Kriv Stenders tries his hand at a Martin McDonagh-esque violent black comedy but misses the mark by quite a wide margin.
Bonnie’s Kids
Arthur Marks’ 1973 exploitation flick, released by Glass Doll Films, succeeds as an enjoyable mix of sex, violence and then-topical subject matter.
Lost River
Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut is a totally misguided, hollow, poorly constructed, derivative mess with virtually zero redeeming features alongside its questionable politics.
Beauty and the Beast
The 2014 French adaptation of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is disappointing, plagued by a weak handling of Seydoux’s character and an unconvincing visual style
The Homesman
THE HOMESMAN is a thoughtful and moving Western from actor and director Tommy Lee Jones.
Area 51
Oren Peli’s long shelved follow-up to Paranormal Activity is a fun and proficient, if gimmicky, rendition of a hokey premise and a ridiculous extraterrestrial-focused plot.
Relative Happiness
Despite a charming lead performance from Melissa Bergland, Canadian indie RELATIVE HAPPINESS ranges from stultifying and predictable to hilariously inept.
The Salvation
Out on Blu-ray this month is Kristian Levring’s THE SALVATION, a Western that succeeds as a Mads Mikkelsen vehicle and satisfying exercise in the genre.
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Ana Lily Amirpour’s striking debut is an understated, black-and-white feminist marvel that makes up for what it lacks in action and plot in uniqueness and style.
Camp X-Ray
CAMP X RAY detailing a friendship between a guard and detainee at Guantanamo Bay is lifted from its clunky script by an exceptional Kristen Stewart performance.