By Amanda Gilmore

This outstanding Feature-Debut from Canadian Filmmaker Nyla Innuksuk takes place in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, a sleepy hamlet of Baffin Island. Teenager Maika (Tasiana Shirley) and her group of friends spend their summer days like normal. However, when the wildlife begin acting strange Uki (Nalajoss Ellsworth) gets suspicious. She goes searching for an answer and discovers that Pang has been invaded by aliens. These girls are used to being underestimated, so they bet on themselves. Using makeshift weapons and their Horror movie knowledge, the fate of the world rests in their hands.

Slash/Back is a special Alien genre film because it focuses on the bond these friends share. These teens are at a point in their lives where they’re forming new opinions that might not align with their friends. This is happening with Maika, who has started to stray from her culture, while her friends, particularly Uki, celebrates her ancestors’ oral teachings. Innuksuk and Co-Writer Ryan Cavan use the invasion as a way to bring this group back together.

The two girls played by emerging talent Shirley and Ellsworth are cast perfectly. For such young Actors, they have the insight and ability to give depth to their characters. Shirley excels as the young Maika who uses the hunting techniques her father taught her in order to save the world. Ellsworth is a joy as Uki, believing in herself even when her closest friends don’t. Their authentic chemistry is highlighted in moments where the two butt-heads in their diverging views.

The aliens have invaded one of the most beautiful places Canada has to offer. The majestic Pang is surrounded by towering mountains and the calm, captivating Arctic Ocean. Innuksuk and Cinematographer Guy Godfree capture the natural beauty of this sleepy hamlet. The Visual Effects are left at a minimum. Using them solely for the alien ship, which is seen from afar, and the alien visuals. 

Slash/Back is fun for the whole family with effective, atmospheric music from The Halluci Nation and Michael Brook. It’s got a heartfelt story about female friendship and kids saving the world. For the most part, the alien scenes are kid-friendly, with many frightening moments sprinkled throughout.

A Lot of Nothing screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

In-Person:
Sunday, March 13 at 1:45 PM EST – Alamo Lamar D

Monday, March 14 at 4:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 1

Monday, March 14 at 5:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 3

Thursday, March 17 at 7:15 PM EST – Stateside Theatre

Online:
Monday, March 14 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours

By Mr. Will Wong

Yet another whacky time at SXSW! Jeff Baena & Actress Alison Brie team-up to co-write Comedy SPIN ME ROUND, with the former also directing. The Film centers on a group of high- performers at an Italian-American restaurant chain get invited to attend an educational retreat in Florence, Italy and get way more than what they bargained for!

Amber (Brie) has worked at her restaurant as a manager for nine years and hopes secretly that this retreat will help her find love. Her last boyfriend left her in severe debt, leaving her to work this job. She’s incredibly-drawn to the face of the chain Nick Martucci (Alessandro Nivola) who will be on the retreat as well. And wouldn’t you know it, he is attracted to her too! Kat (Audrey Plaza), his assistant, tries to warn her of his ways and she finds herself confused between this looming affair and being subjected to this horribly mundane retreat.

The interesting thing about SPIN ME ROUND is that the Film begins like many other Retreat Comedies we’ve seen, with a clash of personality types, including Deb (Molly Shannon), the larger-than-life one in the group who seems to get in the way. But as things progress in the Second Act, we begin to realize that like this retreat, this Film isn’t quite what we signed-up for. Is this a Horror? By the Final Act, chaos ensues, but we’re here for it as it makes the Comedy memorable. We cannot unsee this, and yay, justice for pigs!

Brie is just great in the leading role as our eyes into this wild escape and through it all, the story has a strong feminist message that deviates from the standard Rom-Com fare. Nivola is entertaining and irresistibly greasy, though his allure makes it easy to see why Amber is so torn at times. Plaza is wonderful, though hardly seen enough in Kat’s chill. And Shannon of course is a hoot, perpetually self-absorbed in Deb‘s world, while others simply are living in it!

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself craving some Olive Garden after this!

SPIN ME ROUND streams at SXSW ’22 as follows:

Spin Me Round at ZACH Theatre

Mar 12, 20226:15pm—7:59pm

Spin Me Round at Online Screening

Mar 14, 9:00am CDT – Mar 16, 9:00am CDT9:00am—10:44am

Spin Me Round at Alamo Lamar E

Mar 15, 20224:15pm—5:59pm

Spin Me Round at Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema

Mar 15, 20229:00pm—10:44pm

Spin Me Round at Rollins Theatre at The Long Center

Mar 16, 20224:00pm—5:44pm

Channing Tatum walks us through his transformation as model Dash in THE LOST CITY! Check-out this amazing Featurette. The Comedy just debuted at SXSW to raves!

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:
Brilliant, but reclusive author Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) has spent her career writing about exotic places in her popular romance-adventure novels featuring handsome cover model Alan (Channing Tatum), who has dedicated his life to embodying the hero character, “Dash.” While on tour promoting her new book with Alan, Loretta is kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) who hopes that she can lead him to the ancient lost city’s treasure from her latest story. Wanting to prove that he can be a hero in real life and not just on the pages of her books, Alan sets off to rescue her. Thrust into an epic jungle adventure, the unlikely pair will need to work together to survive the elements and find the ancient treasure before it’s lost forever.
 

Paramount Pictures Canada release THE LOST CITY March 25, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Disney+ present a new Trailer for upcoming Series, MS. MARVEL! Your first look!

Synopsis:

Marvel Studios’ “Ms. Marvel” is a new, original series that introduces Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City. An avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, Kamala is a Super Hero mega fan with an oversized imagination—particularly when it comes to Captain Marvel. Yet Kamala feels like she doesn’t fit in at school and sometimes even at home—that is, until she gets super powers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Life gets better with super powers, right? 

Iman Vellani stars as Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel. The cast also includes Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Nakli, Azhar Usman, Travina Springer and Nimra Bucha.

 MS. MARVEL launches on Disney+ June 8, 2022. 

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

Omar Sy and Laurent Lafitte star in Buddy Comedy THE TAKEDOWN. See the new Trailer!

THE TAKEDOWN arrives May 6, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

By Amanda Gilmore

Successful, married couple James (Y’lan Noel) and Vanessa (Cleopatra Coleman) are shocked at what they witness on the news one night. What they see is cellphone footage of their police officer neighbour, Brian (Justin Hartley), shooting an unarmed youth. After debating what they should do, Vanessa takes the reins and holds Brian hostage.

It’s ironic that it’s called A Lot of Nothing, considering it’s about many things. Co-Writer and Director Mo McRae makes an impact with this bold satirical Feature debut. Playing out over one night, the central story focuses on holding police officer Brian hostage. Hartley is strong as the manipulative Brian. He uses the layered Script to create mystery around his character, causing the audience to question the intent behind his motives.

McRae and fellow Screenwriter Sarah Kelly Kaplan use this central story to create an in-depth character study. Coleman is a force as the wealthy, determined Vanessa. Her commitment to Vanessa’s passion for her expensive material items allows levity on these heavy topics. The tension she shares with James is immense. Noel excels in playing James’ compassion against his desire to make Vanessa happy.

This tension ignites further when A Lot of Nothing introduces James’ brother Jamal (Toronto’s Shamier Anderson) and his expecting partner Candy (Lex Scott Davis). Through these two couples, critiques on wealth and familial acceptance shine through. The extravagance of James and Vanessa conflict with the naturalistic lifestyle of Jamal and Candy. However, when the guests find out what their hosts are doing they become active participants. Particularly Jamal, played to great effect by Canada’s own Anderson, who sees this as an opportunity to get revenge on the police officers who’ve targeted him. And Scott Davis is captivating as the forgiving, aura reading Candy, who has something to hide.

Overall, A Lot of Nothing is an audacious film that touches on many socio-political topics through its exquisitely-written characters.

A Lot of Nothing screens at SXSW ’22 as follows

In-Person:
Sunday, March 13 at 4:45 PM EST – Alamo Lamar D

Monday, March 14 at 1:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2

Monday, March 14 at 2:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4

Friday, March 18 at 4:30 PM EST – Alamo Lamar A

Online:
Monday, March 14 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours

By David Baldwin

Shawn Ruddy (Joseph Winter) is an online influencer and streamer who is left in ruins after uploading a controversial video. Wanting to get back into the public’s good graces, Shawn decides to livestream his visit to an abandoned haunted house where real murders have taken place. He locks himself in for the night, sets up his cameras and waits for something to happen. When he accidentally pisses-off the vengeful spirit that inhabits the home, he must find a way to survive by any means necessary.

Watching a Film play out in the same way you may watch an influencer’s videos on YouTube and Twitch may seem like a less than riveting experience. Yet by tapping into and satirizing that visual language while employing the bloody gross out gags of low-budget ’80s Horror films, the Writing/Directing/Editing team of Winter and Vanessa Winter have created a film that needs to be seen to be believed. Ruddy is an extremely annoying character (think of a personality along the lines of Jake and Logan Paul) who becomes rather insufferable as the Film sets all the pieces in motion in real time. Thankfully, you are not so much watching him in these early scenes so much as you are watching the Winters edit a cohesive picture together using various platforms and cameras. It feels like a genuine evolution of the style we have seen in Horror films like Unfriended and Host, but instead of static cameras staying put, we are getting first person movements along the lines of a Hardcore Henry. The Film even employs some video game language and motifs to assist with some of the action.

Once Ruddy pisses off the spirit, all bets are off and the Film becomes one hilarious and obnoxiously bloody gag after the other in the vein of the early gonzo horror flicks by Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson. Winter’s Ruddy even seems to be aping some of the hallmarks of Bruce Campbell’s legendary performance as Ash Williams in many of these scenes, and becomes a whole lot more tolerable than he was satirizing real-life streamers. He leans in wonderfully into the Physical Humour and the jump scares, and really lends to how captivating DEADSTREAM quickly becomes. While the creature effects are a bit too crude and cheaply done, the gore and makeup effects are top-notch. I had a lot of fun watching this one, and can only imagine how much more entertaining it would have been with a crowd.

DEADSTREAM screens at SXSW ‘22 as follows:

In-Person:

Friday, March 11 at 11:45PM EST – Alamo Lamar E

Monday, March 14 at 3:00PM EST – Stateside Theatre

Tuesday, March 15 at 8:30PM EST – Alamo Lamar E

Wednesday, March 16 at 10:45PM EST – Alamo Lamar E

Online:

Saturday, March 12 at 10:00AM EST – Available for 48 Hours

By David Baldwin

If you were a child of the ’90s, there is absolutely no way you were able to escape “Tubthumping”. That song was everywhere and so was the Band who sang it, Chumbawamba. Dunstan Bruce was the Band’s frontman, and now 20+ years after the release of that one-hit wonder, is not sure how to stay visible in a rapidly-deteriorating world. Haunted by the adult manifestation of the baby on the Band’s album cover, Bruce must question everything he was a part of before and find a way to become relevant again.

Part-Documentary, part-Mockumentary, part-fever dream, and part-dystopic hellscape. I feel like that just about covers the anarchistic style of I GET KNOCKED DOWN, which obviously takes its title from the lyrics of Chumbawamba’s hit song. The Film is all of these things at once, and feels like a bold example of avant-garde narrative that really stretches the limits and patience of its audience. When it is acting as a Documentary however, it brings together a wealth of vintage interview clips, candid clips from the Band living together and their first shows, and new clips of Bruce interviewing his Bandmates about what the song and accompanying album meant to them and how it has lead them to where they are now. I did not know much about the Band prior to watching the Film, and learning of their Punk anarchist roots, it makes sense that the Film is such a wildly chaotic pastiche of ideas and styles. Bruce holds the whole thing together, with his interactions with the baby’s adult manifestation really honing-in on his bizarre sense of humour.

Not all of it works of course, and a deviation into Bruce’s new Music at the end and a take on a pivotal scene from Reservoir Dogs really do not add much to everything that came before it. When the Film is celebrating the importance of “Tubthumping” and discussing what the Band did with its newfound fame and influence is where it really shines. I wanted more of that, and a lot less of the surreal nonsense in-between. I would be hard-pressed to suggest it is anything but a true original though.

I GET KNOCKED DOWN screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

In-Person:
Friday, March 11 at 9:45PM EST – Alamo Lamar B
Tuesday, March 15 at 11:30PM EST – Alamo Lamar E

Online:
Sunday, March 13 at 10:00AM EST – Available for 48 Hours

By David Baldwin

Patton Oswalt is Chuck, an estranged father who always seems to have an excuse for not being able to spend time with his son Franklin (James Morosini). Following a rehab stint after a suicide attempt, Franklin cuts his Dad off and blocks Chuck from contacting him. Concerned and wanting to reconnect, Chuck makes a fake Facebook account posing as a local waitress named Becca (Claudia Sulewski) in order to speak to his son. When Franklin starts getting more than a little casually invested in Becca, Chuck must figure out how to tell his son that he has been catfishing him all along.

What ensues is just as cringe-worthy and awkward as you might expect from such an unusual storyline. On the flip side though, that is exactly what enriches this tale – based at least partially on a true story involving Writer/Director Morosini and his actual father – and makes it feel so genuine and lived in. You can feel the palpable sense of grief and regret in Oswalt’s acting choices, and you can visibly see the damage it has inflicted on Morosini’s character. It is gut-wrenching stuff, even if you are acutely aware of the humour that these two and the wonderful Supporting Cast (including Sulewski, Lil Rel Howery, Amy Landecker and SNL alum Rachel Dratch) are attempting to tap into. Though it leads to a few gross-out jokes that take away from the Film’s poignancy, I appreciated Morosini’s text message motif of having the characters actually talk and interact with each other physically rather than just hear their voices or read what they are saying.

Speaking as someone who has a tumultuous relationship with their father (and desperately hopes to not repeat the same behaviour with my own son), I LOVE MY DAD is an emotional experience that will have you laughing, crying and cringing all at the same time. There is a bit more depth I hoped it would mine, but the cast Morosini has put together here do their very best to treat this storyline with the humour and realism it deserves. And even though he has always been a spectacular supporting player, Oswalt really shines here – pulling out the same kind of nuanced work he did in the underappreciated Young Adult. His performance here is even better, and may just be his best work yet.

I LOVE MY DAD screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

In-Person:

Saturday, March 12 at 2:30PM EST – Alamo Lamar D

Sunday, March 13 at 4:30PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 1

Sunday, March 13 at 5:00PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 3

Friday, March 18 at 4:45PM EST – ZACH Theatre

Online:

Sunday, March 13 at 10:00AM EST – Available for 48 Hours

By David Baldwin

After spending years in development hell, Microsoft X-Box fans can rejoice – the long-awaited HALO series is finally here. It tells the story of Master Chief (Pablo Schrieber), a genetically modified “Spartan” super soldier from the year 2552. When he discovers a mysterious object after a firefight with the villainous alien Covenant group threatening humanity’s very existence, Master Chief’s worldview is irrevocably changed.

As my experience with HALO-lore is minimal at best (I tended to get my ass handed to me every time I picked-up a controller), I cannot speak to the attention to detail that fans are sure to equally enjoy and pick apart with a fine-toothed comb. Speaking as a non-fan however, the look and feel of the first two episodes I was able to screen is nothing short of astounding. The battle scene in Episode 1 is epic and appropriately violent for a series based on an M-rated Video Game franchise, the special effects are terrific and the booming score is exactly as great as I hoped it would be. There is one controversial decision that is certain to annoy some die-hard fans, though I hope they can look past it and appreciate just how much effort was put into getting these worlds, creatures, armour, backdrops and spaceships to look as great as they do. This is easily one of the most expensive TV Shows ever made, and no expense appears to have been spared (and it looks a whole lot more real and polished than another popular space-set series that has been streaming for a few years now).

The acting is strong thus far, with Schrieber (best known for his work as Pornstache on Orange is the New Black )really embodying the stoic, emotionless demeanour of Master Chief. I was also a fan of Natasha McElhone as Dr. Catherine Halsey and Yerin Ha (also at SXSW with SISSY) as Quan Ha. Their work is compelling and does a great job lifting up the story coming together under a plethora of exposition. My main concern so far – which may be alleviated with future episodes – is that the Series does not seem to have any sense of personality. Some may decry the lack of humour as the reason (though they will likely gravitate towards the scene-stealing turn from Character Actor Bokeem Woodbine as Master Chief’s old friend Soren), yet I think it is more complicated than that. The Creators spent so much time trying to get the look and feel of the Video Game franchise just right (up to and including the HUD fans should know all too well) that they did not stop and think about how to keep the non-fans invested, and how to differentiate the story for a new medium. Much of this should be ironed out in future episodes, but I sincerely hope the series does not sink under mountains of story exposition or wait until the already greenlit Season 2 to adjust.

The first episode of HALO premieres on Thursday, March 24, 2022 on Paramount+ with new episodes every following Thursday.

Be sure to read more here about what we learned from the Cast at this year’s Television Critics Week.

HALO screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

In-Person:

Monday, March 14 at 5:00pm EST – Paramount Theatre