Film International

Film International is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this publication only count toward the Tomatometer when written by the following Tomatometer-approved critic(s): Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Anton Bitel, Elias Savada, Gary M. Kramer, Jessica Baxter, Matthew Sorrento, Zhuo-Ning Su
Rating Title/Year Author
Come To Daddy (2019) Alexandra Heller-Nicholas Wild, weird and yet nothing less than wholly sincere in its focus on the father-son relationship at the core of the film, Timpson's brilliant debut feature reveals an unambiguously great filmmaker EDIT
Posted Oct 17, 2019
() Alexandra Heller-Nicholas Entwined speaks through old laws and old fears to profoundly contemporary anxieties about the environment and how it can be wilfully misunderstood by those in power, a fatal error at any moment in history EDIT
Posted Oct 13, 2019
4/5 Synchronic (2019) Elias Savada Synchronic is the latest crowd pleasing head turner from horror-science fiction filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, and it offers up an intimate and slightly grisly spin on the hop backwards this (time travel) sub-genre affords. EDIT
Posted Oct 2, 2019
Color Out of Space (2010) Alexandra Heller-Nicholas While Cage's trademark hysterics are guaranteed to either charm or annoy, Color Out of Space is much more than a star vehicle; it speaks to contemporary anxieties about the environment in a psychedelic vision truly Stanley's own. EDIT
Posted Oct 1, 2019
Flatland (2019) Alexandra Heller-Nicholas Flatland is both literally and metaphorically a wild ride, but an unrelentingly sincere one that speaks with intelligence and kindness of its three central women characters, warts and all. EDIT
Posted Sep 24, 2019
Seberg (2019) Alexandra Heller-Nicholas For those of us for whom her work means so much, we deserve better. Kristen Stewart deserves better. And most of all, of course, Jean Seberg deserves better. EDIT
Posted Sep 19, 2019
Jojo Rabbit (2019) Alexandra Heller-Nicholas Waititi's critique of the normalization of hate and the destruction of innocence is hardly subtext, and that Jojo Rabbit renders this palatable in a multiplex-friendly popcorn movie at this particular moment is nothing less than masterful. EDIT
Posted Sep 19, 2019
2.5/5 After the Wedding (2019) Elias Savada Despite the earnest intentions in how the film works through its melodramatic twists and turns, while touching on notions of regret, fulfillment, and life decisions, there won't be many bouquets tossed for After the Wedding. EDIT
Posted Aug 27, 2019
4.5/5 Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché (2018) Elias Savada Alice Guy-Blaché was a consummate artist, and Pamela B. Green is gloriously following in her revolutionary footsteps. EDIT
Posted Aug 14, 2019
Drei Zinnen (2017) Gary M. Kramer Three Peaks features some glorious cinematography as this domestic drama plays out. The film may feel a bit slight at times, but it is often quite absorbing. EDIT
Posted Jul 19, 2019
Midsommar (2019) Gary M. Kramer Midsommar is distressing not because of the bizarre cult rituals on display, but because Aster's film is all style with little substance. EDIT
Posted Jun 28, 2019
We Believe In Dinosaurs (2019) Gary M. Kramer [T]ears into the creationist vs. evolution debate with noticeable aplomb....We Believe in Dinosaurs may not change minds about the debate about science and truth, but it adroitly reveals how people think and believe. This is the film's greatest strength. EDIT
Posted Jun 27, 2019
3.5/5 () Elias Savada Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation offers rain-soaked memories and affectionate recollections of how it began and ended in a neat-and-clean 97 minutes. EDIT
Posted Jun 16, 2019
2/5 Brightburn (2019) Elias Savada In the end, there's an empty feeling that the filmmakers were just treading water, opting for a sequel money grab. EDIT
Posted Jun 11, 2019
3/5 American Woman (2018) Elias Savada American Woman has an appreciative, simple grace, but as it glides toward its final curtain, the film just seems to wimper out. EDIT
Posted Jun 11, 2019
4/5 The Spy Behind Home Plate (2019) Elias Savada While it doesn't hammer another home run for (director Aviva) Kempner, it's a solid triple and a worthwhile salute to a great baseball star, a true American hero...and a spy. EDIT
Posted May 29, 2019
10/10 Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (2017) Matthew Sorrento "The film stands out in its treatment an active female protagonist not immediately supplanting male power, but slowly struggling to assume it." EDIT
Posted May 29, 2019
My Son (2017) Gary M. Kramer My Son should be gripping, but it ends up just being lackluster. EDIT
Posted May 24, 2019
3.5/5 () Elias Savada Jackson's direction offers intelligent touches to notch up the tension when needed - quicker edits, closer shots, carefully orchestrated dialogue delivery, the use of longer lenses as the film progresses... EDIT
Posted May 21, 2019
Don't Be a Dick About It (2018) Gary M. Kramer If the film starts out slowly, it sneaks up on viewers, charming them by the end with its intimate portrait... Don't Be a Dick About It immerses viewers in the lives of it subjects. In doing so, the film provides a feeling of real empathy. EDIT
Posted May 16, 2019
Mickey and the Bear (2019) Gary M. Kramer Every shot in Mickey and the Bear is artfully composed... The performances are also quite strong. Morrone is especially affecting as the put-upon Mickey.... James Badge Dale is potent as Hank. EDIT
Posted May 16, 2019
Stockholm (2018) Gary M. Kramer Stockholm is uneven, but not entirely uninteresting. EDIT
Posted May 16, 2019
Lucky Grandma (2019) Gary M. Kramer The film greatest asset is veteran actress Chin, who get a plum part here.... Chin is the film's lucky charm and the reason Lucky Grandma is so satisfying. EDIT
Posted May 4, 2019
Nomad: In The Footsteps Of Bruce Chatwin (2019) Gary M. Kramer A lovely, elegiac documentary about two men who shared a real brotherhood. EDIT
Posted May 4, 2019
The Gasoline Thieves (2019) Gary M. Kramer [A] striking debut. EDIT
Posted May 4, 2019
Bliss (2019) Gary M. Kramer Bliss is a grungy, bloody grindhouse film about a foul-mouthed female artist, Dezzy (Dora Madison in a helluva performance).... Madison flips her mane of kinky red hair and spews blood and one-liners with noticeable aplomb. EDIT
Posted May 4, 2019
4/5 Hail Satan? (2019) Elias Savada Never has a Penny Lane film been this funny. EDIT
Posted Apr 29, 2019
4.5/5 Avengers: Endgame (2019) Elias Savada If you've survived all the cliffhangers Marvel has tossed about in its awesome masterplan; pray tell, what happens after the dust has settled? It's epic. Quite somber, but epic. EDIT
Posted Apr 24, 2019
3.5/5 Depraved (2019) Elias Savada It's not a great film, but it is nice to see how Fessenden has put a nice off-kilter spin on a classic story. EDIT
Posted Apr 23, 2019
3.5/5 The Brink (2019) Elias Savada Probing Bannon: Alison Klayman and Marie Therese Guirgis on The Brink [interview] EDIT
Posted Apr 23, 2019
4/5 2019 Oscar Nominated Shorts - Live Action (2019) Elias Savada Not particularly child-friendly, this ... features five one-word titles ranging from 17 to 30 minutes in length, with a breakdown that brings two films from Quebec, one from Spain, an Irish entry, and a striking film from the United States. EDIT
Posted Apr 23, 2019
4/5 2019 Oscar Nominated Shorts - Documentary (2019) Elias Savada The rather long (143 minutes) Documentary Shorts program offers a solid lineup. Two (Period. End of Sentence and End Game) are available as originals on Netflix. EDIT
Posted Apr 23, 2019
4/5 2019 Oscar Nominated Shorts - Animation (2019) Elias Savada The 56 minutes of nominated Animated Shorts has been buffed up with two additional items (Wishing Box and Tweet Tweet) for a respectable 73-minute running time. EDIT
Posted Apr 23, 2019
4/5 Captain Marvel (2019) Elias Savada Captain Marvel, the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, rallies itself after a sluggish start, and ultimately proves itself an acceptable crowdpleaser. EDIT
Posted Apr 23, 2019
9/10 Us (2019) Matthew Sorrento The film is an economic nightmare machine, once it gets going. Serving both worlds of fans, the terrors are eerie and bone-crunching... in the same brisk rhythm as Get Out. EDIT
Posted Mar 22, 2019
Lost Holiday (2019) Gary M. Kramer Sheil gives an outstanding performance. Her mix of smarts and insouciance is why Lost Holiday is so enjoyable. EDIT
Posted Feb 15, 2019
3.5/5 Rodents of Unusual Size (2017) Elias Savada It's a quirky and well-researched animal documentary about nutrias, those semiaquatic South American natives that, over the last century, invaded the swamplands of Louisiana in the tens of millions... EDIT
Posted Feb 5, 2019
We Are Thankful (Siyabonga) (2019) Matthew Sorrento There is a quiet power and tremendous dignity on display throughout We Are Thankful. This, along with Siyabonga's ingratiating "performance," is what makes Magor's film is so magical. EDIT
Posted Feb 4, 2019
3/5 Hal (2018) Elias Savada ...a reflective meditation on the (high) life and (best) films of Hal Ashby, a director of note during the 1970s, when he churned out award-worthy films that now shape this debut documentary from Los Angeles-based editor Amy Stone. EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2019
4.5/5 Free Solo (2018) Elias Savada Spiderman, move over. There's another fearless warrior on your tail. For those of us who prefer solid, flat earth, take a seat watching Free Solo. EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2019
3.5/5 The Great Buster: A Celebration (2018) Elias Savada The Great Buster: A Celebration is a fine tribute to a legend everyone should remember. EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2019
4.5/5 Green Book (2018) Elias Savada The exceptionally crisp performances by Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen are but two of the great things about Green Book, a very solid contender for Best Picture accolades, and much more. EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2019
4.5/5 Border (2018) Elias Savada However unsettling you may find Border, its grip is as strong as its convictions. EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2019
3.5/5 Sickies Making Films (2018) Elias Savada It's an admirable history lesson and enjoyable examination of Maryland's long-deceased era of film censorship, a period that extended from 1916 to 1981. EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2019
Nothing Like a Dame (2018) Gary M. Kramer Tea with the Dames will enchant fans of the actresses, and it is nice to see them for who they are, swapping acting tips, or talking about milestones in their careers. It's a nice documentary, but it is also far too slight and polite. EDIT
Posted Oct 19, 2018
4/5 Science Fair (2018) Elias Savada The film embraces friendships across borders and above politics, and showcases teenagers striving for excellence among their peers.... Like its incredible subjects, Science Fair is a winner. EDIT
Posted Sep 14, 2018
4/5 A Simple Favor (2018) Elias Savada Mystery loves the company of Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively in Paul Feig's head-spinning, twisty-turvy tale of fremily intrigue. Equal EDIT
Posted Sep 14, 2018
Phoenix (2014) Zhuo-Ning Su This is a delicate, incisive, spellbinding movie from a filmmaking team with no reason to stop anytime soon. EDIT
Posted Aug 3, 2018
The Tribe (2014) Zhuo-Ning Su Artistically challenging, topically provocative, stylistically assured, and an all-around daring, alluring, searing work of vision. EDIT
Posted Aug 3, 2018
Force majeure (2014) Zhuo-Ning Su Written, directed and performed with remarkable intelligence and empathy, it tickles, provokes, cooks up delicious tension throughout, even if all that steam can't seem to find the perfect outlet in the end for an appropriately volcanic burst. EDIT
Posted Aug 3, 2018