MARISSA THE CINEPHILE

[Film Reviews from a Female Brain]

2021

  • That Escalated Fast: ZOLA

      There’s nothing more surreal than real life. In fact, sometimes it feels like watching fireworks in slow motion. I often wonder sometimes out of random curiosity if I were to walk into a biker bar, conjure up a conversation about EASY RIDER with some dudes, had some sharp thoughts and laughter to share, drank Read more

  • Idiosyncratic Recluse: Kajillionaire

      An oddity with an offbeat demeanor, scavenging on the side of life, with ruthless compromise, vacant of familial bonding where survival is the only prize, all while dismissing the trap of capitalistic living. Miranda July’s quirky comedy KAJILLIONAIRE is strangely built, nearly echoing familiar ties to the tone of NAPOLEON DYNAMITE meets BRIGSBY BEAR Read more

  • Trailblazing: BEING THE RICARDOS

      I was really skeptical when I saw the trailer for Aaron Sorkin’s BEING THE RICARDOS but after much trepidation and predisposed judgment, I succumbed to my curiosity and now I am dazzled like a child who has just won a stuffed animal from a claw machine. OK first off, from what I’ve read, critics Read more

  • Charming & Heartwarming: LICORICE PIZZA

      I am so fascinated in studying the genesis and ethos of Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest feat that is LICORICE PIZZA. He’s delved up inspiration from reconstructing notable personas into some hilarious human moments, influenced from revered friendships, and personal anecdotes, all percolating as he was ruminating on a walk in his own neighborhood eons Read more

  • SINISTER YUCK YUCK: DOPESICK

      The opening monologue given by Michael Stuhlbarg’s character Richard Sackler in Hulu’s latest mini series DOPESICK hovers sharply on the twisted notion that he can cure pain with an addictive narcotic known as Oxycontin. Spoiler alert! You can’t. It has made my stomach twist in ways I never thought possible. Pure evil. Sinister. These Read more

  • Let’s Roll: ROLLER BOOGIE

      OK, so it’s a poorly acted film. It’s plot is recognizable, absolutely predictable from a universal standpoint. The dialogue is too cheesy to even repeat. Depth is not even part of its orbit. In fact it’s a wannabe SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER but for roller skating, there’s even a brief snippet of the poster shown Read more

  • Existential Crisis in Paradise : OLD

      I’m going to say it. This would have made for a better short film. Two hours is too long. Trim off the fat, tighten the story line, have fewer characters and make this a low budget thrill fest. Sigh. If you enjoyed the twist at the end of THE SIXTH SENSE then you might, Read more

  • The Man in the Arena: PIG

      PIG is like a weird, quiet, simply profound piece of art. It calls attention to loss and grief, treading in a puddle of existential deconstruction with comedic overtones, also Nicholas Cage needs a bath like very badly. Set in an isolating green forest of Oregon juxtaposed to the vibrantly booming metropolis of Portland, PIG Read more