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

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

Film Reviews

Dahomey | Reviewed by Dakota Arsenault | Read the full review

“The film is a stunning document as the people of Benin both contend with where they stand with their own history and France’s colonization of their people, much in the same way Diop did in her own life trying to connect her roots between France, the country she was born in and Senegal, the country her family is from. As the rest of the world slowly starts to understand the long reverberation of colonization, films like Dahomey will become incredibly valuable tools to learn and understand from.”

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

Wicked | Reviewed by Darren Zakus | Read the full review

“Wicked is the best musical adaptation of all time led by the phenomenal performances of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, bringing the beloved Broadway musical to the big screen under the visionary and flawless direction of Jon M. Chu, championing show-stopping musical numbers, incredible visuals and outstanding supporting performances that makes for the cinematic event of the year!”

Find more of Darren’s work on Movie Scene Canada.

Anora | Reviewed by Eric Zhu | Read the full review

“The emblematic shot of the artificial rush occurs after Vanya’s impromptu proposal in Vegas (where he very pointedly shimmies out of frame). Celebrating in the casino, the couple is framed in front of digital fireworks displays. It’s all a sham, but it’s impossible not to be swept up.”

Find more of Eric’s writing on The Insert.

Blitz | Reviewed by Michael Clawson | Read the full review

“But even with its clichés, to write Blitz off as too familiar or formulaic is to miss out on a display of sumptuously controlled film style from McQueen. His storytelling is rousingly classical, and for every beat that is heavy-handed or too simplistic, there’s a flash of touching humanity or cinematic grace.”

Michael writes for Drink in the Movies.

Gladiator II | Reviewed by Taylor Baker | Read the full review

“Like its final battle sequence, the film is a garish CGI redo of something more sincere that came before. It’s a pity to see Scott flounder in the historical action genre, where he once seemed king. Gladiator II has the unique and flummoxing quality of being lousy despite the efforts of many talented craftspeople and performers. What a pity.”

Taylor writes for Drink in the Movies.

Compulsus | Reviewed by Leanne McLaren | Listen to the full review

Leanne McLaren reviews this dark and powerful drama about a young woman who becomes a vigilante, taking physical revenge on abusive hipster men.

Listen to more of Leanne’s reviews on iHeartRadio.

Flow / Queer / Gladiator II | Reviewed by Thomas Stoneham-Judge | Listen to the reviews

On this episode of Real Buzzed, Thomas reviews three new releases while sipping Bulleit Single Barrel.

Find more of Thomas’ work on ForReel.

Podcasts

Columbia Noirs on Contra Zoom Pod | Listen to the Episode

It’s November, which means it is time for Contra Zoom’s annual Noir-vember themed episode. To celebrate Columbia Pictures’ 100th anniversary, The Criterion Channel put together a pack of some of their noir hits. Films discussed include Gilda⁠, ⁠The Crimson Kimono⁠ and ⁠Experiment in Terror⁠. Joining Dakota on the show is Alisha Mughal, editor at ⁠The Asian Cut⁠.

Find more episodes of the Contra Zoom podcast here.