Don't Look Up (2021)

An all-star ensemble satirical black comedy about two scientists attempting to warn humanity about an impending disaster that signals the end of the world, while everybody turns a blind eye, which hits a little bit too close to home. It's exaggerated and ridiculous for a reason, but handled entirely convincingly, almost like an unofficial sequel to Idiocracy (or an even more grim version of Seeking a Friend for the End of the World). All of these things could still come true today. The only thing you can do is sit back and laugh while you watch it all burn.

4 "free snacks" out of 5

Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

An alternative telling of the Cinderella story, supposing that a sixteenth century historical 'truth' was inspiration for the well-known tale.
Drew Barrymore is the young maiden who's mistreated by her wicked stepmom and forced into servitude in her own home. When distanced from her predicament she's more intelligent, outspoken and inspirational than the wispy female that we often get in modern fairy tale versions.
It gives more backstory to the "French" Prince, although he's still pretty bland most of the time. Anjelica Huston is well-cast as the conniving and jealous stepmom (I mean that in the most complimentary way), but my personal favourite character was the middle sister, Jacqueline (Melanie Lynskey).

3 everyday rusties out of 5

I DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE [2017]

Indie-actor Macon Blair makes his directorial debut with the neo-noir comedy I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore.
Frustrated and depressed by the useless apathetic world around her, a young woman is robbed and finds the only way to make things right is to take matters into her own hands.  AKA Falling Down for the Trump era.
With it's bursts of uber-violence, twisted humor and a cast of low-life criminals, it's obvious Blair is heavily influenced by the directorial/screenwriting works of his regular collaborator Jeremy Saulnier.  Things tend to get pretty outrageous and unbelievable but it's Melanie Lynskey's nuanced performance that manages to keep everything grounded in a warped sense of reality.  The script could have used a bit more tightening up but thankfully it never ceases to shock and amuse.

3 fucking spoilers out of 5

DIGGING FOR FIRE [2015]

Director Joe Swanberg stays in his mumblecore comfort zone with the humorous relationship piece Digging for Fire.
A bored husband & wife go their separate ways over the weekend putting their marriage to the test in overly tempting situations of craziness.
Still working with a micro-production budget, Swanberg inches a little closer to the mainstream with a gaggle of more well-known actors, most of which don't really know how to fit in the genre, with the exception of Sam Rockwell & Judith Light.   The director seems a little too comfortable with this type of storytelling, crossing over themes & ideas he's already visited with his previous films.  Not to say it's a bad film because there's all sorts of interesting story progressions as you're trying to figure exactly what the purpose of the film is.  In short, it's a more mature version of Drinking Buddies with a murder mystery fit in for intrigue.

3 dead man's shoes out of 5

HAPPY CHRISTMAS [2014]

I've been anticipating Happy Christmas since mumblecore regular Joe Swanberg's Drinking Buddies was so damned good. 
Anna Kendrick plays a reckless young woman who moves into her brother's basement after a bad break-up with her latest boyfriend.  Once again Swanberg explores the troubles of alcoholism but never feels like he's shaking his finger at it and instead is simply describing some of it's lesser attributes.  With it's focus on the quieter moments in life and seemingly mundane conversation the film and actors manages to tell more in a mere 30 seconds than most mainstream films can clumsily utter in 30 minutes.
The naturalism, awkwardness and quiet moments of people just getting to know each other through observation isn't for everybody but anybody who doesn't like their storytelling spelt out to them will find something comfortable in this film.

3 burnt pizzas out of 5

But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)

Natasha Lyonne plays seventeen-year-old Megan, who journeys bravely through a pastel-coloured hell of categorising and group therapy.
Don't be put off by the garish cover art. It's not a damp chick flick. It's a smart coming of age/coming out comedy drama that touches almost all bases and takes a wry look at gender issues along the way. There's a good balance of sentimentality and satire throughout, and even though it'll be a little predictable for some folks it won't matter in the slightest because it does what it does with pom poms held high.

3½ vaginal motifs out of 5

WIN WIN [2011]

I love how the harmless simplicity of Thomas McCarthy films leave room for the characters to flourish in a funny yet realistic manner like in The Station Agent or Pixar's UP.  The Paul Giamatti led drama Win Win continues this wonderful tradition.
The premise doesn't really stand out as anything amazing but it's the writing, characters and performances that make the film memorable and worth recommending.  It occasionally stands on the edge of sappy schmaltz but somehow manages to narrowly avoid it with well-timed humour and believability.

3½ noisy hot water heaters out of 5

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THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER [2012]

Stephen Chbosky adapts his own coming of age novel, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower for the screen with a heartfelt sincerity.

The leading stars are all fantastic with the help from a strong supporting cast, noting Paul Rudd in a wonderful minor role as a high school English teacher.  It's the type of film that could have easily fallen apart with some miscasting or sentimental schmaltz but thankfully it stays true to who the characters are and their realistic reactions to the world around them. Flavored with a healthy dose of early 90's music and cultural references, the film is a constant reminder as my days as an outcast teenager struggling to find a comfortable spot among some sort of social circle. 

4 mix tapes out of 5

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD [2012]

Writer/director Lorene Scafaria continues her fascination with developing an unexpected relationship with a stranger on a road trip in the mildly depressing and thoughtful comedic drama Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World.

The film starts off pretty bumpy, as it struggles to find an even tone but becomes incredibly engaging in the second act and then stumbles off a bit near the end.  With the help from some subtle yet emotional performances from Steve Carell and Keira Knightley and a huge cast of cameos, the film becomes much better than what was originally written. 

It's not a perfect film but it's one I'd like to revisit just to welcome the characters back into my home. 

3½ loneliest instruments in the world out of 5