INDEPENDENT FILM JOURNAL · EST. 2014
Cinematic Considerations
Film criticism beyond the plot.
In-depth reviews, first reactions, and essays from film critic Matt Ward, writing independently after more than a decade in print.
THE LEAD STORY
Featured Review
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Ebenezer: Bah, Humbug
It’s hard to imagine a tale of a man being haunted by ghosts as anything less than a horror film or psychological thriller.
Recent Reviews
The latest full-length criticism, from new releases to independent discoveries.
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Wild Horse Nine: Shadows in paradise
Malaise is a tricky thing to successfully pull off in cinema. Done poorly, it can come across as heavy-handed or pedantic and create…
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Wicker: Basket case
Cinema can often be described as a series of adult fairy tales, fictional worlds brought to life through the visual tapestry of moviemaking…
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You Can See Everything: Seeing isn’t believing
The concepts of authenticity and truth in documentary filmmaking seem almost guaranteed by the nature of the genre.
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Street Fighter: Insert coin, lower expectations
Poor action movies are easy to spot. They have no real sense of purpose other than to give audiences a sense of exhilaration…
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
After the Credits
Immediate reactions. Before the dust settles.
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‘La Bola Negra’: Two Eras, Two Very Different Experiences
Two-thirds of “La Bola Negra” is exceptional cinema. The other third? Not nearly as compelling.
Beyond the New Releases
More than a decade of writing on cinema, filmmakers, festivals, and films worth rediscovering.
