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Rachel West
Rachel West's reviews only count toward the Tomatometer® when published at the following Tomatometer-approved publication(s):
That Shelf
AWFJ.org
Rachel West is the Senior Online Producer for ET Canada and a featured critic at That Shelf with a B.A. (Honours) in Film Studies from Carleton University. She has interviewed everyone from Michael Fassbender to Miss Piggy and has reported live from TIFF, SXSW, Comic-Con, D23 and the Golden Globes. Her film writing and interviews have appeared in publications including Globalnews.ca, Shaw Connect, The National Post, Toronto Film Scene, Cineplex Magazine, CAA Magazine, and more.
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Red, White & Brass (2023) |
The Tongan word “māfana” comes up more than once during Red, White and Brass. Described as the overwhelming feeling of warmth and emotion one gets, it’s a fitting word for the film itself. - That Shelf
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| Posted Dec 06, 2023
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299 Queen Street West (2023) |
Director Sean Menard’s loving and bittersweet look at the creation and rise of Much Music is as much about the music that shaped it, as it is a commentary on the state of Canadian broadcasting and celebrity fandom in a pre-digital social media age. - That Shelf
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| Posted Dec 04, 2023
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Quiz Lady (2023) |
Awkwafina and Sandra Oh are dynamite performers who have proven themselves across film and TV, which makes it all the more disappointing that neither of them can make Quiz Lady work. - That Shelf
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| Posted Sep 21, 2023
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Memory (2023) |
Memory is one of the year’s must-sees. - That Shelf
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| Posted Sep 20, 2023
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Mother, Couch (2023) |
Mother, ouch. A top-notch cast in fine form can’t save the befuddling Mother, Couch. - That Shelf
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| Posted Sep 14, 2023
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Lee (2023) |
Lee is a conventional biopic, which is by no means a detriment. It sets out to tell a straightforward story of Miller’s life and it does it quite well. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Sep 14, 2023
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Dream Scenario (2023) |
Nicolas Cage is in top form with a performance that straddles the line between Adaptation and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. - That Shelf
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| Posted Sep 14, 2023
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Woodland (2023) |
A soul-searching drama, Woodland is an appropriately moody and healing experience, that should resonate with a TIFF audience and beyond. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Sep 13, 2023
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The Tundra Within Me (2023) |
Exploring the universal themes of belonging, love, and forgiveness, that this is Oskal’s first feature is incredible. It is a story told and directed with such nuance and grace it belies her experience behind the camera. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Sep 13, 2023
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Swan Song (2023) |
With outstanding visuals and gorgeous production, by the time the final curtain falls, it is impossible not to have a deeper appreciation and love of ballet. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Sep 13, 2023
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La Chimera (2023) |
Though the story may feel disorderly, by the time La Chimera reaches its conclusion, it’s nearly impossible to not be charmed by the characters. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Sep 13, 2023
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The Promised Land (2023) |
Who knew a historical epic about mid-18th-century potato farming in Denmark would be packed with so much blood, determination, and greed? - That Shelf
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| Posted Sep 13, 2023
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Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter (2021) |
With a story that echoes a Shakespearean tragedy, Love, Charlie: The Rise And Fall Of Chef Charlie Trotter is a feast for the senses offering insight into not just one chef’s storied career, but the rise of the celebrity chef and New American cuisine. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Sep 13, 2023
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Dumb Money (2023) |
Backed by a hip-hop soundtrack and underscored by internet meme culture, the way class warfare is presented is nothing short of fun and funny. If you can stop laughing, you might actually learn something about investing. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Sep 12, 2023
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Sing Sing (2023) |
With a cast comprised almost entirely of formerly incarcerated actors—who appear here as themselves, the film packs a powerful message into a wholly unique and entertaining story that will have audiences laughing and crying in equal measure. - That Shelf
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| Posted Sep 12, 2023
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Chevalier (2022) |
Chevalier is filled with rich performances and anchored by an enthralling performance by Calvin Harrison Jr. Building upon his breakout performance in Waves, Harrison Jr. delivers his best work yet with undeniable charisma. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Aug 29, 2023
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Dark Nature (2022) |
Clocking in at less than 90 minutes, Dark Nature never feels rushed. Though certain aspects may come across as underdeveloped at times (namely some of the women’s backstories), the story is held together by a strong female ensemble. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Aug 29, 2023
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Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part One (2023) |
The only impossible mission is keeping Tom Cruise away from this spy franchise, and quite frankly, that’s not a bad thing. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Aug 29, 2023
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Oppenheimer (2023) |
Though the entire ensemble operates as a well-oiled machine, it feels like distracting stunt casting at times. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Aug 29, 2023
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What Comes Around (2022) |
Director Amy Redford presents her second film, What Comes Around, as a relationship thriller but murky and awkward storytelling makes the film fall flat despite the best efforts of its star Grace Van Dien. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Aug 29, 2023
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Satan Wants You (2023) |
Satan Wants You succeeds on many levels. It is a time capsule of a cultural moment, a shocking look at psychiatric manipulation, and the story of a woman in emotional distress. Clever and inventive, it’s a worthwhile watch. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Aug 29, 2023
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Falcon Lake (2022) |
Falcon Lake is first and foremost about a teen summer romance, but filmed with all the aesthetics of a horror movie. In a year with some exceptional and highly-lauded Canadian feature films, Falcon Lake is a true standout. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted May 24, 2023
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Retrograde (2022) |
As a whole, Retrograde will be sure to have some viewers asking, “That’s all?” but those who dig this kind of humdrum, ordinary situation explored through a creative lens will be rewarded. - That Shelf
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| Posted May 16, 2023
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Renfield (2023) |
All in all, Renfield doesn’t quite suck, but it’s not the campy vampire comedy we — or Nicolas Cage — deserve. - That Shelf
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| Posted Apr 20, 2023
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How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022) |
A timely eco-thriller with all the suspense of a true heist film. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Apr 20, 2023
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Balloon Animal (2022) |
In Em Johnson’s Balloon Animal, circus life gets a fresh and sweet take as it serves as the backdrop for a young woman’s coming-of-age story. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Apr 20, 2023
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Enys Men (2022) |
Those looking for a mainstream horror flick won’t find much to go on here and even as someone who appreciates the strange and experimental, Enys Men was ultimately too slow for this horror fan. - That Shelf
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| Posted Apr 14, 2023
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Tetris (2023) |
Tetris may be a superficial story with as much depth as an 8-bit block, but it is nonetheless entertaining and enthralling. - That Shelf
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| Posted Mar 30, 2023
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Tenzin (2023) |
[T]here is no doubt that newcomers, immigrants, and first-generation Canadians will connect to the feeling of being caught between Western ideals and their traditional culture. - That Shelf
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| Posted Mar 17, 2023
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Inside (2023) |
[D]espite its shortcomings in the latter part of the film, Inside makes for a worthwhile watch if only to witness Dafoe’s masterful performance. - That Shelf
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| Posted Mar 17, 2023
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Scream VI (2023) |
Scream VI certainly won’t win over any new fans to the franchise, but there is still plenty of fun to be had for OG admirers. - That Shelf
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| Posted Mar 14, 2023
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Cat Daddies (2021) |
[Hoang's] film will likely appeal to those who already love cats but will have a much harder time winning over anyone else. - That Shelf
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| Posted Feb 18, 2023
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Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022) |
Blending Mexican folklore with elements of horror, Garza Cervera weaves a spectacular story anchored by Solián in a stellar debut performance. - That Shelf
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| Posted Feb 08, 2023
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Knock at the Cabin (2023) |
Though Knock at the Cabin may not deliver the kind of carnage and thrills viewers have come to expect from the “cabin” genre of horror films, Shyamalan’s latest film warrants a watch, even if it lands with a slow blow more than a punch to the gut. - That Shelf
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| Posted Feb 03, 2023
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She Is... (2023) |
Zuzana Lova's documentary presents a story of healing and purpose amid harrowing statistics, showcasing how victims of abuse and sex trafficking are finding healing through dance. - AWFJ.org
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| Posted Jan 20, 2023
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Exile (2022) |
Exile is a compelling thriller that hinges on a well-rounded performance by Beach. Finally given the chance to shine in a lead role worthy of him, Beach makes Ted a man of complex layers and deep secrets. - That Shelf
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| Posted Dec 14, 2022
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Tiger 24 (2022) |
With incredible storytelling and memorable visuals, Tiger 24 is not just one of the best nature documentaries of 2022, but one of the best criminal investigation docs of the year too.
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| Posted Dec 14, 2022
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Little Jar (2022) |
Though the plot is a little thin to warrant its 90-minute runtime, there is no doubt that Little Jar is a prime example of how creativity can flourish even in the most uncertain of times. - That Shelf
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| Posted Dec 14, 2022
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She Said (2022) |
Though competently told, She Said misses the mark when it comes to making a statement on Weinstein and the #MeToo movement as it fails to rise above a rote procedural drama. - That Shelf
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| Posted Nov 19, 2022
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Manifest West (2022) |
With story elements borrowed from a range of genres, Dietsch and Gibson manage to be clear in their storytelling and as a result, are able to deliver their compelling vision in a way that is not only entertaining, but feels fresh too. - That Shelf
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| Posted Nov 14, 2022
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Raymond & Ray (2022) |
Neither McGregor nor Hawke can save Raymond & Ray. There is no emotional payoff for the actors or the viewer by the time the film limps its way to the inevitable, boring conclusion. - That Shelf
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| Posted Oct 24, 2022
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Till (2022) |
Though not a wholly successful film, Till is worth the watch for [Danielle] Deadwyler’s performance. She will likely be a factor in awards season. - That Shelf
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| Posted Oct 24, 2022
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Tár (2022) |
Each one of Field’s previous two films have been heralded as career-bests for him, and Tár is no exception. Field has only further honed his skills to deliver one of 2022’s best films that will no doubt dominate awards season. - That Shelf
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| Posted Oct 10, 2022
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Barbarian (2022) |
With a unique and completely bonkers story, Zach Cregger’s latest will delight genre fans as it offers up something completely unexpected. - That Shelf
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| Posted Oct 03, 2022
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The Invitation (2022) |
With several tongue-in-cheek moments, countless Easter eggs and nods to vampiric lore (one character is named Harker), The Invitation is a luscious gothic horror that doesn’t ask you to take it too seriously. - That Shelf
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| Posted Oct 03, 2022
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When I Consume You (2021) |
Ultimately, When I Consume You offers little that’s new and exciting for genre fans, firmly planting itself as an inoffensive-yet-average tale that will struggle to hold viewers’ attention spans. - That Shelf
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| Posted Oct 03, 2022
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Biosphere (2022) |
While I am not sure if Biosphere is a complete success, it is certainly a unique movie that will stick with you and leave you thinking long after watching. - That Shelf
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| Posted Sep 28, 2022
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The Good Nurse (2022) |
The real story of The Good Nurse seems much more thrilling on paper. - That Shelf
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| Posted Sep 28, 2022
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Alice, Darling (2022) |
While the story may feel heavy, Francis’ script has moments of levity .. The bond of friendship the trio has feels realistic, and above all, shows that there is not just strength in numbers, but there is also hope and support. - That Shelf
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| Posted Sep 28, 2022
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Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) |
With too many loose ends and tonal shifts, Where The Crawdads Sing is ultimately a disappointment for failing to live up to its own potential. - That Shelf
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| Posted Jul 16, 2022
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