Hell

 The cinema of Lav Diaz, a monolith with which the cinephile eventually tries to engage, is inextricably tied to the history of his country.

 Lav Diaz creates what is perhaps his most personal and nostalgic film, based on his childhood and the characters that populated it.

Lav Diaz’s ‘From What Is Before’ is a deeply contemplative film exploring social unrest and the nature of evil in 1970s Philippines. The film features haunting imagery, vast landscapes, and a narrative rooted in folklore and history. Diaz’s signature slow cinema style evokes meditation on human suffering and political violence. It stands alongside his other acclaimed works as a masterful and personal achievement. Discover the haunting depths of ‘From What Is Before’ — watch Lav Diaz’s epic journey into history, nature, and human suffering today.

 The Ark Work... it’s as if someone locked the nerdy thirteen-year-old cousin in a room with a stereo blasting black metal, a berserk MIDI sequencer, and Norse god projections.

 St. Anger, Illud Divinum Insanus, and Lulu have finally found a worthy successor.

The review criticizes Liturgy's The Ark Work as a disjointed, pretentious attempt to push the boundaries of transcendental black metal that ultimately falls flat. While previous albums had redeeming qualities, this release is marked by poor production, grating vocals, and confusing musical choices. Despite moments of grandeur and orchestral ambitions, the album largely frustrates and alienates listeners. The reviewer’s sarcastic tone highlights the album’s failure to meet expectations. Dive into this bold review of Liturgy’s The Ark Work and discover why this album divides metal fans worldwide.

 It’s a film of pure entertainment, presents itself as such, and achieves its goal by avoiding philosophical/existential nonsense and slipping into rhetoric.

 Matt Damon, with prodigious ingenuity, despite dangers appearing as punctual as a Swiss watch, never loses heart for even a moment, indeed maintaining an all-American sense of humor in the most extreme and unimaginable situations.

Ridley Scott's The Martian avoids philosophical clichés, focusing on a scientifically grounded and entertaining survival story. Matt Damon's character uses wit and ingenuity to survive alone on Mars. The film features strong visuals and NASA involvement, balancing tension with humor. It sidesteps excessive patriotism and delivers a hopeful message without being preachy. Overall, it's an engaging sci-fi movie that achieves its entertainment goals effectively. Discover how survival, science, and humor collide on Mars in Ridley Scott's The Martian—watch or read more now!

 The greatness of the director is also measured in being able to convey the message with as few devices as possible, and Winter Light thus represents the coldest and most cramped corner of his entire body of work.

 Religion, Bergman’s obsession and autobiographical trace, is an excuse to talk about human relationships, and the picture that emerges is not the happiest.

Winter Light is a sober and intense chamber drama by Ingmar Bergman, exploring themes of faith, human frailty, and emotional isolation. The film’s minimalistic style and nuanced performances, especially by Gunnar Bjornstrand and Ingrid Thulin, create a powerful meditation on spiritual crisis. Its place in Bergman’s Silence of God trilogy marks it as a profound middle chapter of artistic and existential exploration. The emotional depth and stark black-and-white cinematography by Sven Nykvist make it a masterpiece in restraint. Discover the profound emotional depths of Bergman’s Winter Light—watch this timeless classic and explore its chilling yet captivating portrait of faith and doubt.

 Ex Machina is straightforward, banal, permeated with a faux conceptual depth.

 Both ultimately end up caught, or more aptly, allow themselves to be caught, not so much by Ava’s intelligence as by their stupidity.

This review critiques Ex Machina as a superficially intellectual AI thriller with predictable plotlines and weak character development. Despite strong acting and stylish visuals, the script is deemed uninspired. The film's potential is undermined by poor dialogue and character choices, leading to an anticlimactic ending. The reviewer hopes for better work from director Alex Garland in the future. Discover why Ex Machina divides opinions—read our critical take and decide if it's sci-fi brilliance or overhyped hype!

 Blut aus Nord has always remained synonymous with Black Metal, capitalized, tout court.

 Clarissima Mundi Lumina is, in my opinion, without a doubt, the greatest, brightest, most triumphant composition of black metal ever created.

This review explores Blut aus Nord's Memoria Vetusta III: Saturnian Poetry as a defining black metal album that combines raw power with melodic sophistication. It highlights Vindsval’s unique ability to balance tradition and innovation within a mature, conceptual framework. The album marks a return to earthier themes with rich instrumentation and emotional depth. The reviewer praises the cohesive, epic nature of the work and considers the final track a pinnacle of black metal composition. Listen to Blut aus Nord’s Saturnian Poetry and experience a transcendent journey through epic black metal innovation.

 This band is mine, I set the few rules, and since I’m tired of black metal, its pervasive negativity and teenage angst, I want to lie down in a nice forest, smoke a bit of weed, hang out with friends and, I don’t know, do whatever comes to mind.

 The introduction of Melting Sun I has immediately become one of the tracks of the year: placid and euphoric at the same time... this track alone would suffice to silence all skeptics convinced that music must inherently be original to be moving.

Lantlôs Melting Sun marks a mature and confident shift away from black metal’s darkness into a richly textured, melodic post-black metal and shoegaze sound. Markus Siegenhort’s vision crafts a detailed, layered album full of emotion and instrumental depth. Though different from contemporaries Alcest and Deafheaven, Melting Sun stands as a unique masterpiece with significant songwriting and atmospheric strength. The album’s six parts explore soothing yet powerful soundscapes, showcasing a bold departure that impresses with sincere creativity and evolving identity. Listen now to Lantlôs Melting Sun and experience a groundbreaking journey beyond black metal!

 Gyakuyunyu throws a bit of this and a bit of that into the salad bowl, manages to be enjoyable from start to finish without major slip-ups and returns to us after five long years an artist once again in a state of grace.

 Ringo manages to be all this even in the production of an apparently secondary work like Gyakuyunyu - Kowankyoku, a collection of self-covers, or songs she wrote for other artists, now rearranged in various styles.

Ringo Shiina's Gyakuyunyu - Kowankyoku is a self-cover album showcasing her versatility and superb production skills. Drawing from her rich musical history, this work blends jazz-pop, rock, and electronic elements to offer an enjoyable, polished collection. While not a masterpiece, it proves to be a worthwhile listen and a strong solo effort. The album refutes stereotypes of J-pop with elegance and creative freedom. Explore Ringo Shiina's Gyakuyunyu - Kowankyoku for a unique blend of jazz-pop and eclectic sounds that redefine J-pop creativity.

 Like Celeste and our very own The Secret, but (if possible) even more chaotic, irrational, and at the same time surgical.

 Quite untimely and not very innovative, absolutely adorable and devastating.

Lowgazers by Plebeian Grandstand delivers a chaotic and intense mathcore experience influenced by avant-black metal bands like Deathspell Omega and Blut Aus Nord. The album is described as more chaotic and surgical than peers, combining raw energy with precision. While not very innovative or timely, its devastation and originality make it a standout. The review appreciates its harshness and complexity, likening it to French extreme metal powerhouses. Listen to Plebeian Grandstand's Lowgazers and experience uncompromising chaos fused with avant-garde metal intensity!

 Stray Dogs is nothing but the latest, solemn expression of a director who is now desperate and aware of having reached the end of his dead-end street.

 At the finale, an oppressive, hallucinatory, unsustainable, revealing drapery of silence will descend: we remain alone, and our absolute void to stare at, contemplate, fear.

Stray Dogs by Tsai Ming-Liang is a profound, visually poetic film that delivers a somber and powerful finale. It reflects the director’s mastery in slow cinema and emotional storytelling, concluding the long journey of his recurring character. The movie evokes metaphysical silence and profound emptiness, offering a complex experience for devoted fans familiar with Tsai’s oeuvre. Considered both an epitaph and a legacy, the film demands contemplation and respect. Dive into the haunting world of Tsai Ming-Liang’s Stray Dogs and experience a cinematic journey unlike any other.