‘Evil Dead Rise’ Brings New Life to the Dead Series
Lee Cronin’s take on the Evil Dead series, Evil Dead Rise, has become a mirror image of its own horror by refusing to take its final breath.
Paul Risker
While technically an English-based film critic and interviewer, PopMatters Contributing Editor Paul Risker shows his political disgruntlement towards his homeland by identifying instead as a European writer. You’ll often find him agreeing with the late great French filmmaker, François Truffaut, preferring the reflection of life to life itself – he’ll even tell you that the cinema is more important than life. Often mistaken for a cynic, he prefers to think of himself as a disappointed idealist. Unsurprisingly he likes skulking in the sanctuary of the dark confines of the cinema.
Described as "philosophically inclined", he has a broad taste in cinema. His film writing has been published by academic and non-academic publications, including amongst others: PopMatters, Little White Lies, Cineaste, DMovies, VideoScope, Eye For Film, Film International, The Quarterly Review of Film and Video, and Filmmaker Magazine. He’s also on the advisory board of Mise-en-scène: The Journal of Film & Visual Narration (MSJ), the official film studies journal of Kwantlen Polytechnic University and serves as interview editor. He regularly contributes to the Arrow Films blog, the FrightFest festival programmes and online blog.
Thriller ‘Cairo Conspiracy’ Critiques Institutional Power
Beneath the taut suspense of the political and religious machinations for control in Tarik Saleh’s Cairo Conspiracy emerges a stream of ideas.
‘The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan’ Is an Honourable Iteration
The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan lacks the literary poetry and grace of Dumas’ sprawling novel, but Martin Bourboulon’s iteration honours its spirit.
Director Rebecca Zlotowski on Her Most Autobiographical Film ‘Other People’s Children’
Director Rebecca Zlotowski talks with PopMatters about her most autobiographical film to date, Other People’s Children, which has a “whiff” of Claude Sautet about it.
The Quintessential Frenchness of Drama ‘One Fine Morning’
Mia Hansen-Løve’s tender Parisian drama One Fine Morning reflects on our sentimental nature and how we attach meaning and connection to the physical.
Ben Affleck’s ‘Air’ Wills Itself to Victory
Ben Affleck’s likeable and engaging Air walks a fine line between success and defeat. It’s a fitting culmination of the director’s exploration of drama and its sub-genres.
Icelandic Drama ‘Godland’ Puts What We Give Meaning in Perspective
Presented in a square frame with rounded edges, with audio-visual majesty, and silent narrative confidence, Icelandic director Hlynur Pálmason’s drama Godland is a seminal experience.
Brandon Cronenberg’s Horror Film ‘Infinity Pool’ Isn’t Very Deep
Brandon Cronenberg’s horror film Infinity Pool lets the intriguing concept of body doubles married to themes of crime and punishment and the class system, go to waste.
Pierre Földes on Murakami Adaptation ‘Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman’
French-American composer, painter, and film director Pierre Földes talks about his unbridled animated adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s stories, Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman.
Director Léa Mysius on ‘The Five Devils’ Aromatic Mystery
Director Léa Mysius talks with PopMatters about her sophomore feature The Five Devils, a nuanced exploration of the primitive senses.
The Ever-Present Future of Women in Sophie Barthes’ Sci-Fi Comedy ‘The POD Generation’
While societies are technologically advancing, Sophie Barthes’ sci-fi comedy The POD Generation offers a cautionary tale about how, spiritually, culturally, and economically we’re “standing still – or moving backwards.”
Director Roggio on Exposing the Bible’s False Narrative About Homosexuality
Director Sharon ‘Rocky’ Roggio discusses her documentary, 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture, and how the Bible has been weaponised against the LGBTQIA+ community.