tributary stu

Movie micro-reviews and other stuff. A tributary to the big screen.

  • Movies of the Week #16 (2025): Flawed but Fascinating, Thanks to the Leads

    Movies of the Week #16 (2025): Flawed but Fascinating, Thanks to the Leads

    This week’s movies cover the redemptive power of performance, where actors breathe life into stories that might otherwise fall flat or feel too familiar. From the emotional boldness of Emilia Pérez to the nostalgic sharpness of 10 Things I Hate About You, each film offers a reminder that casting and commitment can transform genre tropes… Read more


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  • Movies of the Week #15 (2025): Finding Yourself in Chaos and Quiet

    Movies of the Week #15 (2025): Finding Yourself in Chaos and Quiet

    This week’s movies cover identity, performance, and the struggle to connect—whether through boxing gloves, pop stardom, snappy narration, or an in-flight thriller. Small, Slow but Steady and Perfect Blue quietly but powerfully explore the pressure of self-definition, while Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Carry-On revel in genre fun, even if they sometimes strain credibility. Bill… Read more


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  • Movies of the Week #13 #14 (2025): War, AI Grief, and the Lady in the Driveway

    Movies of the Week #13 #14 (2025): War, AI Grief, and the Lady in the Driveway

    This week’s movies cover personal reckonings—grief, guilt, duty, and the curious forms they take. A homeless woman’s quiet defiance becomes an unlikely fixture in a playwright’s life, while a war veteran grapples with a ghost only she can see. AI resurrects lost loved ones with eerie precision, and deep-sea survival meets its match in narrative… Read more


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  • Movies of the Week #12 (2025): Gore, Glitter, and Genre Icons

    Movies of the Week #12 (2025): Gore, Glitter, and Genre Icons

    This week’s movies cover two wildly different franchises: the grisly, twist-laden Saw films and the bubblegum-bright High School Musical trilogy. The original Saw remains a standout for its shocking finale and inventive premise, while Saw X refines the formula, making John Kramer almost too sympathetic. Meanwhile, HSM sticks to its predictable but well-intended musical formula,… Read more


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  • Movies of the Weeks #10 #11: Love, Lies, and Lost Futures (2025)

    Movies of the Weeks #10 #11: Love, Lies, and Lost Futures (2025)

    This week’s movies explore the complexities of relationships—whether built over decades, shaped by power dynamics, or disrupted by apocalyptic events. 45 Years stands out as a devastating meditation on love and regret, while Companion spins a Black Mirror-esque thriller around human-machine interactions. Don’t Worry Darling takes a heavy-handed approach to gender roles, Survive squanders an… Read more


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  • Movies of the Week #8 #9 (2025): A Real Pain, A Real Romance, and A Real Letdown

    Movies of the Week #8 #9 (2025): A Real Pain, A Real Romance, and A Real Letdown

    This week’s movies explore deep emotional connections, missed opportunities, and personal struggles, whether in family bonds, romantic entanglements, or individual crises. A Real Pain offers a fresh take on grief and human connection, anchored by Kieran Culkin’s gripping performance. Matt and Mara muses on intellectual intimacy but hesitates at true risk. Anne at 13,000 Feet… Read more


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  • Movies of the Week #7 (2025): Obsession, Romance, and Raptors

    Movies of the Week #7 (2025): Obsession, Romance, and Raptors

    This week’s movies explore artistic dedication, romance, and genre eccentricities, spanning intense psychological horror, charming rom-com, and behind-the-scenes ballet. Black Swan remains an uneasy, feverish dive into obsession, style triumphing over substance but in thrilling ways. When Harry Met Sally… is perfectly agreeable, if not deeply resonant. Ballet 422 and The Company quietly document the… Read more


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  • Movies of the Weeks #5 #6 (2025): Iconic Lynch, Body Horror, and Michael Keaton

    Movies of the Weeks #5 #6 (2025): Iconic Lynch, Body Horror, and Michael Keaton

    This week’s movies traverse the surreal, the romantic, the horrific, and the heartfelt, each grappling with identity and perception in unique ways. Mulholland Drive remains a mesmerizing Lynchian puzzle, blending fantasy and tragedy with masterful tonal shifts. Chasing Amy and its documentary counterpart wrestle with evolving cultural perspectives, while The Substance delivers bombastic body horror… Read more


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  • Movies of the Week #3 #4 (2025)

    Movies of the Week #3 #4 (2025)

    Vampiru’ Zombi is an independent film by Sebastian Mihăilescu exploring Romanian vampires through the eyes of artist Cătălina, who aims to weave childhood dreams into a narrative. Its charm lies in its unconventional style and imperfect execution. Meanwhile, Flow narrates animals overcoming a flood, showcasing beauty and simplicity in animation but lacking emotional depth. Read more


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  • Vampiru’ Zombi (2024) | Liminal Cinema

    Vampiru’ Zombi (2024) | Liminal Cinema

    Vampiru’ Zombi stands out with its blend of art-house aesthetics and semi-fictional introspection, exploring themes of fatherhood, abandonment, and self-discovery. While some scenes feel surface-level, its raw, experimental essence captivates, showcasing Sebastian Mihăilescu’s brash minimalism and knack for blurring reality with fiction. A guerrilla triumph, it exemplifies liminal cinema’s ability to evoke meaning in chaos. Read more


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  • Movies of the Week #1 #2 (2025)

    Movies of the Week #1 #2 (2025)

    This week’s movies explore the human condition through wildly inventive, emotional, and occasionally flawed storytelling. From the audacious biopic Better Man capturing the chaos and brilliance of Robbie Williams, to Little Sister’s tender portrait of faith and trauma, and Scare Me’s playful take on cabin horror, each film reflects on resilience and identity. Meanwhile, Resident… Read more


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  • Evil Reimagined: George A. Romero’s Resident Evil (2025)

    Evil Reimagined: George A. Romero’s Resident Evil (2025)

    This documentary on Romero and Resident Evil offers a mixed experience. While it covers Romero’s influence and the origins of the Resident Evil series, its structure feels disjointed. The homage to Romero stands out, enriched by interviews, but the film struggles to balance commercial appeal with insightful storytelling. It’s intriguing yet familiar for fans. Read more


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