CFTCA Digest: January 2025

By /

Welcome to CFTCA’s monthly digest for January 2025, a roundup of recent reviews, features, interviews, and more by CTFCA critics.

Film Reviews

Kiss of the Spider Woman | Reviewed by Darren Zakus | Read the full review

“Kiss of the Spider Woman is a dazzling musical showstopper that only Bill Condon could conjure up with sensational choreography and amazing production design that pays tribute to the musicals of the Golden Age of Hollywood led by two phenomenal performances from Tonatiuh and Jennifer Lopez.”

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

Presence | Reviewed by Eric Zhu | Read the full review

“Soderbergh has been working with off-kilter digital aesthetics for a while (even shooting two features entirely on iPhone). The unflattering extremity of characters’ bodies, and the distorted wide-angle spaces, often bisected by walls and doorways, work to Presence’s benefit, creaating a visceral immediacy that becomes sneakily moving.”

Find more of Eric’s writing on The Insert.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera | Reviewed by Christopher Cross | Read the full review

“If there was doubt that Gudegast’s directorial debut was a fluke, the effectiveness of his sophomore feature in shifting tones without losing that special sauce proves that he’s one of the most compelling directors working in action films today.”

Find more of Christopher’s reviews on Asynchronous Media.

The Room Next Door | Reviewed by Dakota Arsenault | Read the full review

“Everything on the surface should work for this film, the theme about life, death and friendship is infinitely relatable, the majestic setting of the rented home is as tranquil as it stunning, it features two of the most talented working performers (with a combined six Oscar nominations and two wins) and a delightful score from Almodóvar regular Alberto Iglesias. Yet for some reason the sum of its parts don’t quite add up.”

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

Babygirl | Reviewed by Taylor Baker | Read the full review

“Neutered. Babygirl boasts of sexuality but has none. Sure, there’s skin, bare breasts, compromising positions, guilt, and domination. But it lacks sensuality and intimacy.”

Find more of Taylor’s reviews on Drink in the Movies.

Retrospectives

Contra Zoom Pod Episode 293: Best Films of the Decade So Far Part 1

With the first half of the decade now behind us, Contra Zoom Pod looks back at the best films that came out between 2020 and 2024.

Find more of episodes of the podcast on the Contra Zoom Pod website.

Underworld Beauty (1958) | Reviewed by Marta Djordjevic | Read the full review

“An early Seijun Suzuki Japanese noir? Say less. It’s always a delight to revisit his work after some time away, and this 1958 gem offers a tantalizing glimpse of the feverish, frenetic style that would define his later beloved films.”

Find more of Marta’s reviews on her Letterboxd.

Scroll to Top