It’s been a busy few weeks, but I have a few more reviews for you from #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social scullyvision.com/2025/11/10/p...

Guest post from Andy Elijah for the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival! #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social scullyvision.com/2025/11/04/t...

My reviews of FRANKENSTEIN and PRIMATE out of #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social scullyvision.com/2025/10/28/p...

SENTIMENTAL VALUE - A densely textured, layered drama about the versions of ourselves we present to the ones we love, even though we suffer the same pathologies. The secrets are what bonds us. I’m crestfallen that I’ll never get to marry Renate Reinsve. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

IS THIS THING ON? - While the depiction of the stand-up world is damn near fantasy, it still resonated with this lapsed comic who formerly used the stage as therapy. Arnett and Dern are fantastic, and that Cooper kid is going places. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

THE PYTHON HUNT - It really does take different strokes for different folks. A bizarre look into an annual Everglades python hunt, which may or may not be effective in reducing the invasive species population. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

MAYA GIVE ME A TITLE - Michel Gondry could make a masterpiece out of a popsicle stick, so imagine what he can do with scissors and construction paper! #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

My reviews of BLUE MOON and NOUVELLE VAGUE at #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social scullyvision.com/2025/10/26/b...

THE PLAGUE - And indescribably bizarre, but oddly relatable tale about the cruelty of hormonal young boys forced to cohabitate. It’s as gross as it is funny as it is fascinating. Top-tier kid performances. Joel Edgerton wears flip-flops in every scene. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

PRIMATE - In a world replete with horror movies about trauma and grief, it’s nice to have one that’s simply about a rabid chimp ripping people to shreds. Killer score, amazing practical gore effects — a blast for me and my fellow sickos. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE - one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen, although I will never not be bothered by the “cameramen who both do and don’t exist and are visible and invisible and can teleport” style of comedy filmmaking. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

IT ENDS - A mishmash of sci-fi concepts shouldn’t work this well, but the thematics are strong, the characters likable, and the dialogue whip smart. I hope that this gets a theatrical release and a lost Colleen Hoover fan wanders in and has their mind blown. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

GHOST BOY - Ascher once again reimagines the documentary format, this time taking what could’ve been a simple inspirational biography and turning into an investigation of cognition, identity, and existence itself. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE - there are 3 ways I can think of to put the numeric 2 into this title and the filmmakers missed every last one. What they didn’t miss was any opportunity to turn a human being into an exploding bag of blood. One hundred stars (4 stars) #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE - 🎶Mother Mia Here I go again My, my, how can I resist you?🎵 ::rhythmically slaps chest:: #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

KEEP QUIET AND FORGIVE - I don’t know why it never occurred to me that the Amish are a cult, but the Amish are a cult. Nothing but the most respect for the assault survivors who found strength and community by making their voices heard. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

SONGS OF FORGOTTEN TREES - Listen, I get why this movie is notable, and it’s indeed well-made/performed … but I don’t care. I needed more from this. Couldn’t find a way in. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

KUCHAR - A frank depiction of a teen girl discovering that she is a sexual being. Sounds creepy, but I promise it’s actually sweet and charming and it invokes a washing machine. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

My reviews of LIFEHACK and THE MASTERMIND out of #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social scullyvision.com/2025/10/24/p...

REFLECTION IN A DEAD DIAMOND - I counted no fewer than 10 walkouts during this insane, high-style ‘60s spy riff that channels DANGER: DIABOLIK while also being wholly its own thing. It’s okay, 10 people, you’re allowed to be wrong. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

BARRIO TRISTE - A cinematic machete to the throat. An assault on the senses that cannot be described but through experience. Extremely my shit, and probably my fav of the fest so far. Something about that digital grime just sets me off. I LOVED this. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

NUESTRA TIERRA - With all due respect to the heavy anti-colonialist subject matter (and the caveat that I was sleepy and hungry during this screening), I found this atypical doc to be so thorough that it became unfocused, thus losing its edge. Will revisit. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

BROTHER VERSES BROTHER - an improvised single-take movie where twin brothers with clashing personalities trade songs, philosophies, and hope against all hope that their father is still alive. An impressive toe-tapper that goes well beyond its novelty. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

SHAM - A sizzling courtroom drama that works despite abandoning the tantalizing ambiguity promised by its opening. Still, it’s gripping as can be, with an evergreen thematic structure. Shades of Vinterberg’s THE HUNT abound. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

ETERNITY - a high-concept rom-com in the vain of DEFENDING YOUR LIFE. A bit too long, but very funny and quite moving, with excellent performances across the board. Is Callum Turner as handsome as everyone in this movie asserts? I don’t see it. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

34th Philadelphia Film Festival - The Mysteries: WAKE UP DEAD MAN and HYSTERIA #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social scullyvision.com/2025/10/22/p...

RESURRECTION - There are only 3 things to which the term “Lynchian” could be accurately applied: the back half of BLONDE, Big Mouth Billy Bass, and the first hour or so of this massively impressive cinematic dreamscape (the rest of it is awesome too!) #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

THE MASTERMIND - A quiet, evenly paced anti-heist movie that’s less about art theft and more about how shitty it is when you’re stuck with someone you can’t trust … and how it’s even shittier to find out that you’re the one who can’t be trusted. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

LIFEHACK - An exciting and flawlessly executed heist movie … all on a computer screen. Who says you need an EMP and cool outfits to steal a ton of money with your friends? #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

HONEY BUNCH - Although it treads well-worn (tired?) territory, a novel plot-structure, strong direction, and a star-making performance from Grace Glowicki make this decidedly fucked up little movie more than worthwhile. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

HEADS OR TAILS? - come for John C. Reilly as Buffalo Bill Cody, stay for a layered, gorgeously shot “on the lam” western. Inventive direction and a duo of excellent leading performances elevate a standard script. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

NO OTHER CHOICE - Park Chan-Wook’s playful direction proves a perfect match for this twisted adaptation of Westlake’s THE AX. Madcap hilarity meets pitch black satire. A perfect film. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

NOUVELLE VAGUE - a dramatized looo at the making of BREATHLESS is Linklater at his most playful. A delight for film nerds and a reminder to filmmakers that rules are for squares and producers. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

MAN FINDS TAPE - A clever concept and imaginative execution struggles under the combined weight of its framing device and needlessly expansive mythology. It’s a fun watch, but it tries to do way too much and drowns its own potential to scare. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

NUREMBERG - Five unfinished movies mashed into one unfocused mess. Ugly and devoid of energy. A handful of striking moments, and a wealth of unintentionally funny ones. Michael Shannon innocent. Russell Crowe and Rami Malek guilty. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

CASE 137 - a thrilling and upsetting police procedural that criticizes the state’s talent for self-preservation, even when guilty of flagrant abuses of power. Timely, urgent, and masterfully executed. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

URCHIN - A frank portrait of addiction and homelessness with an empathetic and explosive performance from Frank Dillane. I’m forever mad that writer/director Harris Dickinson has the gall to be so damn talented and so much younger than me. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

BLUE MOON - Hawke disappears into Lorenz Hart, depicting a brilliant artist’s booze-fueled transformation into a shell of what he once was. Despite the heavy concept, the film remains light and funny. Musical theater nerds will go gaga for the material. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

Gary M. Kramer reviews locally-made DEAD GIVEAWAY for #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social scullyvision.com/2025/10/18/d...

DEAD GIVEAWAY - A friend of mine made this, so instead of a biased review I’ll just say that I’m really proud of him and also I would like to take Mikaela Hoover out for a steak dinner. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

HAMNET - A Shakespeare riff that is going to make a lot of Shakespeare fans out of people who don’t like Shakespeare. A staggering piece of cinematic art. It’s a shame I will never be able to say the title without giggling (this is a me problem). #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

MIROIRS No 3: While it doesn’t go anywhere unexpected, it goes there with Petzold’s distinct brand of grace and melodrama. If you’re into this sort of thing, you’ll love it (I am into this sort of thing). #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

HYSTERIA - a slow burn until it’s not. A masterful set up that puts a million pieces in play without revealing its hand, and then a compelling mystery unfolds. One particular turn of the screw made we squeal. Brilliant!! #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

THE DATING GAME - a sweet-natured look at an unexplored angle of the One Child Policy: a skewed man-to-woman ratio makes dating a challenge for young Chinese men. Light, but thought-provoking. #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social

Happy Halloween from I Like to Movie Movie! scullyvision.com/2025/10/17/m...

WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY - Lavish sets, strong performances, and plenty of laughs make up for an overly ornate script and an underused supporting cast. My least fav of the series, but still excellent.

34th Philadelphia Film Festival preview: BUGONIA & IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social scullyvision.com/2025/10/15/p...

Get your tickets and badges for #PFF34 @phillyfilmsociety.bsky.social scullyvision.com/2025/10/13/p...

My final set of reviews from #PUFFx What a great festival! scullyvision.com/2025/10/11/p...