FILM REVIEWS AND NEWS

When word reached UK Film Review that Peccadillo Pictures had secured the distribution rights for a project titled Lesbian Space Princess, it wasn't just the evocative name that raised eyebrows. It was the pedigree trailing behind it. Fresh from a triumphant world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival—where it secured the prestigious Teddy Award—and an Audience Award win for Best Australian Feature at the Sydney Film Festival

As a massive fan of the first film, which was a colourful, joyous celebration of everything we love about the Mushroom Kingdom, I have been keeping a very close eye on what Illumination and Nintendo have been cooking up. They have delivered the goods in spectacular fashion by dropping the final trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and it looks like an absolute cosmic beauty.

Directed by Leon Joosen, The Land of Sometimes is a spritely addition to the children’s Christmas film genre. This animated piece is a well-crafted, vibrant, and touching creation that will light up family TV screens this Christmas. With dazzling performances from the entire cast, most notably Helena Bonham Carter, who delivers her usual sinister yet alluring demeanour, parents of children will feel engrossed and nostalgic as they become immersed in this film’s lively world.

While the trailer provides plenty of narrative meat to chew on, the question on every British film fan's lips has been when we will actually get to see the finished product. Disney has set a firm UK release date of 19th June 2026. This aligns us with the global rollout, ensuring that UK audiences can experience the next chapter of this legendary saga at the height of the summer blockbuster season.

If you had told me in 2010 that the small, gibberish-spouting yellow henchmen from Despicable Me would eventually command a global box office of over $5.6 billion, I might have checked you for a fever. Yet, here we are in 2026, and the "banana" enthusiasts are not just part of the furniture; they own the house. Following the massive success of last summer’s Despicable Me 4, Illumination has officially pulled back the curtain on their next venture: Minions & Monsters.

It is perhaps fitting, then, that Sony Pictures Animation’s latest venture is titled GOAT, leaning into the "Greatest of All Time" moniker that has sparked a thousand playground debates. The buzz surrounding this project is hard to ignore. For a basketball fan, the pedigree behind the scenes is enough to pique interest. The film is produced by none other than Stephen Curry and his Unanimous Media banner.

You can’t go wrong with the timeless characters of Looney Tunes. I mean, ok, you can… you could make a space-set feature film named Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up without even one appearance by Marvin the Martian! – I mean, what the hell, guys?? Luckily, despite this egregious oversight, this entry into the series is a family-friendly triumph.

While the heavy hitters and the billion-dollar sequels are certainly present, there is a refreshing sense of creative risk-taking appearing across the Disney, 20th Century, and Searchlight banners. From high-concept survival thrillers to long-awaited returns to iconic worlds, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where the multiplex offers a genuine variety of spectacle and substance.

What better time than now to watch or revisit these gems; what better time than now to re-release such a comfort as Totoro.

★★★★★ Directed by: #RadheyaJegatheva Short Film Review by: Alexandra James Bird Drone is a love story between an injured seagull and a...

★★ Directed by: #SawyerIque Starring: #SillySammy Short Film Review by: Alexandra James This short animation follows Sammy, a piece of...

★★★★ Directed by: Oliver Simonsen Written by: Oliver Simonsen, Dave Sim (based on comics by) Starring: John Di Crosta, Yuell Newsome,...

Short film review for LUCHA and the EKEKO (2022), directed by Roger Edwards Jr. Words by critic Emily Davison for UK Film Review.

★★★ Directed by: #TobiasSchlage and #BrentForrest Starring: #Phoney Short Film Review by: Alexandra James Crack is a short, animated film...

Music video review for COVID 19 by Adam Dani. Words by Alicia Moore for UK Film Review.

Short film review of D-Mulsion Production's Hana. Words by critic Max White for UK Film Review.

Film review for The Loud House Movie, directed by Dave Needham. Words by Alicia Moore for UK Film Review.

After the success and controversy of the original Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series in the mid 90’s, creator Hideaki Anno came back to re

★★★ Directed by #MalcolmDLee Written by #JuelTaylor #TonyRettenmaier #KeenanCoogler Starring #LeBronJames #DonCheadle #CedricJoe Film...

Review of Bob: The Return directed by Benjamin J. Devlin by UK Film Review Critic Lucy Clarke