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HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Stop Making This Hurt Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Dec 13, 2022 Directed by: Susie Kimnell Written by: Susie Kimnell Starring: Joe Swift, Beth Collins, Alexander Jeremy, Elisha Mistretta A man meets his former partner in a restaurant and they discuss the past. A man (Swift) is sitting at a restaurant table by himself. Closing time is approaching and the place is quiet and a bit darkened. Eventually, he is joined by a woman (Collins), with whom he used to have a relationship. The two of them have a conversation and it becomes apparent that things between them ended up badly. The man attempts to apologise and make things better, however, it becomes evident that he did something terrible. This dark short film begins as a drama about a broken relationship and as the story progresses and more and more clues are brought to light, things move towards thriller territory. The main element is the conversation between the two protagonists, which tells a lot about their lives, particularly about the man's life, about what kind of person he is and the findings are not positive and just keep getting worse and worse. Swift delivers a chilling performance as an individual who has very dark secrets and a very sinister hidden personality. Although, he can appear charming and cheerful, it is obvious that ultimately, he is a bad person. Collins does a terrific job as a his ex-partner who was a victim to his actions and knows what he really is. The film is free from music, apart from the ending, which is where Duncan Pittock and Richard Lacy make their contribution with a sinister score that makes an effective closing. Ben Mann also deserves commendations for the work on the cinematography. This short has a very-well-structured screenplay that starts with more or less normality and revelation after revelation lead to a devastating truth. Through well-written dialogue and strong acting, this film tells a dark and memorable story. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Cikgu Hana Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Chris Buick | Posted on: Nov 23, 2023 Directed by: Wan Dinnie Written by: Wan Dinnie Starring: Charlene Jane, Herlea Titieanna Tasked with an assignment to write about the history of their country, two students are transported back to the past where they learn all about their country’s rich history and how it has shaped their lives today. Malaysian short-film Cikgu Hana: Director’s Cut , the version that was submitted for this review, prefaces itself with an apology. It seems that in post-production many of the films production files stored on an external hard drive were lost or damaged, meaning that only ten percent of the files were recoverable. What is presented here is a re-edited version of what was salvageable with very mixed results. What we do get to enjoy in what is presented over the films six-and-a-half-minute runtime is a beautifully created visual spectacle of rotoscoping, a process animators use where live-action footage is traced over frame by frame to create some truly wonderful animated works of art that add depth and flourishes to sequences that otherwise couldn’t have been achieved. And that is where Cikgu Hana really shines. The animation here looks amazing, really bringing the whole piece alive, awash with vibrant colour and pure imagination that is a joy to watch. Much like the film's predecessor Hana , the previous offering from D-Mulsion Productions that is equally remarkable visually, Cikgu Hana is a feast for the eyes. But unfortunately, given the state of the rest of the film, this is a re-edit that is very rough around the edges and with simply way too many pieces missing. Narratively there are clear gaps, plot points jump suddenly from one to another and it becomes hard to keep a grasp on what exactly is going on, although the animation does help a lot to convey the intended story as best as it can. Editing is choppy and jarring, which is of course to be expected given so little to work with, but it does undeniably have a big impact, even hindering the fabulous artistry at times. On the positive side, the film does manage to showcase the obvious talent these filmmakers have, a fact all the more confirmed by looking at what was achieved with Hana , so it’s really frustrating and saddening to know that here there would have been definite quality, that if troubles hadn’t occurred this film could have really sang. One does sympathise of course with what must be a heartbreaking loss of a lot of quality work, especially if the aforementioned and fully completed Hana is anything to go by, but one can also only judge what they are presented. And unfortunately, this film in this state doesn’t have enough. It’s a real shame that what would have been clearly a lot of hard and considered work hasn’t been able to make it to the finished product. If Cikgu Hana can one day be fully realised as it was meant to and deserves to be, it could be something special. About the Film Critic Chris Buick Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Carmen Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: May 17, 2023 Directed by: Benjamin Millepied Written by: Loic Barrere, Alexander Dinelaris, Lisa Loomer Starring: Melissa Barrera, Paul Mescal For this latest reimagining of the classic story, director Benjamin Millepied credits inspiration from Prosper Mérimée’s original novella from 1845, and Alexander Pushkin’s poem “The Gypsies” from 1824. Flashing more modern vibrancy through culturally rich music and dance, this new Carmen arrives as a wonder of visionary composition that struggles to find an equally compelling connection to its characters. The writing team of Loic Barrere, Alexander Dinelaris and Lisa Loomer crafts a surface-level tale of lovers on the run. Aidan (Paul Mescal) is a troubled Marine veteran volunteering on a night patrol along the Mexican border, while Carmen (Melissa Barrera) is trying to cross after the death of her mother. A violent altercation leads to casualties, and the two are soon trying to stay one step ahead of authorities. Millepied (choreographer and co-star of Black Swan ) knows his way around a dance number, getting an assist from flamenco specialist Marina Tamayo for sequences that sport some thrilling fluidity. The acclaimed talents of cinematographer Jörg Widmer (The Tree of Life, V for Vendetta ) and composer Nicholas Britell (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk ) are also on full display, rounding out a veteran stable of technical skill that consistently lifts the film’s imagery and scope. Mescal (Aftersun ) continues to show a gift for quiet nuance, Barrera (In the Heights, Scream , Scream VI ) finally breaks out of her reliance on posing, and the veteran Rossy de Palma (various Almodóvar projects) steals scenes as a savvy nightclub owner, but the script seems content to keep depth at a distance. Pushkin’s centuries-old themes of noble savages and the tragedy of life are too often given a heavy hand, needing a rescue by the visual poetry on display. This Carmen tells us “dancing will you heal you.” Indeed, it’s one of the cures for what ails a less than passionate romance. About the Film Critic George Wolf Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

When The Screaming Starts Trailer WHEN THE SCREAMING STARTS OFFICIAL TEASER TRAILER LAUNCHED When Norman Graysmith is invited into the home of an aspiring serial killer, Aidan Mendle, he believes he has found the subject for the documentary that will transform his failing career. Initially the production goes well with Aidan freely opening up about his desire to kill, but when his early attempt at committing murder falls apart, things begin to unravel. Aidan desperately tries to maintain his position as the next Charles Manson by starting a murder cult, interviewing prospective members for what he affectionately calls his “family”. The potential candidates provide a rich tapestry of misfits, from the lost and confused to the (most likely) psychopathic. Events begin to spiral out of control and Norman watches his dreams crumbling around him. A wannabe serial killer, a warped filmmaker, and a murderous cult on a blood-soaked rampage. When The Screaming Starts is a darkly comic tale of how far we will go in order to achieve our ambitions. When The Screaming Starts will have its World Premiere at FrightFest 2021 on 28th August. 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.

The Resort Trailer BRAND NEW TRAILER - THE RESORT RELEASING ON DIGITAL AND ON DEMAND FROM 30th APRIL 2021 DIRECTED BY TAYLOR CHIEN STARRING BIANCA HAASE, BROCK O'HURN, MICHAEL VLAMIS, AND MICHELLE RANDOLPH Tropical surroundings, a haunted hotel complex, and four keen explorers – THE RESORT is an exhilarating and terrifying joyride. Vibrantly shot on location, the film is an eerie dose of escapism not to be missed once it releases in the UK from 30th April. The film will be available on Sky Store, Virgin, iTunes, Amazon, Microsoft Store, Google Play, and Chili for digital and download. Directed, written, and produced by Taylor Chien, THE RESORT spotlights a new voice in the horror genre, with a cast of rising stars including Bianca Haase (Hot Tub Time Machine 2), Brock O’Hurn (Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween), Michael Vlamis (Roswell, New Mexico), and Michelle Randolph (5 Years Apart). The quartet play four friends who head to Hawaii to investigate reports of a haunting at an abandoned resort in hopes of finding the infamous Half-Faced Girl. When they arrive, they soon learn you should be careful what you wish for. The film is produced by Will Meldman, Sam Mobley, Justin Chien, Taylor Chien, Gary Goldman, Joe Homokay, James Penland, and Sarai Rollins, along with rapper Quavious “Quavo” Marshall of Migos acting as Executive Producer. THE RESORT WILL BE RELEASING ON DIGITAL AND ON DEMAND FROM 30th APRIL 2021 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 IRAN: A People Forever in Revolution Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Apr 17, 2024 Directed by: Farouq Mohime Written by: Farouq Mohime Starring: *N/A *Please note: this review was composed before recent events involving Iran. This review is concerned only with the film in question and not with wider events. Social filmmaking will always be one of the most important parts of cinema or most any art form, mainly due to how the medium can be used to reflect or provide context to the state of things. IRAN: A People Forever in Revolution is a short documentary that chronicles - through archive and interview footage - the plight of the country, focusing on the political instability it has had to endure. It begins with an impactful quote from journalist Ryszard Kapuściński regarding the way in which dictatorship results in a disastrous cycle of oppression... it’s an effective use of a film’s opening moments which places the viewer in the right headspace. This is a short film that’s trying to tell a very real story of a culture’s quest for true freedom; however, it’s not a conventionally informative or even a conventionally observational documentary – what it proves to be is more a collation of moments from the nation's turbulent history, which (depending on the viewer) may paint some kind of picture of the then and now while emphasising a want for progress. The form the piece takes, technically speaking, feels rather hand-made and unusual. Specifically, almost all of the footage we see is from a camera facing a screen of some kind. This is slightly distracting; it’s also not clear whether this is happening because of any limitations with editing, or whether it is, in fact, a creative decision. Either way, it only moderately affects the impact of the final product. Though were we to interpret this as a part of the form, we could suggest that this emphasises a stylistic sense of removal; an evocation that how we perceive events is influenced by newscasts and reports. The content of the footage is fascinating, although, for someone not in the know, not so illuminating (this is in no way a flaw in the work itself but a comment on the viewing experience for the average spectator). After the first few minutes of the piece, there’s limited testimony or audio providing context to the admittedly provocative images, other than some intriguing shots of book text in which a handheld camera moves back and forth along the lines of writing. I really admire this kind of decision, for what this short documentary showcases is a mixture of academic research, specific moments from recent history, and a clear passion for telling the story of a nation’s social conflicts – and why it matters. Unfortunately, it’s not so much an engaging piece of narrative filmmaking; and it doesn’t attempt to craft what you would call an ‘aesthetic’. Yet, it is quite the piece of selected, persuasive documentation. The film’s most admirable quality is the clear desire for freedom. Notably, the last moments of the picture choose to celebrate the individuality of a culture, showing recent images of love, dance, and resilience. It’s a sentiment that any audience member will find touching. What one takes away from this is purely dependent on the viewer and their knowledge of the subject-matter, but the work has clear merit however you choose to look at it. About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Triangle of Sadness Film Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Critic: Alasdair MacRae | Posted on: Oct 19, 2022 Directed by: Ruben Östlund Written by: Ruben Östlund Starring: Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Woody Harrelson The fashion industry is a tree in which almost all of the branches have bowed to provide low-hanging satirical fruit. Embarrassingly so Triangle of Sadness opens with a joke elaborating that high-end fashion designers have marketing campaigns in which their models appear to look down on their consumer. Oh the irony, that in fact like the internet catchphrase-ification of ‘eat the rich’, Triangle of Sadness feels like it wears class war as fashion, ready to be thrown into the scrap heap as soon as it is no longer hot. It is the £1200 shoe collaboration between someone born with a famous last name and a once affordable streetwear brand, its value denoted not by craft but by a shoddy little ‘x’ between the two brand names. At two-and-a-half-hours long this glitzy gross-out amounts to shockingly little. The first of three acts introduces the core couple of Carl (Harris Dickinson), a model, and Yaya (Charlbi Dean), his influencer girlfriend. At a restaurant they squabble over who pays the bill, Yaya pretends not to see it arrive at the table which leaves Carl questioning his place in the relationship. The argument overflows into the taxi and back to their hotel, threatening to boil over into something more sinister, Carl’s disbelief leading him into a rant that is as maniacal as it is farcical. This sets the tone of the film - frustrating levels of awkwardness stemming from stubborn adherence to traditional hierarchical social norms. Act II begins as the couple board a luxury cruise, gifted to them of course, Yaya is an influencer after all. They rub shoulders with the other guests, amongst them an elderly arms-dealing British couple (Amanda Walker & Oliver Ford Davies), a Russian manure salesman (Zlatko Buric) and his wife (Sunnyi Melles), and a lonely code-writer (Henrik Dorsin), generational evolutions of wealth and excess flaunted at any given opportunity. At their beck and call is a crew of willing servants, led by Paula (Vicki Berlin), and motivated by the dangling carrot of a gargantuan tip at the cruise’s conclusion, all committed to their role in the class divide, save perhaps the alcoholic, lapsed-socialist captain (Woody Harrelson). After a series of encounters in which the rich flex their power, testing and humiliating the staff, a storm closes in on the ship. Thus begins, at the Captain’s Dinner, the seasickness and much-advertised vomiting. An elongated joke expanding as far as one guest fighting to project her champagne-infused stomach lining into the toilet bowl as the waves hurl her from one side of the bathroom to the other. As the ship tosses, the tables turn, setting up a third act drowning in schadenfreude as Filipina toilet attendant, Abigail (Dolly De Leon), takes charge. Triangle of Sadness is ultimately a toothless send-up of the mega-rich that amounts to little more than, ‘wouldn’t it be funny if they had a taste of their own medicine?’. A hollow and cynical portrait of late-stage capitalism that is so removed from reality I’m almost certain that the people it directly targets would in fact enjoy it. About the Film Critic Alasdair MacRae World Cinema, Film Festival < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Rebuilding Word on the Water Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Apr 16, 2023 Directed by: Jochnowicz Written by: N/A Starring: N/A It’s always difficult talking about films like ‘Rebuilding Word on the Water’ because it almost feels like bullying a defenceless child for no particular reason. Films of this nature, niche independent documentaries made on a next to nothing budget are essential to the indie cinema landscape and for shaping the talents of filmmakers, they just aren’t terribly cinematic, and often aren’t particularly interesting either. The film, which is split into three parts on Youtube, begins with a poem about going to sea in a sieve - it’s a clear early signal of both the sweet heart at the centre of ‘Rebuilding Word on the Water’ but also the eccentric nature of the main players involved. There’s Noy, a frenchman who originally owned the boat before it was converted into Word On The Water, a floating bookshop, in 2010. Noy is a bit of a character to say the least, disappearing frequently but always seeming to return just when he’s needed. There’s also Paddy and John, co-owners of the boat and business, who are both equally enthusiastic about their inventive business model and eager for the restoration plans to get underway. They are joined by an eclectic series of people throughout, all contributing odd jobs towards the restoration of the boat. The issue is that Dianti, the Dutch barge at the centre of ‘Rebuilding Word on the Water’ is very old - 100 years in fact - and hasn’t been taken out onto the water for around 15 years. A further hiccup is that they have just ten days to reach Hemel Hempstead, where Dianti will undergo maintenance and receive a new, working, engine, before the low at Apsley closes for maintenance itself. Chronicling their journey down the river for repairs, and the continued struggles faced along the way - war in Ukraine, adverse weather conditions, some horrible hangovers - this should be at least mildly interesting, but, in reality, no matter how big an event this rebuild may have felt for those involved, to those with no prior investment, we’re given very little reason to care. It’s difficult to attribute blame to director Jochnowicz, or anybody involved, though you do sense that some more ambitious directing or editing could add a little more flair and interest to the events on screen. It isn’t as though these aren’t interesting people - they all seem to have led interesting lives, full of stories of hardships and fun times, it’s just difficult to find a sticking point to truly become invested in a story that ultimately amounts for little more than a water-based episode of ‘DIY: SOS’. Granted, ‘Rebuilding Word on the Water has an extremely human touch, and may encourage more people to visit their bookshop, but it quickly becomes repetitive, and, when that happens the rather simplistic editing truly comes to the fore. Sweet, yes, but cinematic? Not at all. ‘Rebuilding Word on The Water’ would make a sweet little segment on a teatime chat show, but as a film, it’s a long slog, which offers little in the way of thrills, and lots in the way of corny accents and an overload of information. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS One Fine Morning Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Mar 23, 2023 Directed by: Mia Hansen-Løve Written by: Mia Hansen-Løve Starring: Léa Seydoux, Pascal Greggory, Melvil Poupaud “I wait for the thing that should come and it doesn’t.” So says Georg Kienzler (Pascal Greggory, devastating), a retired philosophy scholar deteriorating under the weight of a neurodegenerative disease. His daughter Sandra understands. One Fine Morning tempts you to believe it’s a film about nothing in particular. Mia Hansen-Løve conjures Claire Denis or even Kelly Reichardt in her approach to settling into a rhythm of small, intimate moments that tell a deeper if less tidy story than more clearly structured films. She robs the tale of melodrama, of obvious beats, and replaces those trappings with slice-of-life poetry. Her poem is aided immeasurably by Léa Seydoux as Sandra, a widowed mother who’s already beginning to feel the loss of her father. An affair with an old friend complicates things by satisfying her profound longing while also leaving her vulnerable during an emotionally delicate period. There’s a lot there that begs for drama, but it’s to the film’s great benefit that Hansen-Løve chooses nuance. A low-key melancholy colors this story of a woman losing pieces of herself. The beauty in that tone is matched by the raw authenticity in Seydoux’s performance. Though she’s proven her talent a dozen times or more, this performance is a real departure for her. It’s open and vulnerable, effortlessly conveying the raw nerve this woman has become. What Hansen-Løve captures so beautifully is the day-to-day tragedy of losing someone bit by bit and of the flashes of understandable, even necessary selfishness. Sandra is sole parent to precocious 8-year-old Linn (Camille Leban Martins), contends with facility options for her father, and oversees the unenviable task of sorting through his belongings while he’s still living. The filmmaker approaches all of this with the natural, relatable quiet persistence, resigned laughter, or unexpected tears that mark the reality of this situation. About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Railroad to Hell: A Chinaman's Chance Listen to our review on the film podcast What our film review said: READ FULL REVIEW The narrative moves along at a sharp pace and exploits some well-judged performances from various cast members. Ernest Borgnine delivered a nice cameo in one of last film performances; and Jason Connery borrowed his Dad’s mannerisms to useful effect as Sam. But it’s Reggie Lee who steals the honours as Sing; a character caught between two worlds and wrongly accused of murder. Proudly supporting MediCinema for our 2022 film festival.

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Bitten Film Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Critic: Chris Buick | Posted on: Jul 19, 2023 Directed by: John Ferrer Written by: John Ferrer, Rebecca Wilson Starring: Rebecca Wilson, Lucy Wordsworth, Corinna Brown, Esme Cooper, Tamara Verhovan Clyde, Sarah Parker If you ever need proof that you don’t need the latest tech or thousands of pounds to make a stellar short film, then look no further than the frenetically entertaining Bitten from filmmaker John Ferrer. Opening with the message “Fully improvised and shot within a day on a £0 budget”, in just six minutes Ferrer and his bad-ass cast deliver a high-octane, non-stop slug fest well worthy of your attention. Here’s what we know. A woman, bitten by something through circumstances unknown but bitten nonetheless, is being chased down by others in her group trying to put her down because she “knows the rules”. But she’s not going to give up without a fight. Now, this is all the narrative information you’re going to get here which, depending on what you tend to look for in a film might in some way determine how you feel after those six minutes are done. There’s no deeper backstory here, no character development, explanations or grander ideas at work which for viewers who are always looking for a bit more context might be left a bit wanting. But actually, the wonderful simplicity of its premise is what is key here in allowing for all the focus to go directly into the film’s explosive execution, meaning we can just sit back and enjoy the ride. Sometimes context is overrated. And regardless of what side you might land on when it comes to the importance of story, in terms of its presentation there can be no debate at all that what Ferrer and co. serve up here is nothing short of spectacular. Bitten ’s mission is as simple as they come, to deliver a highly entertaining showpiece, full of bone-crunching action that doesn’t let up and that you simply can’t take your eyes away from. And that’s exactly what it delivers. In spades. Ferrer shoots and cuts action in such a way that not only shows an inherent influence and love of the action genre, but at a level that would not look out of place amongst some of the Hollywood big hitters. But action like this only really works if the people dishing it out can sell it, and its each member of this amazing cast, Wilson, Wordsworth, Brown, Cooper, Clyde and Parker (because they do all actually deserve their own mentions, perhaps even applause) that deliver every punch, every kick and every other single crunching hit in between with such authenticity that not only do you believe they feel it but there’s a few you’ll think you did as well. The film's opening message actually ends with these four words. “We hope you enjoy”. If you like a lovely cocktail of heart-pounding action sequences and top-quality filmmaking, it’s almost impossible not to. About the Film Critic Chris Buick Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Axmo Deus Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Oct 30, 2022 Directed by: Noel Vinson, Abel Robinson, Luke Agius Written by: Axmo Deus, Abel Robinson, Noel Vinson Starring: Ken Fletcher, Noel Vinson, David MacPhail, Deidre Campbell Web series’ are often a strange concoction of the internet’s most basic ideas mixed with some of its most creative artists. ‘Axmo Deus’ exemplifies this completely, attempting to mix ‘new horror’ with surface-level ideas and messages, resulting in a disappointing, and ultimately weary, experience. At some stage in the 2010s, perhaps formally beginning with ‘It Follows’, horror films once more became the genre that, alongside superheroes, garnered the most attention from both general audiences and critics. It was an incredible decade for horror films - ‘Us’, ‘Hereditary’ ‘Get Out’, ‘The Witch’, ‘A Quiet Place’, ‘It’, ‘Don’t Breathe’, ‘It Comes At Night’, ‘Doctor Sleep’ - and that’s without mentioning juggernauts like ‘The Conjuring’ and ‘Halloween’. With that trend set to continue with Ti West’s ‘X’ thriving, it therefore comes as no surprise that an increasing amount of aspiring filmmakers are turning to horror to get a footing in the industry. ‘Axmo Deus’ picks up on the flaws inherent in many ‘new horror’ films - an overemphasis on exploiting a political message, without adding any depth to the argument - and blends it with the overemphasis on blood, gore and jump scares which epitomised the largely lacklustre horror films of the 90s and 00s. In many ways ‘Axmo Deus’ is an early warning of what the horror genre will likely become in five to ten years’ time, as the pendulum will once again flip, as it always does, towards trashy horror flicks, as another genre enjoys a period in the limelight. The biggest issue with ‘Axmo Deus’ is that it feigns to have an important message, especially in early episodes, but lacks the time (each episode clocks in at just one minute) to explore it, and so deviates into an excess of violence. As each episode moves to the next at a breakneck pace - the credits are literally playing at 2x speed - and each episode is completely disconnected to the previous one, there isn’t enough time to care in each scenario. The rapid pace of each story is also numbing, nullifying any shock from its jump scares as we are often confronted with an overly loud shouting match and an ensuing bloody outburst. Each episode is well-directed and the production value appears to be high, especially given the presumably low budget, but that doesn’t prevent the stench of a project created only to generate clicks and likes permeating through the piece. It becomes overbearing after two episodes, and long outstays it’s welcome, so that by the time the shackles are loosened a little, and it allows itself to sometimes drop the messaging, we simply do not care. It alienates its viewer, and will not be appreciated in any format other than a TikTok clip. This is a web series made for the TikTok generation, so mind-numbingly fast that they can consume an episode before swiping to the next clip. It’ll convince many users that they’ve witnessed a cinematic masterpiece, condensed and tailor-made to themselves, when in reality ‘Axmo Deus’ is a reflection of the sad state of cinema. If clips last one minute and tell no story, but are lauded for being artsy and powerful, become the means through which people, especially young people, view cinema then long-form, character-driven stories, which take time to build up suspense, will die. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Web Series < All Reviews Next Film Review >