Here at Rooster Illusion, we’re nothing if not timely. Relevance, that’s our watchword. The Odyssey (2026): Director: Christopher NolanScreenwriter: Christopher NolanStarring: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Himesh Patel The Plot: After spending ten years fighting in the Trojan war, Odysseus’ (Matt Damon) return journey to Ithaca is beset by calamity. While Odysseus…
July 18th: My last day at MIFF, and a big day for documentaries from and about Maine. Featuring seven documentary short films from local filmmakers and a feature-length love letter to a hardcore music venue that doubled as a refuge for outcast teens. A long day, but a high note on which to end. Maine…
July 17th: The penultimate day of my time at the festival, and the last day for fiction. Featuring a clever comedy about romance and ghosts, seven narrative short films from Maine artists, and a gross yet lovable film about a prostitute trying to free herself from a curse. Mallory’s Ghost (2026) Director: Arabella OzScreenwriter: Arabella…
July 16th: Featuring three very different films directed by women. We’ve got a directionless bartender taking a life changing modeling job, a teen coming to terms with her sexuality and her father’s addiction, and a jilted middle school theater teacher enacting an increasingly dark and absurd revenge plot. In Transit (2025): Director: Jaclyn BethanyScreenwriter: Alex…
July 15th: A light day, in terms of the number of movies watched. In terms of subject matter, we’ve got a lurid silent epic charting a convent girl’s journey from kidnapping victim to brothel madam, followed by a heartbreaking documentary about processing private grief while reckoning with the Rwandan genocide. Queen Kelly (1929): Director: Erich…
July 14th: Big day for serious drama. Featuring a realistic story of addiction and recovery in Ohio, infidelity and attempted murder in 1920s China, and inter-generational conflict between rural midwives in the Andes. Union County (2026): Director: Adam MeeksScreenwriter: Adam MeeksProducers: Brad Becker-Parton, Ellyn Daniels, Martha Gregory, Tim Headington, Will O’Connor, Theresa Steele Page, Will…
July 13th: My first full day at MIFF. Featuring another fantastic performance from Greta Lee, a stylish lucid dream of a film from the Philippines, and a riveting account of doomed arctic exploration by hot air balloon. Late Fame (2026): Director: Kent JonesScreenwriter: Samy Burch, based on the novella by Arthur SchnitzlerProducers: Christine Vachon, Pamela…
July 12th: Day One for me was actually Day Three of the festival. That’s what I get for having a day job. I got off to a very strong start with the world premiere of indie horror gem Still Ohio, followed by new-to-me Oscar nominee Past Lives. In a way, both movies are about not…
Or, “What I Did on My Summer Vacation”*. As I’m sure our twelve dedicated readers will remember, I posted a rare non-Octoberween review last week (Still Ohio, check it out). I saw that film at the Maine International Film Festival (MIFF). Run by the Maine Film Center in Waterville, ME, the festival showcases work from…
That’s right, folks. Your favorite mostly-defunct Halloween blog is attending the 29th Annual Maine International Film Festival (MIFF). I won’t be reviewing every movie I see—Past Lives has already gotten its laurels—but I couldn’t wait until Octoberween to tout this future horror classic. Still Ohio (2026 MIFF Premier): The Plot: College freshman Ana (Fernanda Lopez)…
It’s Halloween, and we’re bringing our most jam-packed Octoberween in years to a close. Second Breakfast shared a delightful double feature with two very different takes on Frankenstein. I roamed across time and tone to bring you reviews of 28 Years Later; Fido; Good Boy; Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack; Lake…
Today’s Dracula vampire is brought to you by France (by way of Russia). The Vourdalak (2023): The Plot: The Marquis d’Urfé (Kacey Mottet Klein), an emissary of the King of France, takes refuge with a strange peasant family after being waylaid by bandits in 18th-century Eastern Europe. Told to seek aid from the elderly Gorcha…
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