iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 14h

If you were curious, there’s a 10-minute intermission built into Alex Gibney’s 4 hour documentary #Musk

Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

There’s such a thing as Good Bad Trash - and #VerityFilm/ #Verity is it! Part neo-gothic hagsploitation, part campy 90s erotic thriller, it goes Full Bonkers mostly at all times. Anne Hathaway & Dakota Johnson are totally locked in. My review: freshfiction.tv/verity-revie...

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‘VERITY’ Review: Anne Hathaway & Dakota Johnson Are a Scream In Campy Colleen Hoover Adaptation

Courtney Howard // Film Critic VERITY Rated R, 1 hour and 57 minutes Directed by: Michael Showalter Starring: Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway, Josh Hartnett, Irina Dvorovenko, Brady Wagner BookTok’s …

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I love my Misunderstood Children (Babylon, mother!, Megalopolis, Digger)

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#DiggerMovie/ #Digger Round 3 tonight: Looked spectacular in VistaVision 35mm at The Grove AMC. What Tom Cruise does in this film is extraordinary. Iñárritu channels Coen Brothers, Gilliam & Kubrick’s mayhem, distilling it into a potent concoction.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Tonight’s screening: Brad Bird’s #RayGunn - and here he is introducing it to us in Dolby.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#PossibleLove is a time commitment, but one worth taking. The emotional windfall that comes with inhabiting these well-drawn, perfectly acted characters’ worlds hits like a ton of bricks. It reverberates on the micro and macro levels. Lee Chang-dong channels Ken Loach.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#DiggerMovie is a disruptor, deliberately meant to be provoking. With Tom Cruise’s brilliantly committed performance at the core, a stellar ensemble shaping the satire & production design that deserves top billing, it’s a masterpiece. freshfiction.tv/digger-revie...

freshfiction.tv

‘DIGGER’ Review: Tom Cruise & Alejandro G. Iñárritu Cut Deep in a Razor-Sharp Satire

Courtney Howard // Film Critic DIGGER Rated R, 2 hours and 8 minutes Directed by: Alejandro G. Iñárritu Starring: Tom Cruise, John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemon…

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#VerityFilm is my kind of stupid, silly smut. Neo-gothic camp mixes in a ridiculously delirious concoction of psycho-sexual tension & intrigue. Like dumbed-down du Maurier. Anne Hathaway & Dakota Johnson are completely game. I am reborn anew!

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#DiggerMovie RIPS! Iñárritu creates powder keg cinema, exploding in blistering heat & dazzling fireworks. A masterfully compelling, electric & audaciously assured satirical farce. Tom Cruise gives a brilliant, boldly invigorated, tour de force performance. Riz Ahmed is a standout!

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William Bibbiani @williambibbiani.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Jack Haven gave one of the best performances of the decade in I SAW THE TV GLOW, they were hilarious in BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC and terrifying in CASTRATION MOVIE ANTHOLOGY ii, and TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH is one of the most acclaimed films of the year. Now they're begging for ANY work. At all.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Lance Oppenheim’s #Primetime shows Robert Pattinson delivering an unsettling, uncanny impersonation of Chris Hansen in a dark satirization of true-life events. Yet Skyler Gisondo’s performance & Merritt Wever’s Gator T-shirt stole the show. My review: freshfiction.tv/primetime-re...

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‘PRIMETIME’ Review: Robert Pattinson’s Uncanny Impersonation Unsettles in a Dark Satirization of True-Life Events

Courtney Howard // Film Critic PRIMETIME Rated R, 1 hour and 50 minutes Directed by: Lance Oppenheim Starring: Robert Pattinson, Skyler Gisondo, Merritt Wever, Matthew Maher, Phoebe Bridgers, Bokee…

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

People think they can easily duplicate Tim Robinson’s shtick. The filmmakers behind #TheMusical demonstrate they clearly can not. Still, there’s a magnificent split diopter shot and needle drop that do add interest. My review: freshfiction.tv/the-musical-...

freshfiction.tv

‘THE MUSICAL’ Sundance Review: All the Spite Moves

Courtney Howard // Film Critic THE MUSICAL Not Rated, 1 hour and 24 minutes Directed by: Giselle Bonilla Starring: Will Brill, Rob Lowe, Gillian Jacobs, Nevada Jose, Melanie Herrera, Chyler Emery S…

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Ran home to bear hug my dog after seeing David Ayer’s #HeartOfTheBeast. It’s a harrowing, contemplative & heartrending film about trust, survival & loyalty. Circumstances are intense, but also hope-filled. Hats off to the 4 goodest pups playing Odin & the 1 & only Brad Pitt

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#ForgottenIsland is like THE HANGOVER meets SPIRITED AWAY meets 8 cans of Four Loco. The energy level is turned up to 11. It’s also an incredibly sweet, insanely beautiful tribute to female friendship. Loved the character designs.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Jesse Eisenberg said in our Q&A for #TheDebut that Emma Stone is an alt-comedy nerd “and her favorite thing on the planet is Zendaya is Meechee.”

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Tonight’s screening: Jesse Eisenberg’s #TheDebut

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Zach Cregger’s #ResidentEvil is the real deal - a bloody excellent video game adaptation. With kinetic horror sequences & killer craftsmanship, it’s a standout that had me screaming, crying & throwing up. Austin Abrams is terrific! My review: freshfiction.tv/resident-evi...

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‘RESIDENT EVIL’ Review: Zach Cregger Delivers Demented Body Horror in His Superior Video Game Adaptation

Courtney Howard // Film Critic RESIDENT EVIL Rated R, 1 hour and 30 minutes Directed by: Zach Cregger Starring: Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser, Kali Reis, Zach Cherry, Andrea Miltnerova In the d…

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

You will never predict the wacky places #TheHistoryOfConcrete goes to bring you stories about the folks who cement our lives. Documentarian John Wilson…uh…is at it again, gifting us with a beautifully unfocused, unfussy ode to foundations. My review: freshfiction.tv/the-history-...

freshfiction.tv

‘THE HISTORY OF CONCRETE’ Review: John Wilson’s Beautifully Unfocused, Unfussy Ode to Foundations

Courtney Howard // Film Critic THE HISTORY OF CONCRETE Not Rated, 1 hour and 41 minutes Directed by: John Wilson Starring: John Wilson The Emmy nominated HOW TO WITH JOHN WILSON blazed a new path o…

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

When I spoke with Tom Cruise back in July for #Digger, I too asked him this exact question GQ Magazine asked about what goes through his mind seeing his own sizzle reel. He gave me an offshoot of this answer and I sincerely love that he gave it a bit more color & texture to @zachbaron.bsky.social 💗

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Thanks to #Primetime & Robert Pattinson, Skyler Gisondo will now have “DECOY DAN!!!!” screamed at him for the rest of his career.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Truly a Magical Life Moment to see #MarieAntoinette on the best screen in town at the Academy Museum. To hear Sofia Coppola & Kirsten Dunst talking about their filming experience 20 years ago made my heart swell. One of the best creative collaborations ever, these two. 💗

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Bassam Tariq’s steady hand guides #YourMotherMovie. Absolutely floored me. Deeply compelling, humanist & layered, it’s a masterful, highly stylized, character-driven piece that hits right in the gut. Mahershala Ali is at the top of his game. Not one false note.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Peter Farrelly’s #IPlayRocky is a genuine knockout. Part biopic, part making-of, a rousing, crowd-pleasing triumph. Anthony Ippolito is the beating ❤️ & soul, creating character value NOT mimicry. Anna Sophia Robb is terrific. P.J. Byrne (once again) is the stealth supporting MVP

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

My response when someone tells me they like reading my reviews:

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Screening a film the night before it opens to the public for film critics who do not have the privilege of seeing that film at an elite festival is not very helpful at all. Wish studios knew that.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#Minotaur (a semi-remake of Claude Chabrol’s The Unfaithful Wife) didn’t hit the target *for me*, unfortunately. An inferior Unfaithful (Adrian Lyne understood the assignment) that has little interest in exploring female interiority. Felt every minute of it. Disappointing.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

That @neon-rated.bsky.social has “don’t make any noise” listed as a tip placed over THIS SCENE (one of the funniest scenes about needing to 💩 ever) in #Hope / #HopeMovie has leveled me.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Markus Schleinzer’s #Rose hits like a ton of bricks. A period piece that’s timely, immersive, at times, funny, bleak & soul-searing. Houses gorgeously textured B&W cinematography. Sandra Hüller’s performance is haunting - one for the books. Caro Braun’s a genuine revelation.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Apple unveiled a foldable iPhone. But all the girlies really want is the clamshell reader from IT FOLLOWS.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

THE SAINT is one of the worst movies with a pristine soundtrack. Still holds up.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

For all of you wondering why #OtherMommy’s title is not OTHER MOTHER: It’s *not* because of CORALINE. In the book that the film is based on, which is told from the perspective of the little girl, the malevolent entity is called “Other Mommy.”

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Rachel McAdams’ performance in #SendHelp is absolutely diabolical. From her physicality to her inner-workings, she turns in compelling, deeply layered work. Her material is a tightrope walk and she pulls it off effortlessly. One of my favorite performances of the year. 🏆💐

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Eddie Robson @eddierobson.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Boyle: “It doesn’t really matter what I think about AI. It matters what 20-year-olds think about it. Is the honest truth." Well Danny, my teenagers think it fucking sucks and they want nothing to do with it or anything made with it

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Round 2 with #CoyoteVsACME this afternoon. Just as funny as the 1st time. Ingenious in motion.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#MotorCity swings & misses. Admired the gimmick until they dropped doing compelling needle drops. Maddeningly, a victim of “in media res” & “fridging” the girl for male arcs. Yet it houses an exceptional elevator fight scene & great costumes on Shailene Woodley & Ben Foster.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#TheSunNeverSets: Swanberg digs into relationship complexities adeptly, exploring a love triangle’s complicated facets. What unfurls isn’t surprising: it’s what transpires in between the story beats that’s engrossing. Dakota Fanning delivers palpable, quietly polished pathos.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Changed my Top 4 Letterboxd Favorites to my top 4 films of the year so far (other than The Odyssey). Wuthering Heights (HBOMax) Is God Is (Prime Video) The Invite (PVOD) Send Help (Hulu)

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

BUDDY is a subversive middle finger to the generations that didn’t adequately prepare millennials and Gen Z for the shit-show of adulthood. ‘90s kids will feel seen, heard and – possibly – scared. My review: freshfiction.tv/buddy-review...

freshfiction.tv

‘BUDDY’ Review: A BARNEY-on-Acid Horror Flick For The Sickos

Courtney Howard // Film Critic BUDDY Rated R, 1 hour and 35 minutes Directed by: Casper Kelly Starring: Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Cristin Milioti, Keegan-Michael Key, Sergey Zhuravsky, Caleb Wil…

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Mixed on #PracticalMagic2: Sandra Bullock & Nicole Kidman’s chemistry carries the film. But it’s 30 minutes too long w/ lots of “shoe leather.” Daughters’ dynamic dealt short shrift. It makes *you* work overtime to uncover good thematic resonance. A soundtrack left lacking hits.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Time to put the lime in the coconut and drink them both up. Settling in for the 130 minute long #PracticalMagic2.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Almodóvar’s #BitterChristmas is a frustrating watch. A slow burn meta-melodrama (despite a striptease number set to Grace Jones, a Rossy de Palma cameo, dazzling color & 4th wall break) until the final 15 minutes when conflict finally occurs only to abruptly roll end credits.

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Christmas has come early for me! Today’s screening: Pedro Almodóvar’s #BitterChristmas

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Courtney Howard @lulamaybelle.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I was hooting *and* hollering during Na Hong-Jin’s #Hope. BIG FUN! A massive scale, cataclysmic creature feature where people are yeeted into their afterlives & tossed around like rag dolls. Bayhem galore, but best described as Transformers meets Avatar. @neon-rated.bsky.social

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