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HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS A Wiseguy Christmas Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jul 19, 2022 Directed by: Gregory Hatanaka Written by: Nino Cimino Starring: Nino Cimino, Jaclyn Marfuggi, Chris Spinelli, Sam Dobbins As the title suggests, this is a festive film with gangsters. To be more precise, it is a Christmas crime comedy. Tony (Cimino) is a former New York City crime boss, who dislikes Christmas and has been placed in the Witness Protection Program after he agreed to testify against associates. Now living in Los Angeles, he is under the supervision of Marty (Spinelli), an FBI agent. Christmas holidays are approaching and Tony meets new people, finds romance, arranges a burglary and gradually rediscovers the joy of Christmas. This fun movie bears similarities to the 1999 comedy Analyze This . The main character is a mobster (a recent one) and the screenplay follows him as he influences those around and maintains his illegitimate habits. He tries to convince Marty to enjoy life more, he starts a romantic relationship with Natalie (Marfuggi), a police detective and he meets David (Dobbins), a man who dresses up as Father Christmas for a Children's Hospital, who Tony convinces to collaborate with him in order to steal the money from donations to the hospital. While Tony is doing all this, gangsters from his past are out to harm him. The movie relies heavily on humorous dialogue in order to be amusing and it succeeds at that. The acting is not great, which is not necessarily a negative element as the performances are entertaining, particularly by Cimino. Cimino's character is the one who steals the show, with his behaviour, personality and loud voice. He is a rather charismatic and optimistic person who goes through significant changes as he helps others and learns the values of Christmas. There are many interesting characters, including cheerful Marty and Natalie, the determined detective who becomes Tony's love interest and it is obvious that the cast are having fun with their roles. The light-hearted music that is heard throughout the feature contributes in creating a joyful atmosphere. It would be fair to say that at times things get a bit too silly, nevertheless, Cimino's entertaining screenplay makes this film an appealing viewing about self-discovery, crime, about enjoying life and appreciating the meaning of Christmas. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Fallen Angel Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Nov 16, 2023 Directed by: James Harris Written by: James Harris Starring: James Harris Ostensibly, Fallen Angel is a five-minute short film from writer and director James Harris – at least that’s what it says on the tin. But when is a film with your name on it not exactly your own film? Probably when it’s made like this. The footage which makes up Fallen Angel , you see, wasn’t originally shot for the purpose in which it is now being used. Everything that Harris has cobbled together for his five-minute piece was rescued from the cutting room floor of another project, Paradise Lost, History In The Unmaking (2021) which was directed by Andy Howlett and shot by his cinematographers Matt Watkins and Martin McNally. Granted, the footage used does feature James Harris as the titular Fallen Angel but really everything we see was shot by different film-makers for another purpose. It then doesn’t help that everything on screen, although intended for use in the Paradise Lost… project, is a very close replica of the Wim Wenders classic, Wings Of Desire (1987) right down to the lost angel in fluffy wings wearing a suit. The theme/plot is also strikingly similar as Harris then tacks his poetry on top to suggest that said angel is having a tough time of things in immortality and is beginning to wonder if there isn’t something better than eternity between the worlds of Heaven and Hell. In fact the whole thing smacks so much of the German classic that Fallen Angel does a better job of aping it than the weird ass American remake with Nicolas Cage, City Of Angels (1998). So just what has Harris done to make this film his? Well, he’s saved the footage for one, and he has reconstituted and edited it to suit his new/borrowed narrative of little angel lost. He has added some postmodern brutalist soundscaping from Snowkitten, who provide some electrosynth noise as a backdrop to the postmodern brutalist setting of beneath Spaghetti Junction; and he has written the aforementioned poem to describe his plot/theme which he reads over the top of his newly stitched together shots. So, quite a bit then, and undoubtedly enough for him to call this Frankenstein’s monster of a short film his own. But is it any good? Sadly, the answer is no. Forgetting all of the difficulties and abortions which constitute the birthing of this creation, the main problem Fallen Angel has, like Frankenstein’s monster, is in identifying itself. Coming in at under five minutes and having no dialogue; is it a music video, a visual poetry slam, a short film, an art piece, an homage, or really just a mess? Perhaps merely as a showcase it might work but then the poetry itself would have to be good – which it isn’t. Sure, Harris can rhyme but he ends up falling into the trap of turgid theosophising by continually asking questions rather than actually saying anything. While some of the visuals are nice we have definitely seen their like before and Harris has added nothing new to the ‘Angel on Earth’ story with this effort. All credit to him for trying to reclaim something that was lost but in reality all that he found was something that was already there. About the Film Critic William Hemingway Digital / DVD Release, Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Tackling Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Dec 12, 2023 Directed by: Gillian Harker Written by: Gillian Harker Starring: Seren Lee, Robert Dukes A father and his child spend meaningful time together on a rugby pitch. This short drama focuses on an unstable father-and-daughter relationship. A man (Dukes) has taken his young daughter, Milly (Lee) to play rugby. However, she dislikes the sport and after a disappointing session, she asks him to take her home. Her father insists that the two of them carry on training for the day and offers her money if she manages to tackle him, resulting in the two them spending time on the empty field, having fun and getting emotional. During its three-and-a-half-minute duration, this film does a decent job exploring the two protagonists and their relationship. Milly is a schoolgirl who lacks self-esteem but who can also stand up for herself if pushed too far. Her father is separated from her mother and he is stubborn a bit pushy and not as emotionally strong as he seems. The two of them have their differences, yet they care for each other deeply, which could be a message that the film communicates: just because people sometimes do not get along does not mean that they do not have positive feelings for each other. The screenplay deals with a variety of themes, primarily self-esteem, parenthood and support. Milly's inability to believe in herself is more or less what drives the narrative forward, as her father repeatedly attempts to persuade her to train, much to her disliking. His decision to insist that she trains leads to joyful moments between them and to a confrontation that turns into bonding. This short could be described as a sports drama. A father-and-daughter story that is set (to some extent) in the world of rugby and looks into the differences the two leads have between them and how they develop their relationship. It is a heart-warming story with strong perfomances by Lee and Dukes and the addition of the song I'll Get By by The Lathums was a great choice. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Infested Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Apr 23, 2024 Directed by: Sébastien Vanicek Written by: Florent Bernard, Sébastien Vanicek Starring: Théo Christine, Finnegan Oldfield Remember Quarantine (or Rec , for that matter)? Remember that moment when you realize you’re locked inside an apartment building, trapped with the ravenous undead? OK, so that but spiders. Nice, right?! Sébastien Vanicek’s Infested (co-written with Florent Bernard) doesn’t steal from other movies as much as it mines the primal fears that have plagued the most effective horror movies from the beginning. Kaleb (Théo Christine) is a well-meaning dumbass. He lives in a dump of a high rise, but he loves the place, loves the neighbors, and cherishes the memory of his mother. That’s why, unlike his sister Manon (Lisa Nyarko), Kaleb doesn’t want to leave. In fact, he’s made a cozy home in his room for any number of exotic little beasties—the latest of which he just picked up from the super-secret back room of a dodgy shop. “Careful, it’s probably poisonous,” the shopkeeper calls as Kaleb carries his rubber-banded plastic container and the very poisonous, extremely nasty spider inside. Jumping ahead, Kaleb does not heed the warning. Apartment horror can be so creepy when it’s done well: dark hallways, grimy elevators, creepy parking garages, too many floors until safety, and loads of places for spiders to nest. Vanicek makes excellent use of these spaces, and he shows solid instincts for creature FX—when to go practical, when to show little, when to show lots (and lots and lots). But his film succeeds on the lived-in world of these neighbors and friends. Christine (Gran Turismo ) delivers messy, loving authenticity as the guy who cares deeply and screws up everything. Finnegan Oldfield (Final Cut) is even better, and he brings with him a realism and natural charisma that cements the rag tag band of survivors as human beings to root for. That realism doesn’t extend fully to the arachnid horror. Their reproductive mechanisms, their feeding habits, growth spurts—well, they’re not supposed to be from deep space or a nuclear accident, so the extremes seen in the building definitely strain credibility. But damn! That doesn’t make it any less creepy! You may find yourself shaking out your sleeves and pulling the drawstring tight around your hoodie. I did. But at least the cockroaches are under control. About the Film Critic Hope Madden Digital / DVD Release, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Crippled Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jun 14, 2022 Directed by: Peter J.S. Regan Written by: Peter Brady, Peter J.S. Regan Starring: Peter Brady A young quadriplegic gives a motivational speech about happiness. A person who became paralysed from the shoulders down following an accident arrives on stage in a motorised wheelchair and addresses a crowd. He is there to promote a book he has written that is about being happy. He then proceeds to explain solutions that can help people overcome obstacles and live enjoyable lives. This short inspiring emotional drama focuses on the life and achievements of an individual who suffered a devastating event, yet he managed to get through all the changes this caused to his life and become successful and content. The author's speech takes up the majority of the film and his words are emotional and strong and encourage hope, strength and joy to the audience. He states that his condition did not defeat him and he moved forward by been determined and by accepting the help of others. The speech intercuts with flashbacks that reveal information about the author, including a scene where the man is at the hospital, having just experienced the life-changing accident and a scene where he is trying to use his laptop and is having difficulties due to his paralysis. The flashbacks show that he is wealthy, as he lives in a large, posh house and they also reveal the struggles that he is going through due to his condition, indicating that even though he motivates others to believe in themselves and be strong, he himself is still fighting the challenges of being quadriplegic. The author and star of the film comes across as a likeable and intelligent individual who appears to be keeping his inner struggles a secret. He is played by Peter Brady who is an actual quadriplegic, which makes the viewing of his speech and personal torment rather emotional, as that way people get a more realistic idea of what life is like living with paralysis. Director of photography Adam Paluh does a great job with the cinematography and composer Megan Carnes develops wonderful music that sounds sentimental and dynamic. There is a powerful montage sequence that makes effective use of fast cutting techniques and reveals the character's tormented state of mind. A scene that stands out involves the author being underwater. This haunting image seems to represent how he feels because of his inability to move: trapped and alone. This short is rather memorable and quite an emotional ride. Operating a bit like a documentary, it provides an insight regarding what the life of a quadriplegic is like. Although sad at times, it offers hope and supports the idea that anyone can achieve great things. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Love Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Aug 3, 2023 Directed by: Saurabh Sudhir Doke Written by: Saurabh Sudhir Doke Starring: Rishabh Sarwate , Aniket Jain The red colour font utilised by the writer-director Saurabh Sudhir Doke for the title of the film- Love has a connotation of anger, aggression, and passion indicating that love doesn’t have a set definition and it can vary for different people. Doke with the help of an intricate script and actors like Aniket Jain and Rishabh Sarwate gave life to the director’s vision and instantly build an emotional connection with the audience. The plot of Love revolves around a reunion that turns into a nightmare as secrets unravel, lives collide and a disastrous future looms. Betrayal and tragedy haunt Nakul and Vikrant leaving them unprepared for the consequences. The film draws its inspiration from day-to-day life therefore the makers have managed to add realism and relatable factors to the screenplay increasing the degree of audience engagement with the content of Love. The short film takes a form of a book to unfold the storyline as the subplots are slowly revealed creating a comfortable and enjoyable vibe among the audience similar to a reader helping to maintain interest in the narrative of the movie. The black and white colour pallet, dim lighting, music, dialogues, costume, hair, makeup, and props complement the complex nature of the subject matter it deals with. In terms of Performance, Rishabh Sarwate plays Nakul who is a fun-loving person but he feels burdened by the expectations of his family and friends and wants to find time to discover himself for the sake of his true happiness. Sarwate showcases the range of emotions with the slightest change in terms of the situation as per the script. Aniket Jain plays the role of Vikrant. He is the best friend of Nakul who loved Rhea (Nakul’s wife) in the past and thus wants to look for a solution to end the suffering of the girl he had feelings for. Vikrant is a multi-layered character and Jain maintains the suspense and lets the viewers be surprised by the climax allowing them to learn a lot of life lessons from the dramatic piece. Love talks about communication being the basis of a healthy and happy relationship or else things can quickly take an ugly turn with irreparable damages. The short film reiterates love is a choice and he or she cannot be judged or punished for it as long as the person is an adult and fully capable of taking their own decisions. The cinematic piece also talks about the bad influence drinking alcohol, smoking, or doing drugs can have on one’s life in the long term. The creative piece highlights the need to choose friends carefully because one needs trust worthy people who listen to them and take a decision that is favourable for the friend as well as his/her loved ones. Love tells the audience about the importance of emotional stability and being open about everything in a relationship if one doesn’t want it to prove detrimental to the parties involved. To conclude, I would like to appreciate the makers to be brave to discuss one of the Taboo subjects in Indian society in such a subtle manner. About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

FRANKIE - In UK Theatres 28 May 2021 Chris Olson Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 2:18:46 PM UTC IN UK CINEMAS 28 MAY 2021 DIRECTED BY IRA SACHS STARRING ISABELLE HUPPERT, BRENDAN GLEESON, MARISA TOMEI, JÉRÉMIE REINER, PASCAL GREGGORY AND GREG KINNEAR WRITTEN BY MAURICIO ZACHARIAS AND IRA SACHS Picturehouse Entertainment is delighted to announce the release of Ira Sachs’ intimate family drama, FRANKIE , in UK cinemas on 28 May 2021 . Unfolding over the course of a late summer’s day in the stunningly beautiful Portuguese town of Sintra, the wonderful new film from acclaimed director Ira Sachs follows a family that has gathered for a holiday organised by family matriarch Frankie (Isabelle Huppert). In this fairy tale setting, husbands and wives, parents and children, friends and lovers – all stirred by their romantic impulses – discover both the cracks between them but also unexpected depths of feeling. Isabelle Huppert stuns in the titular role, alongside an outstanding cast that includes Brendan Gleeson, Marisa Tomei and Greg Kinnear. FRANKIE delivers a funny and utterly engaging cinematic treat. FRANKIE is brought to audiences by writer/director Ira Sachs (Little Men, Love is Strange, Keep the Lights On ), his frequent collaborator Mauricio Zacharias (Little Men, Love is Strange, Trinta) and producers Saïd Ben Saïd (Bacurau , Lovers for a Day ) Michel Merkt (It Must be Heaven, The Traitor, Photograph ). FRANKIE RELEASES IN UK CINEMAS 28 MAY 2021 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. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. 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2021 BAFTA Nominations Announced Chris Olson Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 4:28:52 PM UTC The 2021 BAFTA Nominations are: BEST FILM The Father – Philippe Carcassonne, Jean-Louis Livi, David Parfitt The Mauritanian – tbc Nomadland – Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey, Frances McDormand, Peter Spears, Chloé Zhao Promising Young Woman – Ben Browning, Emerald Fennell, Ashley Fox, Josey McNamara The Trial of the Chicago 7 – Stuart Besser, Marc Platt OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM Calm with Horses – Nick Rowland, Daniel Emmerson, Joe Murtagh The Dig – Simon Stone, Gabrielle Tana, Moira Buffini The Father – Florian Zeller, Philippe Carcassone, Jean-Louis Livi, David Parfitt, Christopher Hampton His House – Remi Weekes, Martin Gentles, Edward Kings, Roy Lee Limbo – Ben Sharrock, Irune Gurtubai, Angus Lamont OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER His House – Remi Weekes (writer/director) Limbo – Ben Sharrock (writer/director), Irune Gurtubai (producer) [also produced by Angus Lamont] Moffie – Jack Sidey (writer/producer) [also written by Oliver Hermanus and produced by Eric Abraham] Rocks – Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson (writers) Saint Maud – Rose Glass (writer/director), Oliver Kassman (producer) [also produced by Andrea Cornwell] FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE Another Round – Thomas Vinterberg, Sisse Graum Jørgensen Dear Comrades! – Andrei Konchalovsky, Alisher Usmanov Les Misérables – Ladj Ly Minari – Lee Isaac Chung, Christina Oh Quo Vadis, Aida? – Jasmila Žbanić, Damir Ibrahimovich DOCUMENTARY Collective – Alexander Nanau David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet – Alastair Fothergill, Jonnie Hughes, Keith Scholey The Dissident – Bryan Fogel, Thor Halvorssen My Octopus Teacher – Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed, Craig Foster The Social Dilemma – Jeff Orlowski, Larissa Rhodes ANIMATED FILM Onward – Dan Scanlon, Kori Rae Soul – Pete Docter, Dana Murray Wolfwalkers – Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart, Paul Young DIRECTOR Another Round – Thomas Vinterberg Babyteeth – Shannon Murphy Minari – Lee Isaac Chung Nomadland – Chloé Zhao Quo Vadis, Aida – Jasmila Žbanić Rocks – Sarah Gavron ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Another Round – Tobias Lindholm, Thomas Vinterberg Mank – Jack Fincher Promising Young Woman – Emerald Fennell Rocks – Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson The Trial of the Chicago 7 – Aaron Sorkin ADAPTED SCREENPLAY The Dig – Moira Buffini The Father – Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller The Mauritanian – Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani, M.b. Traven Nomadland – Chloé Zhao The White Tiger – Ramin Bahrani LEADING ACTRESS Bukky Bakray – Rocks Radha Blank – The Forty-Year-Old Version Vanessa Kirby – Pieces of a Woman Frances McDormand – Nomadland Wunmi Mosaku – His House Alfre Woodard – Clemency LEADING ACTOR Riz Ahmed – Sound of Metal Chadwick Boseman – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Adarsh Gourav – The White Tiger Anthony Hopkins – The Father Mads Mikkelsen – Another Round Tahar Rahim – The Mauritanian SUPPORTING ACTRESS Niamh Algar – Calm with Horses Kosar Ali – Rocks Maria Bakalova – Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Dominique Fishback – Judas and the Black Messiah Ashley Madekwe – County Lines Yuh-Jung Youn – Minari SUPPORTING ACTOR Daniel Kaluuya – Judas and the Black Messiah Barry Keoghan – Calm with Horses Alan Kim – Minari Leslie Odom Jr. – One Night in Miami… Clarke Peters – Da 5 Bloods Paul Raci – Sound of Metal ORIGINAL SCORE Mank – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross Minari – Emile Mosseri News of the World – James Newton Howard Promising Young Woman – Anthony Willis Soul – Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross CASTING Calm with Horses – Shaheen Baig Judas and the Black Messiah – Alexa L. Fogel Minari – Julia Kim Promising Young Woman – Lindsay Graham Ahanonu, Mary Vernieu Rocks – Lucy Pardee CINEMATOGRAPHY Judas and the Black Messiah – Sean Bobbitt Mank – Erik Messerschmidt The Mauritanian – Alwin H. Küchler News of the World – Dariusz Wolski Nomadland – Joshua James Richards EDITING The Father – Yorgos Lamprinos Nomadland – Chloé Zhao Promising Young Woman – Frédéric Thoraval Sound of Metal – Mikkel E.G. Nielsen The Trial of the Chicago 7 – Alan Baumgarten PRODUCTION DESIGN The Dig – Maria Djurkovic, Tatiana Macdonald The Father – Peter Francis, Cathy Featherstone Mank – Donald Graham Burt, Jan Pascale News of the World – David Crank, Elizabeth Keenan Rebecca – Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer COSTUME DESIGN Ammonite – Michael O’Connor The Dig – Alice Babidge Emma – Alexandra Byrne Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – Ann Roth Mank – Trish Summerville MAKE UP AND HAIR The Dig – Jenny Shircore Hillbilly Elegy – Patricia Dehaney, Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew Mungle Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – Matiki Anoff, Larry M. Cherry, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal Mank – Kimberley Spiteri, Gigi Williams Pinocchio – Mark Coulier SOUND Greyhound – tbc News of the World – Michael Fentum, William Miller, Mike Prestwood Smith, John Pritchett, Oliver Tarney Nomadland – Sergio Diaz, Zach Seivers, M. Wolf Snyder Soul – Coya Elliott, Ren Klyce, David Parker Sound of Metal – Jaime Baksht, Nicolas Becker, Phillip Bladh, Carlos Cortés, Michelle Couttolenc SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS Greyhound – Pete Bebb, Nathan McGuinness, Sebastian Von Overheidt The Midnight Sky – Matt Kasmir, Chris Lawrence, David Watkins Mulan – Sean Faden, Steve Ingram, Anders Langlands, Seth Maury The One and Only – Ivan Santiago Colomo Martinez, Nick Davis, Greg Fisher Tenet – Scott Fisher, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Lockley BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION The Fire Next Time – Renaldho Pelle, Yanling Wang, Kerry Jade Kolbe The Owl and the Pussycat – Mole Hill, Laura Duncalf The Song of a Lost Boy – Daniel Quirke, Jamie Macdonald, Brid Arnstein BRITISH SHORT FILM Eyelash – Jesse Lewis Reece, Ike Newman Lizard – Akinola Davies, Rachel Dargavel, Wale Davies Lucky Break – John Addis, Rami Sarras Pantoja Miss Curvy – Ghada Eldemellawy The Present – Farah Nabulsi EE RISING STAR AWARD Bukky Bakray Conrad Khan Kingsley Ben-Adir Morfydd Clark Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù 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. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date ​ Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. Read Now Another Round UK DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced Following its acclaimed cinema release, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating Oscar winner, ANOTHER ROUND, starring Mads Mikkelsen, on early EST 24th September 2021 and DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 27th September 2021. Read Now Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow DVD and Blu-Ray UK Release Date Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow To Land Early On Digital (August 10th) and 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD September 13th. Read Now My Little Sister Gets October UK Release Date My Little Sister is due for a cinema release in the UK, on Friday 8th October 2021. Read Now Grimmfest Reveals Line-Up for 2021 Film Festival After a year of “home invasions” in the form of virtual screenings and online events, this October sees Grimmfest returning to the cinema at last. Read Now Helen Mirren Narrates Powerful Documentary Escape From Extinction Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents Escape From Extinction, a powerful feature documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, coming to selected cinemas from 17th September celebrating ‘Great Big Green Week’ (18-26 September). Read Now Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Following critical acclaim and standout performances, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of the heartbreaking British love story SUPERNOVA, arriving on EST 24th September 2021 and DVD and Blu-ray on 27th September 2021. Read Now The Djinn UK Release Date The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Read Now Come Play UK Digital Release Date Jacob Chase’s directorial debut feature COME PLAY tells the story of Oliver, a solitary autistic boy who comes across a creepy children’s story on his new tablet. Read Now 15m Giant Starfish in Leicester Square Ahead of UK Release of The Suicide Squad British actor Peter Capaldi (BBC’s Doctor Who, World War Z) ‒ who stars in THE SUICIDE SQUAD alongside Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena as genius scientist ‘Thinker’, was bravely photographed with the imposing creature Starro in London’s Leicester Square earlier today in celebration of the film’s UK release this coming Friday. Read Now West Side Story In Cinemas December 2021 From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, the 2021 remake of West Side Story will be coming to cinemas in December 2021. Read Now The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films. Read Now Rise of the Footsoldier Origins UK Cinema Release The eagerly-awaited RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS, starring legendary leading man Vinnie Jones, is showing exclusively in cinemas from September 3, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. Read Now Random Acts of Violence UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Date Jay Baruchel writes, directs and stars in his horror debut Random Acts of Violence, which makes its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder, following its success on the streaming service. Read Now Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 Read Now A New World Order Premieres in UK 23 August Black Mirror meets A Quiet Place in gripping sci-fi thriller A New World Order from director Daniel Raboldt in his feature debut, which gets its UK premiere on DVD and digital 23 August 2021 from Reel 2 Reel Films. Read Now

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Mermaids Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: May 16, 2022 Directed by: Yazmin Joy Vigus Written by: Yazmin Joy Vigus Starring: Yazmin Joy Vigus, Daisy Bevan, Tim Cartwright The title of the short film-Mermaids has connotations of Feminism, luck, and happiness. The white font colour indicates finding the purity and peacefulness within. The writer-director Yazmin joy Vigus gives a youthful perspective to the subject matter of the cinematic piece. The dramatic element in the script increases the degree of engagement of the audience with the content of the movie. The plot of the Mermaids revolves around two former best friends meeting again at a hen party in Cornwall but under the waves of disappointment and failure when Margo (Yazmin Joy Vigus) decides to return to her home from London. The close-up and mid-shot are used by the cinematographer Simeon Geyer to establish the upheaval in the lives of both central characters Margo and Celeste (Daisy Bevan). The music, costume, jewelry, hair, and makeup help the creative team to differentiate between their personalities and to create a conflict so that the viewers remain hooked to the short film up until the end. The bags and suitcases do signify the life of an explorer chosen by Margo who is now looking for stability. On the other Celeste wants to add new colours to a monotonous lifestyle she is leading for years. The colour palette, lighting, set design, location, dialogues, and theme complements the vibe as well as the mood of the movie. I love how the filmmaker has showcased the portrayal of the female friendship onscreen. The chemistry the two actresses share makes their bond in the film even stronger thus transforming it into an emotionally gripping narrative for its audience. In terms of performance, Yazmin Joy Vigus in the role of Margo is in search of calmness as she is trying very hard to deal with her quarter-life crisis. With her depiction of Margo the young actress can delve into the skin of the character and adds realism to it making it retable among the young people watching the creative piece. Daisy Bevan as Celeste is well suited for the part. Bevan effortlessly expresses angst and anger with her best friend Margo who left her for a better career in London. Celeste is happy seeing her friend at the party after a long time but she does not want her emotions becoming a roadblock to Margo's professional success. Tim Cartwright plays George in the film. Cartwright provides comic relief when the makers of the film introduce the audience to various nuances and layers in the character arcs of Margo and Celeste. The movie Mermaids highlights the strength of womanhood and also defines the true meaning of unconditional love and friendship. The short film teaches us that fewer expectations and more understanding is the right mix for a fruitful relationship. This female oriented short film tells the audience that one should discuss their disappointments privately so that the society does not get a chance to judge the emotional vulnerability of people living in it. The makers of the cinematic piece have given an open ended closure to the film allowing the viewers to interpret the movie as per their understanding. About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Joe Finds Grace Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Sep 27, 2022 Directed by: Anthony Harrison Written by: Anthony Harrison Starring: Anthony Harrison, C. Ernst Harth, Ellie Harvie, Dmitry Chepovetsky, Chilton Crane A man with a disfigurement and intellectual disabilities decides to search for his long lost sister. Joseph (Harrison) is a patient in an institution, who also works at a dock. He has a facial disfigurement and general learning disabilities and he is a quiet person. One day, after reading a leaflet, he suddenly embarks on a journey, with the intention of finding his sister Grace, who disappeared many years ago, when he was a child. The harbour's boss Horst (Harth) goes looking for Joseph (or Joe), along with the help of his girlfriend Eva (Harvie). What follows is a journey that gets the three of them into awkward and dangerous situations. This interesting feature could be described as a comedy drama road movie. The narrative basically consists of two storylines, which are the adventures of Joe and those of Horst and Eva, that alternate between them. The movie can be funny, dramatic or surreal. Just like that, Joe abandons everything and sets off to locate his sister, an objective that seems absurd and rather unlikely to be achieved. He hitchhikes a great deal and encounters an aggressive homeless man, unwillingly has an audition and stumbles upon a dangerous criminal.Meanwile, Horst and Eva end up spending more time enjoying themselves, instead of looking for Joe and find themselves on the wrong side of the law. In comparison to Joe's, their experiences during their journey are more light-hearted. The majority of the film is in black-and-white, with brief sequences of colour and animation. There are moments where colour briefly takes over, then leaving the image in black-and-white again. The animated scenes serve mostly as flashbacks, providing an insight into Joe's past and his motivation for beginning his search. There are also parts that mix animation with live action. The animation looks great thanks to the efforts of Harrison and the cinamatography by James Wallace. Harrison also worked on the editing and makes effective use of split screen and dissolve techniques. The filmmakers also make frequent use of fast motion, which provides a comedic feeling. There are quite a few interesting people in this movie and as the main character, Joe comes across as a good person, yet he is reserved and does not talk much. He is haunted by the memories from the day his sister went missing and believes that he is partly responsible for her disappearance. The majority of the story is seen through Joe's eyes and Harrison does a good job in presenting him as a tragic character. Harth and Harvie's performaces are quite comical, making their characters amusing but hard to be taken seriously, which is not a bad thing. This is a film that is sometimes very emotional and sometimes funny. It mainly revolves around an individual who is isolated from the world, who is struggling to come to terms with his past and who seems to be looking for redemption. It is a story about self-discovery, about making amends and it deserves recognition. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Fair Play Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Brandon Thomas | Posted on: Sep 27, 2023 Directed by: Chloe Domont Written by: Chloe Domont Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich Emily (Phoebe Dynever of Bridgerton ) and Luke (Alden Ehrenreich of Solo: A Star Wars Story ) are several years into a whirlwind romance. Despite being madly in love – and newly engaged to boot – they have to be careful about how public they are with their relationship. See, Emily and Luke work for a cutthroat hedgefund firm where relationships among staff are frowned upon. After Emily earns a valued promotion in the firm – and also finds herself Luke’s boss – things between the young couple take a dramatic turn for the worse. Workplace gender politics have been explored on film for decades and through many different lenses and genres. Films like His Girl Friday , 9 to 5 , and Norma Rae all used the interplay between the sexes to craft timeless stories. Some films showed more interest than others in actually commenting on the complexities of these relationships in a place of work. Most, however, just mined it for obvious dramatic or comedic content. In more modern times, movies like Fair Play attempt to make a more complex statement on the mixing of personal life and work life and often from the perspective of female filmmakers. So much of Fair Play ’s success or failure rides on the relationship between Dynever and Ehrenreich. Thankfully, both bring their A game and end up absolutely sizzling on the screen. There’s a lived-in element to their relationship that feels genuine and passionate. Equal attention must be given to writer/director Chloe Domont’s intense screenplay. Her patience as both a writer and director pays dividends in many of the film’s longer scenes – allowing the actors and the writing to shine concurrently. For most of Fair Play ’s running time, the story never outpaces the characters and that’s a testament to Domont’s handling of the narrative. While not at all flashy, Domont’s direction is specific and has an intriguing point of view. Set amongst the hustle-and-bustle of New York City, there’s never a lingering shot of Manhattan’s gorgeous skyline. The direction is often kept tight and claustrophobic – keeping scenes focused on the characters and the chaos bubbling up around them. It’s all the more disappointing when Fair Play stumbles late. The complex drama is jettisoned in favor of a more standard thriller that might’ve starred Michael Douglas sometime in the 1990s. The need to make one of the characters a cliched villain feels tacked on and not spiritually in line with the thoughtful nature of the film’s first two acts. Despite a less than thrilling conclusion, the majority of Fair Play is a taut drama that puts character before plot. About the Film Critic Brandon Thomas Netflix < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS TUGS: A Bigg Retrospective Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Aug 9, 2023 Directed by: Lewis D. Gilbert Written by: Lewis D. Gilbert Starring: Sean Ruttledge, Shaun Prendergast, Peter Boys You'd be forgiven for never having heard of TUGS before even if, like me, you were born in the 80's and were about the right age to have enjoyed the program when it was first released on our TV screens in the Spring of 1989. A model animation series based around the conflicts of two shipping companies in a particularly explosive port in Bigg City, a miniature sized version of 1920's New York, TUGS was in fact a very British production. Coming hot on the heels of the success of Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends , producers Robert D. Cardona and David Mitton sought to take the already proven animation style and transpose it to a brand new setting which could perhaps provide the necessary tension for more exciting conflicts. The series however, only lasted for one season – thirteen episodes – and then fell out of favour only to be left behind by the onset of computer generated imagery and lost in the mists of time. Until now. Now, nearly thirty-five years later, documentary film-maker Lewis D. Gilbert has gone behind the scenes to gather as much footage, collate as much data, and get as many model makers, production assistants and voice actors as he can muster to help him tell the tale of this oft-forgotten children's animated series. To his credit, Gilbert has done a very good job of bringing everything and everyone together and has managed to accumulate a glut of information on pre and post production which he presents to us over the course of two and a half hours. For a production story that for most people involved in the project lasted only a matter of months, there is a wealth of backstory, construction and filming anecdotes, as well as other interesting asides which get shared throughout the documentary. These come straight from the horse's mouths with many of those involved in the series talking fondly of their time on TUGS and everyone getting to have their say about what they learned, enjoyed and shared during the experience. The documentary, without any clear demarcation, focuses on three aspects of the TUGS journey which at least gives it the feel of a three act structure. Talk about model making and pre-production gives way to chat about filming, editing and release, which then in turn leads to interviews with fans and outside agencies to discuss legacy and subsequent projects. A long time is spent on each section to allow each talking head the space to share their expertise and personal memories, but as each person is spoken to in isolation there are sometimes conflicting notions of who did what, or who made the big decisions involving the creation of each character, with only patchy recollections of individuals to rely on. TUGS: A Bigg Retrospective certainly achieves what it sets out to do, which is to investigate, record and preserve a very select section of British TV history that might otherwise have gone unnoticed and truly lost forever. Nobody remembers TUGS – nobody. I certainly don't. It didn't stay on screens long enough to make an impact on the psyche of the young viewers it was aimed at, and by the time it was released children my age were being treated to the divine glories of Visionaries , Centurions and Thundercats on Saturday morning television. It is really important then that a new generation is getting introduced to the incredible animation work and analogue film-making procedures which reached their apogee in TUGS in the mid-late 80's, something which is sadly absent from children's TV today. While the documentary may have certain troubles with its audio, sometimes fading away to almost nothing so it's impossible to hear what's being said, and the fact that it is way overlong at two and a half hours, it is otherwise well put together and treats its subject fondly. It is obviously going to be difficult to find an audience for a film about a show that the audience doesn't remember, but with the ever pervasive internet allowing new generations of children (of all ages) to stumble upon things from the past, this film's YouTube release will hopefully bring to the table new fans and old fans alike, able to share in the childlike glee of discovering something precious and saving it from obscurity. About the Film Critic William Hemingway Digital / DVD Release, Indie Feature Film, Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >