Fractured

October 18, 2019October 19, 2019 / Tom / Leave a comment

Release: Friday, October 11, 2019 (Netflix) →Netflix Written by: Alan B. McElroy Directed by: Brad Anderson There's something inherently off-putting about hospitals and treatment centers. Anyone who has spent some time in them (not to mention contend with their bureaucratic ways) can attest to just how much stress they can bring out in a person. They might even … Continue reading Fractured

Little Monsters

October 14, 2019October 15, 2019 / Tom / 4 Comments

Release: Friday, October 11, 2019 (Hulu) →Hulu Written by: Abe Forsythe Directed by: Abe Forsythe With the horror-comedy Little Monsters, Australian director and actor Abe Forsythe is empowering teachers and children alike, arming them with brains and bravery as they try to survive hordes of flesh-eating zombies -- the slow kind, not the fast kind. It's a really admirable … Continue reading Little Monsters

In the Tall Grass

October 11, 2019October 11, 2019 / Tom / 2 Comments

Release: Friday, October 4, 2019 (Netflix) →Netflix Written by: Vincenzo Natali Directed by: Vincenzo Natali Last year Netflix inadvertently triggered the Bird Box Challenge, which set a new standard for stupidity when it comes to audience interaction/reaction. This year it's given us another curio ripe for parody in the form of Vincenzo Natali's In the Tall Grass. A horror film … Continue reading In the Tall Grass

Short, Sweet and Screamy: “Huluween” Reviews

October 7, 2019October 7, 2019 / Tom / 4 Comments

There's no denying short films have gotten short shrift on Thomas J. I've got a few stashed away here and there (and here, too) but the overwhelming majority of my total output has been focused on feature-length productions. And why not? It's very difficult to review a short film and not spoil it! I've been … Continue reading Short, Sweet and Screamy: “Huluween” Reviews

In the Shadow of the Moon

October 5, 2019October 5, 2019 / Tom / 4 Comments

Release: Friday, September 27, 2019 (Netflix) →Netflix Written by: Gregory Weidman; Geoffrey Tock Directed by: Jim Mickle I'll admit that what drew me to the recently released Netflix original In the Shadow of the Moon was not Boyd Holbrook, even though he's, uh . . . he's the main dude in it. In this era of super-important and … Continue reading In the Shadow of the Moon

Month in Review: September ’19

October 1, 2019October 1, 2019 / Tom / 9 Comments

I don't really know what happened, but in September I found a bit more rhythm and motivation to put up content. Maybe I was starting to feel guilty calling myself a "blogger" by putting up nothing but empty wrap-around posts and the occasional streamed review (see August -- that was dire!). I have been one … Continue reading Month in Review: September ’19

The Marvelous Brie Larson — #5

September 30, 2019 / Tom / 3 Comments

Welcome back to another edition of my latest Actor Profile, The Marvelous Brie Larson, a monthly series revolving around the silver screen performances of one of my favorite actresses. If you are a newcomer to this series, the idea behind this feature is to bring attention to a specific performer and their skill sets and … Continue reading The Marvelous Brie Larson — #5

I Am Mother

September 27, 2019 / Tom / 11 Comments

Release: Friday, June 7, 2019 →Netflix Written by: Michael Lloyd Green Directed by: Grant Sputore I Am Mother is another movie ideally suited for those of us already harboring a healthy distrust of robots. An often disconcerting experience, this post-apocalyptic thriller from Australian and first-time director Grant Sputore uses the relationship between a matronly AI and her flesh-and-blood daughter to … Continue reading I Am Mother

Ad Astra

September 24, 2019September 25, 2019 / Tom / 16 Comments

Release: Friday, September 20, 2019 →Theater Written by: Ethan Gross; James Gray Directed by: James Gray Ad Astra is not the increasingly familiar, inspiring saga of human achievement the marketing has been pitching it as. It's something much more honest and intriguing -- a terrifyingly lonely quest for truth that dares put us in our place and puts potential limits … Continue reading Ad Astra

The Peanut Butter Falcon

September 17, 2019September 18, 2019 / Tom / 11 Comments

Release: Friday, August 23, 2019 →Theater Written by: Tyler Nilson; Michael Schwartz Directed by: Tyler Nilson; Michael Schwartz Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz make their narrative feature début with what could be the year's most Googled movie title, The Peanut Butter Falcon. Previously known for their short films and documentaries, the duo are now behind this year's biggest … Continue reading The Peanut Butter Falcon