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Film reviews and movie trailers for new movies, indie cinema and short films.Read a film review or watch a trailer on our website. FILM REVIEWS UK UK Film Review is a film reviews website based in London, UK. We promote films and movie trailers from around the world and support indie films that would usually find it hard to find the spotlight against the bigger films of cinema. From the latest blockbusters, to small indie cinema, we tackle as many films as we can. Reviewing them from all aspects, not just how many digital landscapes they blow up using CGI. We also review short films in the UK and internationally, helping filmmakers to promote their movies and raise their profile. If you would like to have a short or indie film reviewed by us, please submit all info using the button below. Take a look around, enjoy the spoils of filmmaking, film festivals and artistic expression. Our merry band of film critics are constantly hard at work, writing film reviews, or watching movie trailers for some of the most exciting movies coming out in UK cinemas. So to keep their morale up, please be nice...or at least funny if you choose to troll. Because, in the immortal words of Rick Moranis in the movie Spaceballs, "Keep firing A**holes!". By the way, on this film reviews website, you may see several references to Spaceballs. If you have not seen that classic Mel Brooks film, you MUST seek it out and tell us what you think. SUBMIT YOUR FILM Are You a Film Podcast Fan? Film critics Chris Olson and Brian Penn host a monthly podcast for all types of film fans! Whether you like the latest blockbuster releases, or streaming is your thing - we have you covered. We even review short and independent films on the podcast. Our final review is usually for a "Nostalgia" pick - something from the past worth revisiting. Previous picks for this have included Jaws, The Fly, and Good Will Hunting. Search UK Film Review Podcast wherever you like to listen and join our global community of film lovers. Film Reviews from UK film critics LATEST REVIEWS Romeo's Distress Freaky Tales Eric LaRue The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia Hell of a Summer Peekaboo Go Fund Me All is Fine in '89 Inappropriate Shudderbugs Retreat Close of Play Load More

Romeo's Distress film review by UK film critic Chris Buick. Starring Anthony Malchar, Jeffrey Alan Solomon, Adam Stordy, Charese Scott Cooper, Kimberley Peterson, Dave Street directed by Jeff Frumess. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Romeo's Distress Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Buick | Posted on: Apr 2, 2025 Directed by: Jeff Frumess Written by: Jeff Frumess Starring: Anthony Malchar, Jeffrey Alan Solomon, Adam Stordy, Charese Scott Cooper, Kimberley Peterson, Dave Street James (Malchar) is hopelessly in love with the girl of his dreams Jane (Peterson), but thus far that love remains unrequited. However, determined and undeterred by the naysayers, James seeks to prove that love can indeed conquer all, even the sinister machinations of Jane’s suspiciously protective father Dale (Solomon). At a budget of just north of two-and-a-half thousand dollars and shot very sporadically over fifteen months, the style, swagger and filmmaking savvy on display make Romeo’s Distress probably one of the most impressive no/low budget achievements of its generation. Having since gone on to do more and more equally impressive projects, here in their stellar debut, writer, director and producer Jeff Frumess, along with producer/composer Nick Bohun, pulls out every micro-budget filmmaking trick in the book to fully realise this films potential and prove the gift was there from the very start. What stands above all else is the film's editing, which is instrumental in setting the film's unique tone of unease and intrigue. Shots are carefully thought out and considered, sets and locations have been ingeniously repurposed, seamlessly spliced, or even built completely from scratch. But despite all of these tricks, none of its wires ever show, and, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s all an endlessly impressive execution of a clear vision. As a story, itself a surreal gothic arthouse nonconformist thriller, something akin to a marriage between Edgar Allen Poe and Shakespeare, Romeo’s Distress is as bizarre as it is captivating. After the film's rather quirky beginnings, including a truly ear-catching ditty called "Cheesecake of Love” (which most will be humming to themselves long after the credits roll), the film soon begins to weave into something of a more typical narrative. Actually, typical might be the wrong word. After James, following quite the pep talk from his Uncle Elmo (Street), decides to take his destiny into his own hands, the film never once looks to shoot straight with your typical boy hoping to get the girl love story. Instead, it layers itself by exploring a number of themes such as delusion, obsession, pain and isolation to craft a story keeps you on the hook right up until the film’s eye-widening finale, where it then simply drops everything in its audience’s lap to let them pick apart everything they’ve just seen, to figure out where the blurred lines between reality and delusion start and end. Led by unique and original writing and complemented by a fully-committed and fully-competent cast, Romeo’s Distress is a true showcase of filmmaking ingenuity, a beautifully weird, gothic, micro-budget mega hit, which almost a decade on, is still a great lesson for all wannabe filmmakers that if you truly believe in a film, you can make it. About the Film Critic Chris Buick Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film reviews from some of the biggest movies in UK cinemas. We also review short films, indie films, and documentaries. Find a movie review now. Film Reviews Here at UK Film Review we like to tackle all kinds film reviews. Our writers come from all walks of life, and feel passionate about critiquing the movies they watch. From the latest Theatrical Releases to Short Films, Indie Films, Documentaries and even Animation, the contributors of UK Film Review are as eager to please as Dev Patel in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011). If you are a filmmaker, or are working in film PR and want to promote one of your clients, please get in touch using the Submit Your Film button under the drop-down menu for Home. Take a look at our list of film reviews below from some of the hottest releases in UK cinemas. Simply click the image of the review you would like, or the title of the movie. Or use the search button to find the movie you are looking for. We have given any feature length film a star rating (out of 5) in order to help viewers sort the Citizen Kanes from the Waterworlds, the Inceptions from the Transformers. Michael Bay will be given a fair film review from our writers, but that probably will not go in his favour. Speaking of Filmmakers, head over to our Filmmaker Features page for awesome articles about some of the best filmmaking geniuses who ever lived. Movie Trailers are also available, either underneath the film reviews, or on the Movie Trailers page. And lastly, if you like your film reviews verbalised. Simply because reading is boring and listening is marvellous, then make sure you Subscribe to the UK Film Review Podcast. Our critics offer up some banterous opinions on the best and worst movies across all genres. Head over to the Podcast page, or click this link to go straight to iTunes. If you would like to read or view any of the following, simply use the navigation. Alternatively, you can click on one of the images to read the film reviews here, or simply have a ganders at the lovely movie artwork on display. Remember to listen to film reviews on our regular film podcast. GET REVIEWED average rating is 4 out of 5 Freaky Tales Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Eric LaRue Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Hell of a Summer Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Peekaboo Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Go Fund Me Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Shudderbugs Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Stork Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 The Tuvalet Bash Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Higher Knowledge Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Assessment Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Alto Knights Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Snow White Read Review Film Podcast - Dune: Part 2 Chris Olson Mar 8, 2024 2 min read Film Podcast: George Clooney Rowing Biopic Scoops Film of the Month Chris Olson Mar 1, 2024 3 min read TAR FILM REVIEW - Jan 20, 2023 3 min read Empire of Light - Film Review Taryll Baker Oct 13, 2022 2 min read Bones and All LFF Review - Oct 11, 2022 3 min read White Noise (2022) LFF Review - Oct 7, 2022 3 min read Sanctuary TIFF Review - Sep 20, 2022 2 min read FrightFest 2022 Highlights UK Film Review Sep 13, 2022 5 min read Top Gun: Maverick Film Review - May 25, 2022 3 min read The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Film Review - Apr 23, 2022 3 min read Spoilers in our film reviews As with all digital forms of expression sometimes people may find something that upsets them online. Spoilers can often be one of these things! Whilst we do our best to ensure that major plot points, twists, character deaths and celebrity cameos are not found in our reviews, it can sometimes be difficult to judge what each and every film lover on the planet would to be a spoiler. If you feel that one of our film reviews contains one too many details then please do let us (politely) know using our social media platforms. We may then take serious action, such as expelling the critic responsible from this and every other movie publication past and present, declaring war against the studio for leading our writer into temptation, or we may do nothing at all. To be honest, it is most likely going to be the latter unless some serious rules have been broken. You may also see some movie trailers in our reviews that could also contain potential spoilers. In which case anyone who is hoping to avoid these should probably not click the play button on them. Or click the play button, turn the sound down on your device, then leave the room for a least 28 minutes whilst the trailer finishes and leaves your life naturally. You may be wondering what you could do with all 28 of those minutes! Why not read some more film reviews on another device? Or make a short film of your cat playing with a piece of string? Spend it wisely guys and gals.

Filmmaker Interview by Chris Olson Hi Ranw, great to be interviewing you. Please tell us a little bit about you and your filmmaking? Great to be here—thanks for having me! My name is Ranw Aso-Rashid. My journey into filmmaking has been anything but traditional. I originally studied Biomedicine at the University of Westminster before becoming a qualified science teacher and later Head of Department at a secondary school. But storytelling has always been a passion of mine. At 19, I made my first micro-short film on an iPhone. Later, while teaching, I started making films with my students, which eventually led me to establish AR Studios. Since then, I’ve written, produced, and directed 10 films, including Whispers of Redemption, The Silent Choice (a KINO Original currently on the international festival circuit), and Our Little Act of Rebellion, an international co-production. At AR Studios, I’m fortunate to work with incredible industry mentors, including development consultant Deborah Sheppard, script consultant Pete Daly, and Executive Producer Marcus Liversedge. Our ambitious documentary slate is now entering production, with support from Oscar-nominated producer Hanna Polak and BAFTA-nominated executive producer Clare Richards (Founder of We Are Doc Women). Beyond my work as a filmmaker, I also serve as a judge for the BIFA-qualifying KINO Film Festival and the British Short Film Awards. Filmmaking, for me, is about telling stories that challenge perspectives and leave a lasting impact. I’m always looking for bold, meaningful narratives that push boundaries. Tell us about your new film, Our Little Act of Rebellion. How would you describe the plot of the movie? At 75, Konstantine spends his birthday reminiscing over old photographs with his caregiver, Eleni. But when he stumbles upon a picture of Aysha—a woman he met in a private music club in 1974—memories he thought were long buried begin to resurface. What starts as nostalgia soon unravels into something deeper, revealing a past intertwined with political turmoil, forbidden love, and the secrets hidden within music. As the echoes of that fleeting yet powerful connection grow stronger, Konstantine is drawn back to the club that once changed everything. But some stories aren’t finished yet. Why did you want to make this film? I was drawn to this story because it weaves together themes of forbidden love, political tension, and personal memory—elements that resonate across cultures and generations. At its heart, it’s a deeply human story about connection, loss, and the way the past lingers in unexpected ways, especially regarding experiences that have remained hidden until this film came along. Unlike many filmmakers, especially producers, I am risk-focused rather than risk-averse. I actively seek out bold, challenging projects rather than shying away from them. Knowing how complex this film would be—both as a story and as an international co-production—only fueled my determination to make it happen. I also saw it as an opportunity to push myself, working with a reasonably sized professional crew while ensuring underrepresented stories reach a wider audience in mainstream indie cinema. It sounds great! What were the challenges getting it made? Every film comes with its challenges, and this one was no exception. Time always seemed to be slipping away—long shoots, tight schedules, and the constant race against the clock. There were moments when shots needed to be changed, and I had to ensure the crew stayed on track to keep to our schedule. But, honestly, I thrive in high-stress situations, and I approached these challenges with humor and a calm mindset, which helped keep the momentum going. I made sure to personally know the crew by name, thank everyone for their efforts, and keep the camaraderie with the cast strong. They were absolutely superb, and maintaining that positive energy throughout the process was key. The live music scenes were particularly time-consuming to set up, but I leaned on my teaching background to break down clear instructions for the crew, ensuring everyone knew exactly what we were doing. Seeing the crew and cast working in harmony was incredibly rewarding. Despite the long hours, I found it all fun—there's something exhilarating about being in the thick of it. I remember when we wrapped at nearly 2am on July 31st, I still had the energy to shoot! But, of course, we had to wrap eventually. What stage is the film currently in? The film finished post-production in February 2025, and is about to begin its festival journey, courtesy of KINO London. Our world premiere will take place in Athens this summer, followed by a special screening in London later this year. For those eager to get a first look, we’ll also be releasing the official trailer on our social media channels soon. We’re currently in talks with ERTFLIX for a Greece-territory acquisition, as well as discussions with distributors for global distribution. After completing its festival run, the film will be available on demand via Vimeo and other key distribution platforms before eventually being fully publicly available online. Why do you make movies? I make films because stories are the most powerful way to connect us—to our emotions, to each other, and to the truths we sometimes struggle to face. At the heart of my work is human fragility—the raw, unfiltered moments that shape us. My stories often come from the many students and young people I have taught, coached, and mentored. Their struggles, dreams, and resilience have profoundly influenced my storytelling. I want to give voices to experiences that might otherwise go unheard, to explore sensitive topics with honesty, and to challenge genre conventions in ways that feel fresh and daring. I am heavily inspired by Frank Darabont’s screenwriting, the visceral, unapologetic storytelling of Quentin Tarantino, and the way Christopher Nolan elevates narrative through music—how a single note can change everything. There is always a part of me in the stories I write, produce, and direct. Each film is, in some way, a reflection of something deeply personal. And ultimately, telling these stories isn’t just thrilling—it’s cathartic. It’s therapeutic. My journey into filmmaking began in the classroom, at Friern Barnet School, with the support of my headteacher, Simon Horne. I started making films with my students, and that experience changed everything for me. Watching young people gain confidence, discover their creative voices, and see new career possibilities because of filmmaking—that was the moment I knew this was what I had to do. To this day, I’ve had over 130 students involved in my productions, gaining work experience, volunteering, receiving mentorship, and even landing their first paid jobs. That impact, that ability to shape lives through film, is what drives me. I make movies because I believe in the power of storytelling—not just to entertain, but to inspire, challenge, and transform. What advice would you give to someone just starting a career in filmmaking? The best advice I can give is simple: just start. Film school can help, but not essential. I did biomedicine at university and have learnt my way into the industry. Only do it if you're passionate though. Don’t wait for permission, don’t wait for the perfect camera—use your iPhone, your Android, whatever you have. Make films with your friends. Experiment. Learn by doing. The more you create, the more you’ll grow. Go to networking events. Find people who are passionate about what you love. Surround yourself with those who push you to be better. And if you’re serious about getting into the industry, reach out to AR Studios. We’re highly connected in the independent film scene, not just in the UK but increasingly in Europe and the USA. We’ve provided countless opportunities for young filmmakers to connect with experienced Heads of Department and industry professionals—people who can help you take that next step. But beyond that, understand this: filmmaking is an incredible but tough industry. Don’t enter it expecting to make friends in the personal sense—protect your boundaries, know your worth, and be mindful of who you let into your creative space. Educate yourself on the challenges and issues within the industry, and always stay informed. Read up on what’s happening in film every week using online outlets. Knowledge is power. Above all—keep making work. No one’s going to hand you a career. You build it, one film at a time. Who would you love to work with and why? I would absolutely love to work with Colman Domingo. As an actor, he brings an incredible depth to every role he plays, and his performances are always layered with so much truth and intensity. What really draws me to him is not just his talent, but his dedication to storytelling—how he fully commits to his characters and elevates every project he’s part of. I also deeply admire the way he helped bring Sing Sing to life. His involvement went beyond acting—he was part of the creative process, working to ensure the film was made with authenticity and heart. That kind of passion for storytelling and commitment to meaningful projects is something I resonate with. Working with someone like him, who not only delivers powerhouse performances but also understands the bigger picture of filmmaking, would be an incredible experience. What's next for you? Next, I’m diving deeper into TV development. I’m currently working on three TV series, one of which is an adaptation of Our Little Act of Rebellion. It’s a project I’m incredibly excited about, and I’m in talks with a potential co-producer to bring it to life. On top of that, a major streamer has officially solicited the submission of the project, which is a thrilling next step.

★★★★ Starring: #Demz, #RoryWaltonSmith, #TeniOsho Directed by: #Shayaan Short Film Review by: Alexandra James Demzzz Type Beat , directed by Shayaan follows three gang members as they make themselves known across the city, inflicting violence on those that attempt to cross them. However, for one of the members, he becomes haunted by those he has killed, and we witness the conflict between the loyalty to his crew and his conscience. With a few twists and turns Shayaan creates a dark and gritty short film and exposes the dangerous corners of the city and those that fight to become top dog at all costs. What really stood out within this short film was the editing, from the beginning the audience are met with a very enticing scene as our main character is walking towards the screen and another character is running backwards in slow motion. Very intense and dramatic and completely gripped me. The locations in every scene were similarly noteworthy, looking up at the city and taking it all in the vastness and striking buildings, contrasted by the underground dark and gloomy car parks with the broken lights adds a lot of depth to the story. The acting was a bit of a mixture, many of the scenes were convincing and reflected that hard exterior of a gangster. However, there were times when that masked slipped and points where we needed that strong, no-nonsense attitude which did not always seem to come across. For the main character, this is where that blend of toughness and fear was prominent and necessary, the character himself had many layers than what meets the eye. This was a very interesting storyline and character to pick apart, as you go deeper into his conscience you can see that there is more to him that is complex as he battles with what’s right and wrong but also keeping up this tough persona which makes for a perfect main character to follow. A very hard-hitting short film with great characters that make you want to invest more. Director Shayaan has really elevated this piece with his use of dynamic editing which really added his own uniqueness and created an original flare, these simple touches are what shapes your own stamp to your work and sets this film apart from the rest.

★★★ Starring: #AshleyLarson, #JakeMoon, #CristenStephansky, #ClareWilliams, #AndyZibritosksy Directed by: #JimHails Short Film Review by: Alexandra James Chocolate chip a crazy an absurd short film that shows the effects of how bad pregnancy cravings can get! However, this might be a slightly exaggerated interpretation, but the emotions are very much the same. Director Jim Hails creates a series of surreal scenes and introduces us first to the character Sarah Wilson, a young woman who is heavily pregnant eating snacks and watching TV late into the night. An advertisement for a chocolate chip cookie appears on the screen, this is all she can focus on and becomes fixated with feeding this hunger. After much deliberation she decides to make the journey to locate some cookies, however, along the way Sarah is met with some extraordinary scenarios. One word to describe this film would be trippy, there is an edge to this film that makes it unique and even have a retro feel to it, from the style in which the TV adverts were filmed to the locations such as the small diners and laser tag spot. The film is left to the audience to determine whether this is a hallucinogenic nightmare or an anxiety driven storyline from the perspective of Sarah. It’s an attempt to convey just how deep her emotions run from the viewpoint of a pregnant woman. As Sarah attempts to scout out the chocolate chip cookies, she has a strange encounter with a robber, who demands all the money from the till but also all the chocolate chip cookies in the joint. A disgruntled Sarah abides but can’t help but think this is completely unfair and takes it upon herself to track down this cookie thief and take back what’s rightfully hers! This film may seem a little far-fetched to some, but it does make for a funny and engaging storyline. The acting seemed overexaggerated in some scenes, but this was to match the overall craziness and did still work well. I did really enjoy the way this short was filmed the look and feel of the film did have that retro vibe which ultimately felt quite comforting in a strange way, but coupled with the crazy storyline it gave the film a twist and want to engage more with the characters and ultimately find out how this story ends for poor Sarah and her strong desire for a simple chocolate chip cookie. Jim Hail certainly pushes the boundaries of absurdities and Chocolate Chip  reflects this madness in every sense. The cinematography, locations and actors really helped to develop Hails own flare to build a very strange short film that boggles the mind and question reality, as well as really crave a chocolate chip cookie!