Top Ten Movies of 2015 — Staci Layne Wilson
By Staci Layne Wilson When you see as many movies as I do a year – or even per week – it’s nearly impossible to make a Top Ten Movies list. I mean, how can you pit Inside Out against The Hateful 8? Is it fair to compare Amy to Carol? Can’t be done. My criteria…
THE DISASTER ARTIST Review — It's a Hit With Staci
The Disaster Artist Review by Staci Layne Wilson (@StaciWilson) The Disaster Artist is about aspiring filmmaker Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) and his much-younger best friend Greg Sestero (Dave Franco), who dream of achieving Hollywood stardom. Financed with $6 million of his own money, Wiseau writes, directs and stars in The Room, a much-maligned flop that has become…
NIGHT SWIM Review — Don’t be Afraid to Dive Right In
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Night Swim review says the latest Blumhouse movie is horror light, which is fine for those who don’t want to be too scared to go near the water. I usually defer to my fellow critic, horror expert Staci Layne Wilson, for reviews of frightening films. She knows so much more about the…
WHO’S WATCHING WHO Review – Family Ties Save the Day
Staci Layne Wilson’s Who’s Watching Who review says it’s a charming short with more going on beneath the surface. Who’s Watching Who is a short film that’s been sweeping the film festival circuit (with an eye toward streaming platforms), and winning the hearts of viewers everywhere. It’s not easy to make an impact in less…
TRAVELING LIGHT Review – Heavy Ruminations on Class, Cults, and Covid-19
Staci Layne Wilson’s Traveling Light review says the new Tony Todd vehicle is a departure from his signature Candyman role but worth a look for those into cerebral dramas. Actor Tony Todd and director Bernard Rose’s most famous pairing happened decades ago, with the cult favorite horror film, Candyman. Candyman was more than just blood…
5 Exclusive Recipes From ‘RockTails: 102 Drinks That Rock’
Famous rock musicians share their favorite drinks, or “Rocktails” for fun and a good cause in Staci Layne Wilson’s raucous new book. When it comes to rock music and alcoholic beverages, you might picture Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones weaving around onstage clutching a bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand and…
THE SECOND AGE OF AQUARIUS Review – It Rocks!
In her The Second Age of Aquarius review, Lisa Johnson Mandell says filmmakers Staci Layne Wilson et al have come up with a whole new irresistible genre In The Second Age of Aquarius, Russell Aquarius (Michael Ursu) is one of those ’60s rock stars who lived too fast, died too young, and left a good-looking corpse. Even…
SCREAM Review—Ghostface is Back, with a Wink and a Nod
Staci Layne Wilson’s Scream review says the slasher keeps to its postmodern roots while giving the proceedings contemporary cachet. Scream directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are a clever team of true horror aficionados—if their names don’t ring a bell, you may remember their sleeper hit, 2019’s Ready or Not—who are the perfect pair to…
NIGHTMARE ALLEY Review—All That Glitters is Not Gold
Staci Layne Wilson’s Nightmare Alley review notes the visuals are a dream, but the tale bursts at the seams and falls apart. Bradley Cooper stars as Stan Carlisle in Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley— he’s a shady, charming grifter with no qualms when it comes to manipulating marks as well as loved ones. Carlisle wasn’t born…