Author: Mark Salcido

The found-footage genre was well established in cinema thanks to the mega-hit The Blair Witch Project. That little film that could helped fill the early 2000s with found-footage films that pretty much saturated the market over time. Some franchises still thrive on that style of filmmaking, like The V/H/S movies, while others land with a thud. However, filmmakers Mallory Drumm, Alex Lee Williams, and Jay Drakulic are hoping to change that with their self-financed movie, Dream Eater. The trio has been working together for 11 years, producing corporate and commercial videos through their own video production company, Blind Luck Pictures.…

Park Chan-wook is widely regarded as one of the most interesting—if not the best—directors working today. His internationally renowned Old Boy film is on many film critics’ Best Of lists of the best movies of all time. The director has been working steadily for some time and is even tapping more into his dark humor wheelhouse. Many of his films, like Thirst, The Handmaiden, and Decision to Leave, incorporate dark comedy, a style that has become synonymous with the director. His most recent film, No Other Choice, leans further into that element but carries an underlying message about corporatism and…

If you want to watch an absurdist genre film, your best bet is to check out Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. The director and writer tend to lean into the world of “WTF” with well-established shots that’ll stick with any moviegoer. Lanthimos seems to have found his muse in actor Emma Stone, as the two have worked together on several projects. The collaboration has earned high acclaim in many film circles, yet it still welcomes regular audiences into its world. With Bugonia, the two continue that style by adding “dark comedy” with the absurdist genre and some of the greatest “Holly…

One thing that rings true about horror films is that some of the best ones are done with a low budget. A smaller budget allows the creative teams to think of innovative ways to keep the movie engaging and thrill audiences. YouTuber Chris Stuckmann understood that notion and decided to leap into filmmaking. The filmmaker has been talking about films on his YouTube channel and has now opted to put his money where his mouth is by producing, directing, and writing Shelby Oaks. The horror film offers promising concepts and serves as a great calling card for Stuckmann. Though some…

Filmmaker Scott Derrickson and writer C. Robert Cargill’s collaboration is near perfection. They get storytelling at a level that explores interesting and original grounds. 2021’s The Black Phone brought some of the best work from the duo by showcasing a somewhat original idea while paying homage to horror films of the ’70s and ’80s. Even though the characters in The Black Phone reached a satisfying conclusion, the duo decided to have another crack at this world in hopes of expanding the lore. What happens is that Black Phone 2 not only succeeds in every way but also allows Derrickson and…

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of films about motherhood. In my opinion, those in the horror and indie genres tend to give the subject its due. These genres take the topic, put it under a realistic lens, and avoid sugarcoating it. The Babadook and Nightbitch provide the right amount of nuance and challenges to help the audience understand what it means to be a mother. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You does the same with its astounding performance from Rose Byrne, sharp writing from Mary Bronstein, and top-notch directing from the filmmaker. If I Had Legs I’d Kick…

Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions is the go-to destination for horror movies that seamlessly blend everyday topics with twisted, innovative nightmare fuel. Apart from its action and comedy films, movies like Us, Candyman, and Nope demonstrate that horror can genuinely be an art form while making a commentary on our society. Justin Tipping’s Him takes that notion and runs with it. The sophomore feature from the filmmaker does well in showcasing the psychological torture of our protagonist in visually stunning ways. However, it’s in the last fifteen minutes where Him almost entirely s**ts the bed. Him, directed by Tipping and co-written by…

Legendary writer Stephen King has enough novels to adapt into film or television that would sustain two major studios for decades. Some of his works have had a profound cultural impact, including The Stand, It, Carrie, and The Shawshank Redemption, among others. His 1979 book, The Long Walk, published under a pseudonym, has been seen as difficult to adapt by King fans. Fortunately for us, filmmaker Francis Lawrence adapted the dystopian horror novel and might’ve made one of the best adaptations of King’s work. The Long Walk, directed by Lawrence and written by JT Mollner, drops us into a dystopian…

Bullitt, The French Connection, Death Race 2000, and The Driver. Car chase movies are the go-to for high-octane scenes that feature amazing stunts that try to cement their staying power in cinema history. Recent car chase movies like Baby Driver, The Fast and Furious series, and Drive try to bring something new to the genre to varying degrees. Shawn Simmons’s Eenie Meanie pops the film into gear in the hope of becoming a memorable thrill ride for viewers. It succeeds for the most part with its well-crafted action scenes, quippy dialogue, and leading lady Samara Weaving. However, this one slip-up…

Romantic comedies tend to follow the standard formula. Guy meets girl, guy and girl first hate each other, then guy and girl fall in love. Recent romantic comedies are challenging the boring formula with a touch of real-life truth in creative ways. Splitsville is one of those movies that uses genuine chaos to say something about the state of modern relationships. Branded with “An Unromantic Comedy,” the film hits all the comedy beats and showcases the twisted but creative mind of the up-and-coming filmmaking duo. Splitsville, directed by Michael Angelo Covino and written by Kyle Marvin along with Covino, follows…