Linda Cardellini in RETURN.
Sooooo many movies available now through on-demand, but what’s worth watching? Well, the mainstream stuff you know about… it’s crap (okay, not all, but the odds aren’t good). The independent releases that now pop up with increasing frequency on VOD, however, are a different story. Obscure titles with little-to-no media attention, how do you know what’s worth watching? Fear not, kiddo — I’ve decided to take my twenty-plus years of experience in film journalism and criticism and do my part to help.
<em>The Indie on Demand Movie Review</em> will be a short, weekly audio series in which I’ll take a look at a film that has recently become available via on-demand platforms. You’ll get a little taste of what the movie is like — as much as can be conveyed through sound — and my own thoughts on what to expect once you settle down on your couch and punch “Play” on your remote. Hopefully, you’ll feel at least a little more confident about what will pop up on your screen.
This week, I’m looking at RETURN, the debut feature from director Liza Johnson, in which Linda Cardellini stars as a National Guard soldier who comes home from the Middle East and discovers more than little difficulty in making the transition to civilian life. With a supporting cast that includes Michael Shannon and John Slattery and a spare, naturalistic style, will this film be the definitive glimpse into the life of the modern soldier? Click the player to hear my review.