Clarence’s Book, bearing a four-star rating, is an ingenious film directed by Jeymes Samuel and featuring a star-studded cast including names like Keith Stanfield, Omar Sy, and Alfre Woodard, to mention a few. The film cleverly overturns the traditional tale in Life of Brian, where an unwilling hero is mistaken as a divine figure. A striking resemblance can be drawn to Garth Jennings’ underappreciated piece on Mary Magdalene, mainly in the historically precise portrayal of various cults operating in Palestine. A risk-taking, debt-ridden gambler Clarence, played impeccably by Stanfield, finds himself getting entwined with the rising Christian cult, prompted by his devout brother Thomas. This film paints a vivid picture of gospel details, leading towards a miraculous conclusion.
Rated four stars, All You Need Is Death is the brainchild of Paul Duane. It features a remarkable performance from Simone Collins, Charlie Maher and others in the cast. This unexpected Irish horror film introduces us to two folklorists whose world turns upside down after they find a cursed song. A significant contribution to the film is the gripping score by Ian Lynch, founder member of Lankum. This film combines an uncanny element with old folk art, drawing attention towards elements frequently hidden in the latter. It presents a uniquely Celtic interpretation of Hieronymus Bosch’s artistry in a creatively unpleasant yet compelling manner. However, be prepared that some may find this unusual twist a bit frustrating.
Sean Price Williams makes his directorial debut, starring Talia Ryder, Earl Cave, Simon Rex, Ayo Edebiri, Jeremy O Harris, Jacob Elordi, in a limited 104-minute release. Ryder portrays a southern schoolgirl who gets lost from her group while on a field trip in Washington DC. She meets a series of unusual characters, echoing the late ’60s counterculture vibes. Williams, known for his cinematography work with Alex Ross Perry and the Safdie Brothers, crafts a frenetic, improvisational atmosphere through grainy, blurred shots. The cast commits to the bold on-the-fly style, creating an energetic and unique cinematic experience. A full review is available for the DC region.
In another film, titled Abigail and rated two stars out of five, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett star Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Giancarlo Esposito, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, and Angus Cloud. The 109-minute general release features a melodramatic storyline about a girl abducted by a vastly overpopulated kidnap crew. The character Abigail, played by Alisha Weir from Dublin, turns out to be a blood-thirsty vampire, leading to considerable comedic violence. Despite Weir’s masterful performance, the perpetual camera movement and balletic death scenes become repetitive. A full review can be found under review author initials TB.