By Tony Beal

IN THEATERS

“Strange Darling”
The final attack of one of the 21st century’s most prolific serial killers reenacted in great detail.

“Strange Darling” is the perfect example of homage without being derivative, even if it does get a little self indulgent at times. Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner are astonishing here as two multilayered individuals who continuously surprise you with their actions. It’s a gorgeous film that harkens back to the mood of low budget cinema of the 70s but still has its own identity with the camerawork and editing. There are some aspects of the film that could be cut to make the film’s plot more surprising, but it still feels like a natural progression. Most impressively, it makes the most of its resources without feeling showy, which is an issue with a lot of “homage cinema.”
“Blink Twice”
A vacation to a billionaire’s island becomes a nightmare for a group of women.

It’s an ambitious debut for director Zoë Kravitz, one that doesn’t pull any punches. At the same time, there’s a sense that some of the decisions hold the film back from its full potential. Perhaps some of the choices, such as the over reliance of glamorous, but empty, imagery and repetitive storytelling, is the point; but there are better ways to execute those ideas. And without spoiling, the ending seems to throw out the ideas of abuse of power in favor of a more audience-friendly idea. It’s a movie that one has to respect for its goals and what it does, but it also has many elements that are clearly the result of a first-timer. It will be interesting to see where Kravitz goes from here.

“Alien: Romulus”
In a bid to escape their current lives, a group of young people inadvertently unleash the universe’s greatest terror.

“Alien: Romulus” is frustrating at times because it’s a generally good, at times great, movie that’s held back by an adherence to the past of the series. When it focuses on its own identity, it’s a gripping tale of young people repeating the mistakes of their previous generations to escape the cycle they’ve been forced into. That’s combined with themes of siblinghood and some new set pieces which takes the creatures of the series to a new sense of scale. Unfortunately, the amount of homages to previous films and the desire to feel familiar at the same time holds the film back, whether it’s lines from prior installments or an unfortunate case of CGI dead people. It’s unnecessary, not doing anything for the film or it’s themes, rather detracting from it. And it’s a shame because it is so close to greatness. This is a well made and entertaining film with a very good cast of newer talent…it just had to be more confident in itself.

ON NETFLIX

“Rebel Ridge”
A former marine finds himself against a small town’s police force following the theft of his bail money.

Jeremy Saulnier returns with a bang in “Rebel Ridge”, a surprising thriller in terms of its approach. Specifically, through how it approaches action, in a violent but not fatal manner which parallels its social commentary. For our lead Terry, played excellently by Aaron Pierre, it’s a world he has to bring down in a manner that is playing fair when it shouldn’t be. Backed by a supporting cast and an excellent use of slow burning tension, it’s the best Netflix original film in a long time. It’s good to know films like this are still being made in the action genre.
NEW RELEASES
October 3
“House of Spoils” (Amazon Prime Video)
“Hold Your Breath” (Hulu)

October 4
“Joker: Folie à Deux”
“Monster Summer”
“White Bird: A Wonder Story”
“It’s What’s Inside” (Netflix)

October 10
“Caddo Lake” (Max)

October 11
“Piece By Piece”
“Saturday Night”
“Terrifier 3”
“My Hero Academia: You’re Next”
“We Live In Time” (Limited)
“Rumors” (Limited)
“Bad Genius” (Limited)
“Lonely Planet” (Netflix)

October 17
“The Shadow Strays” (Netflix)
“Brothers” (Amazon Prime Video)

October 18
“Smile 2”
“Flight Risk”
“Goodrich”
“Anora” (Limited)
“Woman Of The Hour” (Netflix)
“Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara” (Hulu)

October 25
“Venom: The Last Dance”
“The Nickel Boys”
“The Incredible Life of Ibelin” (Netflix)

October 30
“Martha” (Netflix)
“Time Cut” (Netflix)