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3/5
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Cassandro
(2023)
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Maria Lattila
|
Williams’ transition from documentaries to narrative fiction isn’t quite the triumph you’d hope, but Cassandro remains an entertaining sports film, if one carried on the weight of Gael García Bernal’s performance.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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4/5
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Brother
(2022)
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Maria Lattila
|
While some of its narrative threads feel overly familiar, the end result resembles a knitted blanket: warm, comfortable and thoroughly connected.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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4/5
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Otto Baxter: Not a Fucking Horror Story
(2023)
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Maria Lattila
|
Otto Baxter: Not A F***ing Horror Story has a lot of love for the art and craft of filmmaking, but it’s Otto’s resilience and artistic flair that really make this documentary fly.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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3/5
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And Then Come the Nightjars
(2023)
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Maria Lattila
|
Although it can’t escape the pure stage-yness of the setup, with two great central performances, And Then Come The Nightjars is thoroughly nice. In this day and age, that’s a rare treat.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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2/5
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Sound of Freedom
(2022)
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Maria Lattila
|
As it turns out, Sound of Freedom is all bark, but it has no bite. Despite raising awareness on a difficult, but important subject matter, Sound of Freedom becomes a victim of its own lack of ambition.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
|
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4/5
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Raging Grace
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Zarcilla skillfully uses familiar horror tropes to tell a powerful story. It might not be as straightforward a horror as many would hope, but Raging Grace packs a mighty punch and the horrors it does showcase are very real.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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4/5
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Cobweb
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Cobweb is small but mighty. This may very well become a new Halloween favourite with its strong performances, Drum & Lace’s ethereal score and a wild, relentless third act. A future horror classic.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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3/5
|
It Lives Inside
(2023)
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Maria Lattila
|
It Lives Inside never quite finds a second gear and never rises to the occasion. It’s still a wickedly fun twist on a familiar genre, with some old-fashioned, but effective spooks.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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4/5
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New Life
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
New Life might begin as a humble spy thriller, before evolving into something much more unusual and thought-provoking, but there is much to love here.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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2/5
|
The Dive
(2023)
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Maria Lattila
|
The ticking clock element of the narrative is underused and The Dive feels like it has so much potential, but no clear direction where it wants to head.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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3/5
|
The Blackening
(2022)
|
Maria Lattila
|
The Blackening proudly stands next to films like Scream, Cabin in the Woods and Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil as a viciously funny horror-comedy and a sharp meta narrative about the whole genre. It’s just a shame it slightly fumbles the bag at the very end.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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3/5
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The Monkey King
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
The Monkey King is entertaining enough to entertain younger viewers, but it’s far from Netflix’s best animations.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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3/5
|
Lie with Me
(2022)
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Maria Lattila
|
Lie With Me is a beautifully told and realised adaptation, but it’s often far too understated.
Posted Aug 17, 2023
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2/5
|
Strays
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
If a harmony of dog dick jokes, vigorous humping and a thoroughly disappointing finale that fails to do the one thing the film promises sounds enticing, Strays is very likely to at least amuse you.
Posted Aug 17, 2023
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2/5
|
Red, White & Royal Blue
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Red, White and Royal Blue will most likely please the fans of the book, but for newbies, the film offers very little. The constant push-and-pull dynamic between the romance and the politics of the film doesn’t come naturally.
Posted Aug 10, 2023
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3/5
|
Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Without the warmth and humour brought by Harbour, the innocence by Madekwe and the sheer gleeful joy by Bloom, Gran Turismo would be a lesser film. It’s a decent movie, not due to Blomkamp’s steering of the ship, but despite it.
Posted Aug 08, 2023
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3/5
|
Meg 2: The Trench
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
The increase in action, humour, and Statham’s magnetic charisma carry it over the finish line. Meg 2 does exactly what it says on the tin, and really, what more could we ask for?
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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4/5
|
KOKOMO CITY
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Kokomo City can be a little scattershot at times, but this is urgent, vital filmmaking and Smith announces herself as a major new talent.
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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4/5
|
Joy Ride
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
There’s not always enough time to develop all of the character, but thanks to the bright, brilliant performances from the central foursome, Joy Ride is 2023’s answer to The Hangover and that’s a compliment of the highest order.
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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3/5
|
Haunted Mansion
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Haunted Mansion rarely offers anything particularly insightful or enjoyable to older viewers, but it should work as a wonderful gateway horror for kids.
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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3/5
|
The Beanie Bubble
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
The Beanie Bubble is entertaining enough, but there’s a nagging feeling there was either a more focused film or a longer, more detailed miniseries in the premise.
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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4/5
|
Oppenheimer
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
The film’s sheer density and a revolving door of characters make it heavy, but more often than not, Nolan’s filmmaking soars.
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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4/5
|
Barbie
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Barbie is Gerwig’s weirdest, funniest and most bonkers film to date. Within the studio system, we should all be very grateful it exists.
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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3/5
|
The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes
(2022)
|
Maria Lattila
|
There is often a disconnect between what we see and what we hear. Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes is much more affecting in its quieter moments and when Kaoru and Anzu explore the tunnel.
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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3/5
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Mutt
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Lungulov-Klotz is unafraid to ask some tough questions. Mutt is urgent and sprightly, even if it is slightly held back by its limited scope and a lean narrative.
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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5/5
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Past Lives
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Song’s masterful direction and ability to tell a story mostly visually make Past Lives a masterpiece. It’s an eloquent, alluring film about what we leave behind and what we gain from it.
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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4/5
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You Hurt My Feelings
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
You Hurt My Feelings mostly exists to make you laugh, but there’s truth to its narrative and characters.
Posted Aug 04, 2023
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4/5
|
Insidious: The Red Door
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Sure, Insidious: The Red Door doesn’t do anything particularly different or exciting, but it’s a compelling thrill ride from beginning to end. It’s utterly terrifying at points, and brings the Lamberts’ story to a satisfying conclusion.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
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4/5
|
Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)
(2022)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Squaring the Circle truly is a music lover’s dream. It’s a lovingly crafted, if somewhat formulaic documentary about the people who changed music without ever touching an instrument.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
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4/5
|
Passages
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Passages sometimes succumbs to pure melodrama, but at its best moments, this is a wildly sexy exploration of relationships and sexuality and how the two can sometimes complicate each other.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
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3/5
|
Fairyland
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Durham, a former photographer, has a keen eye for visuals and shot composition, but Fairyland can’t quite escape its rather predictable narrative.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
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4/5
|
Scrapper
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Scrapper occasionally gives in to predictable narrative beats, but the playful, unique tone elevates Regan’s film.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
|
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3/5
|
Smoking Causes Coughing
(2022)
|
Maria Lattila
|
If you’re willing to get on Dupieux’s weird wavelength, Smoking Causes Coughing is a lot of fun.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
|
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3/5
|
Elemental
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Beneath the surface of the film is a powerful story about immigration, discrimination and self-acceptance, but it gets lost in the sea of other, lesser plot points.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
|
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3/5
|
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
It’s potent stuff, but Ruby Gillman feels particularly stilted with its narrative.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
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|
2/5
|
Run Rabbit Run
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Run Rabbit Run has strong individual moments of terror, but the film never comes together satisfyingly enough.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
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3/5
|
The Super 8 Years
(2022)
|
Maria Lattila
|
The Super 8 Years flirts with greatness and fleetingly even achieves it, but ultimately falls victim to the limits of its medium.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
|
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3/5
|
Wham!
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
There’s a lot of love and nostalgia towards the biggest pop duo of the 80s, but Smith wastes an opportunity to delve deeper into the often thorny relationship between the two friends, who had to come to terms with George’s meteoritic rise in popularity.
Posted Jul 07, 2023
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3/5
|
No Hard Feelings
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Despite being consistently amusing, No Hard Feelings feels shallow in its own boldness. It’s all bark, no bite, but at least Lawrence gives a razor sharp, witty performance.
Posted Jun 21, 2023
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3/5
|
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Almost everything in The Dial of Destiny feels shallow and the film plays out like a lazy rehashing of Indiana’s better escapades. The Dial of Destiny is a frustratingly toothless film.
Posted Jun 20, 2023
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2/5
|
Stars at Noon
(2022)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Stars At Noon is a missed opportunity, a film lacking in conflict and lethargic in nature.
Posted Jun 20, 2023
|
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4/5
|
Greatest Days
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Ultimately, Greatest Days is surprisingly brilliant and disarmingly honest. It manages to say something meaningful about friendships, growing up and grief without ever forgetting to smile through the pain.
Posted Jun 20, 2023
|
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3/5
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Extraction 2
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
While it often feels like a video game, jumping from one ludicrous action sequence to another, Extraction 2 can never be accused of doing things half-assed.
Posted Jun 20, 2023
|
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3/5
|
The Flash
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
There is much to love in The Flash but it’s also one of the most egregious cases of fan service.
Posted Jun 12, 2023
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3/5
|
War Pony
(2022)
|
Maria Lattila
|
War Pony is a promising start for Keough and Gammell, even if its dual narrative fails to make a coherent whole.
Posted Jun 06, 2023
|
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3/5
|
Chevalier
(2022)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Bologne’s story is one of resistance and passion; Williams and screenwriter Stefani Robinson frame music as an act of defiance, and it makes for a thrilling watch. That being said, Chevalier never feels as radical as its titular character.
Posted Jun 06, 2023
|
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4/5
|
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
This is animation at its very best. It’s creative, pioneering and thoroughly impressive and Across the Spider-Verse is the best multiverse movie we’ve got.
Posted Jun 02, 2023
|
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4/5
|
Reality
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Call it a docu-drama or just a drama, the meshing of both reality (no pun intended) and artistic licence here is fascinating, making Reality one of the most engrossing and awe-inspiring films of 2023.
Posted May 30, 2023
|
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3/5
|
The Boogeyman
(2023)
|
Maria Lattila
|
The Boogeyman is the perfect gateway to horror, full of ambience and a great monster but it would have benefited from a slightly more inventive script.
Posted May 26, 2023
|
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2/5
|
Master Gardener
(2022)
|
Maria Lattila
|
Master Gardener never reaches the highs of Schrader’s previous work. It’s a misguided attempt to once again explore guilt in a world full of evil.
Posted May 23, 2023
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