Love Lies Bleeding

 

Love stories can appear in any genre and love coupled with revenge makes for one passionate bloodbath. Director (and co-writer) Rose Glass’ much anticipated follow up to religious horror Saint Maud (2019) has had audiences all geared up for what set to be a hot, sexually charged, bloody chaotic story. Glass absolutely delivered on the promise all the trailers and posters had set up. 

When small town gym manager Lou meets body builder drifter Jackie, there are immediate sparks. But after one violent incident threatens to tear the two apart, they are set on a path of chaotic revenge, each doing anything they can to protect the other.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

Dogman

 

The opening sequence of man in drag, bleeding, driving a huge truck with a pack of dogs in the back, sets up the film to be one hell of story, but very soon turns into a very melancholic tale that never really seems to quite fit together. Dogman, the latest film from genre director Luc Besson, is, on the surface an intriguing story, highly character driven full blood, sweat and tears. But delve deeper and the plot falls apart, with just great performances to hold it all together.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

Snack Shack

 

It may feel a little early for a teen summer comedy to be making a splash, but Snack Shack is ahead of the curve. With a great cast, in particular the two leads Conor Sherry as AJ and Gabriel LaBelle as Moose, and a fun vibe running throughout, there is more than meets the eye with this film from director Adam Rehmeier.

After being harangued into getting a job for the summer, teenage best friends AJ and Moose win a bid at their council to run the snack shack at the local swimming pool. Through their entrepreneurial spirit, they try to turn a profit and plan for future ventures. But when a new lifeguard, Brooke (Mika Abdalla), arrives on the scene, the boys' friendship and business are put to the test.

Full review over at  Filmhounds

Molli and Max in the Future

 

The ‘Rom-Com’ is forever being challenged. It’s a genre that will never truly die and continue to evolve or in the case of Molli and Max in the Future, take an idea from the past and twist it. Inspired by When Harry Met Sally, at least the format and nature of the two leads relationship and set in an overtly futuristic world, Molli and Max is both a homage to the rom-coms of old and a step towards the evolution of the genre. 

Set a billion years in to the future, magic is common place, sentient robots conduct PR campaigns and a demon wants everyone to live in the trash dimension. Over 12 years, 4 planets, 3 dimensions and one space cult, Molli and Max keep bumping into each other. As time goes by, they each change, but their emotions usually stay they same, though they won’t admit it. 

A science fiction rom-com is always a welcome addition to the saturated genre, especially when its both light and incredibly dark. The balance is well maintained throughout the entire film and never really teeters over into depressing which can happen in with any kind of romance. Molli and Max each go through their own struggles, but always find each other at the right time. The chemistry between Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari is fantastic, their quips and fast paced talking is well matched. Combining the true romance and comedic undertones is very entertaining to watch. As well as the leads there are some amusing and fun supporting characters that help build this strange future world, that itself is fascinating. There seems to be some new dimension or magic level that opens up, the possibilities seem endless. 

Molli and Max is the unexpected sci-fi rom-com that you didn’t know could be actually challenge the genre.

Marmalade

 

On the surface, Marmalade could be just another love story, just another Bonnie & Clyde-esque scenario but something more complex lurks below the surface. 

Finding himself captured and thrown in prison, naïve Baron strikes up a tentative deal with his cell mate Otis who has bragged about being able to escape. As they formulate a plan, Baron recounts his life story and most importantly how he met the love of his life, the enigmatic Marmalade. He tells Otis of how they robbed a bank in order help his sick mother and have enough to start their new lives together. But all is not quite what it seems in the prison or in Baron’s story.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

Race for Glory: Audi vs Lancia

 

Sport centric films can either fall by the wayside or are able to capture the attention of any audience. Motorsports might be in the latter category for the pure adrenalin and speed spectacle elements. But those films based on historical events, tend to cut down on the excitement and concentrate on the drama off the track. Race for Glory: Audi vs Lancia is based on a real championship. Anyone who is interested in motorsports, specifically rally driving will at least get some joy out of this one.

 

At the 1983 World Rally Championship, the intense and at times, petty rivalry between the German led Audi Sport GmbH team and the Italian led Lancia Abarth team comes to a head. With the Audi Quattro car a favourite to win, Lancia lead Cesare Fiorio tries everything within his power to make his  team a success, even hiring the renowned German rally driver Walter Rohrl for only half the races.

Full review at Filmhounds