battle with itself and nature. This is the third film from Icelandic director, Hlynur Pálmason, […]

By - Gareth Jones For fans of Sofia Coppola, biopics, new perspectives on known stories Like many great artists, Sofia Coppola has created her art around a singular theme.  In her case, it is the story of young women coming of age in the world of fame, fortune, and notoriety. Of course, she comes at this from her own unique experience that gives these stories a level of authenticity, astuteness, […]

By - Gareth Jones For fans of courtroom dramas, murder mysteries, incredible child performances Anatomy of a Fall is a stunning accomplishment.  It is the fourth feature length film directed by Justine Triet and won the Palme D’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, only the third time this has been given to a female directed film. She also co-wrote it with her partner Arthur Harari which is also quite […]

By - Gareth Jones For fans of extreme horror, thought-provoking commentaries on humanity, did I mention the gore? (NOT RECOMMENDED TO EVERYONE - REALLY!) This has been a stellar year for films from South American horror filmmakers.  Earlier in the year I reviewed the excellent Brujeria from Chilean filmmaker Christopher Murray and now I have seen the sensation from Argentinian provocateur Demian Rugna.  Both films deal with themes of colonialism […]

By - Gareth Jones Released in 2015, Chronic is not an easy film to watch.  The fourth feature film by Mexican writer/director Michel Franco (no relation to James or Dave, than goodness) it tells the story of a palliative nurse named David, who is played at top form by the imminent Tim Roth.The story follows this nurse through a series of patients, as we gradually learn more about his past. […]

By - Gareth Jones For fans of brainless action films, monster movies, Jason Statham A few weeks ago, I was challenged to write a review of a film that was unexpected. I usually review films that are independent, international, or under the radar.  I have not written a review for a big Hollywood blockbuster.  I thought that was a great idea. I immediately thought about films from my childhood that […]