RUSSELL

A Fishermen's Tale is a solid entry in the folk horror genre. Set around Lake Pátzcuaro in the Mexican state of Michoacán, the story draws on local folklore about a spectral figure, La Miringua, who takes the form of a woman to lure men—her preferred victims. She usually appears at night, targeting men wandering near the lake or drifting in boats. With her mesmerizing gaze and voice, La Miringua puts her victims in a trance, making them lose track of time and follow her into the depths of the lake, where they eventually drown. Her malevolent influence doesn't stop there, though. She sows discord among the villagers, gradually tightening the grip of evil and turning them against each other. What was once a peaceful village descends into violence, hatred, and death. It is a slow-burn horror film, skillfully building its unsettling atmosphere and dark moments. One particularly chilling scene, inspired by Goya’s painting "Saturn Devouring His Son," really stood out to me. The film weaves multiple storylines together, culminating in a deeply unsettling and hopeless finale.

Bury Your Dead is visually striking, with some impressive shots and a strong focus on the camera work—that’s definitely its standout feature. But beyond that, this Brazilian oddity is a bizarre mix of clashing elements: Lovecraftian horror, dystopian futures, apocalyptic visions, exorcism themes, buddy road movie vibes, and even relationship drama. It often feels like two completely different films trying to communicate with each other, creating this strange mishmash. And if that wasn’t weird enough, there are obscure references to Titanic sprinkled throughout. The result? A chaotic, disjointed mess that lost me around the halfway mark, especially after the main female character was written out. There wasn’t much to hold on to, and it felt like the film didn’t really want me to.

I went into Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story knowing only the basics about Reeve’s life and legacy, so I was essentially a blank slate. I really enjoyed the non-linear structure—it jumps around in time, which I think was a brilliant choice. Everyone watching already knows about his horseback riding accident and subsequent paralysis, so it would’ve been unnecessary to save that for the second half. Instead, the film balances that with plenty of focus on his career and personal life before the accident. The documentary is packed with information, deeply inspiring, and surprisingly emotional without feeling manipulative. The emotions it evokes feel natural and genuine. Honestly, if you have even a bit of empathy, this will hit you right in the feels.