Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009)

I’d read good word on this Direct To Video sequel, Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009; also not to be confused with the previous DTV sequel Universal Soldier: The Return) and was curious to see if it matched the hype expressed about it among action fans. Even though it has the trappings of a DTV franchise action […]

Pusher III (2005)

By the third entry in the Pusher series, there’s an assumed narrative trajectory and familar story pattern: the camera follows the protagonist as they slowly start to get in over their heads with deals and debts. Yet it’s interesting across the three movies how the tone is still uniquely set by the lead character and […]

Unrelated (2007)

Thank you to Kenta for recommending this film in an issue of VHS Tracking zine devoted to Summer Movies. The debut narrative feature by British director Joanna Hogg, Unrelated (2007) has a story when described that might sound like Shirley Valentine or a Diane Lane film like Under The Tuscan Sun. A lonely woman Anna […]

Pusher II (2004)

Pusher II: With Blood On My Hands (2004) is the movie I thought Pusher was going to be. Scenes set in red-lit brothels, tense heists, and a coiled intensity to its main actor. Nicolas Winding Refn’s sequel spins-off to stick a supporting character in the lead, the shit-talking thug, Tonny (played by Mads Mikkelsen). Released […]

Mary (2005)

Continuing to explore the work of Abel Ferrara and Catholic imagery has always echoed throughout his films. Mary (2005) is an explicitly religious film though is also more of an essay movie, bringing together ideas and characters into a metatextual drama about representing religious deities and how to actually embody them in real life. Responding […]