Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, “Woman of the Hour,” is such a gutsy balancing act of black comedy and hardcore thriller elements that it threatens to derail at every minute, the fact that it doesn’t is some kind of minor miracle.

Movies that premiere at the Venice Film Festival always get standing ovations. It’s an inevitable thing, sure as day turns into night, to stand up and clap as the credits roll, a tradition that won’t ever be broken.

I’m glad the reviews out of Venice for Michel Franco’s “Memory,” starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, are good. I was actually looking forward to this one. It sounds harrowing.

The filmmaker posted, via his Facebook, that rehearsals have begun on the film and added to the cast, which already includes Richard Gere, is Jacob Elordi (him again).

Some positive news when it comes to Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu,” it’s going to be test-screening next week. Hopefully, reactions will trickle in.

George A. Romero’s 2017 passing was a real big loss to cinema. I mean, the guy literally invented Zombies with his 1967 classic "Night of the Living Dead.”

So, clearly, Hayao Miyazaki is not done. Some of the reviews for “The Boy and the Heron” are calling this his “swan song”, but get that thought out of your head.

The Shards,” will be adapted into an HBO series with Guadagnino directing some, if not all, of the episodes. Bret Easton Ellis will pen.

Before I delve into my thoughts, the reviews are fantastic (and rightfully so). It has an 89 on Metacritic, including a perfect A grade from IndieWire.

Yes, another “Beau is Afraid” post. Hopefully, this will be the last one this year. It’s just a movie that keeps creeping back into the conversation, even when you think you’re finally over and done with it.

Jeff Nichols’ first film in over seven years, “The Bikeriders,” premiered last week at Telluride to mostly positive reviews.

NEON released a trailer for Kitty Green’s “The Royal Hotel.” It looks tense and well-directed.

“The Burial” is a upcoming courtroom drama directed by Maggie Betts and written by Doug Wright. If you‘re not familiar with Betts then get with it — her underrated 2017 lesbian nun drama “Novitiate” was quite good.

Charles Burnett is one of the great, unsung directors of the last 40 years. “Killer of Sheep” “My Brother’s Wedding” and “To Sleep With Anger” are three of the finest films ever directed by an African-American director.

Ava DuVernay’s “Origin,” which I’ll be watching early next week, is getting decent reviews out of Venice. Nothing more, nothing less. However, don’t be surprised if it wins a prize on Saturday.

“Sound of Freedom,” the indie sensation that grossed $180 million domestically, has decided to expand its territories and the results are quite stunning. No toxic media coverage can keep this movie down.

There’s a rumor spreading that Sam Raimi is being sought to direct “Avengers: Secret Wars” and that he is Marvel’s top choice.