Joshua Stevens
@joshuastevens97.bsky.social
A movie that makes me weep every time.
August 17, 2025 at 11:47 PM
A movie that makes me weep every time.
“SILENT LIGHT forces its audience to stare straight into the heart of grief…” my latest review:
A new 4K restoration of Carlos Reygadas's SILENT LIGHT will have its World Premiere at the #Locarno Film Festival next week!
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's review of a "bright but dark" film that "forces its audience to stare straight into the heart of grief"!
#Locarno2025 #restoration
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's review of a "bright but dark" film that "forces its audience to stare straight into the heart of grief"!
#Locarno2025 #restoration
Silent Light Locarno Review: Bright But Dark
Silent Light forces its audience to stare straight into the heart of grief with breathtaking cinematography and a captivating atmosphere.
loudandclearreviews.com
August 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
“SILENT LIGHT forces its audience to stare straight into the heart of grief…” my latest review:
Read my review of this nuanced portrait of grief:
"A beautiful, layered, first step for a budding artist."
Harley Chamandy's ALLEN SUNSHINE, winner of the 2024 Werner Herzog Film Award, is out now on digital platforms!
Read Joshua's review! 🤩
loudandclearreviews.com/allen-sunshi...
Harley Chamandy's ALLEN SUNSHINE, winner of the 2024 Werner Herzog Film Award, is out now on digital platforms!
Read Joshua's review! 🤩
loudandclearreviews.com/allen-sunshi...
Allen Sunshine Film Review: Grief and Beauty
Allen Sunshine is a beautifully nuanced look at grief, even if script and performance issues keep it from packing a weightier punch.
loudandclearreviews.com
July 30, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Read my review of this nuanced portrait of grief:
My review of F1: The Movie, a thrilling ride with a straight stretch plot (but a timeless message): joshuastevens.substack.com/p/f1-the-mov...
F1: The Movie
A thrilling ride with a straight-stretch plot
joshuastevens.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 12:11 PM
My review of F1: The Movie, a thrilling ride with a straight stretch plot (but a timeless message): joshuastevens.substack.com/p/f1-the-mov...
This probably doesn't come as a shock to people who know me, but I DID NOT LIKE this new, lifeless (toothless?) live action remake: joshuastevens.substack.com/p/how-to-tra...
How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
An utterly toothless remake
joshuastevens.substack.com
July 17, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This probably doesn't come as a shock to people who know me, but I DID NOT LIKE this new, lifeless (toothless?) live action remake: joshuastevens.substack.com/p/how-to-tra...
As always, I’m playing catch up on reviews. Here are some quick thoughts on Materialists: joshuastevens.substack.com/p/materialists
July 11, 2025 at 1:36 PM
As always, I’m playing catch up on reviews. Here are some quick thoughts on Materialists: joshuastevens.substack.com/p/materialists
Why is 12 ANGRY MEN such a classic? I attempt to explain:
"It’s a classic for a reason, and it’s a film that everyone should see at least once in their life."
July's director of the month is Sidney Lumet!
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's review of 12 ANGRY MEN 🤩
loudandclearreviews.com/12-angry-men...
#12AngryMen #SidneyLumet
July's director of the month is Sidney Lumet!
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's review of 12 ANGRY MEN 🤩
loudandclearreviews.com/12-angry-men...
#12AngryMen #SidneyLumet
12 Angry Men Review: A Classic for a Reason
12 Angry Men remains a quintessential classic film due to its innovative direction, clever screenplay, and powerhouse performances.
loudandclearreviews.com
July 8, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Why is 12 ANGRY MEN such a classic? I attempt to explain:
“Genuine faith requires us to keep pressing on even when we feel lost, and sometimes that faith also requires personal sacrifice.” Loved getting to talk about these two movies through the lens of faith:
Wes Anderson is wrestling with God, and perhaps his own faith, in ASTEROID CITY and THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME, resulting in two of his most existential films!
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's article!
#WesAnderson #AsteroidCity #ThePhoenicianScheme #faith #religion
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's article!
#WesAnderson #AsteroidCity #ThePhoenicianScheme #faith #religion
Faith in Asteroid City and The Phoenician Scheme
Wes Anderson asks questions about faith and God in Asteroid City and The Phoenician Scheme, emphasizing uncertainty and sacrifice.
loudandclearreviews.com
July 7, 2025 at 6:29 PM
“Genuine faith requires us to keep pressing on even when we feel lost, and sometimes that faith also requires personal sacrifice.” Loved getting to talk about these two movies through the lens of faith:
F1 got a thumbs up from my dad, which is basically the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a movie (I thought it was good, too) 👍🏻
a man wearing a helmet that says shark ninja on the front
ALT: a man wearing a helmet that says shark ninja on the front
media.tenor.com
July 1, 2025 at 1:38 AM
F1 got a thumbs up from my dad, which is basically the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a movie (I thought it was good, too) 👍🏻
Does one need to remember anything about the previous two films before seeing 28 Years Later?
a red background with a biohazard symbol and the words 28 years later
ALT: a red background with a biohazard symbol and the words 28 years later
media.tenor.com
June 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Does one need to remember anything about the previous two films before seeing 28 Years Later?
Yeah sure, something like this:
June 24, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Yeah sure, something like this:
So glad I got to review Pixar’s #Elio! I really went for it:
"Each generation of film fans needs movies like these to remind us of our place in the universe."
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's review of Pixar's ELIO, out now globally in theaters! 😍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Elio #ElioMovie #Pixar
loudandclearreviews.com/elio-2025-fi...
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's review of Pixar's ELIO, out now globally in theaters! 😍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Elio #ElioMovie #Pixar
loudandclearreviews.com/elio-2025-fi...
Elio Film Review: Stunning Family Sci-Fi
Pixar’s latest film may be slightly underdeveloped, but Elio (2025) provides a moving family story with stunning animation.
loudandclearreviews.com
June 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM
So glad I got to review Pixar’s #Elio! I really went for it:
A short review of what is probably my favorite film of the year so far. I will have a lot more to say in the coming days! open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...
The Phoenician Scheme
Wes Anderson at his most spiritual
open.substack.com
June 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
A short review of what is probably my favorite film of the year so far. I will have a lot more to say in the coming days! open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...
Any John Wick fans? Go see Ballerina if you haven't already. It rocks. open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
A fun, stylized return to the action franchise
open.substack.com
June 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Any John Wick fans? Go see Ballerina if you haven't already. It rocks. open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...
I loved getting to revisit this crazy movie and write a little bit about why it’s so important:
Our director of the month is DAVID CRONENBERG, and today we're taking you back to 1983, when a certain body horror classic was released! 👀
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's analysis of VIDEODROME and find out how it predicted our addictions!
#Videodrome #DavidCronenberg #addictions #bodyhorror
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's analysis of VIDEODROME and find out how it predicted our addictions!
#Videodrome #DavidCronenberg #addictions #bodyhorror
Videodrome Analysis: Predicting Our Addictions
David Cronenberg predicts our addictions to technology, sex, and power in Videodrome: here's an analysis of his most idiosyncratic work!
loudandclearreviews.com
June 12, 2025 at 12:58 AM
I loved getting to revisit this crazy movie and write a little bit about why it’s so important:
I’m playing catch up on some recent releases. Read my thoughts on Sinners, Thunderbolts* and more here: open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...
June 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I’m playing catch up on some recent releases. Read my thoughts on Sinners, Thunderbolts* and more here: open.substack.com/pub/joshuast...
Rewatching Dead Reckoning ahead of this weekend. I appreciate how this one, maybe more than any other MI movie, taps into our cultural anxieties. A great film.
Jumping Off A Cliff Ethan Hunt GIF
ALT: Jumping Off A Cliff Ethan Hunt GIF
media.tenor.com
May 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Rewatching Dead Reckoning ahead of this weekend. I appreciate how this one, maybe more than any other MI movie, taps into our cultural anxieties. A great film.
My new puppy is quite the movie fan. She particularly admires Tarkovsky.
May 19, 2025 at 9:50 PM
My new puppy is quite the movie fan. She particularly admires Tarkovsky.
“With his debut folk horror tale, Puckett deftly, if imperfectly, dismantles some of the most pressing issues inside these communities.” My review of The Severed Sun:
"Reminded me of Terrence Malick, if Malick were more focused on the natural world’s depravity rather than its beauty."
THE SEVERED SUN is a worthy entry in the folk horror genre! 🤩
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social' review!
@darkskyfilms.bsky.social
loudandclearreviews.com/the-severed-...
THE SEVERED SUN is a worthy entry in the folk horror genre! 🤩
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social' review!
@darkskyfilms.bsky.social
loudandclearreviews.com/the-severed-...
The Severed Sun: Film Review
The Severed Sun, the debut film from Dean Puckett, offers a quick, cutting critique of religious dogma, conformity, and modern-day witch hunts.
loudandclearreviews.com
May 14, 2025 at 3:34 PM
“With his debut folk horror tale, Puckett deftly, if imperfectly, dismantles some of the most pressing issues inside these communities.” My review of The Severed Sun:
Record Store Day 2025 haul, featuring one for my dad and three for me (including a soundtrack to one of the best films of the 2020s so far) 👍🏻 #RecordStoreDay2025
April 12, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Record Store Day 2025 haul, featuring one for my dad and three for me (including a soundtrack to one of the best films of the 2020s so far) 👍🏻 #RecordStoreDay2025
Last month, I got to see Hans Zimmer in concert. This month, I got to write about that experience. Enjoy:
Heaven and Hans Zimmer | Think Christian
A live concert of the composer’s music echoed the promise of Revelation 7.
thinkchristian.net
March 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Last month, I got to see Hans Zimmer in concert. This month, I got to write about that experience. Enjoy:
Easily the best film I was able to see for SXSW. I will be singing its praises for the rest of the year.
Helena Ganjalyan & Bartosz Szpak "hypnotic and otherworldly" GLORIOUS SUMMER is our favorite film of #SXSW2025! 🤩
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's review and don't miss its last screenings this week! ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
#GloriousSummer #SXSW #SXSW2025 @sxsw.com
loudandclearreviews.com/glorious-sum...
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's review and don't miss its last screenings this week! ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
#GloriousSummer #SXSW #SXSW2025 @sxsw.com
loudandclearreviews.com/glorious-sum...
Glorious Summer Film Review: Gloriously Special
Glorious Summer uses stellar cinematography and praiseworthy performances to comment on women’s freedom in direct and fascinating ways.
loudandclearreviews.com
March 11, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Easily the best film I was able to see for SXSW. I will be singing its praises for the rest of the year.
“A good reminder of what a comedy can be:”
"Touching on themes like family, immigration, and cultural & generational differences, this film clearly has more on its mind than the average comedy."
Read Joshua Stevens's review of Brwa Vahabpour's MY UNCLE JENS (Onkel Jens)!
#SXSW @sxsw.com
loudandclearreviews.com/my-uncle-jen...
Read Joshua Stevens's review of Brwa Vahabpour's MY UNCLE JENS (Onkel Jens)!
#SXSW @sxsw.com
loudandclearreviews.com/my-uncle-jen...
My Uncle Jens Film Review: Funny & Fitting
Brwa Vahabpour’s My Uncle Jens deftly balances humor and serious subject matter, thanks to competent direction and committed performances.
loudandclearreviews.com
March 10, 2025 at 10:56 PM
“A good reminder of what a comedy can be:”
Reposted by Joshua Stevens
This Rose Glass and Brian de Palma-influenced horror-thriller has some admittedly freaky body horror but lacks complexity.
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's SXSW review of Julia Max's THE SURRENDER!
#TheSurrender #SXSW #SXSW2025 #bodyhorror @sxsw.com
loudandclearreviews.com/the-surrende...
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's SXSW review of Julia Max's THE SURRENDER!
#TheSurrender #SXSW #SXSW2025 #bodyhorror @sxsw.com
loudandclearreviews.com/the-surrende...
The Surrender Review: Gory but Glaringly Flat
Aside from some admittedly freaky body horror, The Surrender falls into obscurity due to a flat script and faulty performances.
loudandclearreviews.com
March 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This Rose Glass and Brian de Palma-influenced horror-thriller has some admittedly freaky body horror but lacks complexity.
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's SXSW review of Julia Max's THE SURRENDER!
#TheSurrender #SXSW #SXSW2025 #bodyhorror @sxsw.com
loudandclearreviews.com/the-surrende...
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's SXSW review of Julia Max's THE SURRENDER!
#TheSurrender #SXSW #SXSW2025 #bodyhorror @sxsw.com
loudandclearreviews.com/the-surrende...
It’s been fun getting to cover #SXSW2025 digitally this year! The first of several reviews from me this week:
Naian González Norvind shines in Urzula Barba Hopfner's CORINA, a lovably quirky yet if technically imperfect film about taking the chances life gives us.
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's review from SXSW!
#Corina #SXSW #SXSW2025 @sxsw.com
loudandclearreviews.com/corina-film-...
Read @joshuastevens97.bsky.social's review from SXSW!
#Corina #SXSW #SXSW2025 @sxsw.com
loudandclearreviews.com/corina-film-...
Corina Review: Flawed Story About Flawed Stories
Naian González Norvind shines in Corina, a lovably quirky yet if technically imperfect film about taking the chances life gives us.
loudandclearreviews.com
March 9, 2025 at 4:41 PM
It’s been fun getting to cover #SXSW2025 digitally this year! The first of several reviews from me this week: