Film reviews

Chicago Critics Film Festival 2024: In a Violent Nature Review

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 In a Violent Nature is a slashing film that tests the boundaries of violence. This is a low budget horror film in which the boundaries of graphic violence are crossed in vivid ways. The element of rampage and the concept of being reborn are subtle yet evolving. This movie will blow audiences’ minds. 

The film was written and directed by Chris Nash and takes place in the wilderness. A monster lies within and once he rises from the ground, his killing spree begins. A group of friends are on vacation staying in a cabin. The friends are Johnny (played by Ry Barrett), Kris (played by Andrea Pavlovic), Colt (played by Cameron Love), and the Ranger (played by Reece Presley).Their vacation turns to terror as the film follows an unnamed masked man. It is like a new era of Friday the 13th with lots of slasher vibes waiting to be unleashed.

The editing of the film truly delivers in that audiences know that terror is about to lead to consequences. The film has no music, and that heightens the fear factor. The killer is constantly on the move and doesn’t stop in its tracks. In a Violent Nature has numerous surprises that really scared me and delivered the horror experience well.

In a Violent Nature is the terror that audiences have been waiting for. The film may look like it is shot in low quality, but that heightens the realism of what is about to be experienced. My mind was invigorated by the film. I was gasping in much of its continued slashing moments. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

Chicago Critics Film Festival 2024: Cuckoo Review

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Cuckoo provides a change of scenery along with a nightmare that made my head spin. The film is written and directed by Tilman Singer, a German filmmaker who takes his audience on a journey in Germany. This is a diverse thriller that is experimental when it comes to fear and how awry a situation can go. With Hunter Schafer as the lead, her performance is as vocal as her character from HBO’s Euphoria. In Cuckoo, she plays a teenager with attitude who wants answers so she can put puzzle pieces together. This may be her most memorable project yet.

Schafer’s character, Gretchen, moves from the United States to Europe to live with her father, Luis (played by Marton Csokas). Luis lives in a resort in the German Alps with his new family. Luis’s boss, Mr. Konig (played by Dan Stevens), is odd and makes observations about Gretchen’s half-sister Alma (played by Mila Lieu), who is mute. The dynamics are obscure in Gretchen’s new home life are. In this new element, her mind is consumed with sound effects and shocking visions, and there are more concerns that are life-threatening. Gretchen is known to be rebellious; no one listens to her. 

Cuckoo is a mind-boggling ride that generates terror. The film’s writing has effective shock value. The movie is about a rebellious teen fighting for her life in a bizarre setting with no straight answers. Cuckoo is spellbinding and creatively classy. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

Chicago Critics Film Festival 2024: Thelma Review

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June Squibb is audacious. She is over nine decades old and still has stamina playing the cranky and determined grandma in Thelma. Squibb keeps the giggles coming through layers of comedy and action.  Thelma was written and directed by Josh Margolin. The film is cleverly funny due to Squibb’s unique silliness. 

The film is titled Thelma, the name of Squibb’s character. She is a grandmother in her nineties. Her grandson Daniel (played by Fred Hechinger) takes care of her. Daniel finds himself helping his grandma with her lack of technology and daily life skills. Thelma has the personality that many grandmothers tend to have. She asks many questions, is set in her ways, and does not let subjects go. One day this all changes when she gets scammed over the phone and loses thousands of dollars. Thelma is frustrated, but on a rapid mission to get her money back. 

With the help of an elderly man, Ben (played by Richard Roundtree), Thelma benefits from this comedic duo. 

With Roundtree’s recent passing, this film showcases his signature Shaft attitude, especially when a titanium hip is used as a weapon. The quirks of Squibb and Roundtree are endless. The writing highlights how their age adds some challenges to their mission. It also heightens their anger and vindictiveness which makes the movie killer funny.

Thelma is wonderful and quirky. She will not stop until she gets her money back. Thelma will make audiences laugh until their chests hurt. Four stars for Thelma.

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