Matthew Koss, Author at The Wandering Screen

‘La Llorona’ Review: This Award-Winning Horror Film Finds Scares in Unveiling Details

Posted on March 24, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

Atmospherically a horror film, La Llorona impresses through its technical achievements by disarming viewers with incredible reveals.

Category: FilmPosts

‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ Review: Affecting, Fiery, and All Too Relevant

Posted on March 22, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

In Shaka King’s Judas and the Black Messiah, oppressed voices try to bring safety and security to their communities.

Category: Film

‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Review: Consider me a Converted DC Fan. This Film Rocks!

Posted on March 19, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

Zack Snyder’s Justice League formulates a structure that allows for character development and enables complete immersion into the story.

Category: Film

‘Promising Young Woman’ Review: Justice is Served in Emerald Fennell’s Debut Feature

Posted on March 18, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

The intersection between light and dark, moving forward and triggered backward, makes Emerald Fennell’s directorial debut so enticing.

Category: Film

‘Cherry’ Review: A Formulaic Screenplay Languishes Under an Over-Stylized Direction

Posted on March 15, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

Anthony and Joe Russo, the brothers behind the mega-successful Avengers: Endgame, are perhaps the least likely directors to take on Nico Walker’s novel Cherry.

Category: Film

‘Ammonite’ Review: A Sensual Film Elevated by Kate Winslet’s Masterful Performance

Posted on March 12, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

In Francis Lee’s new film about an acclaimed paleontologist, Mary Anning (Kate Winslet), who embarks on an intense affair with the wife of a scientist in the same field, the ammonite ignites a whole spectrum of desires.

Category: Film

‘All My Life’ Review: The Light of Life Shines Brightly Before it Dims

Posted on March 10, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

Inspired by real events, All My Life follows a couple, Jenn Carter and Soloman ‘Sol’ Chau,’ who meet by chance one day, fall in love, and are challenged when Sol is diagnosed with liver cancer.

Category: Film

‘Soul’ Review: Pixar’s Latest Dips Before Reviving into a Life-Affirming Message

Posted on March 8, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

Soul is more adult than previous Pixar offerings, but when the story leaves Earth, the film gets bogged down explaining the rules.

Category: Film

‘Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry’ Review: The Captivating Rise of a Young Musician

Posted on March 5, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

RJ Cutler’s engrossing documentary about Billie Eilish captures the birth of a superstar as she takes currency in her image.

Category: Film

‘Music’ Review: A Poorly Conceived Story With Good Intentions and Fun Musical Episodes

Posted on March 3, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

Sia’s direction evokes the absurdness of a Michel Gondry film, but it’s hard to overlook the plot points that diminish good intentions.

Category: Film

‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ Review: Andra Day’s Remarkable Turn in a Flawed Biopic

Posted on March 1, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

In Lee Daniels’ latest, Andra Day ensures that Billie Holiday’s story is present, affecting, and unwasted. It’s a star-making performance.

Category: Film

‘I Care A Lot’ Review: Devilish, Vile, and Exciting. Rosamund Pike is Brilliant

Posted on February 24, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

Written, directed, and produced by J Blakeson, Netflix’s I Care A Lot repeatedly escalates the stakes with winning results.

Category: Film

‘Nomadland’ Review: Living Each Wild Moment is Rarely Observed So Potently

Posted on February 22, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

Nomadland by writer/director Chloé Zhao is at once life-affirming and generous to the stories that catapult people onto the road.

Category: Film

‘Supernova’ Review: The Most Romantic Film of the Year is Transcendental

Posted on February 18, 2021March 14, 2023 by Matthew Koss

Colin Firth has never been better, playing a man troubled with the reality that his life will continue without his partner Tusker, played by Stanley Tucci.

Category: Film