Reviews
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) Review - Sony Pictures Animation are rewriting the rule book in 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' (2023), a ginormous swing at something special. Spider-Man doesn't get better than this.
The Little Mermaid (2023) Review - Halle Bailey's vocal performance is the only highlight of a pale imitation of a much better movie. Disney and Rob Marshall's 'The Little Mermaid' (2023) review by Margaret Roarty.
Fast X (2023) Review - 'Fast X' (2023) is the first film to live up to the legacy created by 'Fast Five' and 'Furious 7'. Jason Momoa offers franchise's best performance. Review by Jacob Davis.
‘Frances Ha’ at 10 – Review - Greta Gerwig co-writes and stars in 'Frances Ha', from 'Marriage Story' director Noah Baumbach, a poignant watch for anyone undergoing construction in their life. Review by Emi Grant.
Plan 75 (2022) Review - Chie Hayakawa's 'Plan 75' asks what Japan might do when its population becomes too old to sustain itself, borrowing from 'Children of Men' in its presentation of the near future. Review by Rob Jones.
‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ at 85 – Review - Director Michael Curtiz and star Errol Flynn bring Robin Hood to life in the greatest ever film adaptation of the British legend, a Technicolor masterpiece. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
‘Speed Racer’ at 15 – Review - 15 years on from the release of the Wachowskis' 'Speed Racer', the all-star anime adaptation is rightly undergoing some critical reappraisal. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
‘Vertigo’ at 65 – Review - Alfred Hitchcock thriller 'Vertigo' (1958) is a perfect case study for how perception changes art. Now 65, it is Hitchcock's greatest achievement. Review by Rob Jones.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) Review - James Gunn brings the Guardians of the Galaxy's journey to an immensely satisfying and appropriately epic conclusion. Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper star. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Peter Pan and Wendy (2023) Review - Singular director David Lowery turns his hand to the story of Peter Pan in new Disney Plus live-action fantasy film 'Peter Pan and Wendy' (2023), starring Jude Law. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
‘Mud’ at 10 – Review - Jeff Nichols' 'Mud' at 10 - atmospheric, touching, well-written and well-acted. Matthew McConaughey stars in what remains a remarkable film. Review by Martha Lane.
Evil Dead Rise (2023) Review - 'Evil Dead Rise' (2023) has risen from a possible grave, and it is well and truly groovy. Lee Cronin's new 'Evil Dead' take is efficient and gory. Review by Kieran Judge.
Missing (2023) Review - 'Missing' attempts to boost the 'Screenlife' trend in the thriller genre, but ultimately peaks too early and outgrows its formula. Review by Rob Jones.
Air (2023) Review - Air Jordan Nike film 'Air' (2023), Ben Affleck's first directorial feature in more than six years, is a light, well-paced film that subverts traditional boardroom dramas. Review by Grace Laidler.
Assassin Club (2023) Review - Henry Golding, Noomi Rapace and Sam Neill lead Camille Delamarre's 'Assassin Club' (2023), an insult to brainpower that is impossible to care about. Review by Kieran Judge.
The Pope’s Exorcist (2023) Review - Russell Crowe carries 'The Pope's Exorcist' as an enigmatic high-ranking exorcist professional in this otherwise standard exorcism flick. Review by Emi Grant.
Renfield (2023) Review - "Come for campy Count Cage, stay for Nicholas Hoult" in Chris McKay's colourful genre horror-comedy 'Renfield' filled with claret-soaked action. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) Review - Nintendo return to the big screen for the first time in thirty years with 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' (2023), an Illumination release that looks fantastic and stars Chris Pratt. Review by Rob Jones.
Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves (2023) Review - 'Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves' (2023) is "one of the best times you’re likely to have at the cinema this year". Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) Review - Keanu Reeves returns to take on an all-star cast of villains in 'John Wick: Chapter 4', a film better than 90% of action movies being pumped out today. Review by Kieran Judge.
‘The Birds’ at 60 – Review - At 60-years-old, archetypal natural horror (creature feature) 'The Birds' continues to exemplify director Alfred Hitchcock's mastery of suspense. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Pearl (2022) Review - Mia Goth carries 'X' prequel 'Pearl' (2022) on her back, her eyes wild and performance perfectly balanced. Ti West's sequel is better than the first. Review by Margaret Roarty.
X (2022) Review - Despite pacing issues and an unwillingness to engage with the time period, Mia Goth emerges as a star in Ti West's X (2022). Review by Margaret Roarty.
I Like Movies (2022) Review - Filmmaker Chandler Levack cleverly takes the familiar coming-of-age formula and creates a fresh, enjoyable film. Stars Isaiah Lehtinen, Romina D'Ugo. Review by Mark Carnochan.
War Pony (2023) Review - Riley Keough and Gina Gammell direct a slow rumination on the aimless lives of two Native Americans in their Cannes and GFF entry 'War Pony'. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023) Review - Idris Elba returns as Luther in BBC and Netflix feature film 'Luther: The Fallen Sun'. Co-starring Cynthia Erivo and Andy Serkis. It's fun for fans new and old. Review by Kieran Judge.
Polite Society (2023) GFF Review - "Truly, a star has been born in Priya Kansara" in Nida Manzoor's unique British coming-of-age film 'Polite Society', a film with all the makings of a smash hit. Review by Mark Carnochan.
An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It (2022) Short Film Review - 'An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It', the stop motion film nominated for Animated Feature at the Oscars 2023, is enchanting, unmissable. Review by Joseph Wade.
Scream VI (2023) Review - 'Scream VI', the latest instalment in the 'Scream' franchise, is one hell of a cinematic horror ride, though it lacks the new direction it promised. Review by Kieran Judge.
Living (2022) Review - Bill Nighy is utterly astonishing in 'Living' (2022), Kazuo Ishiguro's adaptation of Akira Kurosawa's 1952 film 'Ikiru' about old age and illness. Review by Kieran Judge.
My Year of Dicks (2022) Short Film Review - 'My Year of Dicks', the short film created by Pamela Ribon and nominated in the Oscars Animated Short category, is punk and loving, a great film. Review by Joseph Wade.
The Martha Mitchell Effect (2022) Short Film Review - Have you ever heard of the Martha Mitchell Effect? You probably should have. Diane Alvergue and Debra McClutchy tell the story behind the term. Review by Joseph Wade.
The Quiet Girl (2022) Review - Soft Colm Bairéad drama 'The Quiet Girl' (Irish: 'An Cailín Ciúin') is the first Irish film to ever be nominated for International Feature Film at the Oscars. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Triangle of Sadness (2022) Review - Ruben Östlund film 'Triangle of Sadness' makes up for lacking commentary with absurdist comedy. Nominee for Best Picture at the Oscars 2023. Review by Emi Grant.
God’s Creatures (2022) GFF Review - Emily Watson and Paul Mescal lead 'God's Creatures', the latest high quality film to come from Ireland. "Rich with subtext and brilliant performances." Review by Mark Carnochan.
Girl (2023) GFF Review - 'Girl', the debut feature from Adura Onashile and 2023 Glasgow Film Festival opening night gala, features a charming performance from Le'Shantey Bonsu but is generally disappointing. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Haulout (2022) Short Film Review - 'Haulout', the short film about a unique natural event, must be seen as the extraordinary documentary of the Oscars' Documentary Short Subject category in 2023. Review by Joseph Wade.
Call Me Chihiro (2023) Review - Rikiya Imaizumi's Netflix Original 'Call Me Chihiro' (2023), is a quiet look at a lonely life that lacks the warmth and satisfaction you may expect. Review by Martha Lane.
Stranger at the Gate (2022) Short Film Review - Nominated for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 95th Academy Awards, Oscars 2023, Stranger at the Gate "encourages love in the face of fear". Review by Joseph Wade.
Cocaine Bear (2023) Review - 'Cocaine Bear', from director Elizabeth Banks, isn't mesmerizing cinema, but it was never expected to be; it is amusing and well made. Review by Jacob Davis.