Movie reviews of Christie Robb

It’s giving early draft of Cabin in the Woods energy, but on a much lower budget, and with the ending still largely undetermined. Review

Visually and aurally, it’s an outstanding film. But, it lacks a strong narrative through line and the necessary historical exposition that would make this operatic biopic really sing. Review

Is the film predictable? Yes. But so, sadly, is loss and grief and the struggle to stay emotionally available when adulthood means growing old and falling apart. Review

It’s edge-of-your-seat cinema. Technically magnificent. Award-winning. Unforgettable. Devastating. Review

McCormick delivers such a subtle, natural performance that at times it’s hard to remember you are watching an actor at work. She’s a talent to keep an eye on. Review

Making something and having a good time while doing it. It’s a joy to watch. Review

Our heroes are placed in physical danger. Their relationship teeters on the brink. But it doesn’t quite come together. In the end, it’s unclear who, if anyone, the audience is rooting for. But an adventure was definitely had. Review

If you are looking to program a night of neo-noir, you could totally play LaRoy, Texas as an opening act as long as you save the superstars like Fargo and the Big Lebowski for later in the evening. Review

The moms are raw and honest, flawed but trying. And the extent they are willing to listen, love, and change to support their kids is just beautiful. Review

The kung fu surrealist comedy has the kind of video-store cult-classic vibes that would make for a great weekend watch with a group of rowdy friends. Review

Bleeding Love can be a bit heavy-handed and ignores some of the realities of addiction (like the crushing hangovers) but it’s sweet and hopeful and grounded in the real-life struggles of the McGregors. Review

It’s a stylish movie with good chemistry between cast members and some fun twists. However, the script deserved another few drafts before filming. In order to pull off what the film is trying to do, you need a tightly woven script that works the first time without giving away the ending, and that holds up to multiple viewings once you know. Review

Molly McGlynn can find the right balance of pathos and humor inherent in stuff like using a series of medical dildos to DIY a vagina. Review

Sehiri’s film unfolds slowly. It feels like we are eavesdropping. The cast of non-professional actors chat, flirt, and bicker among themselves and try to avoid getting in trouble with the boss Gaith. Review

The film seems like a beautifully composed thought experiment, but it doesn’t exactly make for a satisfying story. Review

Many of the shots seem repetitive and there is not enough in the script to make the viewer care much about the fate of the world or the two men. It’s like the set up for a Doctor Who episode without the lived-in charming characters and would have, perhaps, made a better short film than a feature. Review

Toward the end, the social-critique/Gothic horror gets a little bit too complicated and hard to follow for a few minutes with character choices that seem alternatively forced or not dialed up enough, but ultimately it was an effective take on the traditional atmospheric horror. Review

As does the drama inherent in the view of the green of the land ending abruptly in the pounding of the ocean. It’s a movie worth savoring. Review

The film manages to do a lot with few resources. However, the main characters are underdeveloped. Review

Millan and Reagan deliver layered and realistic performances that keep the pace of this slow-burn of a character-driven horror moving. Review

The ending of the film, too, feels predictable and like it comes too easily. But as this is Torres’s first feature, I’m excited to see more from him as he comes of age as a feature director. Review

The film whiffs on opportunities to flesh out the personalities of the other three friends and show what Wren is bringing to the friendship table besides tequila shots and chaos. Review

If you are planning on a cabin trip this spooky season, consider adding this one to your watch list. Just make sure to lock the doors and windows at night and try to avoid any drifters. Review

Dominic Lopez and Kelsey Gunn create a dramatic and whimsical story that is completely absurd yet totally relatable. Primarily shot in one location with one actor and a taxidermy mouse in a beret as the leads, Little Jar really illustrates what independent filmmakers can accomplish with a limited budget. Review