Author Archives: David
Review: Luz (Germany 2018)
A borderline-experimental possession horror film, Luz straddles the line between arthouse and horror, with enough unsettling atmosphere, blood, and nudity to satisfy gorehounds, but an avant-garde approach that wouldn’t seem out of place in a museum installation. It can take … Continue reading
Review: The White Storm 2: Drug Lords – NYAFF 2019
This is some classic Hong Kong bullshit right here. I saw the original White Storm a while back, but I’m pretty sure this has nothing to do with it. Instead, Herman Yau sets up a wild grudge match between former … Continue reading
Review: Fly Me to the Saitama (Japan 2019) – NYAFF 2019
I fucking loved this movie. Perhaps the campiest thing I’ve seen in years, this boys-love Romeo and Juliet fable of a Rococo oppressive Tokyo dominating its lame bedroom suburb neighbor Saitama (imagine if folks from New Jersey needed visas just … Continue reading
Review: The Perfection (2019)
I am genuinely uncertain whether what I just watched was terrible terrible, or hilariously awesomely terrible. And I’m not sure if the director and cast know either. But I wasn’t bored. I attended a screening with a Q&A from director … Continue reading
Review: The Ranger (USA 2018)
The Ranger, directed by Jenn Wexler and co-written by Wexler and Giaco Furino, is a fun, tight, modern indie slasher, in the tradition of “roll up your sleeves” regional splatter flicks like The Mutilatorand “punks vs. hicks” schlock like Punk … Continue reading
CSB Interview with Kanata Wolf, Director of Smokin’ On the Moon – NYAFF 2018
Kanata Wolf’s first film, Smokin’ On the Moon (Japan 2017) had its International Premiere as part of the 17th New York Asian Film Festival. The film stars Arata Iura and Ryo Narita as two aimless thirty-somethings, living weed-filled blissful lives … Continue reading
Review: Premika (Thailand 2017) – NYAFF 2018
Those in the mood for midnight movie fare need look no further than Premika, an absolutely bugnuts karaoke-themed horror movie out of Thailand. It’s funny, it’s gross, and it’s even a bit heartbreaking. Premika is gonzo filmmaking at its best, … Continue reading
Review: The Big Call (China/HK 2017) – NYAFF 2018
The Big Call, the latest from Oxide Pang, is so hilariously overwrought (even by Hong Kong standards) for its subject matter that I spent most of the first half of the movie convinced it was a sly parody. No such … Continue reading
CSB Interview with Richard V. Somes, Director of We Will Not Die Tonight – NYAFF 2018
Richard V. Somes’s film, We Will Not Die Tonight (Philippines 2018) has its World Premiere tonight, June 29, as part of the 17th New York Asian Film Festival. The film stars Erich Gonzales as Kray, a down-on-her-luck stuntwoman who stumbles … Continue reading
Review: Dynamite Graffiti (Japan 2018) – NYAFF 2018
The 17th New York Asian Film Festival kicks off tonight at Lincoln Center and I could not be more excited. I’ve been coming to Subway Cinema’s annual extravaganza’s since before they even were the NYAFF, and they’ve never once failed … Continue reading