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Watcher film review by UK film critic Swati Verma. Starring Samad OluKunle, Tyreke Leslie, Anita Bright directed by Ivo Bright. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Watcher Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Jan 30, 2023 Directed by: Ivo Bright Written by: Ivo Bright Starring: Samad OluKunle, Tyreke Leslie, Anita Bright The writer-director Ivo Bright likes to follow his passion of filmmaking and explores the genre of crime with a well-knit script that evokes a sense of fear and isolation in the minds of the audience hence hooking them with the content with the help of the protagonist Raheem (Samad OluKunle). The plot of the short film revolves around Raheem and his friends who are trying hard at convincing him that someone watching and following them. The only hang-up is, Raheem does not believe it thinking that his friends are winding him up and they are growing confident that the watcher is getting closer with every passing minute. Watcher opens with a black screen along with an eerie background sound followed by the title of the film establishing the subject matter of the film. The DOP Cassius Kane utilises the combination of a series of tracking shots, mid-shots and close-up shots allowing the viewers to interact with the characters and be involved from the very beginning. The bluish-black colour palette, dim lighting, set design, dialogue, costume, hair, and make-up complements the concept and adds the element of realism to the same. In terms of performance, Samad OluKunle plays Raheem who believes in what he sees. OluKunle understands the nuances and portrays the multi-layered character with the right mix of emotions and logic as per various situations in the screenplay. Tyreke Leslie plays the role of Raheem’s friend who spots the mysterious being for the very first time in the film. Leslie manages to establish an emotional connection with the audience due to his dialogue delivery, voice modulation, and facial expressions, and the comic timing is on point. Leslie has a very strong screen presence and therefore he can ensure to provide the desired push to the narrative when necessary. Watcher talks about building such strong bonds that no stranger can break all the ties and walk away. Trust is the most important element in a friendship or any relationship, especially when going through tough patches or hardships. The short film reiterates that mental peace and well-being becomes crucial and sharing how one feels with family and friends helps combat and emerge victorious. The psychological thriller restates that one shouldn’t always go for a physical fight especially if one does not know about the enemy and analyse all possible repercussions of the action one takes. The crime drama tells its audience that it is very good to be self-reliant but one cannot ignore the value of friends as well as loved ones and regret it in the latter stage of life. Watcher discusses that there is nothing wrong with staying true to one’s emotions and listening to those who care in the hope of a better future. The short film tells its audience the significance of unconditional love and support are the bonus elements required to make friendship deeper and stronger over the years. About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

James film review by UK film critic Joe Beck. Starring Jack Hollington, Morgan Watkins, Anna Koval directed by Claire Oakley. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS James Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Mar 31, 2024 Directed by: Claire Oakley Written by: Felix Levinson Starring: Jack Hollington, Morgan Watkins, Anna Koval The smallpox disease once caused the deaths of millions per year, sweeping across the world in the 17th and the 18th centuries, yet today it is the only human disease to have ever been eradicated. The diseases caused fever and vomiting, but was generally characterised by measles and rashes across the body, and in most cases it resulted in death. ‘James’ depicts the first steps towards the eradication of the disease, and the titular boy who was the first person to be vaccinated. As an educational and informative film ‘James’ excels, providing a detailed narrative of the process which saw Edward Jenner perform his first vaccination, and the boy who received it. However, as a dramatic film it falters, lacking any sense of tension or indeed pacing, and instead seeming to exist purely to provide a visualisation of those aforementioned events. There’s no dramatic edge to the film, and thus it is difficult to become truly invested, particularly when we already know the outcome, and that despite his protests James will be vaccinated, and will not contract smallpox. It is an interesting choice by both writer Felix Levinson and director Claire Oakley to frame the film not from the perspective of Edward Jenner, but from that of young James Phipps and his father. Through doing this we come to understand more the plight facing many of the poorest in England at the time Phipps was vaccinated in 1796, as poverty prevailed whilst the disease proliferated, causing deaths particularly amongst young children. James, played by Jack Hollington, is reluctant to be injected with the vaccine, yet the poverty of his family leads to both his father, played by Morgan Watkins, and his mother, played by Anna Koval, to see it as a means of putting food on the table and finding a much needed steady source of income. He is practically forced by his father to take the vaccine, and we see the pain and fear in his father’s eyes as he is forced to put his child through what was at the time an experimental procedure which few believed could actually work. Levinson’s script excels in these moments, as it demonstrates the bitter hardships facing the Phipp’s family, and how their desperation to get out of it, or perhaps more their desperation to survive, led to the breakthrough in Jenner’s vaccination and the eradication of smallpox. However, whilst Levinson’s script is excellent in portraying this through its subtleties, its dialogue is rather crude and altogether uninteresting, failing to add anything more, and, in some moments, even complicating the story. Furthermore, Oakley’s direction, whilst competent, fails to imbue the film with the creativity needed to elevate it beyond being categorised as purely educational, and means that the film is thoroughly lacking in drama. Nevertheless, despite a lack of drama throughout, ‘James’ is an interesting and informative watch, which both excels and falls down on key creative decisions. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Outfit film review by UK film critic George Wolf. Starring Mark Rylance, Zoey Deutch directed by Graham Moore. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Outfit Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: Mar 17, 2022 Directed by: Graham Moore Written by: Jonathan McLain, Graham Moore Starring: Mark Rylance, Zoey Deutch The opening minutes of The Outfit give us a master tailor named Leonard (Mark Rylance) describing his process. We see him measuring fabric, cutting and sewing while he outlines his skill in sizing up customers to give them what they most deserve. Wait..is he still talking about suits? Maybe, maybe not. The setting is Chicago in 1956, where Leonard and his dreaming-of-a-better-life secretary Mable (Zoey Deutch) conduct business while local mobsters use Leonard’s shop to retrieve messages from a nationwide crime syndicate known as the Outfit. One night after a shootout with a rival mob, gangsters Richie (Dylan O’Brien) and Francis (Johnny Flynn) barge into the shop in need of help and refuge. Richie, the son of local boss Roy (Simon Russel Beale) has been shot, and soon most everyone involved will have to fight to survive the long night. Oscar-winning screenwriter Graham Moore (The Imitation Game ) adds directing duties this time as well, for a nifty big screen debut that often homages early Kubrick and classic Hitchcock. Essentially a two-room chamber piece, the film leans on a terrific ensemble to roll out a steady stream of delicious twists, relishing the nimble noir wordplay and skillfully keeping Moore’s sleight-of-hand from tipping its hand too early. Fellow Oscar-winner Rylance (Bridge of Spies ) is the perfect choice to bring Leonard to life, displaying a seemingly casual excellence right in line with who Leonard seems to be. Will underestimating the quiet shopkeeper prove to be a deadly mistake? Or is it Leonard who will learn a painful lesson tonight? Rylance peels pack the layers slowly, and Moore has good instincts for the pacing that allows for maximum fun. Deutch proves again that she’s a natural, making the most of a more limited role that still boasts an impressive ratio of secrets-to-screen time. Despite getting a little too cute for the room come finale time, The Outfit is a solid directing debut for an acclaimed screenwriter. And while you can’t help feeling that this salute to the brainy introvert may be a personal one for Moore, it’s artful and engaging enough to rope in anyone who loves untangling a well-fitted suit of clues. About the Film Critic George Wolf Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Tallulah Denyer writes movie reviews for UK Film Critic. As one of the talented UK film critics, find out more here. Tallulah Denyer Writer for UK Film Review. Follow On Twitter Read My Film Reviews

Jason Knight writes movie reviews for UK Film Critic. As one of the talented UK film critics, find out more here. Jason Knight Hello. I am Jason Knight. Ever since I was a little boy, I have enjoyed movies. I grew up watching Schwarzenegger, Stallone and Van Damme fighting bad guys and many, many horror films. Having grown up and matured (slightly) I have learned to enjoy and appreciate all kinds of films, from Hollywood blockbusters, to low-budget, independent ones. I thoroughly enjoy analysing and discussing movies. Some of my favourite films would be Scarface (1983), Saving Private Ryan and American Beauty. In my spare time (apart from dealing with anything movie related) I practice martial arts, read thriller novels and I am also a videogame fan. Follow On Twitter Read My Film Reviews

Transmission film review by UK film critic Rob Jones. Starring Jackson Allen, Jack McAvoy, Richard Clements, Janine Walker directed by Carleton Rodgers. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Transmission Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Rob Jones | Posted on: Mar 22, 2023 Directed by: Carleton Rodgers Written by: Carleton Rodgers Starring: Jackson Allen, Jack McAvoy, Richard Clements, Janine Walker It’s so easy to get swept up in the beautiful visuals of Transmission that it takes another watch to really understand the story it’s telling. That isn’t a criticism against its narrative or anything like that, but more a huge compliment to something else that this film has achieved. Writer-director Carleton Rodgers is clearly a fan of Steven Speilberg’s work in the sci-fi genre, and a lot of the aesthetic signatures that we see in films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and ET are in this, but it builds upon them in such a sweet, subtle way. Transmission starts with two kids playing in commando gear, pretending their dog is an alien that they’ve been tasked with neutralising. It feels like a very familiar set-up because we’re so used to all of the elements in it that amount to Americana. Any kid who grew up outside of the USA watching shows like The X-Files or films like Independence Day knows the feeling of otherness that comes with it. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you’re fully aware that you’re watching something that isn’t your story. Transmission uses some really interesting, really subtle tricks to play into that and to create something very surprising out of almost nothing at all. Without giving too much away, it brought a smile to my face that lasted the whole of its runtime. Another trait that it shares with the Speilberg sci-fis is that it’s actually a story about family. The nucleus of it all is two brothers who share an interest in space and all things otherworldly. All of the conflict is driven by this interest that they share, both with each other and with their parents. When one of them goes missing, it turns into something even sweeter than it already was. It’s now one boy’s mission to save his brother in any way that he can, and the key is the sense of wonder that the adults in his life have long lost. It’s so refreshing to see a modern film like this. In a time where the majority of sci-fi is dominated by either big franchises or stories about doom and gloom, this gives us a blast of nostalgia by taking the genre back to its more fantastical roots. It can certainly be accused of containing more than the odd genre trope, but they come across more as homages than just acts of laziness or a lack of creativity. What comes across in this more than anything is that it comes from a place of love, and when that can be said about a story like this, then it’s onto something special. Transmission is a sweet story that wears its influences on its sleeve, and is a fantastic experience for a non-American sci-fi fan. About the Film Critic Rob Jones Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Catch the Fair One film review by UK film critic Brandon Thomas. Starring Kali Reis, Daniel Henshall, Kevin Dunn directed by Josef Kubota Wladyka. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Catch the Fair One Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Brandon Thomas | Posted on: Feb 9, 2022 Directed by: Josef Kubota Wladyka Written by: Kali Reis, Josef Kubota Wladyka Starring: Kali Reis, Daniel Henshall, Kevin Dunn In 2016, a study by the National Crime Information Center found that out of a reported 5,712 cases of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women, only 116 cases were in the databases of the U.S. Department of Justice. The investigations into these missing women are often impeded by the lack of communication between federal, local and tribal law enforcement. Filemaker Josef Kubota Wladyka uses this real-life scenario to deliver a thoughtful – but thrilling – tale of guilt, regret and closure. Kaylee (Kali Reis) was once a promising amateur boxer. Her life fell apart though when her younger sister, Weeta (Mainaku Borrero), went missing while walking home one night. Years later, a struggling Kaylee is still searching for her sister. Desperation and guilt lead Kaylee down a dark path – one that she hopes will end with her finding Weeta alive. Catch the Fair One focuses on the important issue of missing indigenous women but does so through the guise of a revenge flick. This film is brutal. In the world of the movie, the innocent are prey and the villainous predators are always lurking and usually slinking back to the suburbs. Wladyka makes his feature debut with stunning confidence. The neatness of the storytelling is as precise as it is dark. The tonal control is extraordinary as the film straddles the line between genre and drama without fully embracing either. Catch the Fair One is heavily reminiscent of Jeremy Saulnier’s terrific Blue Ruin . The ordinary nature of the villains is chilling. Their nonchalant attitude toward dealing in sex slavery is enough to cause the hair on the back of your neck to stand up. Wladyka gets extra mileage out of casting Kevin Dunn (Transformers ) and Daniel Henshall (The Snowtown Murders and The Babadook ) as father and son bad guys. Dunn is especially disarming with the baggage he brings in this type of role. He’s one of the more recognizable “Hey, it’s that guy!” actors working today, and those roles aren’t typically this bloodthirsty. The real standout is Kali Reis. Being Reis’s first acting role, it would be easy to sit back and nitpick every acting decision she makes along the way. Fortunately, Reis’s vulnerability mixed with sheer intensity never allows for that kind of surface scrutiny to take place. She’s more than capable in the physical scenes, but it’s in those softer moments where Reis shows her quiet determination that feels so in sync with the character’s state of mind and her eventual plan. With a thrilling story and a knock-out lead performance, Catch the Fair One announces itself as one of the best movies of the year so far. About the Film Critic Brandon Thomas Theatrical Release, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Laws of the Universe: The Age of Elohim film review by UK film critic . Starring Brittany Cox, Aleks Le, John Snyder directed by Isamu Imakake . HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Laws of the Universe: The Age of Elohim Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Apr 19, 2022 Directed by: Isamu Imakake Written by: Ryuho Okawa, Sayaka Okawa Starring: Brittany Cox, Aleks Le, John Snyder Where to start with The Laws of the Universe: The Age of Elohim ? No really, where to start? This theological, ambitious anime is likely to be overwhelming for even veterans of a genre that is often incomprehensible to the uninitiated. A baffling hodgepodge of religious fables, varying quality of animation and disappointing voiceover and translation work (in this English language version) make this evangelical epic an overall let-down. 150 million years ago, a peaceful society of alien lifeforms is thrown into chaos as Earth, under the watch of the God Elohim, is attacked by dark messenger Dahar (Aleks Le). The warrior Yaizael (Brittany Cox) is sent to protect the planet, and is joined by a collective of Earthlings and alien races who look to fight back against the darkness. But Dahar’s plan involves corrupting those within Elohim’s army, including the powerful archangel warriors who fight alongside Amor (John Snyder), a powerful, peace-preaching ally. Age of Elohim’s scale and size are its ultimate downfall. A truly epic, universe-spanning conflict, involving battles between gigantic armies of endless alien races and moral conflict between literal gods of creation, it fails to ever instil genuine interest or personality into its vast collection of characters. From seemingly original creations such as Yaizael (the closest thing the film has to a true protagonist) to characterisations of Jesus and Satan themselves, beyond vanilla beliefs in love or hate, or good and evil, no-one seems to have anything beyond the most basic of motivations. For all the world-ending consequences that arise, without the audience’s connections to the characters in danger, there’s only so much one can care as a viewer. The plot itself is also difficult to connect with. You would need a wall-chart to keep up with the overwhelming list of characters, their relations and alliances with each other. Viewers are thrust headfirst into an ongoing conflict which receives little explanation, and the various religious allegories are thrown together awkwardly and unnaturally. It leads to a flat and empty story that even a seemingly never-ending council scene cannot satisfactorily explain. The animation is varied throughout. The grand and ethereal palaces, battlefields, vistas and space bodies and stunningly designed and epically realised to create for an effective, otherworldly atmosphere to the film. Other designs such as the hellscape lair of the villain, or the numerous transfigurations for increasingly over-the-top battles are anime 101, but will satisfy fans of the genre. However basic conversations are held statically – appearing cheap and lazy. It’s a bad habit that animated films have displayed, but particularly notable here. The voiceovers are also somewhat uninspired, and dialogue in many scenes appears to be poorly translated and almost nonsensical. The cast make an effort to ham up the lines they are given (particularly Aleks Le), but this only works to a degree. The script itself is lazy, including eye-rolling diatribes on defeating darkness and how girls cannot fight, which feel reductive and stereotypical. The evangelical messaging is loud and proud throughout the film – to the point of an off-putting preachiness. And whilst musical asides are a staple of plenty of Anime films, they are far too numerous here given their confusing and uninspired nature, and result in the film’s momentum grinding to a halt. Beyond some spectacular visuals, The Laws of the Universe: The Age of Elohim offers little that has not been accomplished far more effectively in other anime films – beyond committed religious interpretation that is likely to confuse anyone outside of theological scholars. About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Theatrical Release, Digital / DVD Release, World Cinema, Animation < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Boy in the Corner film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Cyran Vergara, Victoria Shepherd, Akil Largie, Shaun Pelayo directed by Joshy Lee. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Boy in the Corner Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Nov 27, 2022 Directed by: Joshy Lee Written by: Joshy Lee, Luciano D'Amato Starring: Cyran Vergara, Victoria Shepherd, Akil Largie, Shaun Pelayo A troubled boy gets involved with a gang of criminals. Myles (Vergara) is a quiet schoolboy, who lives with his mother (Shepherd) and little sister and spends his days hanging around with his two friends, playing basketball and practicing on his guitar. Unfortunately, he also has issues and gets into fights at school. As a result, it has been arranged for a mentor (Largie) to see him, much to Myles's annoyance. His life takes a turn for the worst when he meets a local gang who welcome him in their world and make him do illegal errands for them. This feature is a hard-hitting drama that concentrates on the life of a teenager who appears to have lost his way in life and ends up going downhill even more. Myles seems to be unhappy with his life, living in a household that has money problems, disapproving of his mother beginning a relationship. He finds joy and acceptance when he joins the gangsters, who are led by Jaime (Pelayo) and give him money and smart clothing, until he discovers that kind of life is threatening and will most likely get him killed or send him to prison. His decisions end up alienating him from the ones who care about him, including his mother and friends. The screenplay explores how unhappy individuals become part of gangs in the belief that it will lead to a better life and vividly points out that it is a path that will lead to devastating consequences. The performances are strong and Vergara is quite dramatic as a troubled and angry youth who does not talk much and gets involved with the wrong people. Shepherd is emotional as Myles's caring mother, who is deeply concenrned for his well-being and Largie does a great job as a mentor who had a troubled upbringing. In some ways, Pelayo's character serves as the antagonist, a double-faced criminal who can be friendly and also menacing. Filming was done entirey in black-and-white and the cinematography by Tamas Apor Meder creates a downbeat atmosphere. The filmmakers also make effective use of slow motion. Regarding the music by Ana Kasrashvili, it is rather dramatic and there are also a couple of rap songs. Basically, the main message of this film is that a life of crime is a mistake that only leads to bad things. It analyses the circumstances that can lead someone to turn to crime and how that affects them and those around them. Apart from crime, this is also film about self-discovery that looks into inner struggles, friendship and family values. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Learn how to write a film review using tips from UK Film Review's Editor-in-Chief Chris Olson. How to Write a Film Review Writing a film review for the first time can be a daunting prospect. Many aspiring writers struggle to put down into words how they feel about an art form that is more visual and audible. That's why, here at UK Film Review, we want to give you some of our best advice on how to write a film review so that you can hit the ground running. 1. Choose your film. This is an important step. The first time you write a film review you are going to want to choose something you feel very passionate about in order to give you lots to write about. If you choose a movie that doesn't move or compel you in any way, your review could end up feeling a little uninspired too. 2. Choose your medium. It is essential to know how you feel most comfortable when writing. Some are happy with a computer or laptop, some may prefer good old pen and paper. Others may even prefer a typewriter (feel free to Google that word if it is not in your vocabulary). Whichever way you prefer make sure this is the method you choose when learning how to write a film review - as it will make the experience a lot more enjoyable. 3. Do your research. After watching the film (which needs to be a recent viewing and could sometimes require multiple watches), resist the urge to launch straight into your thoughts and feelings. Sure, make some detailed notes about your first reactions but doing some research on the film so that when it comes time to write your film review you will be able to come at it with more authority and knowledge - which will make the writing a lot easier. To find out more about how to write a film review and get some top tips from our Editor-in-Chief (who is also an established film critic), check out the eBook below which gives aspiring writers some golden nuggets. 9 Top Tips for Aspiring Film Critics £1.99 Price BUY NOW How to Structure a Film Review There are many ways you can write a movie review and the structure will often depend on the outlet. For example, at UK Film Review, our writers have a basic model to work from which they can bring their own style too. Other publications may be more rigid or casual about the structure of their film reviews but pretty much everyone has what's called a "House Style". It is important to follow this when learning how to write a film review as it will help keep you on track, structured, and to the point. What should be included in a film review? Within a film review, the critic should look to explore all aspects of the filmmaking. This is where film criticism differs from an opinion. When writing a film review, the writer needs to validate their observations with specific reasoning as to why they feel the way they do. One simply cannot state "I didn't enjoy this film therefore it gets one star." Instead, the film review should include discussion on the film's strengths and weaknesses, comparison to other movies of a similar genre, or relate the movie to the filmmaker's previous works. It is essential to at least cover: the plot, the performances, the themes and your summary. Examples of a Film Review Looking at examples of a film review is a great way to learn how to write one. This way you can examine the nuances that each writer brings, as well as the common traits which appear in many movie reviews. When first learning how to write a film review it can be quite daunting, so it is best to jump right in and start reading as many as you can. You will soon learn that film criticism is a fun and rewarding experience that enhances cinema. How to Write a Film Review Template Template film reviews are not something we massively encourage. Whilst we like to promote a solid structure (see above) it is important to take each film as an individual piece of art. Filmmakers pour their heart and soul into their films and the idea that a template review could capture every single one of them is absurd. Instead, see the steps above about structure and also looking at as many examples of movie reviews as you can. You will soon see that you have enough to get started. TAKE YOUR FILM REVIEWS TO THE NEXT LEVEL How to Write Film Reviews Articles Chris Olson Mar 6, 2024 2 min read Film Podcast: Top Tips for Film Critics Film Feature by Chris Olson Being a film critic was a journey that started for me in 2010, working in Plymouth, Devon. I was a Customer... Emily Davison Aug 13, 2022 2 min read The Death of Angel Candy (2022) Film Review Film review for The Death of Angel Candy (2022) directed by Angus Silver. Words by critic Emily Davison for UK Film Review.

Watch Kowalsky at the 2022 UK Film Review Festival. See the UKFRF 2022 lineup and buy your festival pass. Kowalsky Listen to our review on the film podcast What our film review said: READ FULL REVIEW Both protagonists deliver great performances. Peiffer is a frail, widowed, elderly woman who is also not afraid to stand up for herself and say what is on her mind. Schlechter plays her pathetic, clumsy and cunning son and he is also the one who adds the most comedy to the story, with his slapstick actions. Proudly supporting MediCinema for our 2022 film festival.

Watch The Show at the 2022 UK Film Review Festival. See the UKFRF 2022 lineup and buy your festival pass. The Show Listen to our review on the film podcast What our film review said: READ FULL REVIEW ...with the acting from Everett and Rowden standing out the most. The two have good chemistry and appear comfortable going toe to toe with each other, trading snide remarks. The direction is also solid, capturing the picturesque beauty of the Lake District, and also surprising us with a heavily-hinted twist at the conclusion. Proudly supporting MediCinema for our 2022 film festival.