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Alise Chaffins

@alisechaffins.bsky.social

730 followers 590 following 700 posts

Film critic. Author. Soup-eater. she/her Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alisedchaffins Member: GALECA, OFTA, IFSCA, IFCA 🍅-approved Bylines: The Dominion Post, Loud & Clear Reviews, Movies We Texted About Inquiries to [email protected]

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · Nov 16

Intro!

I'm Alise (uh-LEASE). I started blogging in 2009, writing faith-based essays. In 2013, my life underwent a MAJOR shift and I gave up writing for a long time. In 2021, when theaters were opening up again, I tagged my local newspaper asking if they needed a film critic. It was a joke.

Woman with grey hair and glasses smiling at the camera.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 12h

This body horror film tackles our obsession with weight and the resulting body dysmorphia with humor and insight and a room full of donuts.

My review of THINESTRA below! #moviesky #filmsky #screamfest

Thinestra Review (Screamfest): Monstrous Diets

THINESTRA ,from director Nathan Hertz, is a clever body horror movie that smartly tackles diet culture.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 2d

Finishing up my TIFF coverage has been slow going, but knocking out a few reviews today for BABYSTAR, ROSE OF NEVADA, and GOOD BOY. Thanks for reading! #moviesky #filmsky

TIFF Review Round Up: Babystar, Rose of Nevada, Good Boy

Catching up with reviews of TIFF films BABYSTAR, ROSE OF NEVADA, and GOODBOY.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 3d

In Benny Safdie’s new film, The Smashing Machine, Johnson flexes his acting (and literal) muscles, but unfortunately, there isn’t much there to support him in this aimless biopic about UFC fighter Mark Kerr. #moviesky #filmsky

The Smashing Machine Review: The Rock Shines, But the Movie is Dull

Benny Safdie's new movie, THE SMASHING MACHINE, boasts a stellar performance from Dwayne Johnson, but fails to tell a compelling story.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 4d

While THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS does have some story issues that blunt its efficacy, it is a beautiful, heartfelt film that highlights the love that mothers and daughters can share, even as they navigate their differences. #filmsky #moviesky

The Queen of My Dreams Review: Like Mother, Like Daughter

The Queen of My Dreams from writer and director Fawzia Mirza is a lovely, if somewhat rushed movie about mothers and daughters.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 5d

Also, this is my top 10 (not in order).

Alise Chaffins top 10 of the 2000s

Zoolander
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Arrival
Hereditary
Eighth Grade
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Perfect Days

Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 5d

Thanks to folks who did the work to put this together. Such a great list. It's fun seeing that blend of Important Movies and also just really fun, well-done blockbusters. Gah. I just love movies!

Matthew Simpson @smatthew.bsky.social · 5d

The International Film Society Critics Best 100 Films of the 21st Century (So Far) is now available in full, including the all-important top ten. Here's a thread with all the posts and a few points of interest 🧵

#Film #IFSCA100 #Movies

The IFSCA 100 Best Films of the 21st Century (So Far)

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 9d

When you are trying to tell a story with the concept as the primary draw, that can become a hindrance to a quality piece of filmmaking. Fortunately, the filmmaking itself in GOOD BOY works to make it something more than just a gimmick.

Full review below! #filmsky #moviesky #goodboy

Good Boy Review: Horror From a Dog's POV

Ben Leonberg's GOOD BOY has an intriguing concept, but this horror movie works because Indy the dog is a genius actor.

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Reposted by Alise Chaffins

Loud and Clear Reviews @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social · 10d

The Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera-starring THE LOST BUS hits Apple TV+ this Friday! 🤩

Read @alisechaffins.bsky.social's review!

#TheLostBus #AppleTVPlus

loudandclearreviews.com/the-lost-bus...

The Lost Bus Review: Thrilling But Thin

The Lost Bus, directed by Paul Greengrass, has many thrilling moments but struggles to maintain interest due to a bloated script.

loudandclearreviews.com

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 10d

Dead of Winter is an effective thriller with enough heart to make it worth a watch. And perhaps casting two middle-aged women in the starring roles is enough to make it feel unique.

Full review below! #filmsky #moviesky

Dead of Winter Review: Icy Thriller

Brian Kirk's DEAD OF WINTER is a familiar story, but performances from Emma Thompson and Judy Greer elevate it.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 11d

The symbol of the flag for one group was an ability to honor those who lost their health, limbs, and lives because of the war, and another saw it as a symbol that covered over government corruption. Both were frustrated with what was happening, but took their anger out on one another. @pbs.org

Hard Hat Riot Review: From Vietnam to MAGA

In HARD HAT RIOT on PBS, director Marc Levin examines the events that led to a major shift in American politics.

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Reposted by Alise Chaffins

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 14d

BREAKING: The FBI has fired agents photographed kneeling during a 2020 racial justice protest that followed the death of George Floyd, AP sources say.

FBI fires agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest, AP sources say

The FBI has fired agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 15d

Heading to see One Battle After Another. Can't wait to see if this is a Sinners (beloved by all including me), a Poor Things (beloved by all except me) or a Maverick (beloved by all, I thought it was fine)! #OneBattleAfterAnother

Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 15d

My interview with Marc Levin and David Paul Kuhn about HARD HAT RIOT. This documentary is essential viewing. It helps offer a clearer vision of how we got here in American politics. I wish I could have talked to them way longer than 10 minutes. @pbs.org #filmsky #moviesky

HARD HAT RIOT on PBS: Interview with Marc Levin and DavidPaul Kuhn

YouTube video by Alise Chaffins

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 15d

The lack of real character development, the casting aside of the main conceit, and the stagnant story structure in the third act make All of You a wildly frustrating watch.

Full review below! #filmsky #moviesky

All of You Review: Wasted Potential

ALL OF YOU from director William Bridges is a romantic drama with a high concept idea that utterly fails to deliver what it promises.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 16d

There are plenty of aspects of this series that make it fun to watch: the exciting action, the bucolic town, the stellar performances. But the issues with the script make it hard to give Wayward a full-throated endorsement.

Full review below!

Wayward Review: Too Many Mysteries

In WAYWARD from creator Mae Martin, Toni Collette shines in a disappointing cult mystery series on Netflix.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 17d

I freaking loved it. So earnest, but in a way that just WORKED. I need to give it a rewatch.

Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 17d

I will never stop loving my dystopian horror movies, but I have really (!) felt the draw of the *nice* movie this year. Films like Rental Family, Bob Trevino Likes It, and A Nice Indian Boy are sitting right at the top with the heavier fare.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 17d

THE LONG WALK is one of my favorite movies of the year. Timely, thoughtful, heartbreaking, hopeful - this one has it all. Highly recommend this film. Full review below! #moviesky #filmsky

The Long Walk Review: Friendship Beats Fascism

THE LONG WALK from director Francis Lawrence, based on the Stephen King novel, is a powerful story about friendship in hard times.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 18d

Even though NIGHT OF THE REAPER doesn’t cut a new path in the slasher genre, it travels down the well-worn road in style.

Full review below! #moviesky #filmsky

Night of the Reaper Review: Clever Slasher

Streaming Movie Review - Horror/Slasher - Shudder

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 19d

It's September 21 and you want to watch ROBOT DREAMS (review below), but you just cancelled your Hulu subscription. Never fear! Your library card connects you to @kanopy.com where you can (and should!) stream it for free! alisechaffins.substack.com/p/robot-drea...

Robot Dreams Review: A Silent Film That Speaks Volumes

Streaming Movie Review - Animation - Hulu

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 20d

Does the world absolutely need another adaptation of Hamlet? Perhaps not. But your English teacher was right. Shakespeare’s work is timeless. Themes like grief and greed aren’t tied to a specific period, but are something that have always existed and will probably always exist.

Full review below!

Hamlet Review (TIFF): Shakespeare Remains Timeless

Riz Ahmed is electric in this modern adaptation of HAMLET from director Aneil Karia, which places the Mad Prince in modern London.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 21d

Righting a major wrong tonight.
#NowWatching #moviesky #filmsky

Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 22d

Your new favorite Christmas movie is here. THE BALTIMORONS is a sweet, grounded Christmas rom-com that tackles some dark subjects with heart and humor. Check out my review at Movies We Texted About. #filmsky #moviesky
movieswetextedabout.com/the-baltimor...

'The Baltimorons' Movie Review: A Grounded Christmas Rom-Com

I am always on the lookout for a new Christmas movie to throw into the rotation. I love a happy, silly film, but my all-time favorite is It’s A Wonderful Life, the Christmas-adjacent movie that my dad...

movieswetextedabout.com

Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 24d

While there are a few interesting twists and turns, season 2 of GEN V felt like it was simply rehashing a lot of the same material from the first season and existing largely as a bridge into the final season of The Boys.

Full review below!

Gen V Season 2 Review: Sophomore Slump

Season 2 of GEN V boasts some great performances, but struggles to find its unique voice.

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Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · 25d

STEVE is less about a long-term story of kids overcoming unspeakable odds with the help of one kind teacher, and more about the actual problems that kids face and a single day of a teacher trying to figure out how to simply keep them out of jail. Review below! #filmsky #moviesky

Steve Review (TIFF): Doing Good in Chaos

Streaming Movie Review - Netflix - Drama

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