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HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Microwave Minute Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Feb 15, 2024 Directed by: Harvey Gardner, Arthur Johnson Written by: Arthur Johnson, Harvey Gardner, Michael McGurk Starring: Mackenzie Paterson, It’s no secret that in this current era there is a crisis of masculinity, and concurrently, in a way that is very linked, an epidemic of male loneliness. There is, at least ostensibly, a lack of male role models exhibiting those traits that are considered traditionally masculine, and as our definitions of masculinity are changing at a slower rate, this has left a vacuum of those that fit into both the aforementioned categories. As a result, a growing number of men are isolated, experiencing a loneliness that leads to indoctrination into violence and other hateful ideologies, as shown, rather tactfully, by ‘Microwave Minute’ Directed by Harvey Gardner and Arthur Johnson, ‘Microwave Minute’ begins with Michael McGurk’s character, named Mike, introducing himself at the start of a video, with the opening ‘Hey lone wolves, welcome back to Mike’s Microwave Minute Morsels’. Mike is a fairly charismatic content creator, specialising in baked goods, teaching his viewers how to make cookies in the microwave in just one minute. Mike’s video is interspersed with a series of unnerving closeups of another man, Charlie played by Mackenzie Paterson, pigging out on the sofa as he watches and follows Mike’s video, reciting it word for word. Charlie’s loneliness has become an obsession with Mike’s Microwave Minute Morsels, to the point where, in a chilling, uncanny scene, Charlie himself becomes the presenter of Charlie’s Microwave Minute Morsels. His show has a more sinister, aggressive edge, with a slightly crazed side to it. He nods at his imaginary audience as he says ‘I love you guys’, words which, steeped in loneliness, he longs to say, but has nobody to say it too. Charlie has been lulled by Mike’s video address to ‘lone wolves’, and being such a ‘lone wolf’ himself, has become obsessive over this man whom he feels that he can relate to. Harvey Gardner and Arthur Johnson direct the film effectively, with the close up shots early on establishing a critical sense of unease that is sustained throughout in the eerie, uncanny set of Charlie’s video, in which the lights are a little too harsh, and the set a little too clean, contrasted with the dank, messy room in which Charlie really lives. Charlie is a lonely man, who has found somebody he finds relatable, and maybe even inspiring, yet, due to his loneliness and tattered mental state he has become obsessive over Mike. Johnson and Gardner penned the script for the film alongside one of its stars Michael McGurk, and the screenplay subtly creates these sinister undertones which make the conclusion of ‘Microwave Minute’ all the more shocking and alarming. McGurk is solid as the charismatic Mike, but Mackenzie Paterson gives an excellent performance leading as Charlie, particularly in the faux video (which we can assume occurs within his head). He is unnerving through the exaggerations in his voice, and his evidently deceptive smile, behind which rests only contempt and anger at the world. ‘Microwave Minute’ is an enthralling short film, unnerving in all the right ways and with a potent examination on male loneliness. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Las Nogas Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Nov 5, 2023 Directed by: Catya Plate Written by: Catya Plate, Joe Bratcher Starring: Clarissa Jacobson, Misty Lee, Alessandra Levy, John McBride, Phil Miler It is a post-apocalyptic world and there is trouble during an important operation which requires the help of an expert. A stop-motion animated film with bizarre characters and an effort to save the world. The story takes place in a future where humans have put an end to their own existence due to their constant destruction of the environment and animals (and insects) are the ones left to try and maintain life on Earth. The characters are anthropomorphised (apart from the human characters), wearing clothing, speaking and using machinery. A female potion expert named Alma, whose appearance resembles a turkey, receives a frantic letter from Hitch, a nearby scientist who has a similar appearance. The scientist informs her that the large device that is supposed to create rain has failed due to the humanlike entities who are referred to as 'Homeys', whose blood is utilised in order to create rain. Alma must quickly find a way to resolve the situation and save everyone. The messages of this short are obvious and important. It is the third and final installment in an short animated trilogy that concerns global warming and this apparent in the story. With a plot that involves a race-against-the-clock-to-prevent-a-disaster scenario, the film touches on themes that involve the consequences of damaging the environemnt such as illness, allergy and the lack of that substance that is so important to life: water. Although it is an animated film, it is a rather serious one due to the subject matter and some scenes are upsetting, such as the Homies becoming ill and having their blood inserted into a vast machine via tubes. Therefore, it should be mentioned that it probably wouldn't be appropriate for young children, instead more mature viewers who understand important environmental issues. The story itself is dark as it is set in a world where humanity has destroyed itself, and the remains of humans were harvested in order to create the Homeys. Moving to the visuals now, the stop-motion and claymstion is impressive. The characters themselves are basically puppets and although they look like what they are supposed to be, the creativity that was applied to them is not The Nightmare Before Christmas standards and it is unclear whether that was intentional. They just do not look appealing. The characters include the two birds mentioned above, a beaver as a climatologist, humanlike bees (rather big ones actually) and the Homeys ones, some of which have two faces. The surroundings gives the impression of a place that is suffering from the effects of environmental catastrophies, as the place looks like a desert. Was it mentioned that this short is also a musical? It is to an extent as it does include two amusing numbers in its twenty-minute duration and Antoni Mairate deserves credit for the entertaining and dramatic score. This short was clearly not made with the main intention to amuse people, but rather to raise awareness of the damage that is being done to Earth by people's inconsiderate actions. With this in mind, it is a viewing that should be recognised significantly. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film, Animation < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Strange Acts of Love Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Nov 28, 2023 Directed by: Masashi Yamamoto Written by: Masashi Yamamoto Starring: Masashi Yamamoto Masashi Yamamoto’s signature experimental stylings are committed towards the concept of finding ‘the one’ in Strange Acts of Love, an irreverent animated short made up of quick segments populated by a colourful cast of characters. The film showcases Yamamoto’s typically honest and eccentric humour and imaginings of life, love, heartbreak and happiness. Amongst the segments are two morph-like figures examining a microwaved heart, a couple’s relationship literally making them float, a particularly happy pair of giraffes and more. Each segment lasts seconds at most, but features a unique take on the dynamics of relationships. The art and animation is vibrant, unconventional and immediately engaging. With no dialogue and minimal sound effects, the visuals are the primary method of storytelling, and the level of detail and imagination packed into the short runtime means that each mini-story will leave an impression with the viewer. Despite the childlike art-style, the animation itself is certainly not for the kids and Yamamoto is not above getting vulgar at times to explore realistic, uncomfortable and ugly truths about love. Not every viewer will relate or appreciate every section, but the creator’s daring approach to his work is admirable regardless. The film does seem to lack an overall theme or message, and prefers instead to allow each of its smaller parts to exist on their own – linked instead by their style and larger overall focus. Audience members will be forgiven if they question just what the film’s real point is, but the point might be more that there is no point to begin with. Yamamoto’s work is more dreamlike, drifting in and out of various interpretations and ruminations without the constriction of a defined plot. It’s certainly not going to be to everyone’s taste, and the film does feel more made for committed fans of the filmmaker’s work or for specific presentation settings than for the general viewing experience. Whilst bold and boundless, the ultimate point of much of the short segments are also left to the viewer’s own receipt. Again, some are likely to question the point, but one’s own response to what they are presented with is perhaps the most interesting element of the film – and no viewer’s experience is likely to be the exact same. Strange Acts of Love requires an open mind to get the most out of. Visually striking and impressive is standard for Masashi Yamamoto – it is the emotional and intellectual response that the director is looking to stimulate that is the film’s real aim. It’s not the most effective short to engage these such questions with such a minimal plot, but more of its shorts than not will illicit a reaction. About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film, World Cinema, Animation < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS River Road Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Olson | Posted on: Aug 3, 2022 Directed by: Rob Willey Written by: Rob Willey Starring: Cody Kearsley, Lexi Redman, Steven Roberts, Primo Allon, Sunee Dhaliwal, Aaron Pearl, Melanie Rose Wilson Out on Apple TV, filmmaker Rob Willey’s feature film River Road is a gritty and enthralling love story about a successful musician and songwriter called Travis (Cody Kearsley) whose life is changed when he meets the suspiciously free-spirited Zoe (Lexi Redman) and the two embark on a chaotic and increasingly volatile journey through drug use and the criminal underworld. Having just returned from a music tour, Travis is looking to chill in his relaxed home by the water - on River Road - and avoid all the shenanigans that come from being on the road as a handsome guitarist in a successful band (queue the montage of partying, cubicle oral sex, and sweaty gigs). When he rocks up to write some meaningful song lyrics whilst overlooking the gorgeous view of the river, he bumps into Zoe and the two immediately have chemistry. This chemistry, somewhat ironically, turns into heroin use and the pair quickly find themselves on the slippery slope of dependency, that in turn leads them to petty crime and soon they are engulfed by a deplorable world of baddies with little hope for escape. With what seems like a fairly familiar story, Willey manages to deliver something heartfelt and compelling that is glued together by the central romance. The connection between these two characters is palpable, leaving the viewer in no doubt of their pulsing emotions for each other, which is cemented by two excellent performances by Cody Kearsley and Lexi Redman. The juxtaposing themes of romance, crime, action all work well together and Willey seems adept at ensuring this gritty piece always feels appealing. There were two elements which didn’t work for me, firstly, the use of past-tense storytelling. As an audience we are quickly aware that Travis is telling this story to someone - this removes a lot of the threat from the storyline which includes plenty of life-threatening situations. Secondly, the minor elements of comedy - told largely through a larger-than-life “dodgy” character who Travis turns to for a section in the film really didn’t land for me. There was a whole section about what women say in bed these days that I couldn’t believe made the final cut. That being said, River Road has so much appeal as an engaging, thrilling film that these minor criticisms are quickly forgotten, especially when you factor in the stylish filmmaking (drone shots, car chases etc) and excellent score. Films about drug dependency can often be inherently emotive (Beautiful Boy, A Street Cat Named Bob) and with River Road, Willey is intelligent in his use of this as a device, coupling it with enough sincere romance that the audience is never overburdened with the soul-robbing substance-abuse scenes. Instead, we get a subtle blend of dramatic themes and intriguing plot lines that veer into other genres smartly, keeping the audience on their toes and engaged throughout. Watch the official River Road trailer here . About the Film Critic Chris Olson Digital Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Making Peace Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Jul 12, 2022 Directed by: Judah Ray Written by: Judah Ray Starring: Kourtney George, Nathaniel Buzolic, Dante Basco The multi-faceted Norwegian polar explorer and diplomat, who was also a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, once said ‘I demolish my bridges behind me… then there is no choice but to move forward’. That’s the message which opens ‘Making Peace’ - it has very little to do with the actual plot. Set in 1969 - still amid the civil rights movement and when racism in America was an even bigger problem than it is today - a woman, Janis (Kourtney George) is driving down a deserted desert highway when her VW camper van breaks down. Fortunately enough, a car pops up out of nowhere driven by the seemingly amiable Dennis (Nathaniel Buzolic) who pulls over to pick her up. Inexplicably, Janis decides it would be a smart idea to hold the man at gunpoint and force him to drive, rather than, you know, accepting the offer of a free ride. Illogical decisions like this are common throughout ‘Making Peace’, particularly regarding Janis’ character. The two begin their road trip, a long journey, and Janis continues to threaten and act aggressively towards Dennis even though he has only helped her so far. Her only apparent reason for her hostility is the fact that he’s wearing a military uniform, having been off serving his country in Vietnam. Forgive me if my history is a little rusty, but were the soldiers who fought in Nam hated to such an extent. I was under the impression that, especially at the time, they were much revered by their fellow Americans back home. Strange. Naturally, Janis has a deep and disturbing past which explains her aggression - a cop-out decision to attempt to justify her antagonism, made when scriptwriter Judah Ray realised his protagonist was extremely unlikeable. There are also a few fake-out deaths, plenty of plot twists, and some painfully awry lines of dialogue in a script which doesn’t at all match the high standard of Ray’s direction. The difference between the two is night and day, whilst the script is indescribably awful, the direction is surprisingly effective. The use of colour and lighting makes up for the fact that it neither looks nor feels like 1969, whilst some creative shots keep it inventive and help to restore a little bit of sympathy with Janis. The actors, bless them, do their best with the script, and Kourtney George and Nathaniel Buzolic have good chemistry together, however, even they are languishing at times in the depths of bad dialogue. Perhaps the largest issue with ‘Making Peace’ is the aura of white saviour (there’s literally an evangelical glow around Dennis) which surrounds the entire plot. Janis is in a very confused and desperate mental state, it is Dennis, who is only treated by her with unkindness, who selflessly helps her out of that hole. This aura grows in significance when you consider the period of 1969 - as I said earlier, a period of immense racism. The script makes barely a reference to the issues faced by black people in the 1960s, in fact, it is Dennis who preaches that Janis has had it easy and that he’s grown up living a tough life. Now, that may be true, however, to completely discount Janis’ experience by not referring to the period’s racial tension feels disrespectful, to say the least. There’s solace to be taken in the little things that ‘Making Peace’ does well - the acting and direction mainly - however, the botched script and overriding ignorance regarding the period means that this critic cannot make peace with the film. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Luca Trailer Watch the Luca trailer, the newest Disney Pixar film to be released in 2021 (hopefully). If you enjoyed the Luca trailer, be sure to let us know on social @UKFilmReview as well as check out our website for more film trailers like this. The Bezonians Official Trailer Greeks take on geezers in The Bezonians, a satirical Brit gangster thriller that gets its UK debut on DVD and digital this May from 101 Films. Streamline Dive into Streamline, an emotionally rich coming-of-age-film, and a supremely impressive directorial debut from Tyson Wade Johnston, who also penned the piece. This gritty and gripping feature is produced by Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe and stars Hollywood favourite Brit actor Jason Isaacs (The Harry Potter Franchise, Mass) is now set to wow UK audiences with its digital release on 11 April from 101 Films. Spears Watch the trailer for the indie film Spears, by filmmaker Gerard Lough. For more of the latest film trailers visit UK Film Review. First Date Check out the trailer for 101 Films' First Date. Help Official Trailer Help from filmmaker Blake Ridder releases official trailer. Watch the trailer for Help from filmmaker Blake Ridder. The Bad Guys Official Trailer DreamWorks launch official trailer for The Bad Guys. Nobody has ever failed so hard at trying to be good as The Bad Guys. Across the Spider-Verse Part One Trailer Following the huge success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, this trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Part One comes as no surprise but is certainly welcome. A Christmas Number One Official Trailer A Sky Original, A Christmas Number One is produced by Sky, Genesius Pictures, Lupus Films and Space Age Films. It will be available on Sky Cinema and streaming service NOW from 10 December. Spider-Man: No Way Home Official Trailer Currently slated for a UK release of December 15th, Spider-Man fans across the world were rocked with this official trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Eternals Final Trailer Directed by Chloé Zhao, the saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilizations. Moonfall Official Trailer Directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, and John Bradley, Moonfall is currently scheduled for a cinematic release in the UK in February 2022. Uncharted Official Trailer From Sony Pictures UK, check out the official first trailer for the highly-anticipated UNCHARTED, based on the hugely popular video game franchise of the same name. The Real Charlie Chaplin Official Trailer The Real Charlie Chaplin is an Archer’s Mark, Passion Pictures and Smaller Biggie production, in association with Ventureland and Fee Fie Foe. Belfast Official Trailer 2 From lauded director Kenneth Branagh, and starring an acclaimed ensemble cast, Belfast is a personal and joyful story about the power of memory, set in late 1960s Northern Ireland. The Batman Main Trailer Currently expected for a March 2022 release, The Batman (2022) starring Robert Pattinson is one of the most anticipated films of next year. Warner Bros dropped The Batman Main Trailer and DC fans have gone crazy with excitement. Resident Evil - Welcome to Raccoon City - Official Trailer The official first trailer and poster for RESIDENT EVIL: WELCOME TO RACCOON CITY, the much-anticipated action horror based on the iconic videogame franchise, coming to cinemas 3 December. The Turn of the Screw Official Teaser Trailer Danny Arthur attacks in a prison officer in the hope to get moved off the wing, he has just joined Ambrose Cook in his cell, a black inmate who is waiting for his parole in a couple of months. The Beatles and India Trailer Now a new, award-winning feature documentary The Beatles and India from Silva Screen Productions and Renoir Pictures explores the lasting legacy from their ground-breaking visit to Rishikesh. Britney Vs Spears Trailer The world knows Britney Spears: performer, artist, icon. But in the last few years, her name has been publicly tied to another, more mysterious term: conservatorship. Britney vs Spears tells the explosive story of Britney’s life and her public and private search for freedom. A Boy Called Christmas Trailer In A Boy Called Christmas, an ordinary young boy called Nikolas sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm.

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Letter Men Film Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Critic: Amber Jackson | Posted on: Oct 26, 2022 Directed by: Andrew Vallentine Written by: Andrew Vallentine Starring: Garrett Clayton and Matthew Postlethwaite “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all our letters could be published in the future in a more enlightened time … Then all the world could see how in love we are.” - Gordon Bowsher The Letter Men is a heart-breaking, yet beautiful, short film commemorating a powerful love story between two men during The Second World War. Gordon Bowsher and Gilbert Bradley fell in love in England just before the outbreak of war and, like many other couples, had to deal with the hardships and consequences of conflict. Except, unlike most, the two men had to keep their love and sadness about being apart a secret. That is until hundreds of Gordon’s surviving letters to Gilbert were rediscovered after he passed away in 2008 and so this film commemorates his words as both men are thrust into battles both at home and overseas. So why have we not heard stories like these? Andrew Vallentine’s film explains how surviving records of queer relationships are rare. Most letters were destroyed or hidden by individuals out of a fear of being discovered to be queer at the time. Not least because homosexuality was illegal in the UK until 1967 and being openly gay in the armed services was not permitted until 2000. The consequences of having a relationship would have been very public and terrifying for queer people, yet The Letter Men provides more positive and heart-warming confirmation of queer love being celebrated and cherished by these two men. Despite navigating their love in a painful time and being unable to acknowledge their feelings to anyone else, the tone of Gordon’s letters inspires hope and a life in the future worth living and fighting for. This is a beautifully filmed and crafted short exploring the first turbulent and passionate year of Gordon and Gilbert’s relationship. It captures the boggy brutal environment of the trenches, paired with the fearsome London Underground acting as a makeshift bunker whilst explosions rain all around both men fighting to survive. This harshness contrasts with sweeter moments where the viewer is permitted to see glimpses of Gordon and Gilbert’s lives together. The gorgeousness of their home, the sereneness of the sea where they first met and the bliss that comes with it is very emotive and a really rare example of taking a sombre theme and creating something happy with it. Vallentine has exquisitely captured Gordon and Gilbert’s love and joy in being together and depicts a very rare uplifting ending. It is moving to consider how, despite so much more work needing to be done, society has changed and progressed with regards to LGBTQ+ rights and equality since that time. Gordon’s letters are so self-aware with regards to his love for Gilbert, as well as the society that they both exist in. Amongst the battles and the brutality of their life in wartime, all they can do is look forward to better and warmer times. What a beautiful legacy. A deeply romantic and powerful true story, The Letter Men is a fantastic period piece to see on screen. Gordon’s words are raw and honest because they are real and Vallentine has brought them back to life in a sensitive and powerful way. Having premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in June 2022, it is exciting to see where this film goes next. About the Film Critic Amber Jackson Short Film, LGBTQ+ < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Unknown Caller Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Apr 21, 2023 Directed by: Funmi Adetola Written by: Funmi Adetola Starring: Emmanuel Trier, Funmi Adetola, Rick Caines The writer-director Funmi Adetola loves to address everyday problems in the professional as well as personal spaces people go through. He focuses on developing a character driven narrative to increase audience engagement with the content through the male protagonist Keon (Emmanuel Trier). The plot of the short film revolves around Keon a bright young black man whose anger has slowly grown due to microaggressions from seemingly everyone and is given a dangerous offer from an unknown caller. In the opening sequence of Unknown Caller, Camera tracks the day-to-day routine of Keon to establish his relationship with his co-workers during the Internship and also helps to provide depth into the subject matter of the film. A series of long shots, mid-shots, and closeup shots are utilised to showcase some gestures of Keon that evoke a sense of mystery in minds of the viewers so that they want to know more about the same. The font size of Graphix the company Keon works for can represent the dominance, and arrogance visible in their behaviour with him. The colour pallet, set design, lighting, dialogues, costume, hair, and makeup has been kept simple as well as subtle to complement the key messages Unknown Caller attempts to communicate to make it relatable allowing the audience to learn lessons essential to overall growth in life. In terms of performance, Emmanuel Trier plays the role of Keon who knows his work perfectly but still gets discriminated against and verbally abused by his colleagues. Emmanuel understands the nuances of his character and depicts it through body language, voice modulation, facial expressions, and eyes all through the changing scenarios in the script. The chemistry between him and his co-stars works perfectly to uplift the mood building up the suspense as the short film reaches the climax of the dramatic piece. Funmi Adetola plays the unknown caller who wants to set things right for Keon by adopting the wrong method to end the intern’s problem. Adetola utilises his voice to bring in a sense of fear when he starts killing people. Adetola portrays it so well that the character stays with the audience even after finishing the film. Unknown Caller talks about racism that still exists and the act of discrimination should be completely eradicated from the society or workplace if one does not want to suffer from mental health issues. The short film reiterates that having conversations or letting any stranger into someone’s life through any medium like social media etc can be detrimental to the well-being of self, loved ones, and people around. The thriller movie highlights that though the right to expression is given to everyone, we should be extra careful when it comes to using the same. The cinematic piece restates that respect is something that every employee in the company deserves irrespective of the type of work or the hours he has been putting in contributing to the success of the office. The creative piece tells us that problems in life always exist and we need to deal with them but compromising with the conscience and peace of mind to do so shouldn’t be an option. About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Live Health Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: May 2, 2022 Directed by: Jamie Cox, Timothy J. Cox Written by: Timothy J. Cox Starring: Timothy J. Cox, Nancy Kellogg Gray, Matthew Harris, Becca Robinson, Bob Rutan, Heidi Swarthout The pandemic was, and still is, hard for all of us. We spent nearly a year shut up inside, away from friends and family, not allowed to see the people we loved. We missed the general flow of day to day life, we missed eating out at restaurants, we missed going to the cinema. For better or worse, we also missed going into the office. Dr. Peter Marcus (Timothy J. Cox) is a therapist, struggling through his series of zoom calls to patients and clients just like the rest of us. Just like the rest of us he has good moments and he has bad moments. You can tell the pressure of being helplessly cooped up indoors is getting to him. ‘Live Health’ does a good job of presenting Dr. Marcus as a human character, but becomes stale early on and stays that way due to its uncompromising nature. It gets to the stage, after three different - all bland - virtual sessions, that you don’t care for the fourth, which is the important one that we’re supposed to care about. The film is steadfastly committed to giving each patient ample screen time to air their problems, which is detrimental to the pacing, which is sometimes slow and laborious - not what you want from a nine minute short. That’s not to say that the problems of the first three characters are trivial - they’re not by any stretch of the imagination - but they don’t unlock Dr Marcus in any shape or form, which means that by the fourth patient, he’s still a blank canvas. So when the fourth patient, Lincoln (Bob Rutan) appears, he’s left with far too much to paint in too short a time, and the end result is patchy. To its credit, ‘Live Health’ does have a lot to say about mental health, and it gets most of it across cleanly, but again too much is left to the fourth patient. Notice, how I’m not saying final - there’s one more to remind us that anyone can struggle with their mental health, no matter how they come across. As well as starring, Timothy J.Cox wrote and directed the film alongside husband Jamie Cox, and they handle the camera well. Films revolving around zoom calls or the internet in general, never tend to come off cleanly and they certainly never look particularly aesthetically pleasing, but for what it is ‘Live Health’ does a competent job. Cox, and all the other actors, fare well, especially when you consider that all of the dialogue was improvised. It certainly doesn’t come off that way and is credit to the quick thinking of Nancy Kellogg Gray, Matthew Harris, Becca Robinson and Bob Rutan who all present their characters issues in a clear, well thought out manner. ‘Live Health’ lacks a spark to bring its human characters to life, suffering from pacing issues (which is worrying in a film of its length) and an overall lack of anything special. The cast and crew do well, but the film ultimately suffers from the single-minded nature of its approach, so intent to tell a story that it forgets to explore characters until its too late. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Last Conception Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Sep 26, 2021 Directed by: Gabriela Ledesma Written by: Gabriel Constans Starring: Nazanin Mandi, Callie Schuttera, Matt Richards, Veena Bidasha, Marshall Manesh The fact that a young Indian-American woman is attracted to other women creates complications for her family. Savarna Sikand (Mandi) works as an embryologist at an IVF clinic and is in a happy relationship with university student Charley (Schuttera). When she decides to tell the news to her family, initially they are surprised but eventually they accept the facts. However, things change when it is discovered that the Sikand family are Buddhists and are actually direct descendants of Buddha, meaning that it is up to Savarna to maintain that honour by having a child. This causes her to get stuck in a dilemma between honouring her family and following her own wishes. This lighthearted romantic comedy is based on a book by Constans, who also wrote the screenplay. It deals with family values, relationships, friendships, the idea of supporting one another, self-discovery and religion. There is clever humour, well-written characters and the plot is intriguing. It is entertaining watching how the protagonists react to situations and attempt to find solutions and it does have sentimental scenes as well. The story deals a lot with Buddhism and there are plenty of elements related to that religion to be seen, including monks wearing traditional clothing and engaging in relevant religious activities such as meditation and praying. There are also scenes that take place in Buddhist temples, filled with statues and decorations. The film also provides an insight into Indian traditions and includes characters wearing traditional clothing. The acting is fine with Mandi leads the film well as an intelligent individual who wants the best solution to her problems. Richards is amusing and emotional with his presence as a cheerful guy who always looks at the bright side of things. The actors who play members of Savarna's family portray caring people. Regarding the soundtrack, it contains conventional Indian music, that develops a feeling that this movie is about Indian people. There is also a comical score that accompanies the comedic scenes effectively. Ledesma does a great job as director and creates wonderful establishing shots of buildings and neighbourhoods. This comedy is a character study and a decent viewing. Well acted with a story that is interesting to follow, it manages to provide a fair amount of amusement. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Do Not Touch Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Mar 2, 2023 Directed by: Harrison Newman, James Newman Written by: James Newman Starring: Seann Walsh, Sofia Engstrand, Charlotte Hamblin A man's life spirals out of control, following a one-night stand. Ben (Walsh) has made a mistake. He slept with Claudia (Engstrand), who happens to be an artist and after they have intercourse, she takes a picture of him lying in bed and keeps the condom. A couple of days later, Ben watches television and finds out that Claudia has been banned from a gallery due to the explicit nature of one of her pieces. That piece consists of a canopy bed, onto which photographs and names of her various lovers have been glued, along with the condom that was used for each occasion. Ben's photo and name are included and in a couple of days he is planning to visit that gallery, along with his partner. Now Ben is desperate to find a way to stop Claudia's work from ruining his life. This short adult comedy is quite an experience and it focuses on a guy who has found himself in quite an awkward situation and follows the mental breakdown he goes through and his attempts to get himself out of potential trouble. Beginning with a shot that zooms in towards a house, while the sounds of intercourse are heard, it is clear that this is going to be a wacky experience. And generally, the plot is quite madcap: a man trying to remove a picture of himself from an object covered with photos of men and used condoms. As the protagonist, Walsh is rather amusing as an adulterer whose cheating has gotten him into an embarrassing situation that might destroy his life and Walsh's performance succeeds at being panicked and desperate. The filmmakers utilise all sorts of interesting techniques that work well largely thanks to Oswald Schuman's editing. There are two creative montages that between them contain fast cutting, close-ups and fish-eye lens techniques. Director of photography Oscar Read develops great cinematography which includes brief use of black-and-white. Large pink letters are used to announce the day of the week, revealing that the story takes place over the course of several days. Regarding the audio, there are some sequences that contain overlapping voices and others where the diegetic sounds disappear and only non-diegetic music is heard, which includes the sound of drums. The addition of Gymnopedie No.1 by Erik Satie was an interesting choice. This short tells an outrageous and funny story about adultery, art and consequences. The adult humour might not be to everyone's taste, however for those who enjoy adult comedies, this is an experience that will not disappoint. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Ayten Amin’s SOUAD in UK & Ireland cinemas on 27 August 2021 Chris Olson Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 10:45:13 AM UTC BFI Distribution will release Egyptian director Ayten Amin’s SOUAD in UK & Ireland cinemas on 27 August 2021 BFI Distribution announces the release of new feature film SOUAD in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 27 August. This fresh, contemporary drama set in Egypt, with a young female cast and focus, is directed by Egyptian filmmaker Ayten Amin – her second feature. SOUAD was a Cannes 2020 Official Selection film and was selected for the 2021 Berlin Film Festival. It has its physical World Premiere in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival, New York City, on 12 June. Souad (Bassant Ahmed) is a 19-year-old who lives with her younger sister Rabab (Basmala Elghaiesh) in Zagazig, a small city on Egypt’s Nile Delta. Souad leads a double life; while appearing conservative and wearing her veil among her family and in public, she is obsessed with her image on social media and addicted to her phone. She has secret virtual relationships with men and lies both on and offline about her dull and dutiful reality as she imagines a different kind of life with her ‘boyfriend’ Ahmed (Hussein Ghanem). As Souad’s actual life comes increasingly into conflict with her digital one, she struggles as her ambitions are slowly crushed, until tragedy strikes. Featuring astonishing performances from a cast of non-professionals and shot verité-style, largely on location in Zagazig and Alexandria, the film acutely examines the contradictions of teenage life in modern Egypt and the challenges of combining traditional values with the fake world on social media. SOUAD will be the flagship film in BFI Southbank’s September season, The Time is New: Selections from Contemporary Arab Cinema. Curated by Cairo-based Zawya, Egypt’s leading arthouse cinema and distributor, the season will introduce new works and important Arab filmmaker voices to the UK, including a large number of female directors. Zawya’s Youssef Shazli and Alia Ayman are programming films that show the lyricism, humanity and poetry of everyday Arab life. Prior to the UK-wide release, SOUAD will have its UK premiere on 1 July as the opening film of the SAFAR Film Festival, taking place in London and online from 1-17 July and showcasing both contemporary and classic cinema from the Arab world. Ayten Amin’s first short film, HER MAN, was selected for the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival, and subsequently won several national awards. In 2013, her debut feature VILLA 69, received the Special Jury Award for Arab Film at Abu Dhabi Film. She co-directed the documentary TAHRIR 2011: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE POLITICIAN that was selected for the Venice International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and in 2012 was nominated for a Cinema for Peace award, in the documentary category. In 2019 she directed 20 episodes of the hit drama “Saabe’ Gaar” (The Seventh Neighbor), a 70-episode Egyptian TV series. SOUAD is directed by Ayten Amin and co-written by Mahmoud Ezzat and Ayten Amin. It is an Egyptian-Tunisian-German co-production, produced by Egyptian producer Sameh Awad for Vivid Reels, marking his production debut. Co-producers include Wim Wenders, under his Road Movies banner, Tunisia’s Dora Bouchoucha at Nomadis Images and Egyptian partners Mohamed Hefzy for Cairo-based Film Clinic and Mark Lotfy at Alexandria-based Fig Leaf Studios. The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. 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