criticcoleman-37694

As with most horror films of late, "The Substance" if a film that suffers from having a great hook with no follow through. It's simple tale of Demi Moore's aging actress seeking youth and discovering that true beauty has its own consequences takes what could have been a kick-ass thirty-minute "Tales From The Crypt" episode and turns it into an overblown two-hour and twenty-one minute uninspired mess of blood, bones and body parts. Plus the fact that this one was helmed by a woman may progressively bring the body image message home for some, but this one feels as surface and salacious as as ever. (And gonzo gore just for gore sake never feels fresh!) A film I don't fault folks for walking out of, this one is steeped in a substance called boring.

I admit I caught this one late after hearing from most that this one was mildly entertaining at best. It's a good endorsement to seek the truth yourself as "Boy Kills World" is a kill crazy hoot from start to finish - "The Raid" for the gamer crowd. From the obtuse use of video game sounding H. Jon Benjamin as Bill Skarsgard's inner comedic voice (it never gets tired!) to the incredibly well-choreographed fights and kills where you feel every bone break and crunch (they even use feisty tough guy Yayan Ruhian from "The Raid" films!), there's never a dull moment. Add fun and goofy Sharlto Copely bits, some satisfying children matinee mayhem, and serious twists you won't see coming and this blood-soaked film earns its middle name.

Being a documentary filmmaker is most assuredly hard, but then also being the focus of your own work even more so. But thankfully journalist Shiori Ito is no ordinary creator nor subject. As a bold and brave one-woman powerhouse who decides to get justice or die trying after being assaulted by a high-profile colleague, Ito displays both tenacity (she goes after the police chief with camera Nick Broomfield style!) and vulnerability (her honesty is heartbreaking) that is all but lacking from non-fiction flicks of late. Not to mention her examination and exposing of the Japanese legal system is a real eye-opener to the uninitiated. At a time when docs have become safe, Ito proves bold is better - can't wait to see what she tackles next.