Three features in, I'm not yet convinced that writer/director Ari Aster is a genius. I found Hereditary too overwrought and Midsommar too slowly-paced, though both had their share of disturbing images. Beau Is Afraid – its working title was the catchier if less literal Disappointment Blvd. – is Aster's most assured and imaginative work as a director. As a writer,… read more!

Every film lover should try to go to Sundance at least once, for only then can you understand the mad fervor that surrounds every buzzworthy premiere. Hundreds of non-VIPs will freeze their butts off in the snow, often for hours, to score rush tickets to a film that, when it's finally released to the public, will be barely noticed. (When… read more!

I was one of the few people left unmoved by Ari Aster's debut horror feature Hereditary. I found it more overwrought than truly chilling. Still, I felt Aster showed promise as a visual stylist, so I was keen to check out his sophomore effort, Midsommar. The plot of Midsommar concerns a small group of twentysomethings – at least two of… read more!