In the New Issue Hot Press Reviews the Biggest Films of the Fortnight

In the new issue of Hot Press, we interview Irish director Neil Jordan about psychosis, the digital age, and telling stories that have never been told. His first film since 2009, Greta finds itself exploring the relationship between loneliness in the modern era and an occult sense of terror. Though he says he does “wonder if people will come along for the ride or not” he argues that divisiveness is unavoidable, it’s just “the nature of the material.” The material in this case is definitely something to behold, and though not a perfect film, the performances by female leads Chloe Grace Moretz and Isabelle Huppert, along with its uniquely absurd atmosphere make it worth seeing, even if you’re not sure you’ll come along for the ride or not.

Also featured in this edition is our take on Wild Rose, the latest from British director/writer/producer Tom Harper, which follows the story of a Scottish woman – just released from jail – who struggles to look after her children and keep her job whilst pursuing country music stardom. Jessie Buckley delivers a stunning performance that highlights her dramatic range while introducing us to her incredible singing voice. A fierce display for an exciting young talent.

The Sisters Brothers is the newest from director Jacque Audiard, and features an all-star cast of Joaquin Phoenix, John C O’Reilly, Riz Ahmed, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Root, and more. It follows the relationship between the eponymous brothers (Phoenix and O’Reilly) as they ponder the nature of the killing they’re hired to do. Grounded by a dark sense of humour and consistently thrilling performances, the film explores modern themes through the tried and true cowboy dynamic, making good use of the – very much on trend – western genre.

Bo Burnham is also featured, with his directorial debut Eighth Grade reaching Irish cinemas on April 26^th. In it, Kayla, an eighth grader played masterfully by Elsie Fisher, navigates life on the eve of high school, worrying about her own social media presence, friendships, and identity along the way. Where many coming of age movies, however, feel disconnected from the reality of the events they portray, Eighth Grade feels intimate, fully aligned with the struggles it shows on screen. This means that while it’s sure to take viewers back to that time in their own lives and make them relive that stress, it also shows the ways in which those mental battles are universal, no matter the time or place.

Finally, DC’s newest entry into their cinematic universe, Shazam, is out now. In it, fourteen-year-old boy Billy Batson (Asher Angel) is given the power to transform into a superhero at will. This superhero (played by Zachary Levi) is, by design, more of a cartoon stereotype than a layered character. The film – in equal parts – serves as a satire and a tribute to superhero films as a genre, but lacks enough depth to function at a high level as either.

You can read the full interview with Neil Jordan and all the reviews mentioned above in the new Hot Press, which is on the shelves now. You can also buy it online below: