Entertainment Section | The Armington Mail

A Long Time Coming but Well Worth the Wait

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe –

Bravery That Is Beyond Compare

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Human Trial –

A Future Where Dreams Are More Than Dreams

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Strawberry Mansion –

I've Been Wanting to See This for so Long

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Cha Cha Real Smooth –

A Remake of a Remake With Its Own Unique Charm

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Father of the Bride –

A Different Kind of Music Documentary

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Halftime –

Not Quite What I Was Expecting but Not in a Bad Way

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Good Luck to You, Leo Grande –

Silence Can Be Absolute

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Vive L'Amour (Ai qing wan sui) –

There Is so Much More to This Than the Poster Lets On

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Good Luck to You, Leo Grande –

Two Very Different Films Tell One Big Story

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Baby Pact - & The Wedding Pact -

A French Epic With a Timeless Story to Tell

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Lost Illusions (Illusions perdues) –

Always Enjoy a Film for What It Is

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Ninja Badass –

A Fitting Farewell to One of the Best Series on Television

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Peaky Blinders Final Season (S06) –

Black & White Films Have Come a Long Way

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Righteous –

Never Judge a Book by Its Cover

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Baloney –

One Man's Story Can Tell You so Much

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW I'm Charlie Walker –

An Homage to What Horror Should Be

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Dashcam –

Competitive Eating Isn't Just for July

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW ScarfFace (Scarf Face) –

Sci-Fi Time Travel Without All the Mess

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Time Capsule –

So Familiar yet Just the Right Amount of Different

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Frank and Penelope –

A True Story of Love and War

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Benediction –

Sometimes You Just Have to Know What to Expect

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW THE PREY: Legend of Karnoctus –

There Is Nothing Better Than Hand Drawn Animation

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (Gyokou no Nikuko-chan) –

A Musical Mixed With a Crime Thriller

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Score –

A Balloon Without Enough Air

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Around the World in 80 Days (2004) –

Some Potential but Poor Execution

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Arthur –

Nostalgia and It Knows It

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers –

A Musical Group Lost to Time

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Fanny: The Right to Rock –

A True Story of Dedication

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Hit the Road (Jaddeh Khaki) –

A Unique Mix of a Comedic Thriller That Works to Perfection

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Green Perfume (Le Parfum Vert) –

A Country Music Horror Film?

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Torn Hearts (likely R) –

If You're a Fan of Music, This Is a Must Watch

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Bleeding Audio –

A Generational Film

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Dinner in America (likely R) –

A True Thriller That I Couldn't Get Enough Of

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW There are No Saints –

The Worst Ones May Actually Be the Best

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Worst Ones –

I'd Say This Was Just a Little More Than a Spark

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Firestarter (2022) –

My First Ever Cannes Film Festival Review

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Under the Fig Trees –

It Feels Like I've Seen This Before

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Senior Year –

A Battle Worth Learning About

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW A Taste of Whale –

A Different Type of Dystopian Film

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Mondocane –

The Bad Guys Are Doing Pretty Well in the Box Office

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Bad Guys – (I will put an asterisk here because I feel your mileage may vary.)

A Fight for the Future of Learning

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Unmaking of a College –

A Horror Film Within a Thriller

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Monstrous –

My Unique Perspective on a Film About My Generation

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Revolution Generation –

A Cult Classic That Kept You on the Edge of Your Seat

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Year of the Jellyfish (L'année des méduses) (likely R) –

A New Generation of Westerns for Everyone

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Montana Story –

Zombies Like You've Never Seen Before

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Sadness (likely R) –

Stranger Than Strange and That's Okay

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness –

A 70s Slasher Classic in 2022

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Night Caller (likely R) –

There Is Far More to Animation Than Just Disney/Pixar

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Pompo: The Cinéphile (likely PG-13) –

We Need to Be Talking About This

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Have You Heard About Greg? –

The Potential Shown Here Should Be Expanded in the Future

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent –

They Can't All Be My Favorites

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Twin –

A Sweet Story About New Beginnings

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Peace by Chocolate –

Sometimes It's Hard to Tell Which Side Is Which

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Boys in Red Hats –

Does Music Make the City or Vice Versa?

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Take Me to the River: New Orleans –

Are We Too Late to Undo What We've Done?

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW 12th Hour – Genre: Documentary Year Released: 2022 (streaming release) Runtime: 56m Director(s): Susan Kucera Writer(s): Jim Swift Cast: David Morse, Peter Russell Where To Watch: available on April 26 on Kanopy

A Unique Spin on the Horror Genre

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Hatching (Pahanhautoja) –

Pure Passion Put to Film

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Sibyl –

Almost Too Over the Top to Be Truly Enjoyed

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Northman – Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 2h 16m Director(s): Robert Eggers Writer(s): Sjón, Robert Eggers Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Gustav Lindh, Elliott Rose, Willem Dafoe Where To Watch: In theaters nationwide now

Is the Wizarding World Running Out of Magic?

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore – Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 2h 22m Director(s): Steve Kloves Writer(s): Pat Casey, Josh Miller, John Whittington Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Mads Mikkelsen, Jessica Williams, Callum Turner, William Nadylam Where To Watch: In theaters nationwide now

There Is a True Art to Creating Short Films

by Chris Jones

SHORT FILM REVIEWS Double Zero

A Tribute to a Crisis That We Need to Be Paying Attention To

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Life After You – Genre: Drama Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 30m Director(s): Sarah T Schwab Writer(s): Florencia Lozano, Sarah T Schwab Cast: Florencia Lozano, Gary Perez, Kathryn Erbe, Tina Benko, Craig “muMs” Grant, Jake Ryan Lozano, Domenica Feraud, Erick Betancourt, Emily Kratter, Nelson Avidon, Melanie Nicholls-King Where To Watch: Available on Pay-Per-View, VOD, and other Major Platforms

A New Film Genre Bred Out of Necessity

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Intervention – Genre: Horror, Thriller Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 45m Director(s): Samesh Ramjattan Writer(s): Samesh Ramjattan & Tiffany Flynn Cast: Amber Doig-Thorne, Bibi Lucille, Laura McQuiggin, Jasmine Rachelle, Heather Elise, Lucia France Where To Watch: Drops 4/22 on digital and VOD

All of the Charm That One Film Can Handle

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Duke – Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama Year Released: 2020 (Venice Film Festival), 2022 (wider release) Runtime: 1h 36m Director(s): Roger Michell Writer(s): Richard Bean, Clive Coleman Cast: Jim Broadbent, Heather Craney, Stephen Rashbrook, Helen Mirren Where To Watch: Premiering in New York & Los Angeles on 4/22

Genre Defying and Just As Intriguing

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Sexual Drive – Genre: Drama Year Released: 2021 (International Film Festival Rotterdam), 2022 (wider release) Runtime: 1h 10m Director(s): Kôta Yoshida Writer(s): Kôta Yoshida Cast: Manami Hashimoto, Ryô Ikeda, Mukau Nakamura Where To Watch: Premieres via Virtual Cinema, VOD & Digital on 4/22 from Film Movement

Stories That Need to Be Told and Shared

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Earth Is Blue as an Orange – Genre: Documentary, War Year Released: 2020 (Sundance Film Festival) Wide release 2022 Runtime: 1h 14m Director(s): Iryna Tsilyk Writer(s): Iryna Tsilyk Cast: Ganna Gladka, Stanislav Gladky, Anastasiia Trofymchuk Where To Watch: Premiering in theaters and virtual cinemas on April 22nd

A Callback to When Horror Was Horror

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Virus-32 – Genre: Horror Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 30m Director(s): Gustavo Hernández Writer(s): Gustavo Hernández, Juma Fodde (idea by) Cast: Sofía González, Daniel Hendler, Paula Silva Where To Watch: Streaming on Shudder April 21st

A Chilling and Dark Look Into a World Most Don't See

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW We're All Going to the World's Fair – Genre: Drama, Horror Year Released: Initially, 2021 (Sundance Film Festival), Wider release 2022 Runtime: 1h 26m Director(s): Jane Schoenbrun Writer(s): Jane Schoenbrun Cast: Anna Cobb, Holly Anne Frink, Michael J Rogers Where To Watch: In select theaters and streaming on April 22 (HBO Max)

A Must See Full of Charm and Attitude

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Marvelous and the Black Hole – Genre: Comedy Year Released: Initially, 2021 (Sundance Film Festival), Wider release 2022 Runtime: 1h 21m Director(s): Kate Tsang Writer(s): Kate Tsang Cast:Miya Cech, Rhea Perlman, Leonardo Nam, Kannon Where To Watch: In select theaters on April 22nd

A Movie for Kids at the Core and That's Okay

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 2h 2m Director(s): Jeff Fowler Writer(s): Pat Casey, Josh Miller, John Whittington Cast: James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba Where To Watch: In theaters nationwide now

Remembering Those Who We've Lost

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Surviving Theater 9 Genre: Short, Drama Year Released: Initially, 2018 (Tribeca Film Festival), Wide release 2022 Runtime: 40m Director(s): Tim McGrath Writer(s): Tim McGrath Cast: Tim McGrath, Corbin Bernsen, Brittany Ishibashi, Chelsey Crisp, Luna Blaise, Stacey Oristano, Robert Palmer Watkins, Donnell Turner, Richard Fancy, Chris Tashima Where To Watch: Releasing Wednesday, April 20th on both Digital | Video On Demand

A Lesson in Dedication

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Absurd, Surreal, Metaphysical, and Fractured Destiny of Cerebus the Aardvark Genre: Animation Year Released: 2021 Runtime: 1h 10m Director(s): Oliver Simonsen Writer(s): Oliver Simonsen, Dave Sim (based on comics by) Cast: John Di Crosta, Yuell Newsome, Stephen Mendel Where To Watch: For free on Tubi, Plex, Xumo, Just 99 cents on Vimeo on Demand

An Important Message That Needs to Be Shared

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Surviving Sex Trafficking Genre: Documentary Year Released: 2021 Runtime: 1h 10m Director(s): Sadhvi Siddhali Shree Where To Watch: In select theaters on March 25, streaming online on April 15th

An Atmospheric and a Truly Haunting Example of Modern Horror

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Room 203 – Genre: Horror Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 44m Director(s): Ben Jagger Writer(s): Ben Jagger, Nanami Kamon (novel), John Poliquin Cast: Francesca Xuereb, Viktoria Vinyarska, Eric Wiegand Where To Watch: Debuts on VOD and in Limited Theaters on April 15th

Beauty and Creativity Run Head on Into Each Other in This Mesmerizing Film

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Fabian: Going to the Dogs Original title: Fabian oder Der Gang vor die Hunde – Genre: Drama, Romance Year Released: 2021 Runtime: 2h 56m Director(s): Dominik Graf Writer(s): Erich Kästner(novel), Constantin Lieb, Dominik Graf Cast: Tom Schilling, Albrecht Schuch, Saskia Rosendahl Where To Watch: Coming to All Major VOD Platforms April 12

I Love When a Horror Film Makes You Think

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Cellar – Genre: Horror Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 34m Director(s): Brendan Muldowney Writer(s): Brendan Muldowney Cast: Elisha Cuthbert, Eoin Macken, Dylan Fitzmaurice Brady Where To Watch: Select theaters and streaming on Shudder on April 15th

If You're Going to Experience One Film in Theaters This Year, Make It This One

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Everything Everywhere All at Once – Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller (and more) Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 2h 19m Director(s): Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert Writer(s): Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis Where To Watch: Currently in select theaters now, hopefully with more coming soon.

Psychological Horror With the Twist of a Classic Thriller

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Night's End – Genre: Horror Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 21m Director(s): Jennifer Reeder Writer(s): Brett Neveu Cast: Geno Walker, Felonious Munk, Daniel Kyri, Michael Shannon, Kate Arrington Where To Watch: Streaming on Shudder

A Little Bit of Everything All Rolled Into One

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Stunt Rock – Genre: Action, Drama, Music Year Released: 1978, 2022 (New 4K Restoration) Runtime: 1h 31m Director: Brian Trenchard-Smith Writer(s): Paul-Michel Mielche Jr., Brian Trenchard-Smith Cast: Grant Page, Monique van de Ven, Margaret Gerard Where To Watch: In select theaters across the US. Visit kinomarguee.com to see the location nearest you.

Friendship Is Sometimes All That Matters

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Good Life – Genre: Drama Year Released: 2021 Runtime: 1h 50m Director: Bonnie Rodini Writer(s): Bonnie Rodini Cast: Erica Wessels, Robyn Scott, Sven Ruygrok, Nicky Rebelo, Caleb Payne, Jennifer Steyn, Adam Neill, Leon Clingman Where To Watch: In select theaters and ON DEMAND starting April 15th

The Death of a Franchise

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Death on the Nile – Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 2h 7m Director: Kenneth Branagh Writer(s): Michael Green, Agatha Christie Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Tom Bateman, Gal Gadot, Emma Mackey, Armie Hammer, Letitia Wright, Sophie Okonedo, Annette Bening, Ali Fazal, and MORE Where To Watch: In theaters and HBO Max

The Passion for Music Comes at a Price

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW The Sound of Scars – Genre: Documentary Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 30m Director: Leigh Brooks Where To Watch: Available on Cable VOD and Digital HD Across North America

Emotions Have Never Run Higher

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Poppy Field (Câmp de maci) – Genre: Drama Year Released: 2020 Runtime: 1h 21m Director: Eugen Jebeleanu Writer(s): Ioana Moraru Cast: Conrad Mericoffer, Alexandru Potocean, Radouan Leflahi Where To Watch: Premiering via Virtual Cinema, VOD, & Digital on April 8th

Pushing Yourself to the Limits and Beyond

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Until the Wheels Come Off Genre: Documentary, Sport Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 38m Director: Matt Dearborn, Rick Weis Where To Watch: Releasing on VOD on April 5

The Newest Season of One of My Favorite Shows

by Chris Jones

TV REVIEW Better Call Saul (Season 6, Episodes 1 & 2) Genre: Comedy, Drama Year Released: 1991/2022 (restoration) Runtime: 1h 45m Director: Michael Morris/Vince Gilligan Writer(s): Peter Gould/Tom Schnauz & Ariel Levine Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, Giancarlo Esposito, Michael Mando, Tony Dalton Where To Watch: Premieres with back-to-back episodes Monday, April 18 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC+.

I Even Impressed Myself With the Picks This Year

by Chris Jones

It’s that time of year when I come to terms with not being on the same page as The Academy regarding the films I like. A year after what had to be one of the most awkward Academy Awards (thanks to COVID and the odd restrictions set in place), we follow it up with probably the most memorable (for better or worst) moments in the Oscars televised history. Although I may not agree with everything they like, I am happy to say that I can predict them pretty well. Especially this year, I ended up correctly guessing 21 of the 23 categories (hopefully, you used the picks on your ballot as I suggested!) That’s a 91.3%, god enough for an A- (although I still disagree with the selections that differed.) Unfortunately, my picks that I wanted to win didn't fair as well; that was 12 of 23 or 52.17%, which is a big fat F.

The First Film From a Master Director

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Pushing Hands (Tui shou) New 2K restoration Genre: Comedy, Drama Year Released: 1991/2022 (restoration) Runtime: 1h 45m Director: Ang Lee Writer(s): Ang Lee, James Schamus Where To Watch: Premiering at Brooklyn’s Bam Rose Cinemas on 4/1 with additional markets. DVD/Blu-ray 5/10

It Takes More Than an Interesting Topic to Be Appeaing

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW More Than Robots TV-PG - Genre: Documentary Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 29m Director: Gillian Jacobs Where To Watch: Disney+

A Little Bit Out There

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW On the Trail of UFOs: Night Visitors Genre: Documentary Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 21m Director: Seth Breedlove Writer(s): Seth Breedlove Where To Watch: Available April 5th, including iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu and FandangoNOW

How Much of a Good Thing Is Too Much

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Madelines Genre: Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi Year Released: 2022 Runtime: 1h 20m Director: Jason R. Miller Writer(s): Brea Grant, Jason R. Miller Cast: Brea Grant, Parry Shen, Richard Riehle Where To Watch: In select theaters and ON DEMAND starting 4/1

A Crushing Weight With No Right Answer

by Chris Jones

MOVIE REVIEW Ahed’s Knee (Ha'berech) Genre: Drama Year Released: 2021 Runtime: 1h 49m Director: Nadav Lapid Writer(s): Nadav Lapid, Haim Lapid Cast: Avshalom Pollak, Nur Fibak, Oded Azulay Where To Watch: It opens on Friday, April 1, in Chicago at the Gene Siskel Film Center. (as well as other locations)

The Night I Wait for All Year Is Here

by Chris Jones

Today is the big day! For most people, it’s just Sunday, March 27th; for a select group of people out there and me, it’s like Christmas. I’m not nominated for an Oscar, I’m not even attending the ceremony, but this is the night that I spend half my year and have for over a decade looking forward to. It’s the culmination of what I use as my calendar year.