Joey Magidson
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Who/What Do You Think Were in Sixth Place at the Oscar Nominations?
Folks, the Oscar nominations have been sitting in our minds for a few days now. Often, I like to wait a bit before I do some of these kinds of pieces. On the one hand, it can make some of the immediate emotions feel less fresh. On the other hand, however, it allows for perhaps […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: ‘Cassandro’ is an Engaging and Entertaining Wrestling Biopic
Professional wrestling loves to craft a narrative. Often, the wrestlers are playing broad characters divorced from their lives, but they’re still real people, with hopes and dreams. Playing at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, Cassandro marries the world of wrestling with an LGBTQ biopic. If that sounds like an odd marriage for a movie, this […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie Compellingly Come Together in ‘Eileen’
You’ve seen something like Eileen before. Hell, you’ve likely seen it at a prior installment of the Sundance Film Festival. Two different women finding a kindred spirit in each other? Yeah, that’s been done. So, what sets a movie like this apart is in the details, as well as the performances. This one certainly has […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: ‘Passages’ Sees Ira Sachs Keenly Exploring a Messy Love Triangle
When you think of French romances, especially as depicted on film between multiple parties, you often think of sexual liaisons, free from emotions, where everyone seems to be on board. While that undoubtedly is based in some degree of truth, real life is usually messier than that. Passages traffics in that sort of field, showing […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: ‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie’ is a Frank, Funny, and Moving Look at a Beloved Actor
Michael J. Fox may not be the first name that comes out of your lips when talking about legendary actors, but nearly everyone loves him. On the big screen and the small screen, he created iconic characters, showcasing a comedic timing that ranks among the greats. So, when Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it felt […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review (Sunday Scaries Edition): ‘Run Rabbit Run’ Ends Up a Bit Too Scattershot for Its Own Good
You can tell what Run Rabbit Run desperately wants to be. It has all of the makings of being the next elevated horror gem, like The Babadook or Hereditary, but it never finds that kind of focus. The hints are there, but too sporadic. Playing at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival (and recently acquired by […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review (Sunday Scaries Edition): ‘Birth/Rebirth’ is a Bloody Body Horror Spin on the ‘Frankenstein’ Story
There’s a reason why artists of all stripes have repeatedly come back to Frankenstein over the years. At the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, a new take on the story in Birth/Rebirth is here to capture your attention. There’s enough horror elements here to also make it a Sunday Scaries installment (the rare review edition, too), […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: ‘Fair Play’ Has High Stakes, Bruised Egos, and Asks Some Tough Questions
Relationship dynamics, both at home and in the workplace, are undeniably complex. Especially as one member of the couple does better or worse than the other, watching fissures form has inspired many a filmmaker. Fair Play, one of the most buzzed about titles at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, is playing with these elements, while […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: ‘Shortcomings’ is a Funny and Heartwarming Coming of Age Story
What a nice little thrill it is to discover a small gem at a film festival. Whenever it happens, it feels like a secret, just in cinematic form. This year, I found one in Shortcomings, an equally funny and heartwarming character study/coming of age story. Not only is it a fresh take on the aimless […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: ‘Bad Behaviour’ Wastes Jennifer Connelly in An Unfocused Quest for Inner Peace
The subject matter of Bad Behaviour should make for a great movie. A black comedy taking down an entitled and toxic white women? There’s definitely fertile ground here. Tragically, this effort, playing at the Sundance Film Festival, bungles it, at least according to yours truly, while also wasting a committed lead performance from Jennifer Connelly. […] More
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Snubs and Surprises from the Academy Award Nominations
Every single year, when the Academy Award nominations are announced, there are snubs and surprises that people get up in arms about. I tend to take it all in stride, but that doesn’t mean I don’t notice them, or have ones that bum me out or excite me. So, today I figured I’d do an […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: ‘Cat Person’ is a Pitch-Black Depiction of Modern Dating
‘Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.’ That quote from Margaret Atwood begins Cat Person and really does put you in the headspace for what this film is trying to say. A look at modern dating and how two people can see things in very different […] More