The Outcasts: Movie Review

The movie about unpopular high school kids on a power trip that we don't need.

The Outcasts is an indie version of a studio movie. It feels like a movie that cares more deeply about following a formula that will guarantee everyone will want to watch as opposed to just crafting a movie that everyone will actually want to watch. The norm these days is filling high school movies with overly-witty teenagers, but this high school is filled with overly-smart and philosophical teenagers who sound like they just memorized a sociology textbook. I hate that unnatural wit in teen movies, but I’m not convinced this is any better.		2017 Directed by: Peter Hutchings Screenplay by: Dominique Ferrari, Suzanne Wrubel Starring: Eden Sher, Victoria Justice

Their Finest: Movie Review

They’re making a movie and it’s brilliant and funny.

The plot of Their Finest works on many levels. On one side it’s a simple comedy-drama-romance of a young woman finding her way in the world, on another side it’s a comedy about making a movie, but it’s also an historical drama taking a look at the effects of war on everybody left at home, and when war hits the home you know, and how war has changed the role of women in society. Above all, it’s a comedy; a very engaging, very funny comedy about ridiculous actors and how to write a screenplay.		2016 Directed by: Lone Scherfig Screenplay by: Gaby Chiappe Based on the novel by Lissa Evans Starring: Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy

Win It All: Movie Review

Gritty and messy, cute and sweet - a journey through a gambler's life.

A duffel bag full of cash and a gambling addict - what could go wrong? There’s something very sweet about combining the makings of dark comedy with a much simpler, more accessible, comedy-drama of a damaged man growing up. Win It All is more about Eddie (Jake Johnson) than it is gambling. Eddie is without-a-doubt a gambling addict and much of the comedy of the film derives from what is obvious to us but Eddie is oblivious about.		2017 Directed by: Joe Swanberg Screenplay by: Jake Johnson, Joe Swanberg Starring: Jake Johnson, Joe Lo Truglio

Speech & Debate: Movie Review

Conquering intolerance with hilarity and amusement.

Stand up and sing, or say something, or just do anything. Speech & Debate does an excellent job in helping its lead characters find their voice. This is about the injustice in high schools: an aspiring journalist being told exactly what to write and not being helped to get into a good school, an aspiring singer denied the lead role in the school musical because she’s too theatrical, outspoken and not pretty enough, and a gay kid not allowed to really be himself because the community is just not progressive enough.		2017 Directed by: Dan Harris Screenplay by: Stephen Karam Based on the play by Stephen Karam Starring: Sarah Steele, Liam James and Austin P. McKenzie