Cinapse

8 Apr

Cinapse has a new home! We’ve moved to cinapse.net. Same team, same coverage, same passion for film. Update your bookmark, and we’ll see you there. -> cinapse.net

dlvr.itPFF 2026: DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID review – Radu Jude’s diary of class warfareSeriously, I applaud the Philadelphia Film Festival for not only including Radu Jude in its Masters of Cinema sidebar, but also screening his latest film, Diary of a Chambermaid, as part of it. Following Kontinental ’25, Jude once again takes an existing work and remixes it in his own inimitable way, this time drawing inspiration […] The post PFF 2026: DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID review – Radu Jude’s diary of class warfare appeared first on Cinapse.

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dlvr.itPFF 2026: The Algorithm of Death: Confronting the Horror of NAZA – ReviewThe best way to understand Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor’s controversial documentary NAZA, which examines the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, is to start with its title. NAZA is a term reportedly used within Israeli military and intelligence circles as shorthand for human collateral damage. Like so much of what the 24 anonymous operatives describe from behind the […] The post PFF 2026: The Algorithm of Death: Confronting the Horror of NAZA – Review appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itPFF 2026: The Cycles of THE CYCLE: An Interview with Writer/Director Jordan DowneyJordan Downey’s The Cycle which I caught at the 35th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival and is currently available on Shudder is a film where the themes ultimately become the driving force of this engrossingly ambitious midnighter that’s chock full of surprises. The film follows Meg Garland (Deborah Ann Woll) a renowned forensic anthropologist who is […] The post PFF 2026: The Cycles of THE CYCLE: An Interview with Writer/Director Jordan Downey appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itPROJECT SHAMROCK Cracks the HALLOWEEN CodeClassic Halloween fans, we are SO back!!! Jason Eisner, who most of us probably remember from Hobo with a Shotgun, may have just pulled off the impossible: fixing the continuity of the original Halloween franchise with a five-minute short film. Now freely available on YouTube, Project Shamrock: The Secret Origins of Michael Myers Exposed feels […] The post PROJECT SHAMROCK Cracks the HALLOWEEN Code appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itTHE HISTORY OF CONCRETE is One of the Year’s Best FilmsThe History of Concrete is about the ways in which we adapt to the world around us. It’s also about the ways in which we make the world adapt to us. Maybe, like most things in life, it’s about DMX. It’s also about a 3,100-mile race that takes place around a high school. It’s about […] The post THE HISTORY OF CONCRETE is One of the Year’s Best Films appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itStop Calling YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING “The Elizabeth Holmes Movie” [SPOILERS]Holmes serves as a starting point. She isn’t where the journey ends. The release of You Can See Everything has been met with what can only be described as universal praise. Across both professional critics as well as avid film goers, the movie is being praised as the best of the year; my personal go […] The post Stop Calling YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING “The Elizabeth Holmes Movie” [SPOILERS] appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itLAIKA’s Sixth Film, Wildwood, Might Just Be Their Best Effort YetLaika Studios’ sixth film overall and its first in seven years, Wildwood, may just be its most ambitious. At two hours and ten minutes, it’s certainly the longest both for Laika itself and for stop-motion efforts in general. Wildwood is also the first Laika production to obtain a PG-13 rating, a clear indication that children […] The post LAIKA’s Sixth Film, Wildwood, Might Just Be Their Best Effort Yet appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itPFF 2026: BUNKER is Hyper-Relevant Exploration of Fear and Hope for the FutureWith The Bunker, playwright-turned-filmmaker Florian Zeller crafts a hyper-relevant narrative, enlisting real-life couple Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz to explore what happens when obscene wealth, paranoia, and marital discord collide. Bardem plays Miguel, a once-idealistic architect living in London with his wife of 17 years, Sofía (Cruz), who works in publishing, and their two young […] The post PFF 2026: BUNKER is Hyper-Relevant Exploration of Fear and Hope for the Future appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itPFF 2026: You Can’t Escape The Past In Jordan Downey’s THE CYCLE – ReviewJordan Downey’s The Cycle which I caught at the 35th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival and hits Shudder tomorrow is a film where the themes ultimately become the driving force of this engrossingly ambitious midnighter that’s chock full of surprises. The film follows Meg Garland (Deborah Ann Woll) a renowned forensic anthropologist who is called from her […] The post PFF 2026: You Can’t Escape The Past In Jordan Downey’s THE CYCLE – Review appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itWILDWOOD is a Magical MasterworkThe team at Laika conjure up another incredible feat of storytelling and craftmanship With Wildwood, Laika delivers another triumph of stop-motion animation, crafting a sprawling fantasy adventure that is as technically astonishing as it is emotionally resonant. Directed by Travis Knight, the film transforms Colin Meloy’s novel into a richly imagined fairy tale where the […] The post WILDWOOD is a Magical Masterwork appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itSCARY MOVIE (2000): A Goofy Spoof That’s Become A Y2K Referential Time Capsule [4K Review]Scary Movie makes its way to 4K! The parody film is a bit of a lost art in modern cinema. Once a mainstay of theatrical comedy, coming from masters like Mel Brooks and Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker, they’ve essentially disappeared from the landscape, their closest evolutionary cousin being the referential comedy of the Seth McFarlane sphere of shows/movies, […] The post SCARY MOVIE (2000): A Goofy Spoof That’s Become A Y2K Referential Time Capsule [4K Review] appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itAlex Gibney’s Latest Documentary Expose, MUSK, Doubles as a Clarion Call for Our Fragile DemocracyScroll back a decade and Elon Musk’s reputation, much of it derived from the best PR money could buy, seemed unassailable. A not-quite rags-to-riches story of a South African immigrant (later a U.S. citizen under questionable circumstances), Silicon Valley start-up founder, and visionary with a genius IQ (maybe) and a benevolence that transcended politics, left […] The post Alex Gibney’s Latest Documentary Expose, MUSK, Doubles as a Clarion Call for Our Fragile Democracy appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itYOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING is a Hypnotic Investigation of Perception and PowerNathan Fielder and Elizabeth Holmes duel in this masterful documentary Once hailed as a visionary entrepreneur and frequently compared to Steve Jobs, Elizabeth Holmes built her company Theranos on the promise of a revolutionary blood-testing device capable of delivering a vast array of medical diagnostics from a single drop of blood. That promise ultimately collapsed […] The post YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING is a Hypnotic Investigation of Perception and Power appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.it2001 Reasons to Head to the 2026 Philadelphia Film FestivalThis week, the Philadelphia Film Festival takes over the City of Brotherly Love, kicking off Thursday, October 15th, with Noah Segan’s The Only Living Pickpocket in New York and running through October 25th, when Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut brings the festivities to a close. The festival’s Centerpiece program is stacked with awards-season hopefuls and buzzy […] The post 2001 Reasons to Head to the 2026 Philadelphia Film Festival appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itDEVOUR Review: Artificially FlavoredBefore I dig into Devour, which arrives in select theaters October 13th and VOD soon after, we need to get the elephant in the room out of the way: this movie contains A LOT of generative AI. And I don’t mean the kind you might blink and miss, either. We’re talking full-on, Sora-generated 10-second Dollar […] The post DEVOUR Review: Artificially Flavored appeared first on Cinapse.

Cinapse reposted

Matt Monagle

@monagle.bsky.social

I love THE SAINT, because it's one of the few blockbuster films to recognize that Val Kilmer was a twisted little character actor trapped in the body of a leading man. If a twenty-something Kilmer were to drop onto the scene today, I'd like to think he'd be chasing Robert Pattinson's roles.

Cinapse@cinapse.bsky.social

dlvr.itWatch Val Kilmer Play A Master Of Disguise With Catholic Guilt In THE SAINT [4K Review]The Saint, Val Kilmer’s spy heist through the Russian Federation, is out on 4K Steelbook! The ‘90s were a weird time when it came to cinematic villains. After having the Russians play the dependable big bad for over 30 years, the fall of the Berlin Wall and our “reconciliation” essentially killed a cottage industry (killing […] The post Watch Val Kilmer Play A Master Of Disguise With Catholic Guilt In THE SAINT [4K Review] appeared first on Cinapse.

Cinapse reposted

BOOlian Singleton 🎃👻

@juliansingleton.bsky.social

If you want to watch your favorite horror films like you've never seen them before, you owe it to yourself to watch @factionman.bsky.social's thrilling experiment FAMILY GO TO THE BAD HOUSE–which stitches shots from 387 total features into a single terrifying story. Thoughts on @cinapse.bsky.social!

Cinapse@cinapse.bsky.social

dlvr.itFAMILY GO TO THE BAD HOUSE is the Best Haunted House Film Made From Nearly 400 Horror MoviesGraham Hughes’ feature-length collage of a century of horror is a fascinating fright Two parents–one a horror author–and their child move into a sprawling run-down mansion, hoping to repair their fracturing marriage along with the property. But the house has other plans–as eerie shadows and creaking echoes give way to ghosts, gore, and more. When […] The post FAMILY GO TO THE BAD HOUSE is the Best Haunted House Film Made From Nearly 400 Horror Movies appeared first on Cinapse.

Cinapse reposted

cinapse.netDOLPH: UNBREAKABLE: An In-Depth Look at His Career & the Fight of His Life - CinapseUnbreakable is a tremendous portrait of Dolph’s one of a kind personal journey and impressive career that will appeal to fans and people not as familiar with him.

My review of DOLPH UNBREAKABLE is up now @cinapse.bsky.social My interview with Dolph discussing the doc and his career should be up soon as well. cinapse.net/2026/10/dolp...

Cinapse reposted

cinapse.netDolph Lundgren on DOLPH: UNBREAKABLE and Surviving Cancer - Cinapse"Actually, to me, was a blessing. It made me take care of myself better, it made me appreciate life more. It's been great, really."

Here is my interview with Dolph Lundgren for @cinapse.bsky.social we discussed his new documentary DOLPH UNBREAKABLE his current health and his career. He was so cool & thoughful I wish I had more time with him. cinapse.net/2026/10/dolp...

dlvr.itDolph Lundgren on DOLPH: UNBREAKABLE and Surviving Cancer"Actually, to me, [cancer] was a blessing. It made me take care of myself better, it made me appreciate life more. It's been great, really." The post Dolph Lundgren on DOLPH: UNBREAKABLE and Surviving Cancer appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itTake One Last Shopping Cart Ride With The Boys In JACKASS: BEST AND LAST [Blu-ray Review]The Jackass Crew is back on the big screen for one last round of tasers, bulls, puke, and a surprising amount of tears. To say I’m a fan of Jackass feels like an understatement. I grew up with Jackass. From my earliest rebellious days, Jackass was there; first on my TV, and then on the […] The post Take One Last Shopping Cart Ride With The Boys In JACKASS: BEST AND LAST [Blu-ray Review] appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itDOLPH: UNBREAKABLE: An In-Depth Look at His Career & the Fight of His LifeUnbreakable is a tremendous portrait of Dolph’s one of a kind personal journey and impressive career that will appeal to fans and people not as familiar with him. The post DOLPH: UNBREAKABLE: An In-Depth Look at His Career & the Fight of His Life appeared first on Cinapse.

cinapse.netThe City of Wichita Stars in KING KUNG FU, Available on Blu-ray - CinapseI first saw King Kung Fu at a hometown screening/reunion with its cast and crew, over 20 years ago. I had read about Wichita's unlikely genre movie long

The City of Wichita Stars in the Regional Comedy KING KUNG FU, now available on Blu-ray! cinapse.net/2026/10/the-...

dlvr.itWho Else Remembers Bravo’s List of the 100 Scariest Movie Moments?It is impossible to overstate the degree to which I was not a horror fan growing up. So many of my friends in the film-loving community have stories of a happy childhood watched between fingertips, daring themselves to keep watching, keep watching, don’t you dare be the one to look away from the alien/monster/killer. Many […] The post Who Else Remembers Bravo’s List of the 100 Scariest Movie Moments? appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itFantastic Fest 2026: The Cinapse Crew’s “Best of the Fest”After 8 days of films and fun, our quartet of critics share out their favorites from this year’s fest Spencer Brickey My top 5: Jon Partridge 5. Extreme Prejudice. They don’t make ’em like they used to. A rep screening in 35mm of Extreme Prejudice really drives that home. A sweaty, tangible, thrilling affair, made […] The post Fantastic Fest 2026: The Cinapse Crew’s “Best of the Fest” appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itDIGGER is a Comedy for a Doomed AgeBecause when you are facing the end of the world, sometimes all you can do it laugh. At the critic’s screening of Digger here in Austin, and I assume in other markets, a short disclaimer ran before the film. It implored the viewer to not spoil the film for future viewers, so they could experience […] The post DIGGER is a Comedy for a Doomed Age appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itFantastic Fest 2026: ALPHA GANG is a Soaringly Silly Sci-Fi DelightThe Zellner Brothers’ latest is a wholesomely bizarre all-star hangout In the distant reaches of war-torn Eastern Europe, a crumbling castle hides the secret lair of the Alpha Gang–aliens immaculately dressed in 1950s biker gear, tasked with assassinating Earth’s leader and clearing the way for their species to conquer the planet. But their mission proves […] The post Fantastic Fest 2026: ALPHA GANG is a Soaringly Silly Sci-Fi Delight appeared first on Cinapse.

Cinapse reposted

cinapse.netThe Heist Comes Home With The I LOVE BOOSTERS 4K Blu-ray - CinapseThe highlight of I Love Boosters is writer/director Boots Riley's vision

Here is my review of I LOVE BOOSTERS for the 4K Blu-ray release. Boots Riley is two for two and I can’t wait to see what he does next! cinapse.net/2026/09/the-...

Charles Bruce@the8thcurse.bsky.social

I am finishing a review of the new 4K Blu-ray release of I LOVE BOOSTERS for @cinapse.bsky.social and I feel pretty good how it turned out. I am excited to share it.

dlvr.itThe Heist Comes Home With The I LOVE BOOSTERS 4K Blu-rayThe highlight of I Love Boosters is writer/director Boots Riley's vision The post The Heist Comes Home With The I LOVE BOOSTERS 4K Blu-ray appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itFantastic Fest 2026: THE CYCLE’s Dark Police Procedural Transforms Into Full Blown HorrorSeek out The Cycle... to experience a fascinating-if-methodical police procedural that will absolutely deliver on a bloody and brilliant final explosive act. The post Fantastic Fest 2026: THE CYCLE’s Dark Police Procedural Transforms Into Full Blown Horror appeared first on Cinapse.

Cinapse reposted

The Philadelphia Film Critics Circle

@philafcc.bsky.social

@dantabor.bsky.social reviews PRIMETIME for @cinapse.bsky.social cinapse.net/2026/09/prim...

cinapse.netPRIMETIME Review: Have a Seat - CinapseRobert Pattinson is absolutely deranged as Chris Hansen in Lance Oppenheim’s razor-sharp examination of America’s favorite predator hunter. As someone who

Cinapse reposted

The Philadelphia Film Critics Circle

@philafcc.bsky.social

@dantabor.bsky.social reviews the Fantastic Fest film WHAT HAPPENED TO DORIS for @cinapse.bsky.social cinapse.net/2026/09/fant...

cinapse.netFantastic Fest 2026: WHAT HAPPENED TO DORIS Turns a Real-Life Nightmare Into Familiar Horror - CinapseHeather Graham brings grit and vulnerability to a supernatural thriller that too often loses sight of the woman at the center of its story. Nick Simon’s

dlvr.itFantastic Fest 2026: SICK is Exactly What It Says On The TinSick is an insane descent into pure, transgressive depravity that has no interest in validating your revulsion. It’s been a while since a film has genuinely shocked me with its subject material. Sick has done just that, and with nothing more complex than just leading you down an incredibly forbidden road. Hailing from Poland, Sick […] The post Fantastic Fest 2026: SICK is Exactly What It Says On The Tin appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itTHE WEIGHT is an Early Fall StandoutCaught between the responsibilities of a father and the crushing destabilization of the Great Depression, Samuel Murphy (Ethan Hawke) finds himself in the one place where he can’t do anything besides wonder how the hell everything went so bad, so fast for him: a prison cell. Samuel has lost just about everything but hope. With […] The post THE WEIGHT is an Early Fall Standout appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itFantastic Fest 2026: COMPLIANCE Is As Repugnant And Inert As A Feature Film Could Be.Take This Edgelord Shit Back To 2016; We’re All Tired Of It. Compliance is genuinely one of the worst films I’ve seen at Fantastic Fest over the past decade. Pure rage bait bullshit, with a script that reads like the most aggravating 14 year old wrote it. Here’s the synopsis: Compliance follows a corporate PR […] The post Fantastic Fest 2026: COMPLIANCE Is As Repugnant And Inert As A Feature Film Could Be. appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itFantastic Fest 2026: PLAY HOUSE Proves The Fantastic Pitches ConceptPlay House crosses the finish line as a well made horror comedy, while also showcasing the potential for the future of Fantastic Pitches Play House is a miracle of a film. It won its funding 365 days ago at the inaugural Fantastic Pitches, with their first production meeting the following day. In the span of […] The post Fantastic Fest 2026: PLAY HOUSE Proves The Fantastic Pitches Concept appeared first on Cinapse.

dlvr.itYOU HAD TO BE THERE Illustrates How a 1972 Production of ‘Godspell’ Impacted the World of ComedyThe new documentary from Nick Davis includes interviews with the surviving cast members of the Toronto musical No footage exists from the 1972 production of the musical “Godspell” in Toronto, but You Had to Be There, a new documentary, does its best to recreate the experience. Andrea Martin (SCTV), Martin Short (Three Amigos, Only Murders […] The post YOU HAD TO BE THERE Illustrates How a 1972 Production of ‘Godspell’ Impacted the World of Comedy appeared first on Cinapse.

Cinapse reposted

BOOlian Singleton 🎃👻

@juliansingleton.bsky.social

Hell yes! Currently tied with NO REST FOR THE WICKED for my Fantastic Fest favorite. A beautifully terrifying Faustian epic. variety.com/2026/film/aw...

variety.comOscars: Italy Selects Paolo Strippoli’s Thriller ‘The Spiral’ for International Feature RacePaolo Strippoli's "The Spiral" has been designated as Italy's candidate in the best international feature film category of the 2027 Academy Awards.

Cinapse reposted

@jonpartridge.bsky.social

KICK ON really worked for me as this grimy drug fueled survival thriller. It struggles some with tone but if you’re down for the grime of it all, it’s a gore heavy good/bad time! #FantasticFest

Ed Travis@edtravis.bsky.social

Looking forward to KICK ON, which I understand to be reminiscent of GREEN ROOM, and starring the Harfoot from THE RINGS OF POWER. #FantasticFest

Cinapse reposted

Jon Partridge

UPIRO. A stylish, and haunting take on vampire lore in a Spanish convent. Gets a little lost (and lengthy) as it weaves the tale into both mythology and mystery, but the final act pulls you back in. #FantasticFest

Cinapse reposted

🏳️‍🌈🎃Brendan Agnew🎃🏳️‍⚧️

@blcagnew.bsky.social

Shaun the Sheep is officially 3 for 3 in terms of feature films. THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM is going straight into the annual spooky season rotation.

Cinapse reposted

dlvr.itFantastic Fest 2026: HALF is the Indian Vampire Revenge Action Film You Never Knew You NeededWith these daywalkers on the hunt, no murderous hillbilly is safe, and audiences are all the better for it. The post Fantastic Fest 2026: HALF is the Indian Vampire Revenge Action Film You Never Knew You Needed appeared first on Cinapse.

HALF wasn’t on my radar at all leading up to #FanstasticFest, but it’s far and away the action film to beat at this year’s festival, and I think it’ll break out internationally as well. The fight choreographer from THE NIGHT COMES FOR US does Indian vampire revenge action! It rips. #Half #HalfMovie

Cinapse@cinapse.bsky.social

Cinapse reposted

Jon Partridge

@jonpartridge.bsky.social

Loved loved loved THE SQUIRREL. My review of this bleak yet beautiful movie out of #fantasticfest over at @cinapse.bsky.social cinapse.net/2026/09/fant...

cinapse.netFantastic Fest 2026: THE SQUIRREL is a Bleak & Beautiful Cautionary Tale - CinapseMarkus Lehmusruusu's film kindles the fires of humanity in a world where it is nearly snuffed out Finland's official submission for the Oscars this year

Cinapse reposted

dlvr.itScott Adkins’ ONE LAST SHOT Hits Its MarkOne of the most ambitious and impressive DTV action franchises. The post Scott Adkins’ ONE LAST SHOT Hits Its Mark appeared first on Cinapse.

22 Sept

Excited to have my buddy @the8thcurse.bsky.social contributing his first byline to @cinapse.bsky.social! And it’s for the latest Scott Adkins joint no less!!! #ScottAdkins #OneLastShot

Cinapse@cinapse.bsky.social

Cinapse reposted

dlvr.itScott Adkins’ ONE LAST SHOT Hits Its MarkOne of the most ambitious and impressive DTV action franchises. The post Scott Adkins’ ONE LAST SHOT Hits Its Mark appeared first on Cinapse.

22 Sept

I intentionally worked the word filmatism into this review as a tribute to my favorite film critic @outlawvern.bsky.social who not only has been an inspiration and influence but was the one who first put me onto Scott Adkins and the UNDISPUTED sequels back in the day.

Cinapse@cinapse.bsky.social

Cinapse reposted

dlvr.itTop 5 Signs Fantastic Fest Still Has The JuiceSure, I worry what the future may hold for a festival that has become a culture at the same time it has become an asset on a corporate ledger. But right here, and right now, under the current leadership team and programming team, there still beats a cinephile heart. The post Top 5 Signs Fantastic Fest Still Has The Juice appeared first on Cinapse.

I put some of my thoughts on the current state of the Sony owned Alamo Drafthouse and Fantastic Fest into this personal piece at @cinapse.bsky.social. I ultimately come down on the side of: Fantastic Fest still has a cinephile heart at the core. Niche, but LMK what you think! #FantasticFest

Cinapse@cinapse.bsky.social