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Next Goal Wins
(2014)
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James Croot
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It’s all fascinating human drama, which just makes the sporting endeavour and storytelling on display that much richer.
Posted Dec 01, 2023
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3.5/5
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Journey to Bethlehem
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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Stealing the show, of course, is Antonio Banderas – no, really – dialling in a King Herod who could have stepped straight out of Jesus Christ Superstar, blowing the roof off whenever the script lets him.
Posted Nov 30, 2023
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4/5
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Shortcomings
(2023)
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James Croot
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... There are no grand gestures or last-minute races through the city here. Instead, there are sharp, sometimes snarky, usually self-centred observations on modern-day mores, bad behaviour and contemporary “art”.
Posted Nov 30, 2023
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3.5/5
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Jack Mimoun & the Secrets of Val Verde
(2022)
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James Croot
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It’s [Damiens and Japy's] scene-stealing antics that help lift the sometimes predictable action and inevitable double-dealing.
Posted Nov 30, 2023
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4.5/5
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Before Sunset
(2004)
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James Croot
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This would all be dreary and forgettable fluff, were it not for the charm and chemistry of the leads.
Posted Nov 29, 2023
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4/5
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The Old Oak
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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[Loach] has managed to make an entrancing and grimly moving wee film out of nothing but the present day, a tiny crew, a cast of mostly unknowns and an eye as honest and undimmed as ever.
Posted Nov 29, 2023
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4/5
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Bottoms
(2023)
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James Croot
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At once a modern-day homage to the traditionally male-orientated coming-of-age sex comedies of decades past and a fabulously subversive mickey take on them, Bottoms is also the best tale of high school female friendship since the brilliant Booksmart.
Posted Nov 27, 2023
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3.5/5
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Trolls Band Together
(2023)
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James Croot
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Trolls Band Together has enough of the right stuff to keep the target audience and their kids entertained.
Posted Nov 27, 2023
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2/5
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Freelance
(2023)
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James Croot
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Too much of the expository heavy lifting and strangely deep political discourse is done by the dialogue, pretty much suffocating any comedic potential in the process...
Posted Nov 27, 2023
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2.5/5
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Napoleon
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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Phoenix does brilliantly throughout Napoleon, always keeping enough complexity flickering across his face to fill in the gaps where Scarpa's dialogue is floundering.
Posted Nov 27, 2023
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Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
(2023)
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James Croot
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[McAdams] is outstanding as a woman struggling to find her own identity, while her daughter attempts to establish hers.
Posted Nov 22, 2023
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3/5
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Thanksgiving
(2023)
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James Croot
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But although the end result is likely to be a little too gruesome and Grand Guignol for many, underneath its somewhat tired take on traditional tropes, telegraphed twists and attempt to homage... it’s actually a surprisingly artful and entertaining watch.
Posted Nov 16, 2023
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2.5/5
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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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In its more bonkers moments, Songbirds and Snakes looks and sounds like the cast of Oklahoma are putting on a production of Gladiator in a fever-dream set inside a panto – and I am here for it.
Posted Nov 16, 2023
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4/5
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Saltburn
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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There's deceptively little happening beneath the surface, but as a comedy-horror of jaw-droppingly poor behaviour in a gorgeous setting, it's a lot of filthy-minded fun.
Posted Nov 16, 2023
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3.5/5
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Australia
(2008)
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James Croot
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But while Luhrmann's warts-and-all love letter to his sunburnt homeland is both a little half-baked and overdone, there's still enough invention and pure passion to ensure an entertaining, if not entirely engrossing, watch.
Posted Nov 15, 2023
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Love in Bright Landscapes
(2021)
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Graeme Tuckett
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For fans of The Triffids, it is essential. And for anyone who needs to see how layered and nuanced an unadorned and chronological film can still be, this is an object lesson.
Posted Nov 13, 2023
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4/5
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Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War
(2022)
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James Croot
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An absorbing, enlightening watch (who knew that he created one of cricket’s most iconic images?) that’s likely to win Ravilious an army of new admirers.
Posted Nov 10, 2023
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3/5
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HeadSpace
(2023)
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James Croot
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Fun, but strangely flat in its attempts to generate thrills, Headspace is truly a space oddity.
Posted Nov 10, 2023
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Nyad
(2023)
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James Croot
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While the often spiky and single-minded Nyad is brilliantly brought to life by an acerbic Bening... it’s actually Foster’s turn as her best friend, coach and regularly exasperated confidante Bonnie Stoll that stays with you.
Posted Nov 09, 2023
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2/5
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The Marvels
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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But, shackled to the remorseless plod of a superhero blueprint and in the service of Feige and co desperately trying to resuscitate a franchise, The Marvels never really stood a chance.
Posted Nov 08, 2023
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5/5
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EO
(2022)
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Graeme Tuckett
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Eo is a very special treat for anyone who really cares about how personal, idiosyncratic and unexpected a visit to the cinema can still be.
Posted Nov 08, 2023
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Last Stop Larrimah
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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Last Stop Larrimah is like an Aussie Lord Of The Flies, being played out by a cast of adult alcoholics - with more flies.
Posted Nov 06, 2023
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4.5/5
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Quiz Lady
(2023)
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James Croot
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While writer Jen D’Angelo and director Jessica Yu’s follow a rather predictable path and may be a little too risqué for some (and bland for others), it does bring together a terrific comedy double act – and makes terrific use of their undoubted chemistry.
Posted Nov 06, 2023
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3.5/5
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Cat Person
(2023)
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James Croot
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... This blackly comedic thriller is three-quarters of a great cautionary tale about the perils of modern dating.
Posted Nov 03, 2023
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4/5
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Loop Track
(2023)
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James Croot
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Sainsbury deserves plenty of plaudits for navigating the story in such a way as to keep the audience entertained, engrossed and guessing as to the eventual outcome right up until the final 20 minutes...
Posted Nov 02, 2023
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4/5
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Fingernails
(2023)
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James Croot
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A movie for cynics as much as romantics, Fingernails is no empty-headed Hollywood rom-com, or love-lorn dramedy.
Posted Nov 02, 2023
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4/5
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Bad Behaviour
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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Bad Behaviour is wildly ambitious, often incandescently smart and proudly self-indulgent.
Posted Nov 01, 2023
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4.5/5
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No One Will Save You
(2023)
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James Croot
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Sure the dénouement won’t be for everyone, but if you want to be scared silly this Halloween, turn out the lights, turn off any distractions and tune in for an hour-and-a-half of unrelenting twists, turns – and jumps.
Posted Oct 31, 2023
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4/5
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The Killer
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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The Killer is a lean, sparse and surprisingly funny entry into the betrayed-assassin school of film-making, based on a French graphic novel series of the same name.
Posted Oct 31, 2023
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In Time
(2011)
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Graeme Tuckett
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Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried lurch from car chases to shoot-outs, to a bloodless romantic interlude, while the script runs out of ideas around them, and eventually settles for a lazy Bonnie and Clyde-inspired final act.
Posted Oct 27, 2023
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3.5/5
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Five Nights at Freddy's
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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Five Nights at Freddy's is funny, has a couple of terrific jump scares and a surprisingly involving script.
Posted Oct 26, 2023
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4/5
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Shayda
(2023)
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James Croot
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It’s not perfect, some scenes drift on a little too long and a couple of sub-plots and supporting characters lack resolution, but under its nicely understated storytelling, Shayda definitely packs a powerful emotional punch.
Posted Oct 26, 2023
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4/5
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Simone: Woman of the Century
(2021)
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Graeme Tuckett
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But, what Dahan has put on the screen is inspiring, intelligent and – often – very moving.
Posted Oct 26, 2023
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4/5
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Dumb Money
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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Dumb Money is a hugely entertaining yarn, brought to life with real wit and poignancy by director Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) and writers Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo.
Posted Oct 25, 2023
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Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles
(2023)
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James Croot
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Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles is an enlightening and entertaining look at the highs and lows of the band who gave the world such – annoyingly – memorable tunes as Rock-A-Bye Your Bear, Fruit Salad and Wake Up Jeff!
Posted Oct 23, 2023
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Poison
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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These films won't be for everyone. They are twee, self-consciously cute and in love with their own cleverness. But, if you or the nippers feel like a short movie, full of great performances and very good jokes, I reckon they are a treat.
Posted Oct 23, 2023
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The Swan
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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These films won't be for everyone. They are twee, self-consciously cute and in love with their own cleverness. But, if you or the nippers feel like a short movie, full of great performances and very good jokes, I reckon they are a treat.
Posted Oct 23, 2023
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The Rat Catcher
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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These films won't be for everyone. They are twee, self-consciously cute and in love with their own cleverness. But, if you or the nippers feel like a short movie, full of great performances and very good jokes, I reckon they are a treat.
Posted Oct 23, 2023
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The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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The story-telling here is beautiful.
Posted Oct 23, 2023
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4/5
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Being Mary Tyler Moore
(2023)
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James Croot
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As James Adolphus’ entertaining, enlightening, insightful and emotional two-hour look at the multi-storied life and career of Mary Tyler Moore reveals, the journey to landing the role of Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show hadn’t exactly been smooth.
Posted Oct 20, 2023
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4/5
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How to Blow Up a Pipeline
(2022)
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James Croot
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How to Blow Up a Pipeline is a fabulously told tale that cleverly uses a fractured narrative to ratchet up the tension, while also making you care about the fate of the characters.
Posted Oct 18, 2023
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The Age of Innocence
(1993)
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James Croot
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A movie of stolen moments, arranged meetings and outright lies, The Age of Innocence is potentially anything but what that title suggests.
Posted Oct 16, 2023
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4/5
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Anatomy of a Fall
(2023)
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James Croot
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At Anatomy of a Fall’s heart though is another truly compelling performance from Huller.
Posted Oct 11, 2023
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Fair Play
(2023)
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James Croot
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Fair Play is the immersive and compelling story of a seemingly-unbreakable-partnership-turned-toxic that you won’t easily forget.
Posted Oct 09, 2023
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4/5
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November
(2022)
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James Croot
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It’s all powerful, potent stuff, that in Hollywood’s hands would not doubt have been a very different, more action-orientated movie, but under the guidance of Jimenez, remains resolutely under-stated...
Posted Oct 04, 2023
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4.5/5
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Uproar
(2023)
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James Croot
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Funny, poignant and emotional, this thoroughly entertaining '80s-set dramedy deserves to be seen by Kiwis of all ages.
Posted Oct 02, 2023
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4/5
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The Origin of Evil
(2022)
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James Croot
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Calamy’s charisma and understated turn really pay dividends – keeping you fully engaged and engrossed, as you try to work out the truth of what’s really going on, before the final revelations are made.
Posted Sep 29, 2023
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3.5/5
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The Creator
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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The Creator looks gorgeous and is a likeable film. But it feels assembled from old parts, with nothing really new or surprising to say.
Posted Sep 29, 2023
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Flora and Son
(2023)
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James Croot
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Yes, there’s a touch of fantasy in how music brings the two adults together across oceans, but like Once and Sing Street, there’s a grounded, kitchen-sink reality that surrounds the story and makes you root for its more romanticised aspects.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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4/5
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Stylebender
(2023)
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Graeme Tuckett
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This is an absorbing, engaging and extremely likeable film about a man who deserves exactly that.
Posted Sep 28, 2023
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