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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 Petro Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Rita Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Gladiator II Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Wicked Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Street Trash Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Red One Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 A Real Pain Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Sileo Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Memoir of a Snail Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Breakdown Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Here Read Review Chris Olson Mar 8 2 min read Film Podcast - Dune: Part 2 Chris Olson Mar 1 3 min read Film Podcast: George Clooney Rowing Biopic Scoops Film of the Month - Jan 20, 2023 3 min read TAR FILM REVIEW Taryll Baker Oct 13, 2022 2 min read Empire of Light - Film Review - Oct 11, 2022 3 min read Bones and All LFF Review - Oct 7, 2022 3 min read White Noise (2022) LFF Review - Sep 20, 2022 2 min read Sanctuary TIFF Review UK Film Review Sep 13, 2022 5 min read FrightFest 2022 Highlights - May 25, 2022 3 min read Top Gun: Maverick Film Review - Apr 23, 2022 3 min read The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Film Review 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.

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 Mouse! Moeder Happy Pals To Hell With You Petro The American Question Rita Buscando Alma The Miner's Son Gladiator II Kruste Wicked Load More

Latest Film Reviews The latest movie reviews from UK film critics, this is the page to find the newest reviews from our team. The UK Film Review critics are assembled from around the globe, covering all types of movies. Whether these are movie reviews for films currently in UK cinemas (or even globally) or for films on streaming sites such as Netflix, Prime Video or Disney Plus, we cover them all. On this page you will also find the latest film reviews for indie and short films from the UK and around the world. Every month, UK Film Review receives a large selection of submissions from filmmakers requesting us to watch their independently made film and review it. We treat all movies the same and our reviews are never (ever) paid for! We do receive payment from PR companies and other filmmakers for services such as promoting their film, or skipping to queue, but this has nothing to do with the movie review itself. Whilst you will see our latest movie reviews here you should also follow UK Film Review on our social media profiles, as well as subscribe to our popular film podcast. This will help you stay up-to-date with the latest releases, as well as the goings-on from our community of film lovers and critics. average rating is 4 out of 5 Mouse! Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Moeder Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Happy Pals Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 To Hell With You Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Petro Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The American Question Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Rita Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Buscando Alma Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Miner's Son Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Gladiator II Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Kruste Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Wicked Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Flirting with Darkness Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 A Place to Fall Down Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 My Week with Maisy Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Street Trash Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 From Above Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Meal Ticket Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Neither Donkey Nor Horse Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Picture Day Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Seven Jewish Children Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Tomorrow Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Pylon Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Red One Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 A Real Pain Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Unspoken by LT! Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Pocket Princess Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Orango Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 A Beautiful Day Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Sileo Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Death Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Into the Unknown Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 That's the Spirit Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Art Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Memoir of a Snail Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Belief Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Breakdown Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Miss or Misses Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Another World Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Through the Stew Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Here Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Signs of Allegiance Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Absolution Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Anora Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Emilia Pérez Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Chasing Chasing Amy Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Continuance Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 In the Garden of Tulips Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Savanna by AMAFFI Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Black Boy's Don't Cry Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Sunflower Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Clearance Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 OK/NOTOK Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Saving Mango - A Cat's Story Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Better the Neville You Know Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Your Monster Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Little t Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 A-Train: New Beginnings Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Long Quiet Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Scum Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Jack & Lou: A Gangster Love Story Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Canteen 2 Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Betrayed Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Shifting Tides Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Art Thief Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Primal Fear Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 UME Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Last Anomaly Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Disposal Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Saturday Night Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Making Up Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Daddy's Head Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Falling Stars Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Shelf Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Flesh and Blood Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Terrifier 3 Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Homeless Tobez Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Ladybug Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Divine Trials Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 An Artist's Curse Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Death of The House Party Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 English Rose Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Things Will Be Different Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Morris Men Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Blink Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Hey Tu! Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Stars Align Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Because We Are Too Many Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Distant Memories Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Schism Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Wild Robot Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 My Old Ass Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Azrael Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Predators Don't Like Attention Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Will & Harper Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Wolfs Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Iris Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Sleep Read Review

Music Video Reviews One of the most exciting sub-genres our critics review is music videos. They are often incredible pieces of storytelling, either in their own right or aligned with the song playing over them. On this page you will find a great selection of music video reviews from the team of critics at UK Film Review. If you are a filmmaker or artist who would like us to review your music video, submit your film here . When it comes to reviewing a music video, the process differs slightly from perhaps a narrative short film or documentary. The music has to be explored far more intimately than if it were a soundtrack because that's where the story originates from rather than being added further down the line. Music videos do conform to genres but these are often musical genres rather than film categories, for example pop, folk, rock, rap etc. So this will also influence the music video review our critics write because the target audience is going to be considered. Music videos may take a variety of forms or even combine different aspects to create a different effect on the viewer. For example, it is common for a music video to contain a small narrative, as well as live performance footage. Top filmmakers making music videos will be able to immerse you into the song and story without leaving you feeling like you have just watched a promo piece. Choreography is also a common trait in music videos, with dance sequences and flash mobs recurring - often in pop music videos. Editors of music videos will have their work cut out to ensure the choreography looks tight and engaging without it feeling staged or lifeless. Hopefully the array of music video reviews you see below will include some gems for you to peruse. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the article, as we often include the actual music video so you can watch it for yourself. Unspoken by LT! Jason Knight A-Train: New Beginnings Jason Knight The Dragonborn Comes-Main Theme Jason Knight The Panharmonion Chronicles: Times of London Patrick Foley Lost All Care Joe Beck Everything Will Dissolve in the Void James Learoyd Rooftop Screamers Joe Beck Hot Chip Eleanor Swati Verma A New Kind of Life Jason Knight alexjames96 Jun 6 2 min read Ain’t my Vibe Short Music Video Review alexjames96 Mar 17 2 min read Cinerama (Music Video) Short Film Review alexjames96 Dec 19, 2023 2 min read Homecoming (Music Video) Short Film Review alexjames96 Nov 16, 2023 2 min read Sheep F-cked In the Head Short Film Review Theo Aug 1, 2022 2 min read Service for The King short film review Chris Olson Sep 28, 2021 2 min read Stroke Code Music Video Review More Film Reviews

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Mouse! Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Nov 24, 2024 Directed by: Max Fisher Written by: Max Fisher Starring: Vikash Bhai, Rakhee Thakrar, Sanish Shah Covid-19 and lockdown-living brought with it a trend of artists, often filmmakers, wishing to lend their personal perspective on the hardships they’ve had to face. Mouse! is a prime example of a dramatic piece managing to maintain a sense of genuine sincerity while grappling with the contentious issue. The worst Covid films have tended to be icky, big-budget productions which exploit global mourning as a way of attaining an audience – with the absolute best recent films addressing Covid being ones which simply incorporate it into the background realism of the narrative (such as Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths ). The short in discussion, however, is certainly ‘about’ Covid, yet on a personal level. It’s political – as it should be – and provides authentic critical commentary on the pandemic. Operating on multiple levels of perspective and social implications, writer-director Max Fisher is concerned with how we deal with death in all forms; from the perspective of a hopeful child, to that of his jaded father feeling alienated by the flawed systems he’s forced to confront. We follow two separate stories belonging to the same family. The dad is having to deal with irksome bureaucratic pains following his father’s tragic death, in addition to processing the resentment he felt towards the man; his young son, on the other hand, spends his time playing with an adorable mouse, whose presence in the house the dad is less than pleased about. This is an effective storytelling device, for it allows the filmmakers to explore national implications, as well its microcosm - to portray the internalised poetry of a boy and his pet. Audiences are bound to enjoy the film’s parallel narrative, and the profound emotions that then reveal themselves when juxtaposing a child’s perspective of mortality with that of an adult. You could argue that the screenplay is too simplistic for a film about the pandemic; however, one could very well argue that it has enough of a perspective, and a tone which reflects upon the challenges we face in life through different ages - even if it simply scratches the surface - that the viewer is able to empathise fully with both viewpoints. There’s some great lens work in Mouse! As the majority of contemporary short films do, the visual style consists of a wide-aperture, shallow focus look. This is pleasant to the eye and definitely lends the film a sense of production value. With an anamorphic, widescreen format, and an image with plenty of fall-off and constant shimmering flares, the cinematography draws our attention to the quality of the filming equipment. Although, if there’s one problem with the mise-en-scène, it’s that it occasionally misses a trick by not holding on wide shots. It’s very much a story being told through closeups, which is apt for the emotional and grounded nature of the content; but sometimes you wish that the director and cinematographer had allowed further opportunity for complex compositions. Then again, it’s still a handsome looking piece, and made with a competence which shouldn’t go unnoticed. A genuine, well-considered and heartfelt work, it successfully moves the audience and leaves us on a sentimental note. About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Short Film Reviews Welcome to the UK Film Review page for short film reviews . Here you will find some of the best and brightest sparks in a sea of cinema. Filmmakers from across the globe submit their short films to us to be reviewed, and our Contributors lovingly dissect them. If you would like one of our team to write a film review of your short film, please use the form on our Submit Your Film page Our short film reviews are written by passionate film critics across the UK and aim to highlight and promote terrific filmmaking when we find it. We are always honest with our reviews, so if you are looking to submit your short film for review, please do so knowing that we will not alter what we have said because you don't like it. There is a wealth of amazing talent in the short film industry, and we hope by writing film reviews about this underexposed creativity we can get your movies to a new audience...but we need your help. Please join in the chatter on our social media channels so that we can grow our community and share the joy. Use the buttons in the footer to Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Subscribe to us on YouTube #supportindiefilm. The selection of short film reviews you see below are mostly for films submitted to us. In this instance, the filmmaker has requested us to watch and provide a short film review. Get Your Short Film Reviewed Isabella Short Film Review Finger Food Short Film Review Warrior: Predator Short Film Review A Hell of a Trip to Delicias Short Film Review No Tell! Short Film Review Last Rendezvous Short Film Review In The Moonlight Short Film Review Bridge Short Film Review Bird Drone Short Film Review Ain’t my Vibe Short Music Video Review Surprise Short Film Review A Happy Ending Short Film Review Shear Disturbance Short Film Review Watch What I Do Short Film Review After Hours Short Movie Review Cinerama (Music Video) Short Film Review Film Podcast: George Clooney Rowing Biopic Scoops Film of the Month Film Podcast: Anthony Hopkins drama crowned "Film of the Month" Mannequin Short Film Review The Separation Short Film Review More Film Reviews Mouse! James Learoyd Moeder William Hemingway Happy Pals Jason Knight To Hell With You Joe Beck Buscando Alma James Learoyd Kruste Chris Olson Flirting with Darkness Jason Knight A Place to Fall Down Chris Olson My Week with Maisy Joe Beck From Above Chris Olson Meal Ticket James Learoyd Neither Donkey Nor Horse Chris Olson Picture Day James Learoyd Seven Jewish Children Brian Penn Tomorrow William Hemingway Pylon Jason Knight Unspoken by LT! Jason Knight Pocket Princess James Learoyd A Beautiful Day Jason Knight Sileo William Hemingway That's the Spirit Joe Beck Art Jason Knight Belief Jason Knight Breakdown William Hemingway Through the Stew Jason Knight Load More Reviews What is a short film review? A short film review is often written by a movie critic and it's their opinion on a film that is less than sixty minutes long. Short film reviews still explore every aspect of a movie. How do I write a short film review? Writing a short film review needs to cover multiple aspects of the movie. Including the script, the characters, performances, cinematography, score & sound design, editing and so on. Sometimes we consider the piece only as a short film; whether it works in that format, other times we may think of it as a "proof of concept" for something longer, or perhaps a piece of a web series/TV show. These can be important to consider when writing a short film review. How long should a film review be? A film review should be as long as the house style. Some publications provide lengthier reviews than others. A general minimum word count would be 500. This may be also for SEO reasons, as short film reviews that are longer may be more likely to rank higher on Google. The important thing to remember is that the review should be well-structured, not full of bloated points to fill up the word count. How much money do film critics make? Film critic salaries depend massively on their publication. Many film critics are freelancers, meaning they get paid per review and sometimes this is based on word count. Making money through film reviews can be challenging. Video Short Film Reviews Below you will find a selection of short film reviews in video form! This is where one of the UK Film Review Critics records their review and we upload it to our YouTube channel (as well as TikTok and Meta Reels in some cases). A Place to Fall Down Short Film Review by Chris Olson A short film about coping with loss and grief, film critic Chris Olson gave A Place to Fall Down 4 stars. Watch his video short film review here to here from the man himself about his thoughts and feelings. OK/NOTOK Short Film Review by Patrick Foley In this short film review from Patrick Foley, he gives us his opinion of the brilliant movie OK/NOTOK. Set in a futuristic world where AI robots are available as companions (as long as you can afford the subscription), it's a riveting piece. Betrayed Short Film Review by Chris Buick Film critic Chris Buick offers up a fantastic video short film review for Betrayed. A movie about a girl with special powers who, with the help of her protective father, must elude those who would use her for nefarious means.

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Moeder Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Nov 24, 2024 Directed by: Salomon Ligthelm Written by: Salomon Ligthelm and Joshua Sullivan Starring: Chris Galust, Marta Beloshapka In the Donetsk region of Ukraine, not far from the Russian border, a young miner hears a crash and steps outside to find a phone ringing in his front yard. When he answers that phone-call his life is changed forever. With the war in Ukraine now past the one-thousand day mark it can be easy to forget that for some the war has been raging on for much longer than that. Back in 2014, when Vladimir Putin was busy annexing Crimea from its sovereign territory, he was also funding separatist movements in the Donbas region to cause chaos and alarm and to take as much land in the East as he could for Mother Russia. Caught in the crossfire of the fighting between the Russian backed separatists and the Ukrainian army was Flight MH17, a civilian passenger plane carrying mainly Dutch nationals. Flight MH17 was hit by surface to air missiles and was brought down over the surrounding area of Donetsk, just fifty kilometres from the border. First on the scene, and first to sweep the land for remnants of the victims, were miners from the small town of Rozsypne. In his new short film, Moeder (Mother) , writer/director Salomon Ligthelm uses this tragedy as the basis for his story. Vitaly Ivanov (Galust) is a local miner who has a wife (Beloshapka) at home and a baby on the way. When, one day, there is an almighty disturbance outside his house, he steps outside to see what’s going on. At first, we are kept from seeing just what truly surrounds Vitaly, and the focus is kept on the phone that has seemingly appeared from nowhere and has started ringing in the mud. On the other end of the line a Dutch woman asks anxiously for her son, but to no avail. She is a mother without any answers and Vitaly has no way of offering her what she needs. As the story progresses, we see Vitaly retreat within himself as he tries to come to terms with what to do. He is silent around his workmates and can’t bring himself to share his grief with his wife. Even a journalist, who is willing to pay good money for their story, can’t get Vitaly to say more than a few words on the subject of what happened that day. But in secret, Vitaly has been putting together the very few basics that he can translate, in anticipation of the next phone-call which he knows will surely come. At the same time, the miners are called on to do some work topside, which will reveal the true extent of the horrors committed. They are given long poles with white flags on them, with which to mark the sites where they have found something in the long grass. There is discontent about their being used for this task as they are not soldiers, but as the foreman says, “If not you, then who else?” To say that Moeder is a bleak representation of the conflict which has marred the Donbas region for so long, would be a gross understatement. Director of photography, Farhad Ghaderi keeps things grey and muted throughout, with very little light getting in. The sky is low, the dialogue is sparse, and any feeling of connectivity or human kindness is kept strictly in the background. This casts a sombre feeling over the whole film, echoing only a small sliver of the immense grief and tragedy of the real-life circumstances which inspired it, but which nonetheless pulls the viewer deeply into Vitaly’s struggle. Luke Atencio’s score also keeps the mood low, with haunting strings being matched to helicopter rotors and distant explosions to express the depth of feeling which runs through Vitaly’s story. All of this means that when the emotional release does come it hits fast and it hits hard. The long, slow shots from Ligthelm which have built up the story, along with the editing of past events and symbols throughout the narrative, create a tension so strong that when it breaks it feels like the bursting of a dam. We are deliberately left in the dark as to the entire scenario until the very end of the film, however, once everything is pieced together, and the symbols come home to roost, there is a clarity which is undeniably emotive. Galust’s understated performance, too, is a marked achievement throughout Moeder , with it matching the quiet, contemplative grief found in Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of a coalman in Small Things Like These (2024). Moeder is a powerfully emotive short film which takes the time to tell its story properly. It brilliantly encapsulates the helpless feeling brought to so many in conflict and expresses in vividly dramatic pictures what cannot be said in words. For a film that is not a joyful twenty-minutes, it is nonetheless one which is likely to be visited again and again by those looking for some sense of comfort in difficult times. About the Film Critic William Hemingway Short Film, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Happy Pals Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Nov 24, 2024 Directed by: Ryan Palmer Written by: Preston Fusci Starring: Brandon J. Somerville. Annalea Fiachi, Preston Fusci A short drama directed by Ryan Palmer, written by Preston Fusci and starring Fusci, Brandon J. Somerville and Annalea Fiachi. Ben (Somerville), a young man is part of a children's TV show named 'Happy Pals', where he is part of a team of five who sing joyful songs in a broadcast studio for the purpose of entertainment. His four colleagues are Dena the bear (Fiachi), Bara the sheep (Amber Li), Danny the turtle (Zoe Yale) and Antwas the elephant (David Hunter Jr.). Initially all appears to be good, however, it then becomes apparent that a devastating event took place in the past that has severely damaged Ben's life. The screenplay mixes reality with non-reality quite dramatically, blending a children's show with a a terrible tragedy. As the narrative repeatedly alternates between the studio and flashbacks in Ben's home, it gradually becomes evident that things are not what they appear to be and that reality, what is really going on is far from good. As the story progresses, the truth is slowly revealed and the atmosphere becomes distressing and Alex Karukas' dramatic and dynamic music adds to the atmosphere. The mise-en-scene has aspects with creativity that deserves recognition. The TV performers (apart from Ben) wear clothing that clearly intends to represent the animals that they are portraying such as hats with bear ears or an elephant's face and the credit for this goes to costume designer Bonnie Jean Tyer. The studio where the show is filmed is decorated to resemble a forest or just nature in general with joyful-looking trees and a sun, the result of the work of art director Evelyn Eisele. It should be mentioned for the sake of sensitive viewers that the plot deals with rather dark issues and some people might be upset by the emotions they might experience by watching this film. As the main protagonist, Ben is a person who is struggling to deal with a tragedy and his mind seems to be stuck between the real world and the imaginary world that he has created with the intention of avoiding the truth and Somerville is brilliant is showing the variety of emotions that his character goes through in a world where he is happy and in a world where he is broken. This sort of split personality performance is also effectively captured by Fiachi, who plays two characters, one being the performer, the other Ben's partner and in the latter role, she is far from the jolly character in a children's television show. Generally, Ben's colleague's are attempting to prevent him from seeing the truth by keeping him happy, making him concentrate on joyful things. Fusci's character is one that is quite different from the rest and appears to represent reality. He plays Ace, a miserable-looking guy whose intention seems to be to make Ben accept what has happened. For a film that largely involves a children's show with singing, smiling and bright colours, there are very heavy themes to be explored. Mental health is one, along with murder, loss and grief. What mainly drives the plot is the idea of creating a form of escape, of attempting to hide from a painful reality be retreating into a fabricated world. This is a sad and dark story and it carries an important message: it seems to point out the fact that sometimes people desperately try to avoid bad things that have occurred and that the right thing to do would be to face the facts. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS To Hell With You Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Nov 23, 2024 Directed by: Jason Sheedy Written by: Jason Sheedy Starring: Andrew Bourne, Brett Brooks, Erin Ownbey Exorcisms aren’t a new thing in cinema. Though obviously most famously portrayed in William Friedkin’s masterpiece ‘The Exorcist’ in 1973, they have been shown on screen ever since early horror films in the silent era. In recent years there has been a bizarre revival of exorcism on the big screen, notably beginning with ‘The Conjuring’ in 2013, this has snowballed in the past few years to mixed effect with the likes of ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ and two films starring Russell Crowe - ‘The Exorcism’ and ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’. Therefore, with such proliferation of exorcism films, it is remarkable that ‘To Hell With You’ manages to feel fresh, even if it isn’t always as witty or humorous as it wants to be. ‘To Hell With You’ begins with a botched exorcism of the high-flying young student Brennan (played by Andrew Bourne), who has his promising career, and life, cut short when the priest shoots him in order to remove the demon from his body. With his mother (played by Claire Christie) collapsed on the floor out of shock and the priest nowhere to be seen, Brennan, or Brennan’s soul, is visited by a stubborn demon, called Doyle (played by Brett Brooks) and a tenacious angel, called Esme (played by Erin Ownbey) who quarrel about his fate. It’s a little bit like ‘Good Omens’ the Neil Gaiman story recently adapted for television with Michael Sheen and David Tennant. It has that same sort of pulpy energy, with colours that are popping and a funk infused soundtrack. There are times where it is extremely witty, and where the jokes flow seamlessly, however it doesn’t quite have the heart to sustain the deeper and more personal moments. This is a flaw in Jason Sheedy’s screenplay, which is otherwise very well written, with strong dialogue that helps all the actor’s involved give solid performances. Brett Brooks in particular is excellent as Doyle, the demon, and is perhaps the character with the most weight and emotional development over the course of the films fifteen minutes. Jason Sheedy also directs the film, and this is where his talent really comes out. Sheedy gives the film a visual style that perfectly matches the script, and enhances the film to make it stand out from a bog standard exorcism story. ‘To Hell With You’ is a fun film. It revels in its grisliness and its attempts to be anarchic. Though this doesn’t always work it nonetheless makes for a fun spectacle. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Petro Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Nov 23, 2024 Directed by: Sean Mattison Written by: Sean Mattison Starring: Gustavo Petro, Francia Marquez If there weren’t enough elections in 2024 for you (and if not, get help…) then Sean Mattison’s Petro might be for you. This account of Senator Gustavo Petro’s 2022 presidential campaign in Colombia is both a dramatic look into the hostile world of Colombian politics in the modern age, and a reckoning with the country’s violent past. The documentary follows Senator Petro during his second run for President. A controversial figure of Colombia’s left, many see him as a force for peace and justice in a nation still impacted by violence. But his own history as a leader of the M-19 guerilla group makes him a danger to the establishment, and a figure of much disdain amongst those with painful memories of the group. Petro senses a real chance for change, but forces outside his expectation stand in his way. It takes more than a season or two of Narcos to understand the world of Colombian politics, but violent civil war and a devastating drugs trade can’t be ignored as shapers of the nation’s political landscape. It is from these events that Gustavo Petro has emerged, and his ascendency to a presidential candidate is the culmination of a remarkable journey. The controversies in his past are the stuff of Daily Mail dreams, but Petro’s refusal to hide from them mean that many in the country see him as someone uniquely capable and attuned to the issues they face. The documentary captures his humility and quiet charisma, and Mattison does an excellent job of framing the candidate in proper context and explaining his appeal. The views of both supporters and opponents of Petro are used to paint an authentic and convincing portrait of the man. Passionate supporters believe in his land reform, healthcare plans and efforts to tackle violence and continue the country’s fragile peace process. But others such as Federico Gutierrez and Maria Fernanda, figures on the right, fear his potential to become dictatorial. His past in M-19 is given a fair assessment as well – and the group’s violent history is not lionised or whitewashed, even when presented in context. The efforts of the filmmakers to seek opposing views is respectable and means viewers will be satisfied that, despite its sympathetic stance towards Petro, it is far from a fluff piece. The outcome of the election is of course public knowledge, and viewers who know the result will obviously feel no sense of intrigue the way unfamiliar viewers will. As someone who did not know the winner, the sense of danger established from both the legitimate threats to Petro’s life, and the country’s tragic legacy of assassination is palpable. The efforts spent in establishing his opponent – the eccentric and unconventional Rodolfo Hernandez – also means that the splits in the country leave the vote on a knife edge. Experiences may vary depending on your familiarity with South American leaders, but as a learning experience and thrilling political ride, the film excels. Petro is more than a film for politics buffs. An unrelenting and frank look at Colombia and the imperfect politicians it produces, it brilliantly realises the power of movements and belief. And even if you find the argument that a former M-19 member ought not to be a President convincing, other elections show us that there can be worse candidates… About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Theatrical Release, Digital / DVD Release, Documentary, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The American Question Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Nov 22, 2024 Directed by: James Kicklighter Written by: James Kicklighter, Guy Seemann, Lucy Copp Starring: Guy Seemann, Amy Chua, Joseph Orengia, John Keegan, Colin Woodard A feature-length documentary about the issues concerning unity in contemporary America, directed by James Kicklighter and written by James Kicklighter, Guy Seemann and Lucy Copp. This intriguing documentary provides a deep insight into the crisis that is threatening political and economic stability in the United States. The film suggests that the United States has reached a point where its citizens are becoming increasingly divided and it investigates the reasons behind this by looking into American politics, immigration, globalisation, polarization and the American Dream. Presenting and narrating is Guy Seemann, a political analyst who has lived in Israel and has been working in campaigns and government since his teens. His attempts to find answers regarding the problems that are dividing America make him focus on three cities that seem to represent these problems: Erie, Hazleton and Detroit, three communities that are facing high unemployment and crime. As he travels, Seemann interviews a variety of individuals who have knowledge regarding what is happening in the U.S. and why. Some of these people are gym owner, Joseph Orengia, Professor of Psychology Tania Israel, PhD, journalist Colin Woodard, pharmacist John Keegan and army veteran Kyle McChesney. Along with the interviewees, the documentary contains footage of politicians and old footage of campaigns and riots. The filmmakers make frequent use of animation in order to visualise the narration and it usually involves the map of the United States. All this is supported by Nicolas Repetto's dramatic and dynamic score and special mention goes to the animated montage that opens the film. The viewing experience is informative and the subjects are thoroughly explored. However, some viewers might doubt whether certain or all of the issues presented in this documentary are the actual factors behind instability in the United States. As the feature explores the ways in which American citizens are becoming more and more diverse between them, it ends up looking into a number of subjects including a crumbling economy, demographic changes, immigration, xenophobia, inequality, polarization, globalisation, crime and unemployment. It is implied that the reason for these are a lack of communication and collaboration. This documentary reveals major problems that exist in the United States today and are significantly affecting the country in general, turning it into a place where people are split into groups and are not united as a whole. Generally, it presents an image of a country that seems to have lost its way and whose future appears to be in jeopardy. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film, Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Rita Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Nov 21, 2024 Directed by: Jayro Bustamante Written by: Jayro Bustamante Starring: Giuliana Santa Cruz, Alejandra Vásquez, Àngela Quevedo In 2019, filmmaker Jayro Bustamante traced a history of state-sanctioned horrors exacted on Guatemalan women with his superb supernatural tale, La Llorona . With his follow up, he mines far more current history to uncover troublingly similar horrors. Rita is a fairy tale told from the perspective of the titular 13-year-old (Giuliana Santa Cruz). As Rita tells us in the beginning, her story—like any fairy tale—is true, but it didn’t happen exactly this way. Remanded to a state-run institution for girls, Rita describes the palace she believed would be her sanctuary, but it was run by ogres and witches. The girls in the shelter are divided into cliques, each with its own costume. The fairies are very young; the dogs are wild and muzzled; bunnies are pregnant. There are also princesses and star lights. Rita is an angel. It’s one way in which Bustamante—like the world at large—defiles images of innocence linked with girlhood. But the filmmaker never veers from his protagonist’s perspective, and to her, the inmates are mystical creatures, each type with its own power, each transcendent no matter the evil. The young cast, exclusively newcomers, impresses with every character’s unseasoned choice, every child’s brutish and childlike reaction. Their wisdom feels unforced, never the product of a screenwriter needing to provide exposition. Santa Cruz is stoic, her character interior, while Alejandra Vásquez’s Bebé is charmingly blunt, Ángela Quevedo’s Sulmy is tenderly optimistic and Isabel Aidana’s La Terca is protective and gruff. No one’s fully dimensional, but fairy tale characters never are. Bustamante’s dialog blends childlike inexperience with tragic notes of experience in ways that feel right at home in this polluted playground. Because Bustamante’s film never leaves the grimy physical reality of Rita’s world, Rita leans closer to Issa Lopéz’s Tigers Are Not Afraid than del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth , but all three recognize the toll of systemic oppression on the most vulnerable and powerless. Rita , though it barely qualifies as true horror, is a tough watch, especially because it is based on true events. It’s moving and debilitating at the same time, but it’s a beautiful and powerful work. About the Film Critic Hope Madden Digital / DVD Release, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >