In the opening scene of the music video for “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” the first single released from Janet Jackson’s 1986 blockbuster…
Episode Description: This week, we take on 1984’s Streets of Fire, directed by Walter Hill, a film that opens by helpfully describing itself as a…
Those Who Wish Me Dead is eminently watchable and rife with brutal genre spectacle, but never quite manages the depth of Sheridan’s prior work. In a…
Dope is Death is a vital contribution to the ongoing re-evaluation of the black liberation movement and a welcome antidote to conventional neoliberal pap. Given the…
Georgetown isn’t the worst actor-turned-director debut feature, but it is a drab, superficial affair with little to distinguish it. Since coming to the attention of American…
“Here is my music. It is all I have to tell you how I feel. Know that your love keeps my love strong.” This message…
Spiral fundamentally misunderstands the appeal of the Saw franchise, deviating from the series formula to remarkably diminished results. Spiral: From the Book of Saw is but the latest…
There is No Evil is frequently, starkly poignant, but it’s successes are somewhat mitigated by a lack of culminating cohesion. Mohammad Rasoulof wasn’t present at last…
With The Killing of Two Lovers, Robert Machoian constructs a difficult balance between simple-yet-impressive visual techniques and more frenzied audio compositions to drive an underwhelming narrative.…
Slime Language II boasts grace notes here and there, but is largely a disorganized, overlong effort from the talented team. What’s changed for YSL (Young Stoner…
Lei Line Eon reflects a satusfying compromise between the demands of dance-pop and the new worlds Iglooghost has imagined beyond. Since the release of Neō Wax…
Taylor’s Version is an unnecessary work, but one that remains fascinating in the way an older, more experienced Swift slightly reshapes these songs of innocence. “I…
This new release from Godspeed You! Black Emperor signals a return to the ideological and politically-fueled sounds of their earlier ventures. Godspeed You! Black Emperor,…
Superwolves once again brings together two seasoned musicians for a lonesome, but fruitful collaboration. Superwolves is the convergence of two massively prolific careers, 16 years…
Young Stoner Life Records What’s changed for YSL (Young Stoner Life) Records since their last compilation album, Slime Language, was released in late 2018? Well,…
Profile’s subject matter is more than a little silly, but its thrilling Screenlife tinkering speaks to the form’s malleability and still-untapped potential. 2021 really might…
The Columnist successfully balances a line between the satirical and sobering, and delivers some nice genre play in the process. Ivo Van Aart’s darkly comic horror…
The Djinn offers plenty of playful throwback chills, but boasts eye-roll messaging and doesn’t quite know who its audience is. Anyone expecting the gore and camp…
The Crime of the Century frustrates by leaving too much of its incisive subject matter dangling, but is still one of the most clear-eyed studies…
Oxygen’s high concept unfortunately hampers Aja’s ability to impress much on either a visual or narrative level. Seriously erratic genre auteur Alexandre Aja is back.…
The Perfect Candidate keeps the stakes low and can be cloying at times, but its story is necessary. Haifaa Al-Mansour, whose 2012 feature debut Wadjda…