Welcome to CFTCA’s monthly digest for April 2025, a roundup of recent reviews, features, interviews, and more by CTFCA critics.
Film Reviews
Sinners | Reviewed by Elizabeth Mulloy | Read the Full Review
“Coogler blends genres like a pro. What starts off feeling like a slow-burn gangster drama slowly morphs into something stranger, part supernatural horror, part Southern tragedy. As Smoke and Stack begin building their dream, reconnecting with old friends and family, people start to wonder how exactly they made their money.”
Find more of Elizabeth’s work on The Celluloid Correspondent.
Sacremento | Reviewed by Matthew Simpson | Read the Full Review
“The story that follows is one best described as sweet. Everyone has that one friend, one we came up with but grew apart from as lives diverged and priorities changed. There’s a particular dynamic to this kind of relationship that Cera and Angarano really nail. It’s a subtle awkwardness, a push and pull between the closeness of the relationship past and the distance in the present.”
Find more of Matthew’s work on Keith Loves Movies.
Havoc | Reviewed by Christopher Cross | Read the Full Review
“However, for those looking for something light on story but heavy on action, Evans has long ago signalled that The Raid’s economical storytelling was an anomaly in his career. Instead, Havoc plays out like a compact version of Gangs of London, which he co-created with his longtime collaborator and cinematographer Matt Flannery. The infighting between gangs and support systems is a lot less nuanced, but remains a pivotal touchstone and allows for Evans to craft measured bouts of carnage that slowly tear away at the many parties involved in chasing down Charlie.”
Find more of Christopher’s work on Asynchronous Media.
The Ballad of Wallis Island | Reviewed by Konnor Beaulier (Isaac P. Ale) | Read the Full Review
“This isn’t some version of The Parent Trap where Charles masterminds the rekindling of his favorite band’s romance, but more of a reflection on how we move on from lost love. Basden and Key have such terrific chemistry that even though the film carries a melancholic plot, their delivery and interactions are hilarious.”
Find more of Konnor’s work on Film & Froth.
Warfare | Reviewed by Dom Sinacola | Read the Full Review
“Through meticulous sound design and pitiless handheld camerawork, the film moves from the fractured perspective of one soldier to another. It’s uniquely exhausting; a recipe for clenched orifices.”
Find more of Dom’s work on The Portland Mercury.
The Shrouds | Reviewed by Eric Zhu | Read the Full Review
“Touch is paramount for the characters in The Shrouds, where Toronto has expanded from icy, modernist wasteland of Crash to a tech-infested unreality where any sense of certainty is tethered to the sensation of partner’s body and the comfort of being held.”
Find more of Eric’s work on The Insert.
Television Reviews
Andor Season 2 | Reviewed by Matthew Simpson | Read the Full Review
“All of this is of course intentional, with the not-French Ghor people forming a resistance against their not-Nazi Imperial invaders. It’s cleverly handled and as over as Star Wars can get in drawing a real-world parallel. “
Find more of Matthew’s work on Awesome Friday.
Yellowjackets Season 3 | Reviewed by Elizabeth Mulloy | Read the Full Review
“We know how it ends and all that is left to show is a bunch of girls bullying and eating each other until they are rescued. I will give the series credit as they do manage to make it compelling as the power dynamics within the Yellowjackets between who believes in the wilderness and who doesn’t…”
Find more of Elizabeth’s work on The Celluloid Correspondent.
Retrospectives
The 10th Victim | Reviewed by Marta Djordjevic | Read the Full Review
“Yet, with all of Petri’s frustrations, The 10th Victim still manages to be a blast, albeit one that could have used more meat and potatoes. As it stands, it’s a tantalizing dessert laced with arsenic.”
Find more of Marta’s work on Rewind and Revive.
Podcasts
305: Best Stunt Oscars
“With the announcement of there being a stunt Oscar coming in 2028, we decided to name who we think should have been the nominees and winners for the past five years. We also discuss other new Oscar rules. Joining the show is critic Todd Pengelly.”
Find more of episodes of the podcast on the Contra Zoom Pod website.
Danger: Diabolik by Mario Bava (1968) | Episode 02
“This week on Rewind & Revive, I’m joined by Ash Laskey and Harry Argyle of the Love, Death & Movies podcast to discuss Mario Bava’s 1968 film, Danger: Diabolik.”
Find more of episodes of the podcast on the Rewind & Revive website.
Death of a Unicorn | Episode 175
“Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Will Poulter, and… unicorns? A24’s latest movie ‘Death of a Unicorn’ seemingly has it all – but is it any good? We talk about some of the latest A24 news, their merchandising campaigns, and how a new movie can be so poor.”
Find more of episodes of the podcast on the 24 Minutes of A24 Spotify page.
Editorials
Keep Portland Reel Weird
“Still, even while thriving, Portland’s theater-going community is forever at risk from streamers, rising rents, and existential threats like AI or the obsolescence of physical media. Heeding Baker’s words, and supporting the treasures we have before they’re priced out forever, has never seemed more important to Portland culture than now.”
Read Dom’s guide to Portland’s independent theater’s on The Portland Mercury.