CFTCA Digest: July 2024 - Cascadia Film & TV Critics Association

Welcome to CFTCA’s monthly digest for July 2024, a roundup of recent reviews, features, interviews, and more by CTFCA critics.

Film Reviews

The Fix | Reviewed by Dakota Arsenault | Read the full review

“The Fix is a fun action romp that has just enough body horror to keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s a throwback to the type of films that were common in the 80’s and 90’s, so if you yearn for that kind of adventure, this is the film for you.”

Also be sure to listen to Dakota’s conversation with director Kelsey Egan about her 2021 film “Glasshouse” in the video to your left!

Find more of Dakota’s work on the Contra Zoom Pod website.

The Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 | Reviewed by Nick Tiffany | Listen to the full review

Other new films reviewed on this episode of Nick’s podcast include “MaXXXine,” “Kinds of Kindness,” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

Listen to more of Nick’s podcast here.

Family Portrait | Reviewed by Michael Clawson | Read the full review

“…Kerr’s tense, formally rigorous film observes a Texas family in the moments just before they’re to take their annual Christmas card photo. Suffused with bone-deep anxiety, this slim but striking feature is less a standard family drama than a low-key, thriller-adjacent exercise in dread.”

Michael writes for Drink in the Movies.

Music | Reviewed by Eric Zhu | Read the full review

“Music is perhaps the most accessible of Schanelec’s films because as the film progresses, you can attempt to fit onscreen events to mythological archetype. As Ion finds himself in jail, striking up a relationship with one of the prison guards Iro, Music becomes a film about the ways we subconsciously conform to historical narratives.”

Find more of Eric’s writing on The Insert.

Kinds of Kindness | Reviewed by Taylor Baker | Read the full review

“Each performance and character across every chapter is convincing. Once the eccentricity of the first chapter wears off and you settle into the film, it becomes easier and easier to suspend your disbelief. Kinds of Kindness is one of the sharpest films of the year and a real performance showcase for Plemons and Stone.”

Taylor writes for Drink in the Movies.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare | Reviewed by Matthew Simpson | Read the full review

“…The film faces a small conflict: it’s never quite sure if it’s trying to be Inglorious Basterds or The Avengers. That doesn’t detract from the fun, but it does prevent the film from transitioning from good to great, despite opportunities along the way.”

Find more of Matthew’s reviews on Exclaim.

Deadpool & Wolverine | Reviewed by Darren Zakus | Read the full review

“Deadpool & Wolverine will forever be remembered as the crowning jewel of Ryan Reynolds’ career with this glorious and hilarious love letter to the Marvel Fox era anchored by the sensational pairing of Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, making for one of Marvel’s best films to date!”

Darren writes for Movie Scene Canada.

Interviews

A Conversation with Anthony Shim, Director of Riceboy Sleeps

On this episode of McFly’s Movie House, Marta Djordjevic is joined by Anthony Shim to discuss the impact “Riceboy Sleeps” has made, his personal connection to the film, and the auteurs that helped shape and inspire his love for cinema.

Find more of Marta’s work through her website.

Retrospectives

Contra Zoom Pod’s Best Films by Genre

On this episode of the Contra Zoom Pod, Dakota is joined by Bil Antoniou for a discussion of their favorite films across a handful of specific genres.

Find more episodes of the Contra Zoom podcast here.