Reviews
The Beta Test (2021) EIFF Review - Jim Cummings' newest offering, 'The Beta Test', is a 'Twilight Zone' shaped Hollywood rabbit hole filled with murder, mystery, manipulation, data harvesting, consumerism, greed and luxury stationery. Leoni Horton reviews.
Censor (2021) Review - 'Censor', the debut movie of Welsh filmmaker Prano Bailey-Bond, is a horror film set within the era of so-called "video nasties", a "captivating and original story". Mark Carnochan reviews.
‘Barton Fink’ at 30 – Review - 30 years on from the release of Palme d'Or winner 'Barton Fink', the Coen Brothers still keep you on your toes in this tale of John Turturro's movie-bound playwright. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Pig (2021) EIFF Review - Nicolas Cage offers one of the performances of his career in 'Pig', a debut film from Michael Sarnoski that defies all expectations. Mark Carnochan reviews.
Don’t Breathe 2 (2021) Review - Horror sequel 'Don't Breathe 2' (2021), starring Stephen Lang, is a movie that fans of horror may enjoy, but that the uninitiated may become inpatient with. Jacob Davis reviews.
Free Guy (2021) Review - Ryan Reynolds holds together the video game-inspired 'Free Guy' (2021), a blockbuster comedy that fans will return to time and time again, from director Shawn Levy. Charlie Gardiner reviews.
The Kissing Booth 3 (2021) Review - Netflix young adult rom-com 'The Kissing Booth 3', starring Joey King, Jacob Elordi and Joel Courtney, is a disappointing end to an already tedious franchise. Leoni Horton reviews.
‘Hell or High Water’ at 5 – Review - 'Hell or High Water', from screenwriter Taylor Sheridan and director David Mackenzie, starring Chris Pratt and Ben Foster, remains gripping and character-rich 5 years on from its release. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Jungle Cruise (2021) Review - 'Jungle Cruise' (2021), starring Emily Blunt, The Rock and Jack Whitehall, is the latest Disney film based on a theme park attraction, but it isn't a sure-fire hit. Jacob Davis reviews.
Stillwater (2021) Review - A dark and powerful true-to-life drama packed full of emotion and featuring stand-out performances, Tom McCarthy's 'Stillwater' starring Matt Damon is one to watch. Charlie Gardiner reviews.
The Suicide Squad (2021) Review - James Gunn writes and directs 'The Suicide Squad' (2021) starring Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena, from DC and Warner Bros' comic book universe. Jacob Davis reviews.
Starsky and Hutch (2004) Review - The 'Starsky & Hutch' movie reboot tried to offer nostalgia and fan service, as well as attract new fans, and with Todd Phillips at the wheel it made a fine effort. Katie Doyle reviews.
The Sparks Brothers (2021) Review - Self-confessed music fanboy Edgar Wright makes for the perfect director of Sparks music documentary 'The Sparks Brothers' (2021), about Ron and Russell Mael aka The Sparks Brothers. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Wrath of Man (2021) Review - Director Guy Ritchie follows 'The Gentlemen' with 'Wrath of Man', a crime action ensemble film lead by 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' star Jason Statham. Tony Ruggio reviews.
‘Planet of the Apes’ at 20 – Review - Studio interference and a rushed production marred Tim Burton's 'Planet of the Apes', which at 20 still lacks the inspiration of the original. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
‘Little Miss Sunshine’ at 15 – Review - 15 years on from Michael Arndt and Valerie Faris evolving cinema with the warm disfunction of 'Little Miss Sunshine', their ensemble hit remains relatable and important. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
‘Spirited Away’ at 20 – Review - 20 years on from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli releasing 'Spirited Away', it remains an incomparable masterpiece of animation and world cinema. Katie Doyle reviews.
Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) Review - Warner Bros return to 'Space Jam' for 2021 follow-up 'Space Jam: A New Legacy' starring NBA icon LeBron James and a whole host of famous characters. Jacob Davis reviews.
Deerskin (2019) Review - Jean Dujardin and Adèle Haenel lead Quentin Dupieux's dark comedy-horror 'Deerskin', about one man's obsession with the perfect jacket. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Black Widow (2021) Review - Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff finally gets her standalone Marvel Cinematic Universe movie in 'Black Widow', from director Cate Shortland. Review by Mark Carnochan.
The Tomorrow War (2021) Review - Amazon's big summer blockbuster 'The Tomorrow War', from the director of 'The Lego Batman Movie' and starring Chris Pratt, is "only clever if you've never seen a sci-fi movie before". Kieran Judge reviews.
Freaky (2021) Review - 'Freaky' (2021), from 'Happy Death Day' director Christopher Landon, and starring Kathryn Newton and Vince Vaughn, "is insanely fun". Mark Carnochan reviews.
In the Heights (2021) Review - 'In the Heights', the new musical from "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and 'Crazy Rich Asians' director Jon M. Chu, is likely to be the summer movie of 2021. Charlie Gardiner reviews.
‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ at 50 – Review - 50 years since Willy Wonka asked "if you want to view paradise" and still it resonates as a feat of "pure imagination". Scott Z. Walkinshaw reviews.
F9: The Fast Saga (2021) Review - The 9th 'Fast and Furious' movie 'F9', starring Vin Diesel and John Cena, directed by Justin Lin, has some incredible moments but doesn't reach the heights of some franchise entries. Jacob Davis reviews.
Luca (2021) Review - Pixar's 'Luca', from director Enrico Casarosa, may not shoot for anything profound but it is their most summery and optimistic film in years. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ at 25 – Review - 25 years removed from the release of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', the Disney Animation remains "among the most satisfying and lasting movies of the Disney Renaissance". Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Cruella (2021) Review - Emma Stone and Emma Thompson can't quite carry a relatively poor script in Disney's latest live-action adaptation 'Cruella'. Mark Carnochan reviews.
A Quiet Place Part II (2020) Review - How does 2021 John Krasinski film 'A Quiet Place Part II' fair amongst the best and worst sequels in cinema history? Mark Carnochan reviews.
Enfant Terrible (2021) Review - Cult filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder of the German New Wave is the subject of Oskar Roehler's Cannes entry 'Enfant Terrible'. Kieran Judge reviews.
Wings (1927) Review - 'Wings' (1927) is, for better or for worse, the first ever winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture. Close to 100 years later, its issues and triumphs are more evident than ever. Review by Kieran Judge.
News of the World (2021) Review - 'News of the World' (2021), from Bourne Series director Paul Greengrass and starring Tom Hanks, nominated for 4 Oscars including cinematography, is "two hours well spent", but little more. Kieran Judge reviews.
Love and Monsters (2020) Review - 'Love and Monsters', a new creature feature by director Michael Matthews and starring Dylan O'Brien, is an inventive little adventure movie. Scott Z Walkinshaw reviews.
Crip Camp (2020) Review - Nominated for Documentary Feature at the 2021 Oscars, "Crip Camp is an essential story of liberty and spirit against impossible odds". James Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham direct, Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Burrow (2020) Short Film Review - Madeline Sharafian's 'Burrow', the Pixar SparkShorts entry into the 2021 Oscars Animated Short category, is a nursery rhyme relevant to our times. Joseph Wade reviews.
My Octopus Teacher (2020) Review - 'My Octopus Teacher', the wildlife documentary phenomenon that has earned a nomination at the 2021 Oscars, isn't quite the runaway success of other documentaries in its genre. Katie Doyle reviews.
Two Distant Strangers (2021) Short Film Review - Oscar nominated live action short 'Two Distant Strangers', from Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe, starring Joey Bada$$ and Andrew Howard, tells of police brutality and murder in the United States.
Collective (2019) Review - Romanian film 'Collective', a nominee in both the Documentary Feature and International Feature categories at the 2021 Oscars, is "one of the most important documentaries of all time". Mark Carnochan reviews.
Genius Loci (2021) Short Film Review - 'Genius Loci', the 2021 Oscar nominated Animated Short from Adrien Merigeau in conjunction with Brecht Evens, is a wondrous example of cinema's ability to connect on a deep level. Joseph Wade reviews.
Over the Moon (2020) Review - Walt Disney Animation legend Glen Keane returns to animated cinema for 2021 Oscars nominee 'Over the Moon' from Netflix, a film that "features relevant themes of loss and personal ambition".
The Letter Room (2020) Short Film Review - Oscar Isaac stars in Elvira Lind's Live Action Short nominee at the 2021 Oscars, 'The Letter Room', "an interesting experiment worth exploring for fans of Lind or Isaac in particular." Joseph Wade reviews.
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019) Review - Aardman Animation's 'A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon' is nominated for Animated Feature at the Oscars. Does it indicate a renaissance for the British animation house? Mark Carnochan reviews.
Yes-People (2021) Short Film Review - Probably the most quirky of all the Animation Short Subjects nominated at the 2021 Oscars, Gísli Darri Halldórsson's Icelandic short film 'Yes-People' will lift your anxieties for 8 minutes at least.
Feeling Through (2020) Short Film Review - Live-Action Short nominee at the 2021 Oscars, Doug Roland's 'Feeling Through' asks: would you help a DeafBlind man on the street in the middle of the night? Joseph Wade reviews.
The Father (2021) Review - 'The Father', the feature directorial debut of Florian Zeller starring Anthony Hopkins in a career standout performance, "is a deeply unsettling depiction of how memory can betray a person". Peter Charney reviews.
If Anything Happens I Love You (2020) Short Film Review - 'If Anything Happens I Love You' from Michael Govier and Will McCormack, distributed by Netflix, is the subject of a TikTok craze and "the very best of the best" of short film in 2021. Joseph Wade reviews.
Sound of Metal (2021) Review - 'Sound of Metal', from screenwriter-director Darius Marder, is a triumph for Best Actor nominee Riz Ahmed who is utterly dazzling from the moment he arrives on screen. Leoni Horton reviews.
The Present (2021) Short Film Review - Set at one of the West Bank's many border crossings between Palestinian territory and Israel, 'The Present' is a thought-provoking film nominated for Live Action Short at the 2021 Oscars.
Do Not Split (2021) Short Film Review - 'Do Not Split', the Oscar nominated Documentary Short Subject from the frontlines of Hong Kong's protests against the CPC by Anders Hammer, reviewed by Joseph Wade.
Colette (2020) Short Film Review - Colette Marin-Catherine, a survivor of the Nazi occupation of France and sibling to a young man killed in labour camps, is the subject of this Oscar nominated Documentary. Review by Joseph Wade.
Hunger Ward (2021) Short Film Review - Hunger Ward - Oscar nominated for Documentary Short Subject, Skye Fitzgerald's unflinching look at the Yemen food crisis caused by its conflict with Saudi Arabia is unmissable. Review by Joseph Wade.
A Concerto Is a Conversation (2020) Short Film Review - 'A Concerto Is a Conversation', from Kris Bowers and Ben Proudfoot, is a 2021 Oscars Documentary Short Subject film nominee about race, legacy, heritage and music. Joseph Wade reviews.
Greyhound (2021) Review - Tom Hanks writes and stars in Apple TV+ movie 'Greyhound', co-starring Stephen Graham and nominated for Sound at the 2021 Oscars. Charlie Gardiner reviews.
A Love Song for Latasha (2020) Short Film Review - In 1991,15 year old Latasha Harlins was shot and killed in an LA convenience store. Oscar nominated documentary short subject 'A Love Song for Latasha' tells of her impactful life. Joseph Wade reviews.
Godzilla vs Kong (2021) Review - 'Godzilla vs Kong', from Legendary's Monsterverse and directed by Adam Wingard, "will leave any Kaiju fan in need of power tools to remove the smiles from their faces". Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
‘Spy Kids’ at 20 – Review - A staple of millennial and Gen Z childhood culture, Robert Rodriguez's family spy film 'Spy Kids' (2001) is 20 years old, and not quite the masterpiece we remember. Darcy Rae reviews.
Godzilla (2014) Review - Warner Bros' 2014 remake of 'Godzilla', from director Gareth Edwards and starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, doesn't quite live up to its potential. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
No Ordinary Man (2020) Review – BFI Flare - When jazz musician Billy Tipton died, it was discovered he was biologically female. Aisling Chin-Yee and Chase Joynt direct documentary 'No Ordinary Man', reviewed by Annice White.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) Review - Is 2014's 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' Wes Anderson's finest hour as an auteur? Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori star at the head of an ensemble cast. Reviewed by Christopher Connor.
Fugitive Dreams (2020) Review – MANIFF - 'Fugitive Dreams', from director Jason Neulander, is a strange road movie, but one you'll be able to appreciate the sheer filmic beauty of. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Promising Young Woman (2021) Review - Emerald Fennell filters every bubble-gum pink detail through a boldly cinematic narrative, exposing the real-world judgemental attitudes surrounding rape in 'Promising Young Woman' (2021). Leoni Horton reviews.
Rebel Dykes (2021) Review – BFI Flare - 'Rebel Dykes' is a hugely entertaining and unique documentary about a rebellious lesbian movement that was born out of London's punk scene in the 1980s. Annice White reviews from BFI Flare.
My First Summer (2021) Review- BFI Flare - Capturing first love through the female gaze and in an LGBTQ+ setting, 'My First Summer' has real potential to become a cult classic. Annice White reviews.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) Review - 2021's Zack Snyder's Justice League may be the best film you could expect from such a mess of a situation. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman come together for this HBO Max original reviewed by Joseph Wade.
She’s the Man (2006) – 15th Anniversary Review - Perhaps we didn't all grow up to be Shakespearean scholars, but 'She’s the Man' is still terrific gender-bending fun. Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum star in 'She's the Man', now 15 years old. Leoni Horton reviews.
Cherry (2021) Review - Apple TV Plus exclusive 'Cherry', from 'Avengers: Endgame' directors The Russo Brothers, and starring Spider-Man himself Tom Holland, is a shallow drama. Cole Clark reviews.
Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry (2021) Review - With 'Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry', director R.J. Cutler constructs a mesmerising treat that will make a fan of musical sensation Billie Eilish out of any viewer. Leoni Horton reviews.
The Witch (2015) Review - Boasting provoking visuals, a gifted ensemble and an established narrative, Robert Eggers folk horror 'The Witch', starring Golden Globes winner Anya Taylor-Joy, remains must-watch. Beth Sawdon reviews.
The Winter Lake (2021) Review - 'Game of Thrones' alum Michael McElhatton and 'Sex Education's' Emma Mackey star in 'The Winter Lake', a gnarly drama dealing with trauma from debut director Phil Sheerin. Kevin Woodley reviews.
Get Carter (1971) – 50th Anniversary Review - Mike Hodges crime thriller 'Get Carter' at 50 - Michael Caine stars as the titular Carter in the gruesome and bloody 'Get Carter', set in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Katie Doyle reviews.
Moxie (2021) Review - 2021 Amy Poehler movie 'Moxie', available on Netflix and starring Hadley Robinson, had a great opportunity to explore feminism through the lens of Gen Z. Did it succeed? Annice White reviews.
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) Review - The first wholly original Disney film in years, 'Raya and the Last Dragon' starring Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina is likely to become a sure-fire animation classic. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Coming 2 America (2021) Review - In 1988, Eddie Murphy and company captured lightning in a bottle for comedy classic 'Coming to America'. Could they do it a 2nd time for sequel 'Coming 2 America'? Scott Z Walkinshaw reviews.
‘Fargo’ at 25 – Review - 25 years removed from the release of the Coen Brothers' iconic black comedy crime film 'Fargo', starring Frances McDormand, the 1996 release remains razor-sharp. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Surge (2021) Review – GFF - Headlined by an unforgettable and unrecognisable performance from Ben Whishaw, 'Surge' has a "wild, kinetic energy" that evokes comparisons to 'Joker' and 'Falling Down'. Jack Cameron reviews.
Cowboys (2021) Review – GFF - Anna Kerrigan writes and directs Steve Zahn and Jillian Bell in the Tribeca award winning family drama 'Cowboys', about a trans boy and his family relationships. Jack Cameron reviews.
Voice of Silence (2021) Review – GFF - Screenwriter-director Hong Eui-jeong announces himself as a talent to look out for in the future in his feature debut 'Voice of Silence', an off-kilter South Korean film starring 'Burning' actor Yoo Ah-in. Jack Cameron reviews.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) Review - Wes Anderson is close to his best for his work on 2012 ensemble coming-of-age hit 'Moonrise Kingdom', starring Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand and more. Christopher Connor reviews.
Sweetheart (2021) Review – GFF - Marley Morrison British seaside holiday film 'Sweetheart', featuring the debuting Nell Barlow, is a nuanced exploration of sexuality and a modern twist in the realm of British film. Leoni Horton reviews.
Enemies of the State (2020) Review - Is Matt DeHart a liberating whistleblower in possession of incriminating evidence against the US government or just trying to escape prosecution for heinous crimes? 'Enemies of the State' explores, Jack Cameron reviews.
Tom and Jerry (2021) Review - Is Tom & Jerry the best new comedy of 2021, or exploitation of nostalgia for profit? Is it worth getting a HBO Max subscription for? Chloë Grace Moretz stars, Jacob Davis reviews.
Bliss (2021) Review - 2021 Amazon film 'Bliss', from 'Another Earth' filmmaker Mike Cahill, starring Owen Wilson and Salma Hayek, is a throwback to turn of the century suburban dramas. Joseph Wade reviews.
Riders of Justice (2021) Review – GFF - Mads Mikkelsen stars in the latest black comedy from Danish writer-director Anders Thomas Jensen, 'Riders of Justice', a movie about probability. Jack Cameron reviews.
The Mauritanian (2021) Review – GFF - Tahar Rahim steals the show in the star-studded court drama 'The Mauritanian', about a man incarcerated in Guantanamo Bay following the 9/11 attacks. Jack Cameron reviews.
Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché (2021) Review – GFF - Marianne Elliott-Said, aka punk pioneer Poly Styrene of the X-Ray Spex, is the subject of her daughter's documentary 'Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché' (2021), reviewed from Glasgow Film Festival by Leoni Horton.
Creation Stories (2021) Review – GFF - Directed by Nick Moran, Creation Stories - about music studio founder Alan McGee - is a mildly offensive, egotistical mess, and we can only hope Liam and Noel Gallagher never see this film. Leoni Horton reviews.
Jumbo (2021) Review – GFF - Starring Portrait of a Lady on Fire’s Noémie Merlant, 'Jumbo' is a surefooted yet strangely erotic adrenaline ride through the wildest depths of sexual fantasy. Leoni Horton reviews.
‘Trainspotting’ at 25 – Review - 'Trainspotting' (1996) at 25 - Mark Carnochan's review of Danny Boyle's "small film from the small country that became one of the most famous films of all time", starring Ewan McGregor.
Penguin Bloom (2021) Review - Naomi Watts shines in Netflix's latest biopic about tragedy, family, and the unique relationship between a woman and an injured magpie, in 'Penguin Bloom' from Glendyn Ivin. Sophie Cook reviews.
Minari (2021) Review – GFF - Lee Isaac Chung's semi-autobiographical Sundance home run manages to be "both quietly poignant and thunderously profound". Leoni Horton reviews from Glasgow Film Festival.
Fantastic Mr Fox (2009) Review - Roald Dahl's "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is adapted via stop-motion animation for the screen by Wes Anderson, in this ensemble film led by George Clooney and Meryl Streep. Christopher Connor reviews.
Alive (2020) Short Film Review - Jimmy Olsson writes and directs 'Alive' (2020), a short film about disability, friendship and dating, starring Eva Johansson, Madeleine Martin and Joel Ödmann. Review by Christopher Connor.
King Kong vs Godzilla (1962) Review - The original battle of legendary kaiju King Kong and Godzilla was in 1962 Japanese film 'King Kong vs Godzilla', from Ishirō Honda. Scott Z Walkinshaw reviews.
‘Hannibal’ at 20 – Review - Lacking two of the three magic ingredients of 'The Silence of the Lambs', Ridley Scott's 'Hannibal' (2001), starring Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore and Gary Oldman offers only surface-level thrills. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Muppet Treasure Island (1996) – 25th Anniversary Review - 25 years on from its release, 'Muppet Treasure Island', starring Tim Curry, remains a high bar to which all subsequent Muppets movies have aimed to reach. Katie Doyle reviews.
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) Review - 'Judas and the Black Messiah' tells the astonishing true story of Chairman Fred Hampton's assassination. Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield star. Click to read Sophie Butcher's review in full.
To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021) Review - Netflix Original 'To All the Boys: Always and Forever', starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo, is a satisfying, teary-eyed end to the sickly-sweet franchise. Leoni Horton reviews.
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ at 30 – Review - 30 years on from the release of the indelible Hannibal tale, 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster remain just as riveting in Jonathan Demme's classic. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011) Review - 2011 rom-com 'Crazy, Stupid, Love.' starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone "executes the complexity of love in such a beautiful and rewarding manner". Beth Sawdon reviews.
Malcolm and Marie (2021) Review - 'Euphoria' creator Sam Levinson directs John David Washington and Zendaya in Netflix Original 'Malcolm & Marie', a shallow and emotionally vacant lockdown drama. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.