Alex McPherson
@gdogmcp.bsky.social
Unabashed pop culture nerd. Writes movie reviews for Pop Life STL. Member of the St. Louis Film Critics Association.
An aggressively unpleasant experience that traps viewers within its protagonist’s tortured psyche, director Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” throws us into the void and leaves us to flail. poplifestl.com/if-i-had-leg... #filmsky
'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' Is An Exhausting But Darkly Transfixing View of Motherhood
By Alex McPherson
An aggressively unpleasant experience that traps viewers within its protagonist’s tortured psyche, director Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” throws us into the void a...
poplifestl.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:51 PM
An aggressively unpleasant experience that traps viewers within its protagonist’s tortured psyche, director Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” throws us into the void and leaves us to flail. poplifestl.com/if-i-had-leg... #filmsky
A nail-biting exploration of the selfishness and deep-seated class enmity afflicting our doomed species, director Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” grips from its opening frames and never lets go, even as it grows increasingly, thoroughly unhinged. poplifestl.com/ensemble-ast... #filmsky
Ensemble Astounds in Lanthimos’ Grim Doomscroll 'Bugonia'
By Alex McPherson
A nail-biting exploration of the selfishness and deep-seated class enmity afflicting our doomed species, director Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” grips from its opening frames and nev...
poplifestl.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:36 PM
A nail-biting exploration of the selfishness and deep-seated class enmity afflicting our doomed species, director Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” grips from its opening frames and never lets go, even as it grows increasingly, thoroughly unhinged. poplifestl.com/ensemble-ast... #filmsky
Had a great time returning to the legendary Take-Up Podcast to talk Hot Fuzz (the best film of all time)! #filmsky
Hot Fuzz (with Alex McPherson)
open.spotify.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Had a great time returning to the legendary Take-Up Podcast to talk Hot Fuzz (the best film of all time)! #filmsky
Director Kathryn Bigelow's "A House of Dynamite" is a bleak and palm-sweating look at just how profoundly screwed we all are. poplifestl.com/kathryn-bige... #filmsky
Kathryn Bigelow's Chilling 'A House of Dynamite' Is a Frightening Warning
By Alex McPherson
A bleak and palm-sweating look at just how profoundly screwed we all are, director Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite” refuses to answer its impossible questions about nuclear...
poplifestl.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Director Kathryn Bigelow's "A House of Dynamite" is a bleak and palm-sweating look at just how profoundly screwed we all are. poplifestl.com/kathryn-bige... #filmsky
Plenty of punches are thrown but few connect in Benny Safdie’s solo directorial debut “The Smashing Machine,” an awards-hungry drama that sacrifices depth for dress up. poplifestl.com/benny-safdie... #filmsky
Benny Safdie Swings and Misses in 'The Smashing Machine'
By Alex McPherson
Plenty of punches are thrown but few connect in Benny Safdie’s solo directorial debut “The Smashing Machine,” an awards-hungry drama that sacrifices depth for dress up.
Safdie’...
poplifestl.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Plenty of punches are thrown but few connect in Benny Safdie’s solo directorial debut “The Smashing Machine,” an awards-hungry drama that sacrifices depth for dress up. poplifestl.com/benny-safdie... #filmsky
Now available to rent/buy on Prime Video! Other digital platforms October 7. Definitely not a "feel good" film, but a must watch nevertheless. #filmsky
Yeah, another masterpiece incoming. Screening this weekend @wufilmseries.bsky.social ! poplifestl.com/afternoons-o... #filmsky
'Afternoons of Solitude' Is a Fascinating, Unnerving Look at the Abyss - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Now available to rent/buy on Prime Video! Other digital platforms October 7. Definitely not a "feel good" film, but a must watch nevertheless. #filmsky
Eleanor the 🤷 poplifestl.com/june-squibb-... #filmsky
June Squibb And Erin Kellyman Excel In Scarlett Johansson’s Shaky Feature Debut 'Eleanor the Great' - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Eleanor the 🤷 poplifestl.com/june-squibb-... #filmsky
Reposted by Alex McPherson
TONIGHT and TOMORROW Hong Sangsoo's current release BY THE STREAM returns for its final two shows! With Kim Minhee and Kwon Haehyo. Showtime 7:30pm. Consensus from our Hong regulars after last week's preview is that this one is one of his best ever--everyone was aglow after the screening.
September 27, 2025 at 2:44 PM
TONIGHT and TOMORROW Hong Sangsoo's current release BY THE STREAM returns for its final two shows! With Kim Minhee and Kwon Haehyo. Showtime 7:30pm. Consensus from our Hong regulars after last week's preview is that this one is one of his best ever--everyone was aglow after the screening.
Alternately goofy and self-serious, director Justin Tipping’s “HIM” fumbles intriguing ideas and crash lands into a barren field of mediocrity. poplifestl.com/sports-horro... #filmsky
Sports Horror Film 'Him' Is a Half-Hearted Tackle - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
September 23, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Alternately goofy and self-serious, director Justin Tipping’s “HIM” fumbles intriguing ideas and crash lands into a barren field of mediocrity. poplifestl.com/sports-horro... #filmsky
As it descends further into chaos, director Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller “Caught Stealing” becomes increasingly muddled; it’s a grimy, mean-spirited film that’s effective in spurts but remains dazed by (literal) hit-or-miss sensibilities. #filmsky poplifestl.com/darren-arono...
Darren Aronofsky Takes a Detour in Hyperviolent 'Caught Stealing' - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
September 2, 2025 at 2:43 PM
As it descends further into chaos, director Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller “Caught Stealing” becomes increasingly muddled; it’s a grimy, mean-spirited film that’s effective in spurts but remains dazed by (literal) hit-or-miss sensibilities. #filmsky poplifestl.com/darren-arono...
Highest 2 Lowest... more like, uh, Decent 2 Quite Good.
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington Reunite in Bumpy, Vibrant Crime Thriller 'Highest 2 Lowest' - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
August 24, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Highest 2 Lowest... more like, uh, Decent 2 Quite Good.
Watching “Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave” on VHS while I was little pretty much sealed the deal for me being a lifelong cinephile.
What movie has had the most impact on your actual literal life? Not necessarily your favorite, but the one that’s most influenced or shaped something in your trajectory?
August 23, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Watching “Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave” on VHS while I was little pretty much sealed the deal for me being a lifelong cinephile.
Yeah, I think it’s time for a rewatch of the Bourne movies.
Epic Car Chase Through Russian Streets | The Bourne Supremacy
YouTube video by Action Picks
youtube.com
August 23, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Yeah, I think it’s time for a rewatch of the Bourne movies.
Reposted by Alex McPherson
The missing piece of the equation explaining why so many critic positions are being eliminated is the little AI summaries at the top of Google results, which reduced click-throughs drastically. Once again, a tech company has stolen human labor and monetized it and doesn't care about the impact.
August 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The missing piece of the equation explaining why so many critic positions are being eliminated is the little AI summaries at the top of Google results, which reduced click-throughs drastically. Once again, a tech company has stolen human labor and monetized it and doesn't care about the impact.
Stop scrolling, & post two characters who bring you joy & happiness.
August 6, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Stop scrolling, & post two characters who bring you joy & happiness.
Viscerally effective but narratively stretched beyond its limits, director Michael Shanks’ debut feature, Together, succeeds as a darkly funny look at codependency taken to outlandish extremes. thefictiondepartment.com/together-rev... #filmsky
Together REVIEW - Body-Horror Tango - The Fiction Department
Viscerally effective but narratively stretched beyond its limits, director Michael Shanks’ debut feature, Together, succeeds as a darkly funny look at
thefictiondepartment.com
August 3, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Viscerally effective but narratively stretched beyond its limits, director Michael Shanks’ debut feature, Together, succeeds as a darkly funny look at codependency taken to outlandish extremes. thefictiondepartment.com/together-rev... #filmsky
Had to think about it a while, but I ended up really enjoying"Eddington." poplifestl.com/ari-asters-l... #filmsky
Ari Aster's Latest 'Eddington' Is a Frenzied, Absorbing Nightmare - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
July 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Had to think about it a while, but I ended up really enjoying"Eddington." poplifestl.com/ari-asters-l... #filmsky
Yeah, another masterpiece incoming. Screening this weekend @wufilmseries.bsky.social ! poplifestl.com/afternoons-o... #filmsky
'Afternoons of Solitude' Is a Fascinating, Unnerving Look at the Abyss - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
July 25, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Yeah, another masterpiece incoming. Screening this weekend @wufilmseries.bsky.social ! poplifestl.com/afternoons-o... #filmsky
"Sorry, Baby" is one of the year's best films so far. poplifestl.com/sorry-baby-i... #filmsky
Eva Victor's 'Sorry, Baby' Is A Powerful Meditation on Pain and Healing - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
July 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM
"Sorry, Baby" is one of the year's best films so far. poplifestl.com/sorry-baby-i... #filmsky
Not quite "super," but pretty good. #filmsky poplifestl.com/james-gunn-m...
James Gunn Mostly Saves the Day in 'Superman' as Big-Hearted Comic Book Spectacle - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
July 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Not quite "super," but pretty good. #filmsky poplifestl.com/james-gunn-m...
At last, after what seems like 28 years later after the movie released, here's my review of "28 Years Later." poplifestl.com/boyle-and-ga...
Boyle and Garland Deliver Outstanding Sequel '28 Years Later' That's Thrillingly Alive - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
June 29, 2025 at 9:34 PM
At last, after what seems like 28 years later after the movie released, here's my review of "28 Years Later." poplifestl.com/boyle-and-ga...
Here's my New York Times Reader's Choice ballot for the best movies of the 21st century so far. Tough choices. Surprised they didn't have David Fincher's "The Killer" in their system...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
#filmsky
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
#filmsky
June 23, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Here's my New York Times Reader's Choice ballot for the best movies of the 21st century so far. Tough choices. Surprised they didn't have David Fincher's "The Killer" in their system...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
#filmsky
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
#filmsky
Happy No Kings Day (fuck Cheeto Mussolini), but, uh, here's my review of the mediocre "The Life of Chuck." poplifestl.com/the-life-of-...
'The Life of Chuck' Is a Glossy and Frustrating Exercise in Style Over Substance - Pop Life STL
By Alex McPherson
poplifestl.com
June 15, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Happy No Kings Day (fuck Cheeto Mussolini), but, uh, here's my review of the mediocre "The Life of Chuck." poplifestl.com/the-life-of-...
Favorite films of 2025 so far (unranked):
- Black Bag
- Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
- Misericordia
- Eephus
- Sinners
- Blue Sun Palace
- April
-Caught by the Tides
#filmsky
- Black Bag
- Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
- Misericordia
- Eephus
- Sinners
- Blue Sun Palace
- April
-Caught by the Tides
#filmsky
June 8, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Favorite films of 2025 so far (unranked):
- Black Bag
- Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
- Misericordia
- Eephus
- Sinners
- Blue Sun Palace
- April
-Caught by the Tides
#filmsky
- Black Bag
- Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
- Misericordia
- Eephus
- Sinners
- Blue Sun Palace
- April
-Caught by the Tides
#filmsky