Pieces of April (2003): Inadvertently another season-appropriate watch! This little Thanksgiving fantasy is a feel good movie that doesn’t splurge on emotionality. Stacked with an excellent cast, featuring the likes of Katie Holmes, Oliver Platt, Patricia Clarkson and Isiah Whitlock Jr., it tells of the black sheep daughter who prepares a turkey in an attempt to make amends with her family. Or rather just reunite. An ailing mother, bitter sister and a handful of diverse neighbours give this run-down looking movie a lot of soul. It’s a shame that director-writer Peter Hedges hasn’t done that much since. 8
Faye (2024): I’m not much in the know about Faye Dunaway, but have seen most of her important movies – and have loved Network (1976) and Chinatown (1974). In this very competently assembled documentary, she walks us through her life and career, with a focus on the strong, independent female characters she helped usher into existence in the 70s. This is a cliche by now, but at the time, when America was undergoing its tectonic shifts, it was fresh and intriguing. I don’t think the movie establishes itself as standout, even as it delves into the matter of Dunaway’s struggles with manic depression. That said, it does tap into some emotion and proves a good introductory piece, which makes it worthwhile. 7
Terrifier 3 (2024): Doing the pro thing and just jumping into this franchise with no prior knowledge of the movies (other than what ChatGPT had to say in its summary) was…suboptimal. I don’t think it affected my appreciation of it though, because the story is more of a pretext for the total gore-fest that distinguishes the series. So we follow a killer clown who has a Santa fetish and likes to cause wanton mayhem and dismemberment. The movie has an 80s vibe and definitely won’t fit the taste palate of people who dislike gore. That said, there is a caricature-like aspect to the violence, which makes it less visceral and often amusing (oops). For example, I found Smile 2, which is less gore-inclined, to be substantially more uncomfortable than T3. This is definitely a genre film and within the genre, in a more niche way that the “horror” label might imply. I think it strikes a good balance and manages to stay true to its grotesque guiding principles and am curious now about its origins. 7
Omni Loop (2024): A slow burning time travel movie about the core tension between balancing family and career, duty and ambition, Omniloop is a worthy pill. Led by Mary Louise Parker and Ayo Adebiri, it sets a funky tone from the get-go with a straight face that you will just have to accept. Its themes are instantly relatable and have some weight to them within their own time-based constraints. Like many a time travel movie though, it feels like the story has gaps. It doesn’t truly explore the dimensions of its characters. However, it still manages to hold your interest with the soft and gentle manner it embodies. It does so by eschewing the simplest explanations as to why we do the things we do and lead the lives we choose. 7
Hot Frosty (2024): We are edging towards the Holiday season, so naturally the platforms are already releasing their themed content. Hot Frosty sticks close to the basics, elevated only so-slight by the presence of Craig Robinson. A sculpted snowman comes to life to bring joy and love into the life of a widowed owner of a small diner in a small town. Only problem is that some petty crime mobilizes local law enforcement, i.e. Robinson, and a snowman hunt ensues. Other than the good spirits and earnest performances, there’s really very little to recommend Frosty – besides abs and veins, for those interested. A generous 5
tributary stu 