The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, Finding Neverland, Late Night with the Devil

- The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain [2021] - 91

The second feature-length film for writer/ director David Midell, The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is an excellent example of telling the story you set out to tell in exactly the box it needs to fit inside of. Running at a cool 83-minutes, TKKC is poignant, tense, upsetting, and powerfully moving. It’s a difficult film to recommend given its general level of anxiety and stress, but it’s not one I’d shy anyone interested away from. A single-location drama/ thriller/ biography, TKKC chronicles the last hours of Kenneth Chamberlain as officers dispatched for a simple welfare check go above and beyond the call of duty… in the worst way possible. Performances are fantastic, the documentarian aspects shown during the credits show a real interest and care of the subject, and the way the film holds both your attention and its own state of tension throughout is very impressive. This was a helluva ride that I’m sad has to exist, but I’m glad I stumbled upon to take.

- Finding Neverland [2004] - 94

Enchanting, moving, enthralling, and magical; 2004’s 7-time Oscar nominee Finding Neverland tells the story of a boy who never grew up, and the family that inspired him to write his greatest work. Filled with excellent performances, whimsy, and love, Finding Neverland is sure to be a film that populates the top reaches of my watchlist this year and I’m very interested to investigate the other works by its creators. Almost reminding me of Moulin Rouge or an early 00’s La La Land, I wouldn’t fault one for calling the approach and journey of Neverland “saccharine” or even “cloying” [I would call you a curmudgeon, however]… but what great love-story isn’t those things at least a little bit? Beautifully shot with a sort of softness on every edge — almost redolent of 80’s fantasy films — Finding Neverland is one that if you, like me, haven’t made the time for [or simply haven’t watched lately], I cannot recommend enough.

- Late Night with the Devil [2024] - 82

Late Night with the Devil is one of those films that only hurts because it’s so close to absolute and true gold. Within its space, LNwD is still truly and genuinely very good, and I’ll watch anything these brothers put out next, but it was so close to breaking out of being a “good horror film” and into the realm of “excellent film at large”, that it leaves me thinking about its moderate faults moreso than its engaging journey or impressive production. Read my full review for more detailed thoughts, as LNwD’s strengths do outweigh its missteps, and this is still an extremely easy recommend for fans of the genre.