This article was written exclusively for The Film Magazine by Rory Doherty. Assassins (2020) Director: Ryan White In February 2017, the eldest son of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was killed in broad daylight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. A VX nerve agent — one of the deadliest chemical weapons — was applied … Read more

This article was written exclusively for The Film Magazine by Scott Z. Walkinshaw. Carnival of Souls (1962) Director: Herk Harvey Screenwriter: John Clifford Starring: Candace Hilligoss, Sidney Berger, Frances Feist, Art Ellison, Herk Harvey Herk Harvey’s influence on horror cinema is outsized precisely because his feature output is so small. His 1962 film Carnival of … Read more

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) Director: Wes Anderson Screenwriters: Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach Starring: Bill Murray, Anjelica Huston, Cate Blanchett, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, Michael Gambon Following the critical breakthroughs of Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, Wes Anderson had become a widely recognized filmmaker by the time The Life Aquatic with … Read more

Where should you begin with anime? It’s a question many of us have asked. Despite being one of Japan’s most prominent cultural exports, the sheer range of anime can feel overwhelming. How do you separate family-friendly titles from gritty, hyper-violent fare? Studio Ghibli is often the first stop for newcomers. Frequently compared to Western studios … Read more

This article was written exclusively for The Film Magazine by Jacob Heayes. Always Shine (2016) Director: Sophia Takal Screenwriter: Lawrence Michael Levine Starring: Mackenzie Davis, Caitlin FitzGerald Sophia Takal’s Always Shine traps two actresses in an isolated Big Sur cabin and lets their rivalry and insecurities combust into a tense, unnerving study of identity, jealousy, … Read more

Spoiler Warning: This article discusses the ending of Soul. Continue only if you’ve already seen the film. For decades Pixar Animation Studios has earned praise for making films that tackle large, philosophical themes with a simplicity that works for children while resonating deeply with adults. Pete Docter’s Soul takes that ambition further, delivering the studio’s … Read more

This article was written exclusively for The Film Magazine by Libby Briggs. The Wedding Planner (2001) Director: Adam Shankman Screenwriters: Pamela Falk & Michael Ellis Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Justin Chambers The Wedding Planner arrives as a polished example of early‑2000s romantic comedy craft: glossy production design, picture‑perfect weddings, and two charismatic … Read more

Versatile actor, acclaimed screenwriter and producer, Matt Damon has built a remarkable career while maintaining a reputation as an affable public figure. Thanks to landmark franchises like the Jason Bourne series (2002–2016) and the Ocean’s Trilogy (2001–2007), plus his long creative partnership and friendship with Ben Affleck, Damon has remained a popular and respected screen … Read more

Cat People (1942): Suggestive Horror, Freudian Undertones, and the Hays Code Cat People was Val Lewton’s first release for RKO and remains widely discussed for its refined visual style and Freudian subtext. Critics have praised Lewton’s ability to blend sophisticated cinematography with psychological themes while working within the strict censorship of classical Hollywood. Although the … Read more

This article was written exclusively for The Film Magazine by Rory Doherty. 12 Hour Shift Review (2020) Director: Brea Grant Screenwriter: Brea Grant Starring: Angela Bettis, Chloe Farnsworth, Tara Perry, Mick Foley, David Arquette Stories that reveal a respectable exterior collapsing to expose a criminal double life are a reliable source of tension and dark … Read more