A movie that makes me weep every time.

“SILENT LIGHT forces its audience to stare straight into the heart of grief…” my latest review:

Read my review of this nuanced portrait of grief:

My review of F1: The Movie, a thrilling ride with a straight stretch plot (but a timeless message): joshuastevens.substack.com/p/f1-the-mov...

This probably doesn't come as a shock to people who know me, but I DID NOT LIKE this new, lifeless (toothless?) live action remake: joshuastevens.substack.com/p/how-to-tra...

As always, I’m playing catch up on reviews. Here are some quick thoughts on Materialists: joshuastevens.substack.com/p/materialists

Why is 12 ANGRY MEN such a classic? I attempt to explain:

“Genuine faith requires us to keep pressing on even when we feel lost, and sometimes that faith also requires personal sacrifice.” Loved getting to talk about these two movies through the lens of faith:

F1 got a thumbs up from my dad, which is basically the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a movie (I thought it was good, too) 👍🏻

Does one need to remember anything about the previous two films before seeing 28 Years Later?

Yeah sure, something like this:

So glad I got to review Pixar’s #Elio! I really went for it:

A short review of what is probably my favorite film of the year so far. I will have a lot more to say in the coming days! open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...

Any John Wick fans? Go see Ballerina if you haven't already. It rocks. open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...

I loved getting to revisit this crazy movie and write a little bit about why it’s so important:

I’m playing catch up on some recent releases. Read my thoughts on Sinners, Thunderbolts* and more here: open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...

Rewatching Dead Reckoning ahead of this weekend. I appreciate how this one, maybe more than any other MI movie, taps into our cultural anxieties. A great film.

My new puppy is quite the movie fan. She particularly admires Tarkovsky.

“With his debut folk horror tale, Puckett deftly, if imperfectly, dismantles some of the most pressing issues inside these communities.” My review of The Severed Sun:

Record Store Day 2025 haul, featuring one for my dad and three for me (including a soundtrack to one of the best films of the 2020s so far) 👍🏻 #RecordStoreDay2025

Last month, I got to see Hans Zimmer in concert. This month, I got to write about that experience. Enjoy:

Easily the best film I was able to see for SXSW. I will be singing its praises for the rest of the year.

“A good reminder of what a comedy can be:”

This Rose Glass and Brian de Palma-influenced horror-thriller has some admittedly freaky body horror but lacks complexity. Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's SXSW review of Julia Max's THE SURRENDER! #TheSurrender #SXSW #SXSW2025 #bodyhorror @sxsw.com loudandclearreviews.com/the-surrende...

It’s been fun getting to cover #SXSW2025 digitally this year! The first of several reviews from me this week:

John Lithgow saying “cringe” deserves an Oscar.

When is Monstro Elisasue hitting the red carpet?

Basically I want The Brutalist to win Score and Cinematography, Mikey Madison to win Actress, and Emilia Pérez to lose everything. #Oscars

Finally put some thoughts out on Captain America: Brave New World: open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...

So many deep ideas are embedded in BEAU TRAVAIL. I try to discuss a few of those ideas here:

#SXSW is about to begin! Which films will you watch at the festival? 😍 We made a list of 10 movies to watch at South By Southwest this year, recommended by our writers @joshuastevens97.bsky.social & Wesley! 👀 Stay tuned for our reviews soon! @sxsw.com loudandclearreviews.com/sxsw-2025-10...

A short review of COMPANION: joshuastevens.substack.com/p/companion

I remember when being seated for the new Marvel movie would bring me a tinge of excitement. No longer. Hopefully Brave New World brings that excitement back.

I wrote about Soderbergh's new, technically innovative ghost story...where you kind of root for the ghost! open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...

Currently watching THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE, and maybe it's because Lynch is still on the brain, but it has some strong ERASERHEAD vibes.

Getting to write about Lynch is definitely a highlight for me. He and his creative spirit will be missed.

Keep this formally experimental World War II drama on your radar. My review of THE FISHING PLACE:

I’m glad I rewatched THE HOST. Its bluntness didn’t quite work for me the first time. This time it did. My review:

The Parable of the Brutalist: open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...

Attempting to get some thoughts out on THE BRUTALIST today. I saw it yesterday, and after some reflection, it may be an all-timer for me. Stay tuned...

Some great movies here! And I got to write some words on one of my personal favorites of the year:

I’m very happy with my list this year. I’ll be elaborating on why each film made my top 10 very soon, so be on the lookout for that! Check out my list and the lists of other great writers at @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social:

MUFASA: THE LION KING, the 2024 film that made me the most pessimistic about the future of cinema

I watched SOMETIMES I THINK ABOUT DYING on a whim tonight and boy did it strike a chord. Ridley is phenomenal, and Monica DeBonis's "it's hard being a person" monologue hit me like a truck. This movie came out of nowhere and is sneaking into my favorites of the year conversation.

One of my favorite movies in terms of how it examines themes of faith and doubt. My review of Bergman’s WINTER LIGHT:

Using my first post on @bsky.app to gush over #Anora. Maybe my favorite movie of the year?