Publish or Perish

"Publish or Perish," the latest film from writer-director David Liban, is a tense and thought-provoking dark comedy that explores the dark side of ambition and obsession.

The movie centers around a professor named Jim Bowden, played brilliantly by Timothy McCracken, who is determined to get tenure at his university. When he accidentally kills a student and tries to cover it up, his life begins to spiral out of control, leading him down a dangerous path of deceit and paranoia.

James Shanklin delivers a standout performance as Dean Crawley, the university official who becomes suspicious of Bowden's behavior and starts to investigate him. The tension between the two characters is palpable, and the scenes they share are some of the most gripping in the film.

Director David Liban masterfully weaves together a tightly knit plot that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The pacing is just right, and the story unfolds in a way that feels both organic and unpredictable.

What really sets "Publish or Perish" apart, however, is its exploration of the themes of ambition and obsession. The movie asks important questions about the price of success and the lengths people are willing to go to achieve it. It's a thought-provoking and timely examination of the pressures that individuals face in today's society.

Overall, "Publish or Perish" is a powerful film that delivers on every level. It's a must-see for anyone who enjoys dark comedies or is interested in exploring the darker side of human nature.

With so many formulaic films, it's rare to find one that can surprise me. Publish or Perish is a breath of fresh air. Superbly acted by Timothy McCracken, deftly directed by David Liban and intricately edited by Justin Lewis. Cast and crew from Colorado, creates a celebration of local artists and dark comedy at its best! My husband and teenage son and I enjoyed seeing this on the big screen at the Denver film festival. Looking forward to sharing it with friends and family and watching it again where it's streaming on Apple TV. Do yourselves a favor and check it out. I imagine teachers and professors will find this especially satisfying and cathartic!

Easily one of the top 5 films I've seen in 2023... A filmmaker with a real vision.

The dialogue, characters, story, and overall polish make this a must watch! In fact immediately after watching it I was ready for another viewing. The twists, turns, shocking events, suspense, comedy, and character all work so so so well together.

What David has done hear is make something greater than the sum of it's parts. A strong script, strong performances, an intriguing premise, and pacing all come together in this one.

It's getting in to film festivals across the county and with good reason. This is a MASTERPIECE.

This is a very entertaining movie. They did great work with Cinematography and their story, I was intrigued the whole time. They kept me waiting to see what happens next. Acting was phenominal and theres a goofiness to the horror which makes it more of a unique film. The intensity plus casualness to the whole plot makes it worth wild. I was constantly wondering where this story was going, which is great for me because I can usually figure out what is going to happen when I watch a movie. If you have not seen it, I recommend this movie! Watched it twice in a day! Definitley a good find. Great work on all cast and crew.

This funny dark comedy will keep you riveted to your seats throughout! The storyline centers around an English professor obsessed by securing a tenured position in a college but a number of unusual events in his life places unexpected and unusual obstacles in his path. Some scary moments but they are largely balanced by really funny scenes and sometimes subtle humor. This movie will make you wonder throughout, how it possibly could end, in light of all improbable situations encountered by the main character.

The actors did a wonderful job overall, by providing the audience with many opportunities to laugh wholeheartedly in spite of some scary situations.