Dark Horse Comics.
Tag Archives: 2021
A very short review of “The Big Short” (2015)
“The Big Short” (2015) is a superb, stylish docudrama about the housing market bubble that led to the 2008 financial crisis. It’s smart, funny, informative, and boasts stellar performances from an ensemble cast — including the movie’s supporting actors.
For me, the two standout performances were Christian Bale as an oddball hedge fund manager and Steve Carrell, his counterpart at a different firm. (I’ve known Carell only from his clownish comedic roles; seeing him shine here as the smartest man in the room was a treat.) Hamish Linklater, by the way, is one of Carell’ staff — if he looks familiar to you as a horror fan, he was also the troubled priest in Mike Flanagan’s outstanding “Midnight Mass” (2021). (And he is absolutely an excellent actor.)
This movie goes to great lengths to translate finance jargon into terms that the average viewer can understand. (Think of what might happen if your favorite high school teacher teamed up with a group of excellent screenwriters to create a “Cliff’s Notes”-style Youtube video about the housing bubble.)
It’s great stuff. I recommend it.
Cover to “Venom” #31, Gabriele Dell’Otto, 2021
Marvel Comics.
Poster for “Loki” Season 1 (2021)
Disney Platform Distribution.
Poster for “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” (2021)
Utopia.
Poster for “Anna” (2021)
Sky Italia.
Never forget.
Poster for “Anna” (2021)
Sky Italia.
Wrapping up the Halloween watchlist!
So I capped off my Halloween watch season with two final movies — last year’s disappointing Japanese remake of “Cube” and this year’s truly unnerving “Smile.”
The new “Cube” wasn’t terrible — it was better than the glut of lackluster low-budget horror films that we fans endlessly contend with. But it’s still a watered-down, somewhat milquetoast facsimile of the devilish 1997 Canadian original. The makers of the new film seem to have consciously traded booby-trap horror for some belabored personal drama. (If you see this movie, you might note that the plot-driving booby traps in the titular futuristic prison get surprisingly little screen time.)
This decision doesn’t pay off too well … the melodrama slows the film down without making the characters any more engaging. And the overused flashbacks disrupt the claustrophobic setting that is supposed to be essential here. Maybe this script was written to better anticipate the expectations of Japanese audiences? Or maybe the movie simply had a limited special effects budget — the deadly traps that we do get to see in action are depicted by CGI that is a little unconvincing.
“Smile,” on the other hand, was scary as hell. Yes, it bears a striking resemblance to another well known horror film (which I won’t name, as that might be a general spoiler). And some of the twists and jump scares are easy to predict (or were spoiled by the trailer).
But … goddam. This movie worked. I can’t knock a horror film that had me genuinely scared. The supernatural plot device is undeniably creepy, and writer-director Parker Finn wisely employs methodical pacing to gradually ratchet up the tension. Sosie Bacon (daughter of Kevin Bacon!) was also convincing as the protagonist, and created a sympathetic character to root for.
“Smile” is strong stuff. I’d definitely recommend it.
Variant Cover to “Venom” #1, Marco Mastrazzo, 2021
Marvel Comics.