Reviews — The Film Sync

El Camino

The film, like many movies today, is unnecessary, released at an awkward time in relation to the original material. All the actors have aged and everyone feels a little too different to play these characters again.

Jacob KaufmanOctober 21, 2019Vince Gilligan, New Mexico, 3 StarsComment

Marriage Story

It feels like director Noah Baumbach has been working towards this film his whole career. Marriage Story offers new heights for a lot of his signature talents.

Chandler ChavezOctober 21, 2019Noah Baumbach, 5 Stars, Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver Comment

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Portrait of a Lady on Fire explores the burdens of society on women, the burning passions that are stifled by expectation and conformity.

Jacob KaufmanOctober 14, 2019Céline Sciamma, 4.5 Stars, FranceComment

Ad Astra

The cost of greatness is often overlooked by those who admire it. Ad Astra is a film about tearing down these legends, and unearthing the humanity that is often lost in the pursuit of greatness.

Chandler ChavezOctober 10, 2019James Gray, Space, Brad Pitt, Sci-fiComment

Joker

Joker often feels like a film directed by a seventh-grade history student, often pointing fingers at broad concepts, distilling complex social and political issues…

Chandler ChavezOctober 7, 2019Todd Phillips, Joaquin Phoenix, Superhero, DCComment

In Fabric

In Peter Strickland’s new movie, a department store is the epicenter of a fetishistic fascination with consumerism. The excesses of our consumer culture can sometimes seem incomprehensible and in the horror/comedy In Fabric it’s portrayed as a sinister plot.

Jacob KaufmanOctober 4, 2019Peter Strickland, UKComment

Down By Law (1986)

A Jarmusch film is only as good as the weirdos that inhabit it, and Down By Law (1986) has a weirdo for everyone.

Chandler ChavezOctober 4, 2019B&W, Jim Jarmusch, Louisiana, 4.5 Stars, 1986Comment

The Nightingale

Where Kent’s previous film dealt with horror in the generic sense, The Nightingale (2019) deals with horror within a very real context.

Jacob KaufmanSeptember 2, 2019Jennifer Kent, Australia, Revenge, HistoricalComment

Sword of Trust

An improv comedy is only as good as its talent, and Sword of Trust (2019) unfortunately doesn't have the comedic power to justify any bit of its story.

Chandler ChavezSeptember 2, 2019Lynn Shelton, 2 StarsComment

The Peanut Butter Falcon

It’s pretty clear about ten minutes into the movie that there’s a genuine passion here not just for collaborating with your idols, but to tell a genuine and heartfelt story as well.

Chandler ChavezAugust 29, 2019Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz, Shia LaBeouf, The South, 3.5 StarsComment

Ready or Not

At a tight 95 minutes, the movie barely overstays it’s welcome, is largely aware of its ridiculous premise and rises to the occasion with equally ridiculous situations to challenge its hero.

Jacob KaufmanAugust 28, 20193.5 Stars, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, CanadaComment

The Farewell

The story speaks to anyone that comes from an ethnically varied background. Very personal and very real, in a way that most family dramas aren't.

Chandler ChavezAugust 26, 20193.5 Stars, Lulu Wang, Awkwafina, China, New YorkComment

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

For the first time since "Jackie Brown," Tarantino gave me a lot to think about outside of the filmmaking.

Chandler ChavezAugust 12, 2019Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hollywood, LA, 4.5 StarsComment

The Wind Rises (2013)

The choice to focus on character rather than circumstance, especially when the circumstances demand attention, is an odd decision and one that only Miyazaki could make work.