Film-Forward

Sci-fi

Arrival

Science fiction and the woman’s picture rarely collide, but here Villeneuve proves that they don’t have to be exclusive from each other.

Equals

Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart star in this science fiction romance set in a futuristic utopian society called the Collective.

H.

Some sort of alien invasion may be transpiring as a result of a meteor strike, but the characters are already peculiar enough to be fairly alien themselves. When weird things happen to weird people, it feels almost expected, rather than unsettling.

Alice and the Extraordinary World

This is a perfect film for smart, preteen kids (as well as adults) and a welcome relief from the YA dystopian merry-go-round that Hollywood finds itself in.

Creative Control

A stylish, unique piece of speculative dystopian filmmaking, set in Brooklyn at some indeterminate time in the near future.

Contenders in Toronto | TIFF

The Toronto International film festival is so vast that it’s hard to get a handle on it. With a selection of 288 feature films, TIFF is really about a dozen festivals under the umbrella of one. A viewer can only hope to taste a slice of the programming. Even if festivalgoers intend on solely exploring, […]

Ex Machina

Written and Directed by Alex Garland Produced by Andrew MacDonald and Allon Reich Released by A24 UK. 110 min. Rated R With Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac, and Sonoya Mizuno The apt title of novelist/screenwriter/producer Alex Garland’s debut film is abbreviated from the popular theatrical device deux ex machina, which literally translates to “God […]

Interstellar

Directed by Christopher Nolan Produced by Nolan, Emma Thomas and Lynda Obst Written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan Released by Paramount Release USA/UK. 169 min. Rated PG-13 With Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck, John Lithgow, Wes Bentley, Mackenzie Foy, David Gyasi, Bill Irwin, Topher Grace, and Ellen Burstyn In […]

Toronto Highs & Lows | TIFF

After more than a week seeing 41 movies (in addition to the 21 seen earlier), I found few obvious outstanding discoveries at the Toronto International Film Festival compared with last year, whose standouts included the beautifully made Ida, the raucous We Are the Best!, and a stronger sampling of art films. Overall, the best selections […]