The classic era of Walt Disney Animation carries a strong sense of nostalgia, from its beloved princess stories to lesser-remembered releases. One of the studio’s most underrated films from that period is Oliver and Company (1988), a primarily hand-drawn animated feature that follows an orphaned kitten navigating contemporary New York City, moving between the streets … Read more

The Dig (2021) Director: Simon Stone Screenwriters: Moira Buffini, John Preston Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan, Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ken Stott, Ben Chaplin, Monica Dolan With so much recent time for reflection, many people have been reconsidering their actions, relationships and the legacies they will leave behind. Simon Stone’s 2021 Netflix film The Dig … Read more

A Secret Love (2020) Director: Chris Bolan Screenwriters: Chris Bolan, Alexa L. Fogel, Brendan Mason Starring: Terry Donahue, Pat Henschel, Diana Bolan A Secret Love is a documentary that chronicles the long, private partnership of Terry Donahue, a former player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, and her partner of seven decades, Pat Henschel. … Read more

Back in July 2020 I spotted a post by Kidcassidyfilms about Jacques Rivette’s Out 1. The post highlighted the film’s staggering runtime—around 13 hours—and its critical reputation. The more I read, the more I wanted to see it. The length was intimidating, but the film’s mystique and rarity only increased my curiosity. Out 1 premiered … Read more

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