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FILM REVIEWS UK UK Film Review is a film reviews website based in London, UK. We promote films and movie trailers from around the world and support indie films that would usually find it hard to find the spotlight against the bigger films of cinema. From the latest blockbusters, to small indie cinema, we tackle as many films as we can. Reviewing them from all aspects, not just how many digital landscapes they blow up using CGI. We also review short films in the UK and internationally, helping filmmakers to promote their movies and raise their profile. If you would like to have a short or indie film reviewed by us, please submit all info using the button below. Take a look around, enjoy the spoils of filmmaking, film festivals and artistic expression. Our merry band of film critics are constantly hard at work, writing film reviews, or watching movie trailers for some of the most exciting movies coming out in UK cinemas. So to keep their morale up, please be nice...or at least funny if you choose to troll. Because, in the immortal words of Rick Moranis in the movie Spaceballs, "Keep firing A**holes!". By the way, on this film reviews website, you may see several references to Spaceballs. If you have not seen that classic Mel Brooks film, you MUST seek it out and tell us what you think. SUBMIT YOUR FILM Are You a Film Podcast Fan? Film critics Chris Olson and Brian Penn host a monthly podcast for all types of film fans! ​ Whether you like the latest blockbuster releases, or streaming is your thing - we have you covered. ​ We even review short and independent films on the podcast. ​ Our final review is usually for a "Nostalgia" pick - something from the past worth revisiting. Previous picks for this have included Jaws, The Fly, and Good Will Hunting. ​ Search UK Film Review Podcast wherever you like to listen and join our global community of film lovers. Film Reviews from UK film critics LATEST REVIEWS Lee The Magic of Santa Claus Dinner Party N1 The Light Keeper Calico Stalking Meeting Point The Devil's in the Detail When Cotard Comes Snowmaniac Swing Bout The Hands Load More

Short Film Reviews Welcome to the UK Film Review page for short film reviews . Here you will find some of the best and brightest sparks in a sea of cinema. Filmmakers from across the globe submit their short films to us to be reviewed, and our Contributors lovingly dissect them. If you would like one of our team to write a film review of your short film, please use the form below or visit our Submit Your Film page Our short film reviews are written by passionate film critics across the UK and aim to highlight and promote terrific filmmaking when we find it. We are always honest with our reviews, so if you are looking to submit your short film for review, please do so knowing that we will not alter what we have said because you don't like it. There is a wealth of amazing talent in the short film industry, and we hope by writing film reviews about this underexposed creativity we can get your movies to a new audience...but we need your help. Please join in the chatter on our social media channels so that we can grow our community and share the joy. Use the buttons in the footer to Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Subscribe to us on YouTube #supportindiefilm. Get Your Short Film Reviewed ↓ alexjames96 4 hours ago 2 min A Hell of a Trip to Delicias Short Film Review alexjames96 4 hours ago 2 min No Tell! Short Film Review alexjames96 4 hours ago 2 min Last Rendezvous Short Film Review Lawrence Bennie Jul 28 3 min In The Moonlight Short Film Review Lawrence Bennie Jul 15 3 min Bridge Short Film Review alexjames96 Jun 6 2 min Bird Drone Short Film Review alexjames96 Jun 6 2 min Ain’t my Vibe Short Music Video Review alexjames96 Jun 6 2 min Surprise Short Film Review alexjames96 Apr 19 2 min A Happy Ending Short Film Review alexjames96 Apr 19 2 min Shear Disturbance Short Film Review alexjames96 Apr 19 2 min Watch What I Do Short Film Review alexjames96 Mar 17 2 min After Hours Short Movie Review alexjames96 Mar 17 2 min Cinerama (Music Video) Short Film Review Chris Olson Mar 1 3 min Film Podcast: George Clooney Rowing Biopic Scoops Film of the Month Chris Olson Feb 22 3 min Film Podcast: Anthony Hopkins drama crowned "Film of the Month" alexjames96 Feb 17 2 min Mannequin Short Film Review alexjames96 Feb 17 2 min The Separation Short Film Review alexjames96 Feb 17 2 min Bare Foot Short Film Review William Hemingway Jan 18 8 min Filmmaker Interview with Jiwon Lee alexjames96 Dec 19, 2023 2 min Dominion Short Film Review More Film Reviews The Magic of Santa Claus Patrick Foley Dinner Party N1 James Learoyd The Light Keeper Jason Knight Calico William Hemingway Meeting Point Jason Knight The Devil's in the Detail Patrick Foley When Cotard Comes Swati Verma Snowmaniac William Hemingway The Hands Swati Verma The Look Joe Beck The Dragonborn Comes-Main Theme Jason Knight VIKRUT James Learoyd The Last Snow Swati Verma Nothing To It Jason Knight Place Of Safety William Hemingway The Panharmonion Chronicles: Times of London Patrick Foley Albion Jason Knight We Will Find You James Learoyd Friends Forever Joe Beck Bill Patrick Foley French Jason Knight Mani Mani Baby James Learoyd Living In Fear William Hemingway In Isolation Rohan Kaushal Ensouled Patrick Foley Load More Reviews What is a short film review? A short film review is often written by a movie critic and it's their opinion on a film that is less than sixty minutes long. Short film reviews still explore every aspect of a movie. How do I write a short film review? Writing a short film review needs to cover multiple aspects of the movie. Including the script, the characters, performances, cinematography, score & sound design, editing and so on. How long should a film review be? A film review should be as long as the house style. Some publications provide lengthier reviews than others. A general minimum word count would be 300. How much money do film critics make? Film critic salaries depend massively on their publication. Many film critics are freelancers, meaning they get paid per review and sometimes this is based on word count. Making money through film reviews can be challenging.

Film Reviews Here at UK Film Review we like to tackle all kinds film reviews. Our writers come from all walks of life, and feel passionate about critiquing the movies they watch. From the latest Theatrical Releases to Short Films, Indie Films, Documentaries and even Animation, the contributors of UK Film Review are as eager to please as Dev Patel in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011). If you are a filmmaker, or are working in film PR and want to promote one of your clients, please get in touch using the Submit Your Film button under the drop-down menu for Home. Take a look at our list of film reviews below from some of the hottest releases in UK cinemas. Simply click the image of the review you would like, or the title of the movie. Or use the search button to find the movie you are looking for. We have given any feature length film a star rating (out of 5) in order to help viewers sort the Citizen Kanes from the Waterworlds, the Inceptions from the Transformers. Michael Bay will be given a fair film review from our writers, but that probably will not go in his favour. Speaking of Filmmakers, head over to our Filmmaker Features page for awesome articles about some of the best filmmaking geniuses who ever lived. Movie Trailers are also available, either underneath the film reviews, or on the Movie Trailers page. And lastly, if you like your film reviews verbalised. Simply because reading is boring and listening is marvellous, then make sure you Subscribe to the UK Film Review Podcast. Our critics offer up some banterous opinions on the best and worst movies across all genres. Head over to the Podcast page, or click this link to go straight to iTunes. If you would like to read or view any of the following, simply use the navigation. Alternatively, you can click on one of the images to read the film reviews here, or simply have a ganders at the lovely movie artwork on display. Remember to listen to film reviews on our regular film podcast. GET REVIEWED average rating is 4 out of 5 Lee Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 The Magic of Santa Claus Read Review average rating is 1 out of 5 The Devil's in the Detail Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Snowmaniac Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Cursed Tapes Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Joker: Folie à Deux Read Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Place Of Safety Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Wasp Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Bill Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Out Come the Wolves Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Sebastian Read Review Chris Olson Mar 8 2 min Film Podcast - Dune: Part 2 Chris Olson Mar 1 3 min Film Podcast: George Clooney Rowing Biopic Scoops Film of the Month Jan 20, 2023 3 min TAR FILM REVIEW Taryll Baker Oct 13, 2022 2 min Empire of Light - Film Review Oct 11, 2022 3 min Bones and All LFF Review Oct 7, 2022 3 min White Noise (2022) LFF Review Sep 20, 2022 2 min Sanctuary TIFF Review UK Film Review Sep 13, 2022 5 min FrightFest 2022 Highlights May 25, 2022 3 min Top Gun: Maverick Film Review Apr 23, 2022 3 min The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Film Review Spoilers in our film reviews As with all digital forms of expression sometimes people may find something that upsets them online. Spoilers can often be one of these things! Whilst we do our best to ensure that major plot points, twists, character deaths and celebrity cameos are not found in our reviews, it can sometimes be difficult to judge what each and every film lover on the planet would to be a spoiler. If you feel that one of our film reviews contains one too many details then please do let us (politely) know using our social media platforms. We may then take serious action, such as expelling the critic responsible from this and every other movie publication past and present, declaring war against the studio for leading our writer into temptation, or we may do nothing at all. To be honest, it is most likely going to be the latter unless some serious rules have been broken. You may also see some movie trailers in our reviews that could also contain potential spoilers. In which case anyone who is hoping to avoid these should probably not click the play button on them. Or click the play button, turn the sound down on your device, then leave the room for a least 28 minutes whilst the trailer finishes and leaves your life naturally. You may be wondering what you could do with all 28 of those minutes! Why not read some more film reviews on another device? Or make a short film of your cat playing with a piece of string? Spend it wisely guys and gals.

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Lee Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Brian Penn | Posted on: Sep 20, 2024 Directed by: Ellen Kuras Written by: Liz Hannah, Marion Hume, John Collee Starring: Kate Winslet, Andy Samberg, Peter Skarsgard, Andrea Riseborough, Josh O'Connor As the Second World War sadly but surely slips from living memory, it's even more important to capture stories buried by more tumultuous events. Every great battle has been filmed and remade on countless occasions. Every triumph, tragedy and blunder has been analysed and placed on celluloid. But what about the war stories that have been written and forgotten or are just waiting to be discovered? Lee Miller's unique contribution to war reporting is one such story that needs to be told; and its first outing on the big screen is long overdue. Under the expert direction of Ellen Kuras it becomes a tour-de-force in film making. The narrative picks up in 1938 as Hitler tightens his grip on mainland Europe. Lee Miller (Kate Winslet) is a former model carving out a new career as a photographer. Vogue magazine in London are sufficiently impressed to offer her a commission. Editor Audrey Withers (Andrea Riseborough) is supportive but doubts that Miller's evocative style will be appreciated by readers. The film periodically flips forward to an older Miller in conversation with her son Anthony (Josh O'Connor). When war breaks out she is determined to reach the battlefront. Her lover Roland Penrose (Alexander Skarsgard) pleads with her not to go. However, she enlists in the US forces and meets fellow photographer David E. Scherman (Andy Samberg). They are kindred spirits and together witness the final months of the conflict. Kate Winslet is quite simply outstanding in the title role. She delivers a convincing American accent which belies her roots in leafy Berkshire. Miller is incorrigible but instantly likeable which is due to Winslet's sympathetic portrayal. Ellen Kuras creates a grand panorama that bridges the nervous prelude to war and relief that finally greeted peace. The period detail is excellent and battle scenes frighteningly realistic especially with surround sound. A fine cast provide able support with Andy Samberg in fine form as Miller's trusty sidekick. Lee Miller and those like her were a different species. They carried no guns into battle and armed themselves with nothing more than a camera. Yet through a simple lens they showed us the very worst and very best of humanity. ‘Lee’ is a lesson in life and survival where there is a need to learn the truth however uncomfortable it might be. One of the best films of the year and not to be missed. About the Film Critic Brian Penn Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Music Video Reviews One of the most exciting sub-genres our critics review is music videos. They are often incredible pieces of storytelling, either in their own right or aligned with the song playing over them. On this page you will find a great selection of music video reviews from the team of critics at UK Film Review. ​ If you are a filmmaker or artist who would like us to review your music video, submit your film here . ​ When it comes to reviewing a music video, the process differs slightly from perhaps a narrative short film or documentary. The music has to be explored far more intimately than if it were a soundtrack because that's where the story originates from rather than being added further down the line. Music videos do conform to genres but these are often musical genres rather than film categories, for example pop, folk, rock, rap etc. So this will also influence the music video review our critics write because the target audience is going to be considered. ​ Music videos may take a variety of forms or even combine different aspects to create a different effect on the viewer. For example, it is common for a music video to contain a small narrative, as well as live performance footage. Top filmmakers making music videos will be able to immerse you into the song and story without leaving you feeling like you have just watched a promo piece. ​ Choreography is also a common trait in music videos, with dance sequences and flash mobs recurring - often in pop music videos. Editors of music videos will have their work cut out to ensure the choreography looks tight and engaging without it feeling staged or lifeless. ​ Hopefully the array of music video reviews you see below will include some gems for you to peruse. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the article, as we often include the actual music video so you can watch it for yourself. The Dragonborn Comes-Main Theme Jason Knight The Panharmonion Chronicles: Times of London Patrick Foley Lost All Care Joe Beck Everything Will Dissolve in the Void James Learoyd Rooftop Screamers Joe Beck Hot Chip Eleanor Swati Verma A New Kind of Life Jason Knight Vaarwell - Quarter Life Crisis - EP Campaign Patrick Foley KYTLY - "Neverending" Patrick Foley alexjames96 Jun 6 2 min Ain’t my Vibe Short Music Video Review alexjames96 Mar 17 2 min Cinerama (Music Video) Short Film Review alexjames96 Dec 19, 2023 2 min Homecoming (Music Video) Short Film Review alexjames96 Nov 16, 2023 2 min Sheep F-cked In the Head Short Film Review Theo Aug 1, 2022 2 min Service for The King short film review Chris Olson Sep 28, 2021 2 min Stroke Code Music Video Review More Film Reviews

Latest Film Reviews The latest movie reviews from UK film critics, this is the page to find the newest reviews from our team. The UK Film Review critics are assembled from around the globe, covering all types of movies. Whether these are movie reviews for films currently in UK cinemas (or even globally) or for films on streaming sites such as Netflix, Prime Video or Disney Plus, we cover them all. On this page you will also find the latest film reviews for indie and short films from the UK and around the world. Every month, UK Film Review receives a large selection of submissions from filmmakers requesting us to watch their independently made film and review it. We treat all movies the same and our reviews are never (ever) paid for! We do receive payment from PR companies and other filmmakers for services such as promoting their film, or skipping to queue, but this has nothing to do with the movie review itself. Whilst you will see our latest movie reviews here you should also follow UK Film Review on our social media profiles, as well as subscribe to our popular film podcast. This will help you stay up-to-date with the latest releases, as well as the goings-on from our community of film lovers and critics. average rating is 4 out of 5 Lee Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 The Magic of Santa Claus Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Dinner Party N1 Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Light Keeper Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Calico Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Stalking Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Meeting Point Read Review average rating is 1 out of 5 The Devil's in the Detail Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 When Cotard Comes Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Snowmaniac Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Swing Bout Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Hands Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The House That Stood Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Look Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Peacock Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 April Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Rebel Ridge Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 The Dragonborn Comes-Main Theme Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 VIKRUT Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Last Snow Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Cursed Tapes Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Nothing To It Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Joker: Folie à Deux Read Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Place Of Safety Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Queer Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Panharmonion Chronicles: Times of London Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Albion Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 The Room Next Door Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Brutalist Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 We Will Find You Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Valor and Memory Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Friends Forever Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Wasp Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Bill Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Maria Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Out Come the Wolves Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 French Read Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Mani Mani Baby Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Living In Fear Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Sebastian Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Slingshot Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 In Isolation Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Ensouled Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Hard Truths Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Life Eternal Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 In Search of Edgar Allan Poe Read Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Turning Points: The Day The War Changed Read Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Drums Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Happily Ever After Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Sugarcane Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Code Duello: From the Tithebanner Saga Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 A Good Day Will Come Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Embrace Disruption Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Badger! Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Koupepia Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Stranger I Love Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Lost All Care Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Private Flowers Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Les Bêtes Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Trail Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Another Date Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Move Like a Boss Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Rock-a-bye Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 The Little Things Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Sun Stares Back Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Alien: Romulus Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Trophy Wife Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Gabriela Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Ready or Not Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Woodgrove Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Curiosity Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 The Scalpel Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Hands (Mãos) Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Samvarana (Closure) Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Belgrado Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Score Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Thieves in the Night Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Borderlands Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Rock Paper Scissors Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 City of Oz Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Neutopia Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 The Chasers of Tornado Alley: Touching the Sky Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 River of Grass Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Gungnir Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 The Reflected Self Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Girl You Know It's True Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Chimera Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Xenophobes Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Dog Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Technicians Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Shouting at the Sea Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Corpse Fishing Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Fireline Read Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Fishtank Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Highest Brasil Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Bad Genius Read Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Trap Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Farmhouse Read Review

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Magic of Santa Claus Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Sep 20, 2024 Directed by: Andrew De Burgh Written by: Andrew De Burgh Starring: Andrew De Burgh Complaining about Christmas coming earlier every year is basically an Autumn tradition at this point. But some grace really should be given to stop-motion projects showing up a little early – after all animating a couple of seconds can take days so timing release perfectly for the December window really seems to be tempting fate. Besides, there’s only 96 days left until the 25th, so you can treat yourself to The Magic of Santa Claus a little early. Brought to life in the classic Claymation style that Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer made iconic (and that Elf memorably parodied), this short tells a poignant story of Santa Claus who finds he only has one day left to live. Looking back over his life, from humble beginnings to the worldwide operation the Christmas day has become, he feels a sense of fulfilment and bliss – and decides to take out the old red sleigh for one last ride. Claymation as an art is one that rightly fascinates and amazes viewers regardless of story, setting or character. The sheer difficulty and commitment required to bring movies to life through the slightest movements – from tiny facial expressions to supernatural moments of wonder – mean any creation is remarkable and admirable. This is no less true for The Magic of Santa Claus, and director Andrew De Burgh and sculptor C. Diamant combine to create a North Pole, workshop and Middle Eastern setting that is believable and convincing. The characters themselves are a little more a mixed-bag, with motions and movements a little limited – perhaps by production/budget restrictions. Beyond the occasional arm movements, complex motions are generally not attempted, limiting the visual interest of the audience. The emotions of the characters are plainer to see and there are some genuinely moving moments – such as Santa’s final meeting with his reindeer which is further testament (if we needed it) that real, human emotions can be instigated by a piece of plasticine. There are other rough edges around the production, such as a failure to succinctly integrate printed text which impacts on viewer immersion negatively. The story is quite basic – little context is really given to Santa’s condition or why he has only a day left on Earth (it’s a good thing mail reaches one on time in the North Pole). His journey through memory lane is touching, and shows that leading a good life will provide fulfilment at one’s end and leave a positive legacy for those left behind. The film really is more of an exercise in the artform rather than a tightly-woven narrative. The bar for Claymation is set so incredibly high by a certain studio and their cheese-loving duo, that it’s easy to forget just how difficult producing any film in the form is. The Magic of Santa Claus fails to match the highs of its contemporaries, but that doesn’t mean it is without value. Andrew De Burgh clearly understands the importance of emotion in his characters, and manages to realise this in several touching moments in his short. It’s not Rudolph, but there is some magic here. About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film, Animation < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Dinner Party N1 Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Sep 20, 2024 Directed by: Tom Duthie Written by: Tom Duthie Starring: Pierro Niel-Mee, Rhea Norwood, Freddie Thorp The first thing you’ll notice about Tom Duthie’s terrific new science-fiction drama Dinner Party N1 is its engrossing, subjective direction. There’s an immediacy to the storytelling which skilfully hooks in the viewer from the outset, and guides us through its distressing twists and turns. As we follow our awkward protagonist through his irksome dinner party interactions, one gets the sense that something isn’t right. Yet the way in which the true nature of the film’s world is revealed to us is so subtle, behavioural, and intelligently-paced that we wholeheartedly believe in the reality we’re witnessing. Because the emotions present are so easy to empathise with – that of social anxiety and alienation – it means that as we delve into big genre concepts, the audience is completely invested. There are many technical reasons why the piece is successful; - but it’s quite astounding that the movie works so well on a visceral level of engagement and suspense. And you could even argue that this all starts with the performances... A masterstroke of this movie is the casting of performers who are able to treat high-concept or expositional dialogue the same way as they treat grounded, conversational dialogue. All the acting is truly great; it allows the spectator to believe in the scenario, as well as fully comprehend the amusing (and often disturbing) dynamics at play. Each character is written with a clear purpose in mind, which is to operate on two different levels simultaneously. We need to find the cringeworthy chat real and relatable, whilst also buying into the later sci-fi reveal, which should recontextualise the hostile sensibilities seen previously. The film not only pulls this off, but does so smoothly and pleasingly. Similar to a Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf type narrative, the tension builds and builds until all the emotions come flying out. But what makes this picture different is how it uses its sci-fi concepts to layer the story with deeper and more politically provocative meaning. The manner in which music, sound, and aesthetics in general are implemented is practically perfect. It’s just a fabulously well-made movie, whose cinematography and design have clearly been constructed with great thought and care. These formal strengths complement the content of the piece, which is even more interesting. For instance, the story’s climax is gruesome and shocking in all the best ways, and is so clearly an example of technique and story working perfectly in tandem. Arguably, very few low-budget shorts hold the power to viscerally stun its audience with this kind of crescendo of suspense, yet Dinner Party N1 makes it look easy. This short film holds your attention from start to end due to its story, its construction, and its outstanding performances. The best science-fiction reflects fully the state of the world today, and this ambitious project accomplishes saying a hell of a lot without being too obvious. The piece is destined to reach a wide audience since it works both as a work of realism and as a work of genre; and that’s a sign of expert movie-making. About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Light Keeper Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Sep 19, 2024 Directed by: Tamas Levardi Written by: Tamas Levardi Starring: Alice Beton, Elizabeth Nightingale Tamas Levardi decided to make a short film without much planning. The result is a dynamic and fast experience with a duration of three minutes and twenty seconds. In this case, spoken words exist only in the form of voice-over and there is not much of a story to follow, which is not a bad thing. The film is heavily edited, constantly cutting back and forth in time, with each shot lasting a few seconds maximum. There is only one person present and that is a young woman (Berton) and the viewer follows her as she traverses a number of locations that are either on civilisation grounds or in the countryside. The plot point appears to be when she discovers a photographic camera inside an abandoned building. Up until that point, the scenes seem to take place in chronological order and it is after that when the narrative turns non-linear and keeps alternating rapidly between scenes that show the unnamed woman utilising the camera to take pictures on fields or inside a church or being inside a darkroom, developing her photographs. What is the plot? The events seem to show that finding the camera ignited a spark in the woman's life and she now constantly uses the device in order to view and understand the world through other perspectives. However, in numerous shots she appears to be upset, distressed and frustrated, maybe even angry as she is seen screaming. She gives the impression that she is desperate to achieve something, maybe to discover something. This is what could be interpreted by looking at the visuals. The voice-over was done by Elizabeth Nightingale and her words help understand the story further. The sound of her voice is almost a constant whisper and she talks about being a lost person, about her perspectives regarding life and that some sort of event helped her find her path. Filming was done by using natural lighting almost entirely and the film is beautifully shot with a handheld camera and Levardi takes great advantage of sunrises and sunsets to create terrific visuals. The fast cutting editing makes a tense experience, however it would not be as thrilling without the dynamic score by Michele Masin that becomes more and more powerful as the film progresses. This film could be viewed as a montage or maybe a trailer. It is certainly a captivating piece of work that stands out thanks to the creativity regarding the directing and editing, the powerful music and Beton's performance, which is impressive considering that she reportedly did not have professional acting experience when she worked on this project. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

About UK Film Review Founded in 2012 by Chris Olson, UK Film Review found its niche amongst the indie filmmaking community by providing reviews of independent cinema, as well as promoting crowdfunding and kickstarters for movie projects. In 2015, Olson took on several new UK film critics in order to expand the scope and reach of the film website, covering theatrical releases, DVD & Blu-ray films, short films, animation and documentaries. The site also conducts interviews with filmmakers, providing an even greater insight into the movie industry from the perspective of those making movies. The team of film critics then grew to over 20 contributors mostly in the UK, as well as the U.S. and Europe. ​ UK Film Review Podcast ​ In 2016, UK Film Review launched the UK Film Review Podcast. Guest movie critic Andy Furlong was the main producer of episodes, along with Chris Olson and Alfie Shaw providing numerous episodes along the way. The Podcast achieved a position in the top 10 of the iTunes Film & TV category. ​ The Film Podcast was then reborn in March 2021 with a new team of film critics at the helm and was launched on Spotify - making it easier for fans to listen to the episodes, which are themed around a different film topic or filmmaker. ​ UK Film Festivals ​ In 2017, UK Film Review began partnering with several notable UK film festivals, becoming their official Media Partner. These included the London Independent Film Festival (LIFF), High Peak Indie, and Grimmfest. By 2019, UK Film Review had become the official Media Sponsor for over 10 film festivals in the UK and internationally. ​ UK Film Review Awards ​ In 2018, UK Film Review launched its very first UK Film Review Awards. The categories included: ​ Best Film Best Short Film Best Indie Film Best Documentary Best World Cinema Best Animated Film Best Superhero Film Best LGBTQ Film Best Director Best Performance ​ The winners of the first UK Film Review Awards included Avengers: Infinity War, Roma, indie film Pledge, short film Cotton Wool, female director Stella Velon, and actor Friederike Hammer. UK Film Channel Originally a section of the website where films were embedded to watch online, UK Film Review launched in 2019 a dedicated sister site for UK Film Channel. This VOD platform for short films and indie features combined the love for independent cinema that makes UK Film Review so popular amongst the filmmaking community plus the desire amongst the readership to have a dedicated place to see some of these rare gems. Chris Olson Editor-in-Chief Chris Olson Jack Bottomley Hannah Sayer Darren Tilby Rachel Pullen Andrew Young Brady Clark Hope Madden George Wolf Rachel Willis Matt Weiner Cat McAlpine Brandon Thomas Christie Robb Chris Buick Shrubaboti Bose Alexandra James Sarah Smeaton Brian Penn Charlotte Little Benjamin Schofield Jasmine Holly Bullock Nathanial Eker Will Girling Amber Jackson Ieuan Walker Bruna Foletto Lucas Corey Bulloch Kirsty Asher Taryll Baker Owen Herman Alfie Kaye Albert Sowerby-Davies Chris Rose Aaron Gillingham

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Calico Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Sep 17, 2024 Directed by: Jake Mavity Written by: Sarah Mavity and Jake Mavity Starring: Malayasia Newland, Jamali Maddix, Jennifer Preston, Alec Nicholls Vitiligo is a rare skin condition which affects around 1% of the population. It is categorised by the breaking down of pigmentation within the skin, resulting in the appearance of pale patches which can be located anywhere on the body. Vitiligo can hit at any time, with no concrete results on who or why anybody might begin to suffer from the condition. In half of all cases the onset of vitiligo will come in childhood or adolescence, adding to an already difficult time in teenagers lives when their bodies are going through major changes, with the sense of losing one’s identity being magnified for those with non-white heritage. Prominent celebrities who have lived with vitiligo include the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, rising ballet star Michaela DePrince (who sadly lost her life recently), and model Winnie Harlow, however, the exposure of vitiligo on screen is still very minimal and can be felt by those with the condition to be fetishistic when included in clothing and beauty campaigns. Certainly, the writers and producers of Calico , Sarah and Jake Mavity, would like to see more in-depth and discursive projects surrounding vitiligo, and so came up with their own fifteen-minute short film to highlight the issue. Calico follows high-school student Lorrie (Newland), who has been missing lessons, diving out of classrooms and avoiding PE altogether. It doesn’t help that swimming lessons are on the cards and the other girls seem confident enough in their bodies to walk around in their swimsuits. Things have gotten so bad for Lorrie that her grades have started to suffer and this has caught the attention of headteacher Miss Hammond (Preston). So, along with PE teacher Mr Berk (Nicholls), Miss Hammond sets about staging an intervention to get Lorrie back on track, it’s just that it comes with a lot of condescending remarks, easily apportioned blame and plenty of Gen X musings on the state of the modern generation. Once Lorrie has taken her telling and been left alone to think about her future, she is surprised to find that the goldfish in the tank on Miss Hammond's desk can talk. Voiced by Jamali Maddix, the goldfish identifies with Lorrie’s plight and serves as a metaphor for finding your place in the world. Constrained by a tank which is too small for him, and which keeps him at a size which is nowhere near his potential, the goldfish asks for Lorrie’s help to find somewhere more spacious to live and grow. So, Lorrie scoops him up, makes her way to the girls’ toilets and learns a little bit about goldfish, just in time before wrongly flushing him down the pan. With crisis averted, Lorrie also learns that the goldfish she is helping is a Calico , meaning that it’s not entirely gold, but with flecks and flashes of black and silver across its scales. This helps Lorrie understand a little more and feel better about herself as she continues to help her finned friend get to the local lake. Throughout Calico , there are plenty of nice little asides and interludes from the supporting characters to help flesh out the story and the scenario. Some of the major diversions come in the form of animations, which seamlessly blend in with the live action to offer insights into just how Lorrie is feeling. There are plenty of gags going on in the background and secondary dialogue, and everything feels as though it has been thought about thoroughly to make sure that Lorrie’s story feels rounded out and complete. With that, director Jake Mavity chooses his shots well and DoP Murren Tullet keeps everything looking great, maintaining a clear balance between the indoor, outdoor and swimming pool shots. However, the real star of the show is Malaysia Newland as Lorrie. With a casting process that took around four years, it’s obvious that Sarah and Jake Mavity were waiting for exactly the right person to bring their life experience to the role. Newland is perfect, and shows a vulnerability which couldn’t be faked. She steps up to the mark in terms of Lorrie’s low times, but also shows extreme resilience in the spaces where Lorrie can be proud of herself, expressing a genuine emotion which passes easily to the audience. Calico is a great example of how to introduce a mostly unseen issue, with deep running themes, to a new audience. It takes pains to show the real-life difficulties faced by those living with vitiligo, but remembers to also keep things fun and interesting for the viewer. It is great to see someone coming to terms with who they are, even if that’s different from who they thought they were going to be, and having a positive message of loving yourself come through from the narrative. It could have been so easy for the Mavitys to focus on the negatives, but they have instead created something which speaks to all of us about how we love ourselves and others. About the Film Critic William Hemingway Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Stalking Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Sep 16, 2024 Directed by: H. Owen Richardson Written by: H. Owen Richardson, Kai Hall Starring: H. Owen Richardson, Kai Hall, Craig Wakefield The found footage horror genre is one with huge variations in terms of quality. After reaching international recognition in 1999 with the legendary ‘The Blair Witch Project’, a film of dubious quality itself, it has spawned numerous, lesser films such as ‘Paranormal Activity’ and ‘V/H/S’, films high on stupidity and low on acting and logical writing. Therefore, ‘Stalking’ comes as a pleasantly refreshing surprise, invigorating a stale and uninspired genre with fresh chills and suspense. Whilst this is not through reinvention, it instead plays with previously established tropes to maximum effect, creating a nonstop thrill ride that utilises all the advantages that found footage brings. As was the case with last years ‘Prowling’ - also directed by H. Owen Richardson - this film follows the misadventures of a group of young men in the middle of the words. Naturally, suspense is built through the authenticity of the footage and the knowledge that there is something else out there. ‘Stalking’ is perhaps even more suspenseful than Richardson’s previous films, and smarter too in how it plays on our innate human fears. It’s the same basic premise as any other found footage horror film, though the introduction to the characters is perhaps one of the smoothest of all those in the genre, with the trio of young men finding an old camcorder in the wilderness and messing around with it, struggling to get to grips with it, before documenting the nightmarish turn of events that their camping trip takes. Over the course of a fairly long introduction we come to know and like the group, all of whom endear to us with their bubbly personalities, witty comments, and the fact that they are easy to relate to. Richard is played by H. Owen Richardson, whilst Craig Wakefield plays Doug and Kai Hall plays Blake. There’s an authenticity in the way in which they interact that is not always present in the found footage genre. They come across as genuine friends and that is partially why the film is so chilling, because we can transfer our own friends, our own relationships into these characters and so simply imagine that we are camping in the forest and coming across a strange book with strange drawings of a figure named Rake with long, spindly fingers. Richardson is an immensely talented director in this sphere of filmmaking, and whilst ‘Stalking’ perhaps loses some of its edge in the latter stages once the threat is realised - it is nonetheless a strong display of his skills. There’s an energy and an intensity to the way in which he directs that helps keep the story moving and engaging throughout. Though it treads the same ground repeatedly, it is never dull, and that is a credit to the way in which he directs the film. ‘Stalking’ is a strong entry in the found footage genre, that, whilst it may not reinvent the wheel, nonetheless feels fresh and enjoyable in the horror that it creates out of well trodden tropes. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >