Movie review by Greg Carlson Issues of gender reside at the heart of Rory Kennedy’s entertaining documentary “Queen of Chess,” available on Netflix following a January world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. In the feature, Kennedy explores the remarkable career and achievements of the phenomenal Judit Polgár. The Hungarian’s staggering stat line should pique […]
Deep Water
Movie review by Greg Carlson Leagues more entertaining than its logline and/or trailer might initially suggest, Renny Harlin’s “Deep Water” smartly avoids taking itself too seriously by fully embracing its delightfully trashy pedigree as a genre-bending mashup of classic disaster movie and shark attack chiller. Coming together under the big umbrella of the survival formula, […]
Posted by GBC on May 3, 2026
https://southpawfilmworks.net/?p=5985
The Chronology of Water
Movie review by Greg Carlson Kristen Stewart’s critically well-received directorial debut should do better in its second life on digital streaming platforms and VOD than it did during the very limited theatrical release it received stateside at the tail of end of 2025. For physical media collectors overseas (as well as those in the United […]
Posted by GBC on April 26, 2026
https://southpawfilmworks.net/?p=5981
I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not
Movie review by Greg Carlson Veteran documentary filmmaker Marina Zenovich has chronicled a number of powerful men in entertainment, politics and popular culture, including Roman Polanski (twice), Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Lance Armstrong, and Jerry Brown, so neither her most recent subject nor her methodological approach should surprise any viewers who have enjoyed her consistently […]
Posted by GBC on April 18, 2026
https://southpawfilmworks.net/?p=5977
In Conversation With Peter Stormare
Interview by Greg Carlson The Fargo Theatre’s Centennial Film Series opens this Tuesday evening with a special 30th anniversary screening of “Fargo.” Nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, “Fargo” received two Academy Awards: Frances McDormand was named Best Actress in her role as indefatigable Brainerd Chief of Police Marge Gunderson and Best Screenplay honors […]
Posted by GBC on April 11, 2026
https://southpawfilmworks.net/?p=5963
Forbidden Fruits
Movie review by Greg Carlson “Forbidden Fruits” practically begs for the grammarian’s old “which witch is which” query, given that Meredith Alloway’s wildly uneven feature directorial debut bounces from one genre to another and never quite finds a consistent tone or gear. The filmmaker’s game cast members, channeling the sensibilities of inspirations from “Heathers” to […]
Posted by GBC on April 4, 2026
https://southpawfilmworks.net/?p=5956
Alpha
Movie review by Greg Carlson Filmmaker Julia Ducournau’s third feature, a mashup of body horror, family melodrama, and AIDS allegory set in a grim and gray dystopia, fails to live up to the promise of wild debut “Raw” and Palme d’Or winner “Titane.” “Alpha” premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and now makes its […]
Posted by GBC on March 29, 2026
https://southpawfilmworks.net/?p=5952
Collecting Movies With Elizabeth Chatelain
Interview by Greg Carlson Filmmaker Elizabeth Chatelain returns to the Fargo Film Festival with the new feature “Bigfoot Woods,” screening on Saturday, March 21 at 1:30pm at the Fargo Theatre. She will be joined by several members of the production team for a conversation following the movie. HPR film editor Greg Carlson spoke with Chatelain […]
Posted by GBC on March 18, 2026
https://southpawfilmworks.net/?p=5945
Slanted
Movie review by Greg Carlson A number of critics and media outlets have already noted the variety of cinematic antecedents that have influenced writer-director Amy Wang’s movie “Slanted,” pointing out how the story of a frustrated teenager mashes “Mean Girls” with “The Substance” in a body horror package that misses the bullseye. Wang borrows peak […]
Posted by GBC on March 13, 2026
https://southpawfilmworks.net/?p=5941
The Bride!
Movie review by Greg Carlson Before she takes the stage of the Dolby Theatre on March 15 to collect her Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her work in “Hamnet,” Jessie Buckley will find a few new fans as she transforms into the title monster in writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Bride!” Buckley’s […]
Posted by GBC on March 7, 2026
https://southpawfilmworks.net/?p=5936