Category Archives: Reviews

Reviews and Recaps at Sketchy Details

I Am Divine Review

I Am Divine Review (Film, 2014)

I Am Divine is a captivating documentary about the life and career of Harris Glen Milstead, better known by his stage name/drag persona Divine. Divine had a long and expansive career through many forms of media (film, stage, music, and television) and was by no means an overnight success. His most critically acclaimed performance, as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, was, sadly, his last. He passed away from a heart attack right when he finally seemed poised for the mainstream success he dreamed of his whole life.

I Am Divine tells the story of the notorious performer through archival footage and interviews with Divine’s peers. John Waters appears, naturally, as do Mink Stole, Susan Lowe, and Mary Vivian Pearce. Beyond the typical Waters’ players, Divine’s influence and reputation are truly shown. Journalist Michael Musto, actor Tab Hunter, and Emmy-winning casting director Pat Moran (among many other surprising participants) sing Divine’s praises for the entire run time.

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Madoka Magica Review

Madoka Magica Review (Anime, 2011)

Why do magical girls exist? Whose great cosmic plan involves putting preteen and teenage girls into dangerous battles against inhuman enemies for minimal gain? And why the hell are the little critters that bring the pretty transformation items so stinking cute and happy?

Madoka Magica, an anime written for television by Gen Urobuchi (creator of the equally subversive Psycho-Pass), takes a rather cynical approach to the magical girl genre. Madoka is a painfully average middle school student. There is nothing special about her except her level of empathy and kindness. A new girl, Homura, transfers into the school at an odd time of year and starts a strange relationship with Madoka. Then, Madoka and her best friend Sayaka meet a cat-like creature named Kyubey who promises them one wish if they agree to fight against witches as magical girls. The dream is obviously too good to be true since every magical girl they encounter begs them to stay away.

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The Call of Cthulhu

Horror Thursday: The Call of Cthulhu

I love it when my interests and needs can actually cross over. I watched The Call of Cthulhu as the last piece of my Lovecraft on the Silver Screen panel (this Saturday at ConnectiCon, come say hi) and knew it would also work for Horror Thursday. It’s the first (and probably only) time I’ve reviewed a short for the column. To be fair, at 45 minutes long, it is structured and feels like an actual feature film. It’s also surprisingly good.

Horror Thursday: The Call of Cthulhu

Horror Thursday: Diabolique

Horror Thursday: Diabolique

Next summer, I need to also consider what has been covered at Man, I Love Films for my Cinefessions viewing schedule. I had to go back in my notes a couple weeks for the new Horror Thursday subject. I was glad to cover it. Diabolique is one of my favorite noir films and just falls outside my top 10 horror films of all time. It’s just so smart, beautiful, and well-executed.

Horror Thursday: Diabolique

Horror Thursday: Curse of the Cat People

Horror Thursday: Curse of the Cat People

I had to break my trend of reviewing the weekly theme film for the Cinefessions Summer Screams Challenge this week. I just don’t see eXistenZ as a horror film.

Now Curse of the Cat People. That’s a great horror film. Such nuance. Such life. Such beauty. Such a terrifying recitation of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

Horror Thursday: Curse of the Cat People