Victor Stiff

Toronto

Pop Culture Writer and Film Critic at Freelance

Senior Critic at That Shelf

Toronto Film Critics Association Member & Golden Globe Voter Senior Critic @ThatShelf

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Articles

Predator: Killer of Killers Review: A Blood-Soaked, No-Brakes Animated Thrill Ride

3 weeks ago | thatshelf.com | Victor Stiff

The ’80s gave us a cornucopia of pop culture treasures: MTV, The Simpsons, and Super Mario Bros. But its greatest gift to society is the rise of testosterone-fuelled action flicks. And when it comes to big, explosive, roided-out mayhem, Predator remains the gold standard. With its airtight premise, Arnold Schwarzenegger at his musclebound peak, and one of cinema’s all-time great monsters, Predator‘s masterpiece status is unassailable.
Lilo & Stitch Review: Stitch Happens

1 month ago | thatshelf.com | Victor Stiff

Are there any film series that catch more flak than Disney’s live-action remakes? There’s a vocal swath of critics who talk about the Dumbo and reimaginings like they’re crimes against humanity. They decry remakes as creatively bankrupt while finger-wagging at Disney for greenlighting rehashes instead of original concepts. I often watch these films in morning press screenings with a handful of other critics, and we crowd around multiplex lobbies afterwards, debating what worked and what didn’t.
Lilo & Stitch Interview: Tia Carrere & Courtney B. Vance

1 month ago | thatshelf.com | Victor Stiff

That Shelf’s Victor Stiff sat down with Tia Carrere & Courtney B. Vance to discuss their work in Disney’s latest live-action reimagining, Lilo & Stitch. Carrere who voiced Lilo’s older sister Nani in the animated original film, returns in a new role as Mrs. Kekoa, a kind-hearted social worker tasked with keeping tabs on Lilo and Nani. Vance joins the cast as Cobra Bubbles, a CIA agent investigating a potential alien threat.
Thunderbolts* Interview: Julia Louis-Dreyfus

1 month ago | thatshelf.com | Victor Stiff

That Shelf sat down with Julia Louis-Dreyfus to discuss her role in the MCU’s latest high-octane action movie, Thunderbolts*. The film sees Louis-Dreyfus return to the role of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, a morally devious CIA director being impeached for her nefarious off-book directives. It’s clear the former Seinfeld and Veep star is having a blast in the role so we were excited to sit down and discuss what makes the character tick.
Thunderbolts* Review: Marvel's C-listers Bring their A-Game

1 month ago | thatshelf.com | Victor Stiff

It’s hard to cover a Marvel movie these days without discussing the MCU’s recent struggles. There was a time when Marvel Studios could do no wrong. Each release was a surefire hit that resonated with audiences. But the MCU lost some of its lustre after 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. For every Deadpool and Wolverine-level mega-hit, there’s a handful of box office underperformers that underwhelmed even longtime fans.
Mickey 17 Review: A Chilling Look at Capitalism Run Amok

Mar 7, 2025 | thatshelf.com | Victor Stiff

Should we all be so lucky as to witness an artist performing at the peak of their craft. Think of hearing Aretha Franklin sing, watching Michael Jackson dance, or feeling the crowd roar as Steph Curry nails a game-winning three. Their art will endure for generations, but to experience them at their height is a rare gift, often underappreciated in the moment. It’s hard to grasp what we have until it’s gone. So let’s take the time to appreciate the rare moment we find ourselves in.
Creature Commandos Review: Suicide Squad Meets Monster Squad — James Gunn-style - That Shelf

Feb 28, 2025 | thatshelf.com | Victor Stiff

Few in Hollywood bear the weight of expectations like James Gunn, the recently appointed ruler of the DC Studios entertainment empire. In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery hired Gunn as the co-head of DC Studios. They’ve entrusted him with the future of their film and television franchises, including iconic properties like Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Justice League. For nearly two decades, comic book films have been Hollywood’s lifeblood.
Captain America: Brave New World Review: The New Cap Takes Flight

Feb 13, 2025 | thatshelf.com | Victor Stiff

If the Iron Man films are the heart of the MCU, then the Captain America series is its soul. Steve Rogers’ unshakable moral code often placed him at odds with both friends and foes, leading to some of the MCU’s most thrilling conflicts. Losing Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’ Captain America has left the MCU with a Galactus-sized void. Today, even diehard fans agree Marvel movies are hit or miss.
WWE RAW on Netflix: What You Need to Know Before Tuning In

Jan 30, 2025 | thatshelf.com | Victor Stiff

For the past few weeks, Netflix subscribers have logged into their accounts to find scowling WWE superstars adorning their screens. That’s because in January 2024, Netflix and WWE struck a hefty $5 billion, 10-year deal to bring WWE’s flagship show, RAW, to the streaming giant. With all apologies to The New Day, Netflix and WWE make for wrestling’s greatest tag team. Netflix is pushing to become a major player in the premium live event arena, and the WWE is surging in popularity right now.
10 Years Later, This Cult Horror Movie is Even Better Than Fans Remember

Oct 27, 2024 | cbr.com | Victor Stiff

Movies Sign in to your CBR account The 2010s was an incredible decade for horror movies, spawning a number of iconic franchises and standout sequels that left their mark on the genre. Films like It, The Conjuring and Get Out became both box office smashes and pop culture sensations. Meanwhile, The Witch, Hereditary and It Comes at Night delivered masterclasses in tension and dread while wrestling with cerebral themes, popularizing the concept of elevated horror. Yet, one film from that era...