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- Short Film Reviews | UK Film Review
Short film reviews from some of the best movies in the UK. Read reviews from some of the best short film critics. 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 on 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. The selection of short film reviews you see below are mostly for films submitted to us. In this instance, the filmmaker has requested us to watch and provide a short film review. Alternatively, visit our Latest Short Film Reviews page . Get Your Short Film Reviewed More Film Reviews Solstice Jason Knight Ovary-Acting William Hemingway Without Kelly William Curzon Monkey Drum Holly Baker $13 Patrick Foley The Itch William Hemingway The Last Act William Curzon Save Me From Heaven Jason Knight The Freedom of Uselessness William Curzon Garden of an Angry God Jason Knight The Supply Teacher James Learoyd The Way Things Used 2 B Jason Knight Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes Jason Knight The Belles William Hemingway The Whisper 2: Natural Connection James Learoyd Gradient Descent Lawrence Bennie The Group William Curzon Love Has Nothing To Do With It William Hemingway Spoken Movement Family Honour Jason Knight With Arms Raised Patrick Foley The Abyss Below Jason Knight Africa is Home William Curzon STUDS Matt Trapp Fervor Lawrence Bennie Cursed Memory William Hemingway 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. Sometimes we consider the piece only as a short film; whether it works in that format, other times we may think of it as a "proof of concept" for something longer, or perhaps a piece of a web series/TV show. These can be important to consider when writing a short film review. 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 500. This may be also for SEO reasons, as short film reviews that are longer may be more likely to rank higher on Google. The important thing to remember is that the review should be well-structured, not full of bloated points to fill up the word count. 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. Video Short Film Reviews Below you will find a selection of short film reviews in video form! This is where one of the UK Film Review Critics records their review and we upload it to our YouTube channel (as well as TikTok and Meta Reels in some cases). A Place to Fall Down Short Film Review by Chris Olson A short film about coping with loss and grief, film critic Chris Olson gave A Place to Fall Down 4 stars. Watch his video short film review here to here from the man himself about his thoughts and feelings. OK/NOTOK Short Film Review by Patrick Foley In this short film review from Patrick Foley, he gives us his opinion of the brilliant movie OK/NOTOK. Set in a futuristic world where AI robots are available as companions (as long as you can afford the subscription), it's a riveting piece. Betrayed Short Film Review by Chris Buick Film critic Chris Buick offers up a fantastic video short film review for Betrayed. A movie about a girl with special powers who, with the help of her protective father, must elude those who would use her for nefarious means.
- Film Reviews | UK Film Review
Film reviews from some of the biggest movies in UK cinemas. We also review short films, indie films, and documentaries. Find a movie review now. 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 1 out of 5 Return to Silent Hill Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Ovary-Acting Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Magellan Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 The Testament of Ann Lee Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 In Cold Light Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 $13 Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 The Itch Read Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Night Patrol Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Dead Man's Wire Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Resurrection Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Read Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Burt Read 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.
- Film Reviews and Movie Trailers | UK Film Review
Film reviews and movie trailers for new movies, indie cinema and short films.Read a film review or watch a trailer on our website. 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. Get Reviewed On Our Podcast Film Reviews from UK film critics LATEST REVIEWS Solstice average rating is 5 out of 5 Return to Silent Hill average rating is 1 out of 5 Dope Queens average rating is 4 out of 5 Ovary-Acting average rating is 4 out of 5 Magellan average rating is 4 out of 5 The Testament of Ann Lee average rating is 4 out of 5 A Gangster's Life average rating is 4 out of 5 In Cold Light average rating is 3 out of 5 Without Kelly average rating is 4 out of 5 Monkey Drum average rating is 5 out of 5 To Die Alone average rating is 4 out of 5 $13 average rating is 4 out of 5 Featured Film News FILM NEWS The Latest Film Trailers MOVIE TRAILERS Undertone The Moment The Land of Sometimes Avengers: Doomsday Greenland 2: Migration Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up Filmmaker Interviews INTERVIEWS
Blog Posts (5206)
- New Netflix Film March 2026 Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
Netflix Film Feature by Chris Olson Netflix Release Date: March 20th, 2026 There is a specific kind of electricity that hums through the British film industry when a cultural titan prepares to make its final stand. For over a decade, Peaky Blinders has been more than just a television programme; it has been a sartorial movement, a masterclass in atmospheric #cinematography, and a vessel for one of the greatest character studies in modern fiction. As we approach March 2026 , that electricity is reaching a fever pitch. The announcement of the feature-length continuation, titled Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man , feels less like a traditional sequel and more like a long-awaited coronation for Tommy Shelby. The transition from the small screen to the silver screen—albeit via a hybrid theatrical and Netflix release—is a gamble that many franchises have attempted with varying degrees of success. However, with filmmaker Steven Knight once again penning the script and Tom Harper returning to the director’s chair, there is a profound sense that the soul of the Black Country is in safe hands. Set in 1940, the film shifts the narrative into the heart of the Second World War. This is a brilliant, if inevitable, progression. We left Tommy Shelby in 1936, a man who had faked his own death to escape the suffocating walls of his own making. The title, The Immortal Man, carries a heavy irony. Is it a reference to Tommy’s uncanny ability to survive the impossible, or a nod to the fact that the ghost of the Birmingham gangster can never truly rest while the world burns around him? Peaky Blinders Official Teaser Trailer from Netflix The synopsis promises a Tommy Shelby driven back from self-imposed exile. The idea of an older, perhaps even more weary Tommy navigating the chaos of the Blitz is a mouth-watering prospect for any fan of gritty, British drama. Cillian Murphy (read our Oppenheimer review ), fresh from his global accolades, seems to have an unbreakable tether to this character. Seeing him trade the industrial smoke of the 1920s for the falling bombs of the 1940s suggests an epic scale that the television format, despite its high production values, could never quite capture. One cannot discuss this film without highlighting the extraordinary ensemble Knight has assembled. While it is a joy to see familiar faces like Sophie Rundle and Stephen Graham returning to the fray, it is the new additions that truly elevate my expectations. Rebecca Ferguson is an actor of immense poise and mystery, whose role is currently shrouded in secrecy. Barry Keoghan is a personal favourite of mine, ever since his excellent performance in the short film Candy Floss . Tim Roth is a veteran of the genre whose inclusion suggests a level of grit and gravitas that fits the Peaky universe like a well-tailored overcoat. The prospect of Keoghan and Murphy sharing the screen is enough to justify the price of a Netflix subscription alone. Both actors possess an intensity that can be felt through the lens, and seeing how their characters collide in a Birmingham under siege will likely be the film’s highlight. What makes me most excited about The Immortal Man is the promise of closure. Steven Knight has always been vocal about his vision for the Shelby family ending with the sounds of air-raid sirens. By setting this film during the war, he is fulfilling a decade-long promise to the audience. There is a risk, of course. Feature films born from television shows can sometimes feel like "extended episodes" rather than cinematic events. Yet, everything we know about this production—from the shooting locations in Digbeth to the sheer calibre of the talent involved—points toward a standalone epic that will honour its roots while forging a new legacy. As we look toward the release dates—6 March in select cinemas and 20 March on Netflix—we remind ourselves why this story resonates so deeply. It is a story of trauma, ambition, and the inescapable gravity of family. If The Immortal Man can capture even a fraction of the series' original magic while scaling up the stakes for the cinema, we are in for something truly special. The Shelbys are coming home, and for many of us, the wait is almost unbearable. By order of the Peaky Blinders, let us hope it is the masterpiece we deserve.
- New Movies From Disney Releasing 2026
Film Feature by Chris Olson Please note: Release Dates correct as of publication. As we stand on the precipice of another cinematic year, the House of Mouse has unveiled a slate for 2026 that feels remarkably different from the franchise-heavy schedules of recent memory. 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. Send Help U.S Release Date: January 30th, 2026 (no mention of a UK release date yet, for shame!) The year kicks off with a double-bill of tension from 20th Century Studios that suggests Disney is keen to lean back into adult-oriented, genre-driven storytelling. In late January, we are treated to Send Help , a survival thriller that marks a significant return to form for director Sam Raimi. Starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, the film follows two colleagues who find themselves the sole survivors of a plane crash on a deserted island. Knowing Raimi’s penchant for visceral tension and dark wit, this is easily one of my most anticipated starts to the year. Psycho Killer UK Release Date (limited): February 20th, 2026 Closely following in February is Psycho Killer, a project that has been whispered about in horror circles for some time. Directed by Gavin Polone, it presents a gritty investigation as a police officer hunts down "The Satanic Slasher," the man responsible for her husband’s murder. It is encouraging to see Disney-owned studios embracing the darker corners of the genre so early in the calendar. Hoppers UK Release Date: March 6th, 2026 As we move into the spring, Pixar enters the fray with Hoppers in March. This original IP sounds like a wonderfully eccentric departure for the studio. The plot involves a young girl transferring her consciousness into a robotic beaver to infiltrate the animal kingdom and protect it from a real estate developer. With a voice cast featuring Jon Hamm and Bobby Moynihan, it sounds like the kind of imaginative, heart-driven adventure Pixar excels at when they aren't tied to an existing franchise. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come UK Release Date: April 10th, 2026 Speaking of existing franchises, March also sees the return of Samara Weaving in Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. The 2019 original was a masterclass in modern horror-comedy, and the prospect of seeing Grace back in the fray—this time joined by Kathryn Newton and the legendary Sarah Michelle Gellar—is enough to make any genre fan giddy. The Devil Wears Prada 2 UK Release Date: May 1st, 2026 May 2026 looks set to be the month that defines the first half of the year. First, we have the unexpected but utterly welcome The Devil Wears Prada 2. Returning to the cutthroat world of high fashion with Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt is a bold move, but in an era where legacy sequels are king, this feels like a genuine event. Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu UK Release Date: May 22nd, 2026 However, the true box office titan of the spring arrives on May 22nd: The Mandalorian & Grogu. After three seasons of defining the cultural landscape on the small screen, Din Djarin and his tiny apprentice finally make the leap to the cinema. Under the direction of Jon Favreau, this isn't just a Star Wars film; it’s a test of whether the "Mando-verse" can translate its intimate, Western-inspired storytelling into a grand theatrical spectacle. Toy Story 5 UK Release Date: June 19th, 2026 The summer blockbusters continue with a one-two punch of animated and live-action heavyweights. June brings Toy Story 5, a sequel that many (including myself) initially questioned after the poetic ending of the fourth film. Yet, the premise of the toys facing off against a digital threat—electronics and tablets competing for a child's attention—is a stroke of genius that feels incredibly relevant to the modern parent. Moana (Live Action) UK Release Date: July 10th, 2026 In July, the live-action reimagining of Moana arrives. While the animated original still feels fresh in our minds, the casting of Catherine Laga’aia alongside the returning Dwayne Johnson as Maui promises a lush, musical spectacle that will undoubtedly dominate the school holidays. Following this, the cult comedy crowd gets a treat in August with Super Troopers 3: Winter Soldiers. The Broken Lizard team has a unique, irreverent energy that provides a perfect palate cleanser for the summer’s bigger productions. The Dog Stars UK Release Date: August 28th, 2026 As we transition into autumn, the tone shifts toward prestigious, high-stakes drama. Ridley Scott, who seems to have more energy in his eighties than most directors have in their thirties, brings us The Dog Stars in late August. Starring Jacob Elordi and Margaret Qualley, this adaptation of Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel is exactly the kind of gritty, character-focused sci-fi that thrives in Scott’s hands. Whalefall UK Release Date: 16th October, 2016 October offers perhaps the most intriguing premise of the entire year: Whalefall. Directed by Brian Duffield and starring Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin, the film depicts a diver who is swallowed by a sperm whale and has only one hour to escape before his oxygen runs out. It sounds like a claustrophobic nightmare in the best possible way, a high-concept survival story that reminds me of The Martian but with a far more aquatic, terrifying twist. Hexed U.S Release Date: November 25th, 2026 (No UK Release Date as of yet) November sees Disney Animation return to its roots with Hexed, an original musical that looks to be the big family draw for the festive season. While details remain somewhat under wraps, the story of an awkward teen discovering magical powers alongside his mother suggests a blend of contemporary relatability and classic Disney wonder. Avengers: Doomsday UK Release Date: 18th December, 2026 Finally, the year concludes with what is arguably the most significant cinematic event of the decade so far: Avengers: Doomsday. With Robert Downey Jr. returning to the fold—this time as the villainous Doctor Doom—the stakes for the Marvel Cinematic Universe have never been higher. Directed by the Russo Brothers, this is the film that is expected to reshape the MCU and bring back the ensemble magic that made the Infinity Saga so unforgettable. Looking at this 2026 slate, it is clear that Disney is attempting to strike a difficult balance. They are giving us the comfort of Woody, Buzz, and the Avengers, but they are also handing the keys to Sam Raimi, Ridley Scott, and Brian Duffield to tell original, often darker stories. As a critic, I am often wary of the "franchise fatigue" narrative; there is something about this specific line-up that feels revitalising. It isn't just about the brands; it’s about the filmmakers and the variety of genres on display. Whether it’s surviving a plane crash, infiltrating a colony of beavers, or witnessing the return of the world’s most iconic superhero-turned-villain, 2026 at the cinema looks set to be a year of genuine discovery.
- 5 Films In UK Cinemas In the Last Week of January 2026
Film Feature by Chris Olson There is a particular atmosphere that permeates the British cinema landscape during the final week of January. The festive decorations have long since been relegated to the loft, the initial burst of New Year optimism has often been replaced by the biting reality of a UK winter, and we find ourselves in that fascinating crossroads of the cinematic calendar. It is a period where the prestige of the awards season begins to collide with the bold, experimental, and sometimes wonderfully strange offerings of the new year. As we look toward the week commencing 26 January 2026, the schedule is looking remarkably robust, offering a slate that promises to challenge, entertain, and perhaps even provoke a few heated debates in the foyer. Shelter (2026) starring Jason Statham At UK Film Review , we are always looking for those titles that demand to be seen on the largest screen possible, and this upcoming week is no exception. From Shakespearean reimaginings to political biopics and high-concept thrillers, the diversity on display is a testament to the health of the industry. I have been poring over the release schedules, and while I haven’t yet had the pleasure of sitting in the dark with these specific titles (no invites for this guy), the anticipation is palpable. Here are the five films I am most looking forward to as we close out the month. 1. Hamlet UK Release Date: January 26th, 2026 It feels almost reductive to call any version of Hamlet "just another adaptation." Shakespeare’s "The Dane" is the mountain every great actor eventually wants to climb, but the buzz surrounding this 2026 iteration is particularly loud. What has me incredibly excited is the prospect of seeing #RizAhmed tackle the role. Ahmed is an actor of such immense, twitchy energy and profound intellectual depth that he feels tailor-made for the Prince of Denmark. This production, directed by Aneil Karia, reportedly moves away from the stuffy, period-accurate stagings of old and instead leans into a contemporary, urban setting. The idea of Hamlet as a modern psychological thriller, set against the backdrop of a restless, claustrophobic London, is a masterstroke. We have seen many versions of this story, but the combination of Ahmed’s intensity and Karia’s visceral #filmmaking style suggests something that will feel vital and immediate. It isn’t just about the "To be or not to be" monologue; it’s about how that existential dread translates to the 21st century. I suspect this will be the version that a whole new generation of filmgoers points to as their definitive Hamlet. 2. Melania UK Release Date: January 30th, 2026 Biopics of living political figures are always a bit of a tightrope walk. They run the risk of being either too flattering or too dismissive, but Melania looks set to be one of the most talked-about films of the year regardless of where it lands. Shifting the focus away from the chaotic centre of the American political storm and onto the enigmatic figure of Melania Trump is a fascinating narrative choice. The film promises to trace her journey from her origins in Slovenia to the heights of the fashion world and eventually the White House. What intrigues me most is the tone. Will it be a sharp, satirical look at the "American Dream" gone strange, or a more sombre, internal character study of a woman who remains largely a mystery to the public despite being one of the most photographed people on the planet? In an era of extreme political polarisation, a film like Melania is a lightning rod. I am fascinated to see how British audiences react to this story, and whether it can strip away the headlines to find the human being underneath the iconography. 3. Primate UK Release Date: January 28th, 2026 Read our Primate film review If you are looking for something that leans into the darker, more unsettling corners of the genre, Primate may be the one to watch. In her review, Hope Madden said: The film follows Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) home from college. She’s summering with family—dad (Troy Kotsur, CODA), little sister (Gia Hunter), and Ben, the family’s beloved chimpanzee, in their incredibly impressive compound on the side of a cliff in Hawaii. Like any monster movie worth its chlorine, Primate is a survival tale. Quickly, the partiers assess the danger and jump into the pool because chimps can’t swim. Did you know that? I didn’t know it. Is it even true? 4. Shelter UK Release Date: January 30th, 2026 One cannot discuss the final week of January without mentioning Shelter. This film has been on my radar for months, largely due to its intriguing premise and the pedigree of the talent involved. A recluse on a remote Scottish island rescues a girl from the sea, unleashing a perilous sequence of events that culminate in an attack on his home, compelling him to face his turbulent history. 5. Is This Thing On? UK Release Date: January 26th, 2026 Read our Is This Thing On? film review Finally, we have Is This Thing On?, directed by Bradley Cooper. As their marriage unravels, Alex faces middle age and divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene. Meanwhile, his wife Tess confronts sacrifices made for their family, forcing them to navigate co-parenting and identities. As we move toward the end of the month, the sheer range of storytelling on offer in UK cinemas is breathtaking. We have the weight of classical literature in Hamlet, the contemporary intrigue of Melania, the visceral thrills of Primate and Shelter, and the soulful, creative exploration of Is This Thing On?. It is easy to get caught up in the digital world, but there is no substitute for the experience of the cinema—the hushed silence before the film starts, the shared gasps of a crowd, and the long walk to the car or the bus station afterwards, processing what you have just seen. These five films represent why we do what we do at UK Film Review. They represent the diversity of thought and the bravery of filmmakers who are still willing to take risks. I don't know yet which of these will be "film of the month" on the next UK Film Club Podcast, but I do know that the last week of January is going to be a very busy, very rewarding time to be a film lover in the UK.
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- “YOUR MOVE” - REVIEW: Over the Edge, Into the DarknessIn Film Reviews·January 27, 2018There is an apocryphal saying - variously attributed to Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Mark Twain and a host of others - that there are only two stories we tell each other in our literature, our movies, our narrative arts. In the first, a person goes on a journey; in the second, a stranger comes to town. What matters is not which of these stories an artist chooses, but how it’s told, and how it illuminates another corner of the human soul, be it dark or light. With “Your Move” actor/director/writer Luke Goss effectively combines the two in the person of his protagonist, who must go on a journey to save what he loves most in the world, becoming a stranger in the dark underworld of a Mexican town where clues and danger are virtually indistinguishable. Goss - up to now known as an actor’s actor and platinum-selling musician - proves highly adept at this newest iteration of his abilities, guiding what in other hands might be a standard genre story forward with skill and subtlety. By keeping the focus on the inner workings of his characters Goss creates as much nerve-wracking tension with a quiet tableau between two people as he does with an all-out chase scene. Goss plays New York businessman David Miller, a man with a good life and a family he adores. While on a video call with his wife Isabel (Patricia De Leon) and young daughter Savannah (Laura Martin), who are in Mexico visiting Isabel’s parents, David - back home in New York - witnesses a brutal attack on them that ends in an apparent kidnapping. Stuck thousands of miles away and not knowing where to turn, David calls the local NYPD, whose skeptical response only makes him realize how dire his family’s situation actually is. As an actor Goss is deeply likable, exceptionally effective at translating what his characters are feeling, and the terror David experiences at not knowing what has happened to his loved ones is brutal and palpable. In Mexico he meets the cop in charge of the case, Detective Romero (the superb Robert Davi, in a richly nuanced performance). David wants answers, action, anything to make him feel that progress is being made. Romero, a good detective, understands the need to build his case on facts, and while Romero feels for David’s plight, the man is also his worst nightmare - an uncontrolled wild card who could blow the case at a moment’s notice by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Romero’s careful, low-key approach to the investigation seems like dangerous and deadly plodding from David’s point of view, sure to get his wife and daughter killed. On the other side of the coin is Isabel’s father, Señor Barrabas, a wealthy patrón of weight and gravity. Luis Gatica plays Barrabas with a quiet intensity that is at once civilized and menacing. Though he treats David and the detective as equals, he appears to engender fear and respect everywhere else. Accompanied at all times by a suited, hulking - and likely armed - bodyguard, who Goss subtley keeps just at the edge of the frame, Barrabas’ business dealings can only be guessed at. When it appears that he agrees with Romero’s method of handling the case, David panicks and takes matters into his own hands. Though fit and athletic, David has no “special set of skills” with which to make the bad guy’s life hell a’la the uber-hero in “Taken”, relying instead on instinct and sheer persistence, driven by the certain terror that if he doesn’t use every means at his disposal to track his family down, he will never see them again. Agonizing every step of the way over what he must become to get the job done, he isolates himself from both family and the authorities and relies instead on his gut. Goss’s abilities as a visual stylist and storyteller are well-matched to his subject matter and the camerawork is assured, but he doesn’t sacrifice character development for the sake of style. Goss - who also wrote the script - keeps the dialogue spare and measured, making wonderful use of the players’ inner lives to push the narrative and generate emotion. The acting is uniformly superb and the casting and directing are spot-on, with a touching and almost Fellini-esque sensibility, making scenes with even the most secondary characters satisfying and rewarding. The landscape of the human face as a map of the psyche clearly fascinates Goss at the deepest levels, and his painterly use of color, light and shadow add to the suspense and the unfolding story, while allowing the audience their own visual and emotional journey. And though the church is never explicitly mentioned there is a strain of lush religious iconography running through the film, implying religion as a particularly horrifying form of self-justification for the antagonist, played by Alain Mora in a performance that is a revelatory and disturbing portrayal of a man with a terrifying split in his psyche. The film may be billed as a psychological thriller, but the execution and performances defy simple genre categorization. It would appear that “Your Move” marks the auspicious start of yet another successful branch of Goss’s multi-hyphenate career. “Your Move” has its UK premiere on January 27, 2017. Watch the trailer, here: Writer: Kely Lyons - Los Angeles - January 27, 2018361962
- "Crazy Right" movie trailerIn Movie Trailers·March 5, 201824186
- Beauty and the Beast (2017) ReviewIn Film Reviews·November 1, 2017Disney is back with another live-action adaptation of one of their animated films. This time it was up to Beauty and the Beast to be remade and please the audience. But if we look at the final product that the film is, it seems to be that Disney did it more for the money than for the audience. Will the audience end up roaring for the new film or will it just be Disney happily roaring their victory over their audience? I think we all know the answer to that question. Beauty and the Beast is directed by Bill Condon and tells the tale of Belle. Belle (Emma Watson) is a young adult, who loves to read books and dreaming of playing a part in the adventures that are depicted on those pages. But when she leaves her small village to find her missing father (Kevin Kline), she encounters a large castle in which lives a horrifying Beast (Dan Stevens). As Belle stays with the Beast, she learns that true beauty is found within. Right from the beginning, the film wants to make very clear what kind of a jerk the Beast was before he came a Beast. Just like in the original animated film, where they spend a short monologue on the case. However, in this live-action adaptation they take more then a few minutes to make it clear that the Beast is a jerk. The problem is not that it is not well done, because making the Beast look arrogant is something the movie does is quite well, but the problem is that right from the beginning one of our main characters is an unlikeable prick, which creates a situation wherein you cannot root for the Beast to become normal again. You want him to stay a Beast, because that’s what he honestly deserves to be. He acts like a Beast for the first two acts of the movie. Then the filmmakers remembered that the Beast also must become a human at the end, so they quickly shoved moments in the movie trying to make the Beast look less like a prick and more like an misunderstood young adult. In the original animated film, the Beast had a compelling arc. In this film he does have an arc, but it’s not compelling because the Beast is arrogant throughout most of the film and acts like a prick to everyone around him. The arc is also rushed to the point that it makes you care even less for the Beast. Do you want examples of how much of a prick the Beast is? Well, the Beast doesn’t even give Belle a minute to say goodbye to her father, the Beast keeps correcting and interrupting Belle, the Beast wouldn’t give Belle a room, the Beast forces Belle to eat with him and lets her starve when she says she won’t eat with him etc. The thing with this movie is that they like to exaggerate everything the original did, to the point that this movie feels more like a dark cartoon then the original did.The scriptwriters Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos also try to add new story elements to the script. There is a new back-story how both Belle and the Beast lost their mothers and it adds nothing new to the story. The scriptwriters probably did this trying to make the Beast, after first writing him as such an unlikable character, look more sympathetic and to give Belle an arc. Only thing is that the new back-story doesn’t make Beast look more sympathetic, he still comes across, as a bitter young adult and Belle never gets a conclusion to her arc. Her mother died when she was just a baby. Belle never knew her mother and this has had a great impact on her. However when she finally finds out, what happened to her mother, the subplot is quickly moved aside to continue the main story. Her arc is never resolved or even started to be honest. It just a waste of time. The script also tries to give Belle more personality. They did this by making her amazing in everything. She is good in reading, good with children, good in teaching, good in inventing, good in drawing, good in taming wild beasts (get it?). However, as expected, being good in everything doesn’t count as a trademark for a character. She isn’t Leonardo Da Vinci. Belle is a dreamer, who gets inspired by the books she reads. Belle is intellectual. Indeed. But in this movie they exaggerated her intelligence to the point that this Belle feels more like a cartoon character then her animated counterpart. There are also some continuity errors. Belle on Phillipe, the horse, move like the Flash when needed. Belle just arrives shortly after the villagers arrive at the castle, while the villagers had a big head start. The sound effects are also sometimes off in the final battle. Oh right, forgot. To please the immature and the children, the movie also includes butt and poop jokes. Yeah! There is also a mystery subplot for the character Agathe, which turns out to be the witch that cursed the Beast. This is so poorly done and unnecessary. She just comes and goes when the story needs her to come an go. And her importance to the story is never explained. Which leaves another unsolved subplot.The CGI in this film is, in contrary to the beautiful The Jungle Book, more creepy than fantasy provoking. Nobody wants to see a CGI teapot smiling. They created some nice nightmare related visuals for the younger kids. Can’t wait to see this on a childhood trauma list.Not everything is bad though. The acting is on point. Especially Gaston is likeable, which feels weird because he’s supposed to be villain of the film. Well don’t worry, because for this first half of the film Gaston comes across as a normal, somewhat dimwitted, individual, but in the second half, he leaves Maurice for the wolves stuck at a tree. Something the animated Gaston would probably also be able to do. The Gaston song is also very amusing. Their is actually an illiterate joke in their that works. The song also contains one exciting, maybe little expectable, but still amusing shot. In the end, Beauty and the Beast, is another Disney remake that is poorly executed and is solely done for the money. This movie in particular felt more like a cash grab than the other Disney movies. That is probably because the effect of the original is still untouched by other Disney movies. It is the only animated movie to be nominated for best picture. It is one of the most well known Disney movies. These were the reasons for which Disney thought that their live-action version could earn some big money. Sadly, it did. Overall, it’s not a complete failure. There are some genuine emotional moments. Some new interesting ideas, that all don’t workout however. And sometimes a joke works. But in the end, the movie is still pretty bad, mostly thanks to the poor script.15178
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