Alise Chaffins
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alisechaffins.bsky.social
Alise Chaffins
@alisechaffins.bsky.social
740 followers 600 following 710 posts
Film critic. Author. Soup-eater. she/her
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alisedchaffins
Member: GALECA, OFTA, IFSCA, IFCA 🍅-approved
Bylines: The Dominion Post, Loud & Clear Reviews, Movies We Texted About
Inquiries to alise.d.chaffins@gmail.com
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alisechaffins.bsky.social
Alise Chaffins @alisechaffins.bsky.social · Nov 16
Intro!

I'm Alise (uh-LEASE). I started blogging in 2009, writing faith-based essays. In 2013, my life underwent a MAJOR shift and I gave up writing for a long time. In 2021, when theaters were opening up again, I tagged my local newspaper asking if they needed a film critic. It was a joke.
Woman with grey hair and glasses smiling at the camera.
alisechaffins.bsky.social
More than anything, CHRISTY feels safe...What Martin has overcome is astounding, and as a West Virginian, I’m thrilled that she is having it told on the big screen. I only wish this movie could have been as bold as she is. #moviesky #filmsky
Christy Review: Timid Story of a Bold Woman
David Michôd’s film CHRISTY starring Sydney Sweeney tells the story of boxing pheom Christy Martin, but is unable to fully capture her spirit.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
This movie is far more hagiography than biography....but John Candy: I Like Me proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was surrounded by people who loved him, and there is a lot of value in that. #moviesky #filmsky
John Candy: I Like Me Review: We Liked You, Too
In the documentary JOHN CANDY: I LIKE ME, Colin Hanks examines the life and career of beloved comedian John Candy through interviews with friends and family.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
Die My Love is so broad in the way that it can be interpreted, it can read more as a “b*tches be crazy” film than a deep look at the mental health struggles of a woman with PPD.

Full review below. #moviesky #filmsky
Die My Love Review: Mistaking Frenzy for Meaning
Lynne Ramsay returns with DIE MY LOVE, a film that follows a woman falling deeper into postpartum depression, but without exploring what that means.
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
Séance does an amazing job of creating an engrossing period piece that allows us to examine topics that feel more modern, while reminding us that there is nothing new under the sun. #moviesky #filmsky
Séance Review: Does Love Conquer All?
Vivian Kerr's Séance is an atmospheric period piece that asks important questions about love, sexuality, and loss.
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:05 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
Dick Cheney right now as he’s realizing that when you shoot your friend in the face, YOU are supposed to apologize.
a woman is smiling and saying this is the bad place .
ALT: a woman is smiling and saying this is the bad place .
media.tenor.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:52 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
Even in the most nihilistic moment of Bugonia, there is a sense of remorse that suggests that there is something worth saving in the midst of all the mess. Maybe it just takes us remembering our humanity. #moviesky #filmsky
Bugonia Review: Hold Onto Our Humanity
Yorgos Lanthimos is back with BUGONIA, a genre-defying movie with just enough remorse to keep it from feeling entirely misanthropic.
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:55 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
I will be so anxious to see what people think of ANNIVERSARY, as this one is provocative. I quite liked it. Check out my review at @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social! #filmsky #moviesky
October 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE feels meandering, without any real sense of urgency or threat. And if there’s something that no thriller should ever aspire to, it’s being boring.

Full review below! #moviesky #filmsky
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Review: Sleepy Horror
Michelle Garza Cervera's remake of THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE has some decent performances from the leads, but fails to be interesting beyond that.
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October 27, 2025 at 12:37 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
THE LONG WALK is one of my favorite movies of the year and it's available on VOD now! Check out my review below and absolutely give this one a watch. #moviesky #filmsky alisechaffins.substack.com/p/the-long-w...
The Long Walk Review: Friendship Beats Fascism
THE LONG WALK from director Francis Lawrence, based on the Stephen King novel, is a powerful story about friendship in hard times.
alisechaffins.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
Season 1 was a breezy 10-episode show that wrapped up well enough that, while not a full meal, it was a tasty snack. Nobody Wants This is back for season 2, and if you’re craving something more filling, you’re in for some disappointment.

Full review below!
Nobody Wants This (Season2) Review: Breezy Isn't Enough
Season 2 of NOBODY WANTS THIS adds some depth to some side characters, but leaves our main couple in the same place they were in the first season.
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
Quick, someone buy my book! This is the first month that it has had no sales since it released and honestly, we could all use some nice Ted Lasso content, right? Grab a couple copies and use it to start a conversation with some friends! It even include discussion questions! amzn.to/42U84bT
The Ted Lasso Relationship Guide
When premiered in 2020, it took the world by storm. For a moment, it was cool to be nice. And while Ted's kindness was the hook, there was much more to the show. Over the course of three seasons, ...
amzn.to
October 21, 2025 at 6:34 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
What Good Fortune gets right is that we need to rely on one another. Whether it’s collective action by forming a union...or simply grabbing tacos with someone after work, our greatest strength lies in the communities we form.
#moviesky #filmsky
Good Fortune Review: Community Makes Life Bearable
Aziz Ansari's debut feature film GOOD FORTUNE has lots of heart, but the ending is a bit too neat to be truly satisfying.
open.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:13 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
Scared Shitless isn’t necessarily going to be the most terrifying film that you see this Halloween season, but it manages to take a silly, gross idea and turn it into a story that has some great laughs and some genuinely heartfelt moments. #moviesky #filmsky
Scared Shitless Review: B-Movie with A+ Heart
SCARED SHITLESS is a funny and surprisingly heartfelt horror movie from director Vivieno Caldinelli and writer Brandon Cohen.
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
What allows THE WILDERNESS to feel grounded and authentic is a stellar performance from Doohan. He is restrained when he needs to be, but allows moments of genuine vulnerability that will enable the character to feel three-dimensional. #moviesky #filmsky
The Wilderness Review: Quiet Desperation
Spencer King's THE WILDERNESS starring Hunter Doohan is a slow, serious look at wilderness reform programs and the harm they can do.
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
While Roofman has a really fantastic cast, it never feels like it lives up to its potential, focusing more on how friendly and sweet Manchester is, while avoiding any introspection into how someone with his intelligence ended up on a criminal path.
#moviesky #filmsky
Roofman Review: Doesn't Live Up to Potential
While ROOFMAN from Derek Cianfrance has a lovely performance from Channing Tatum, the story neglects to delve into the themes that shape the story.
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:29 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
The beast of the shadow corporations that funded the MVP did more than simply touch the mountain. While they may have won this battle, the people of Bent Mountain have found one another, and that is how they will ultimately win.

My review of A BEAST TOUCH THE MOUNTAIN. #moviesky #filmsky
A Beast Touch the Mountain Review: Money is King
In this breathtaking documentary from James Mottern, A Beast Touch the Mountain shows how the residents of Bent Mountain fight against the MVP.
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October 13, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Alise Chaffins
queencityac.bsky.social
Full-throated defense of trans people is a good thing.
katelynburns.com Katelyn Burns @katelynburns.com · Oct 11
I wrote a little about some of the little details you might have missed in this video and why it hit me so hard as a trans person this morning:

www.burnsnotice.com/you-have-to-...
October 11, 2025 at 8:03 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
This body horror film tackles our obsession with weight and the resulting body dysmorphia with humor and insight and a room full of donuts.

My review of THINESTRA below! #moviesky #filmsky #screamfest
Thinestra Review (Screamfest): Monstrous Diets
THINESTRA ,from director Nathan Hertz, is a clever body horror movie that smartly tackles diet culture.
open.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
Finishing up my TIFF coverage has been slow going, but knocking out a few reviews today for BABYSTAR, ROSE OF NEVADA, and GOOD BOY. Thanks for reading! #moviesky #filmsky
TIFF Review Round Up: Babystar, Rose of Nevada, Good Boy
Catching up with reviews of TIFF films BABYSTAR, ROSE OF NEVADA, and GOODBOY.
open.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
In Benny Safdie’s new film, The Smashing Machine, Johnson flexes his acting (and literal) muscles, but unfortunately, there isn’t much there to support him in this aimless biopic about UFC fighter Mark Kerr. #moviesky #filmsky
The Smashing Machine Review: The Rock Shines, But the Movie is Dull
Benny Safdie's new movie, THE SMASHING MACHINE, boasts a stellar performance from Dwayne Johnson, but fails to tell a compelling story.
open.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
While THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS does have some story issues that blunt its efficacy, it is a beautiful, heartfelt film that highlights the love that mothers and daughters can share, even as they navigate their differences. #filmsky #moviesky
The Queen of My Dreams Review: Like Mother, Like Daughter
The Queen of My Dreams from writer and director Fawzia Mirza is a lovely, if somewhat rushed movie about mothers and daughters.
open.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:55 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
Thanks to folks who did the work to put this together. Such a great list. It's fun seeing that blend of Important Movies and also just really fun, well-done blockbusters. Gah. I just love movies!
smatthew.bsky.social Matthew Simpson @smatthew.bsky.social · Oct 5
The International Film Society Critics Best 100 Films of the 21st Century (So Far) is now available in full, including the all-important top ten. Here's a thread with all the posts and a few points of interest 🧵

#Film #IFSCA100 #Movies
The IFSCA 100 Best Films of the 21st Century (So Far)
October 5, 2025 at 9:58 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
When you are trying to tell a story with the concept as the primary draw, that can become a hindrance to a quality piece of filmmaking. Fortunately, the filmmaking itself in GOOD BOY works to make it something more than just a gimmick.

Full review below! #filmsky #moviesky #goodboy
Good Boy Review: Horror From a Dog's POV
Ben Leonberg's GOOD BOY has an intriguing concept, but this horror movie works because Indy the dog is a genius actor.
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Alise Chaffins
loudandclearrvs.bsky.social
The Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera-starring THE LOST BUS hits Apple TV+ this Friday! 🤩

Read @alisechaffins.bsky.social's review!

#TheLostBus #AppleTVPlus

loudandclearreviews.com/the-lost-bus...
The Lost Bus Review: Thrilling But Thin
The Lost Bus, directed by Paul Greengrass, has many thrilling moments but struggles to maintain interest due to a bloated script.
loudandclearreviews.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM
alisechaffins.bsky.social
Dead of Winter is an effective thriller with enough heart to make it worth a watch. And perhaps casting two middle-aged women in the starring roles is enough to make it feel unique.

Full review below! #filmsky #moviesky
Dead of Winter Review: Icy Thriller
Brian Kirk's DEAD OF WINTER is a familiar story, but performances from Emma Thompson and Judy Greer elevate it.
open.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM