Alise Chaffins

Morgantown

Freelance Film Critic at Freelance

Author. Film Critic. Soup Eater. Member: @ifscritics @thecherrypicks @dorianawards #OFTA Bylines: @domionpostwv @movieswetexted @loudandclearrvs Views are mine

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Articles

Juliet & Romeo Review: Musical Twist on a Shakespearean Classic

2 days ago | alisechaffins.substack.com | Alise Chaffins

The Shakespeare play “Romeo and Juliet” might not be his best work, but it is almost certainly his most well-known. Literature classes all over the world study this romantic tragedy. It has been adapted numerous times for film, and now there is a new adaptation from writer and director Timothy Scott Bogart titled Juliet & Romeo. This time, it is a musical adaptation, combining the classic Shakespearean language with modern pop songs.
Murderbot Season 1 Review: Deadly and Deadpan Sci-Fi Comedy

3 days ago | alisechaffins.substack.com | Alise Chaffins

It’s hard to see a show titled Murderbot and not want to see what is going on with that. Then you realize that it’s airing on Apple TV+, which has a solid track record with sci-fi shows, and the interest increases. Then add David Dastmalchian and Alexander Skarsgård to the mix, and it basically becomes required watching. While season 1 feels a bit thin despite being just ten episodes, there is plenty here to enjoy in Paul and Chris Weitz’s adaptation of the Martha Wells books.
Sharp Corner Review: Overly Subtle Thriller

1 week ago | loudandclearreviews.com | Alise Chaffins

Jason Buxton’s Sharp Corner is a unique look at an obsessive man trying to become a hero to the people who fall victim to the road outside his house. Director: Jason BuxtonGenre: ThrillerRun Time: 110′U.S. Release: May 9, 2025U.K. Release: TBAWhere to Watch: In select theaters and VODFinding the perfect home that meets all of your needs is the dream. But what happens when that perfect home has a flaw that wasn’t disclosed when you were looking?
MacGuffin or Meaning: Entertainment Newsletter

1 week ago | alisechaffins.substack.com | Alise Chaffins

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Happy Gilmore Review: Problematic Fun

1 week ago | loudandclearreviews.com | Alise Chaffins

Adam Sandler’s comedy Happy Gilmore is filled with problematic themes, but it’s plenty of fun, as well as a surprisingly insightful commentary on class.
The Four Seasons Review: Honesty In Middle-Age

2 weeks ago | loudandclearreviews.com | Alise Chaffins

The Netflix series The Four Seasons, from Tina Fey, offers an insightful look at long-term relationships, blending humor and heart effortlessly. Creators: Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, Tracey WigfieldGenre: Rom-ComNumber of Episodes: 8 Release Date: May 1, 2025Where to Watch: Stream it globally on NetflixFinding time to vacation with your best friends every few months may seem far too fanciful for many, but there is more to Tina Fey’s The Four Seasons than stunning homes and beautiful resorts.
The Legend of Ochi Review: Better Concept Than Execution

2 weeks ago | alisechaffins.substack.com | Alise Chaffins

Jim Henson was at the height of his career when I was growing up in the 70s and 80s, so I have a healthy love for puppets. So I went into Isaiah Saxon’s debut feature, The Legend of Ochi, with some relatively high expectations. Knowing that this film included a number of puppets and practical effects, I was excited to see what that would look like in a modern movie. But I found myself more interested in what could be than what was as I watched.
Egghead & Twinkie Review: Queer Road Trip Movie

2 weeks ago | alisechaffins.substack.com | Alise Chaffins

The road trip movie is a time-honored tradition. In her new film, Egghead & Twinkie, director Sarah Kambe Holland uses this genre to explore racial identity as well as coming out. This film, which releases on VOD on April 29, is a lighthearted story about discovering one's true self. Twinkie (Sabrina Jie-A-Fa) and Egghead (Louis Tomeo) have been best friends forever.
Sinners Review: The Vampiric Lure of Homogeneity

3 weeks ago | alisechaffins.substack.com | Alise Chaffins

I am seldom at a loss for words, but sometimes something is so overwhelming that I’m not sure how to fully express myself. I felt that way after watching Ryan Coogler’s newest film, Sinners. This movie is billed as a vampire movie, but it is so much more. The film opens on Sammie (Miles Caton) entering a church, clutching a guitar neck in his hand, his face marred, his clothes bloodied. He is embraced by the pastor, his father, Jedidiah (Saul Williams). We then flash back to the previous day.
The White Lotus Season 3 Review

1 month ago | loudandclearreviews.com | Alise Chaffins

In season 3 of The White Lotus on HBO, Mike White continues his fascinating character studies of the ultra-rich and how wealth influences their decisions.