Tag Archives: Capsule Reviews

Film reviews

Victorian Psycho Review-62nd Chicago International Film Festival

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The year is 1858 and the director is Zachary Wigon. For some delightful, psychological laughs, he brings us Victorian Psycho. This film is a crowd pleaser at the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival. Maika Monroe will twist audiences’ minds with her performance. I found myself laughing and wishing it wouldn’t end. Victorian Psycho is one-of-a-kind.

Monroe plays Winifred Notty. She is hired as a governess for a wealthy family and reports to Mr. and Mrs. Pounds (Jason Isaacs and Ruth Wilson). Winifred does what she can to please the family, but possesses evil elements within herself. From sarcastic remarks to rude innuendos, Monroe is the master of inappropriate behavior throughout the film. There are moments when she acts out of jealousy and others when her actions are based on hatred. The wealth of the family is sickening, yet deep-down the real monster is Winifred Notty.

Zachary Wigon goes down a notch after his direction of Sanctuary. While I adore Sanctuary, I felt that Wigon expanded the overwhelming scenes into a new era that made the film more of a period piece. Victorian Psycho is festival material because of its class dynamics. The theme of envy fuels the suspense in Victorian Psycho. 

The film is not easy to explain, but the behaviors make the clock start ticking with rage. Victorian Psycho has been steady on the film festival circuit throughout the year. It has earned praise at the Cannes Film Festival, The Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff), Beyond Fest, Fantastic Fest, and is even slated to be the opener of Popcorn Frights’ Wicked Weekend in November. The mind-twisting grandeur is in trick or treat mode throughout the year. Zachary Wigon’s round of terror will make heads roll. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Clarissa Review-62nd Chicago International Film Festival

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A thought-provoking film that looks at how dynamics and characteristics change over time. This portrait of resilience and patience feels contemporary. Directed by Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri, Clarissa fits well at the Chicago International Film Festival because it looks at society, norms and values. The film’s main characters are Clarissa and Sally. Sophie Okonedo plays the older version of Clarissa, and India Amerteifio plays the younger version of Clarissa. Nikki Amuka-Bird plays the older version of Sally, and Ayo Edebiri plays the younger version of Sally.  The younger performances were the most compelling. 

The film explores thoughts on marriage and why people are together. The film is based on Mrs. Dalloway, a society wife in Lagos, Nigeria. The journey follows Clarissa and those she is close to. The story also looks at societal issues related to achievements and class. Clarissa goes deep. At some moments, this film is quite emotional but also channels disconnect in various scenes. 

I found myself amazed while watching Clarissa, especially due to the way it weaves back and forth through different times in Clarissa’s life. Audiences see frustrations in her younger self and older self. The same patterns occur in Sally’s life. The questions about self-worth are painted within a portrait of success. This artistic film is like a painting of angels that comes together for a powerful reason. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Clarissa.

 

Film reviews

Passenger Review

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This film about an RV trip that finds itself in shambles has class. It has karma, symbolism, and eye-opening lines. At moments it is quirky, but chilling in the scares. Passenger soars. The momentum is gradual and audacious. The forest settings are surreal. The plot is promising. Best of all, it is not so predictable. There are hidden gems that spiral ferociously in Passengerwhile. demonic moments of evil linger.

The movie is directed by André Øvredal and written by Zachary Donohue and T.W. Burgess. These writers have backgrounds that began with short films. This one is Burgess’s first main feature. Their creative minds are determined to haunt viewers in Passenger. The RV plays a starring role in Passenger during a romantic getaway where nightmares abound, and the story takes compelling turns.

The film is about a couple, Tyler and Maddie (Jacob Scipio and Lou Llobell) who are on the road to an engagement. Tyler lives for his RV and Maddie goes along with it. Before their adventures the film introduces audiences to a scenario involvinga car accident. That spirit then follows Tyler and Maddie. The karma from those events continues to follow Tyler and Maddie. It is likely to make this RV excursion their last one.

There are moments of imagery in the film where Maddie feels like they’re being followed. Someone is painted to appear menacing, and he is. However, it takes time for Tyler to get caught up with this lingering component in their travels. The film transitions to focus on their relationship. I appreciated that part of the story because I feel relationships do not always have a strong focus in a film like this. Fortunately, their relationship is explored in various parts of Passenger.

There is a line that gets crossed frequently in the film. I felt the adventures they faced on the road trip stirred both horrid and good questions during the ride. There is no happy way out. There are lots of twists and turns, but the way they stick together makes it enjoyable yet not amazing. Three out of four stars for Passenger.