Aarcflick

Episode 2 of *The Madison* opens with a flashback in which Stacy and Preston are talking on the phone. As usual, Stacy is in New York while Preston is in Montana. Preston tries to convince Stacy to come spend some time with him out in the wilderness. Stacy replies that she is a "beach girl" and loves how the horizon between the sky and the ocean looks like a straight line; for that reason, she knows she wouldn't like the sight of mountains, which look like sharp teeth biting into the sky.  Once they finish debating the matter, Stacy asks Preston to return to the city before the end of the week so they can attend the Met Gala together. Stacy then hangs up—though not before remarking that she has to deal with Abigail's marital problems while Preston is away enjoying nature.  Creator: Taylor Sheridan Stars: Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Beau Garrett At that point, the flashback ends, and we see Stacy—in the present—sitting in the exact spot where Preston was sitting w...

*Per Aspera Ad Astra* offers a fresh and stimulating perspective on virtual reality science fiction, combining high-concept world-building with deep emotional resonance in a way that feels simultaneously futuristic and profoundly human.  Han Yan’s direction maintains a captivating pace as the story transitions from dreamlike escapism to an absorbing crisis within the "Sweet Dreams LM" system—where users become trapped and the protagonists must solve the mystery to save them. Dylan Wang and Victoria Song deliver solid, believable performances that serve as the film's anchor, framed by dazzling visual effects and inventive dream-sequence designs. Film Performance Reports Directors: Yan Han, Channing Huang Writers: Yan Han, Channing Huang, Dalin Liu Stars: Dylan Wang, Victoria Song, Feng Zu Early critics and social media audiences have praised the immersive concept and technical polish, though some note that the story occasionally falls back on tropes familiar from films lik...

 *The Gates*, by John Burr, is a thriller about three Black college students who find themselves trapped in a gated community in Texas—one populated predominantly by wealthy white residents. The young men are viewed with suspicion and, eventually, hunted through the neighborhood as if they were criminals. Undoubtedly, the film aims to convey the anxiety and terror experienced by people of color when they are stopped by a white police officer or accused of a crime based solely on their physical appearance. It also confronts the ways in which Christianity can be performative—used as a mask to conceal all manner of hateful ideologies and behaviors. Given all this, Burr’s film could elicit an intense reaction from viewers, one way or another. Some will dismiss the material, labeling it "woke"; though, in all likelihood, if they use that term pejoratively, they wouldn't have watched *The Gates* after reading its synopsis anyway. Others may wonder if Burr goes too far—or even i...

A Chinese-American high school student undergoes a hypothetical race-changing procedure that allows her to experience life as a white girl in Amy Wang’s SXSW-winning comedy. If high school is a popularity contest—the premise of misplaced priorities driving screenwriter-director Amy Wang’s SXSW-winning satire on assimilation, titled *Slanted*—then Chinese-American senior Joan Huang (Shirley Chen) might be justified in renouncing her cultural heritage for a shot at being crowned prom queen. That is the Faustian bargain Wang posits in a provocative comedy—which doubles as a thought experiment—that veers squarely into *The Substance* territory when Joan agrees to a racial transformation so radical and thorough that Wang replaces the original actress with another (Mckenna Grace) to embody her new identity for the remainder of the film. Director: Amy Wang Writer: Amy Wang Stars: Shirley Chen, Mckenna Grace, Amelie Zilber Tackling complex questions of identity head-on, *Slanted* draws on Wang...

 *Scared to Death* follows a group of filmmakers who attend a seance at an abandoned orphanage to conduct research for a movie. Every character in *Scared to Death* is based on a stereotype: the grumpy director, the disgruntled assistant, the drunken actors... The list goes on. While these exaggerated clichés fall flat in other films, here they work. The script and performances succeed in making these personalities feel intentional. Thanks to this, the parodic approach feels convincing. Director: Paul Boyd Writer: Paul Boyd Stars: Lin Shaye, Bill Moseley, Olivier Paris The entire cast is at the top of their game, though Lin Shaye (Max) and Bill Moseley (Felix) are likely the most recognizable faces. Shaye brings a consistently bitter and furious energy, while infusing her character with wit through exaggerated reactions. Moseley, for his part, offers an affable and subtly hilarious presence. Both are additions that fans of the genre will surely appreciate. "I’m not sure what else ...

Last night, I found myself in the most unexpected of places: AMC Lincoln Square, attending a preview screening of *Reminders of Him*—the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2022 romance novel, slated for release on March 13. Although I am a voracious reader, I have never been a particularly fervent admirer of this author. Consequently—from *Verity* to Reminders of Him (and all the drama in between)—I have kept abreast of her work solely through the commentary of others. While I understand that Hoover boasts a massive fan base, I have largely steered clear of her work out of simple personal preference. Thus, I went into the screening with rather low expectations... and came out pleasantly surprised. Set in Laramie, Wyoming, the film opens with a rather striking introduction to its protagonist, Kenna Rowan (Maika Monroe), who knocks over a roadside memorial cross and rips it from the ground. Through entries in her journal, Kenna reveals that she has just been released from prison after being ...