French film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Hadas Yaron, Rona-Lee Shimon directed by Dylan Joseph. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS French Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Aug 29, 2024 Directed by: Dylan Joseph Written by: Dylan Joseph Starring: Hadas Yaron, Rona-Lee Shimon During a manicure, a woman discovers that her friend is being dishonest. Taking place almost entirely inside one room, this story follows a situation between two friends (or maybe more accurately a quarrel) that turns more and more tense and dramatic. These two friends are Alona (Yaron) and Sari (Shimon) and they are inside the latter's home, where Alona's nails are being done by Sari, who is a beautician. Following some innocent chit-chat, Sari proceeds to reveal her suspicions that Alona is lying to her regarding having treatment at another beauty salon. Alona repeatedly denies it, however Sari persists. The confrontation escalates and Seri threatens to ban her from her business, unless she confesses. This short story from Israel is basically an argument between two individuals. An argument involving lies, accusations, self-reflection and stubbornness. Sari's insistence that Alona admits her dishonesty is what moves the plot forward, her refusal to believe her friend causes Alona to get very distressed and angry, yet gradually (and under a lot of pressure) she seems to be beginning to understand the errors of her ways. The story is a turning point, a time when a friendship is coming to an end. The film gains significantly from the performances by the two leads, particularly Yaron, who is very dramatic and dynamic as a young woman whose tendency to be untruthful has caught up with her and she is forced to face the consequences. The music by Guy Kaira includes some tense violin melodies that highlight the tension of the moment in the scenes and the enjoyable song Im Tirtzi by Hanan Ben Ari certainly is a plus. From one perspective, this is a short film that explores the consequences of dishonesty, how it can ruin relationships and isolate people. From another point of view, it is a tense and dramatic story with great acting, a well-structured screenplay and a rather high-octane final act. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Time Travel Is Dangerous film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Johnny Vegas directed by Chris Reading. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Time Travel Is Dangerous Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Sep 28, 2025 Directed by: Chris Reading Written by: Chris Reading, Anna-Elizabeth Shakespeare, Hillary Shakespeare Starring: Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Johnny Vegas Time Travel is Dangerous is a muddled mockumentary that provides a share of laughs thanks to a cast of British comedy veterans but drags thanks to a confusing and undisciplined story without an aim. Ruth (Ruth Syratt) and Megan (Megan Stevenson) are best friends who run a vintage shop in London. Upon discovering a discarded time machine, they identify a chance to fill their store with the wonders of the past, present and future. But their ventures into time threaten the fabric of the universe itself. It is down to former friends and co-presenters Ralph (Brian Bovell) and Robert (Johnny Vegas) to track the time machine down. It is a shame that Time Travel is Dangerous veers of course to the degree it manages to, as its concept is a strong one that is ripe for an impressive cast to have fun with. A rogue pair of London thrifters running amok in space-time is a great sell, and Ruth Syratt and Megan Stevenson’s synonymous co-leads make for an enjoyable pair of protagonists. Johnny Vegas’ as a down-on-his-luck but highly competent scientist is the kind of subversive role that adds some much-needed range to an ageless career. And add in a ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide… ’-esque voiceover from Stephen Fry, and this should make for a solid-at-worst comedy feature. And whilst there are some great laughs and great lines, unfortunately the ill-thought-out sci-fi elements become a serious distraction that drags the story of course. What starts as a fantastic but relatively straightforward set-up ends up in an overstuffed mess once the universal threat dynamics of the story are introduced. Fry’s voiceover is not the only reason that ‘Hitchhiker’s… ’ comes to mind, but Time Travel is Dangerous lacks any of the requisite charm or intelligence that permits the nonsensical story of Douglas Adams’ classic to work. Even the film’s basic structure is all over the place, beginning with a strong mockumentary framing which is abandoned at a whim where the story does not require it – as is Fry’s voiceover which is much-missed when it goes missing for large chunks. None of this is to say the film is terrible. It is at its best when lovingly and very ‘Britishly’ lampooning time-travel/sci-fi concepts. The props and set design have shades of Dr Who and Red Dwarf – two of its other clear inspirations – that adds to the sense that this is a project created by admirers and fans of the genre whose enthusiasm seeps through. Whilst the story is a mess, the characters who drive it are relatable and enjoyable, brought to life by solid performances of its cast. If a fun jaunt and a few laughs was the extent of the filmmakers aims for Time Travel is Dangerous , then mission accomplished. The talents of established comedy vets in Stephen Fry and Johnny Vegas are enough to familiarise viewers and the lesser-known stars Ruth Syratt and Megan Stevenson more than hold their own. But audiences are fated to fade in and out of the feature length running time thanks to a confusing and unengaging story that fails to catch viewers attention. This one is definitely time passed, but not always time well spent. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Theatrical Release, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Innocent (L'innocent) film review by UK film critic George Wolf. Starring Louis Garrel, Roschdy Zem, Noémie Merlant directed by Louis Garrel. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Innocent (L'innocent) Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: May 4, 2023 Directed by: Louis Garrel Written by: Louis Garrel, Tanguy Viel, Naïla Guiguet Starring: Louis Garrel, Roschdy Zem, Noémie Merlant With The Innocent (L’innocent) , director/co-writer/co-star Louis Garrel takes Shakespeare’s declaration that “all the world’s a stage” to some clever and literal ends. Or, he mines madcap laughs from a man trying to catch his mother’s new husband in a lie. Or, he builds tension from a “sure thing” heist sure to go wrong. Or maybe he’s just trying to comment on the needless games we sometimes play for love. Really, the film’s biggest hurdle is keeping the whiplash at bay as it juggles all of these tones for just over 90 minutes. And for the most part its balancing act is successful, crafting a breezy and amusing take at all the untrue stories we tell. Sylvie (Anouk Grinberg) teaches drama to prison inmates (as Garrel’s own mother did for many years), and falls in love with the incarcerated Michel (Roschdy Zem). They marry, which doesn’t thrill Sylvie’s adult son Abel (Garrel, who you may remember as Theo from The Dreamers ), and once Michel is released, Abel sets out to prove to his mother that Michel is still up to no good. Meanwhile, Abel and Clémence (Noémie Merlant, so good in Tár and Portrait of a Lady on Fire ) stand delicately on the last rung of the friend zone, each seemingly waiting for the other to jump off. Garrel blurs the line between acting and lying (to others and ourselves) with a slyly comical hand, amid pauses to remind us how crucial sincerity is to successful relationships. Okay, that’s enough, now back to this zany caviar robbery! American audiences may find The Innocent to be more of an acquired taste than those in Garrel’s native France, but anyone who dives in shouldn’t bail too quickly. Give this splendid cast time to pull all the threads together, and they’ll build a stage big enough for comedy, drama, romance and heart. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic George Wolf Theatrical Release, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Bread film review by UK film critic William Hemingway. Starring Sudhakaran Akhilan, Ajmal Zain directed by Binendra Menon. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Bread Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Sep 22, 2024 Directed by: Binendra Menon Written by: Binendra Menon Starring: Sudhakaran Akhilan, Ajmal Zain In philosophy there is an age-old thought experiment which is designed to open discussion on the nature of morality (or ethics) – that of the loaf of bread. If a person steals a loaf of bread, is this always an immoral act and does it make them an immoral person? What if the person stole the bread to feed their starving family? Does that change the morality of the situation? Is the morality of the thief affected by the circumstance of the action taken? Now, of course there is more than one answer to this question, which probably goes a long way to explaining the state of society today, and depending on whether you prefer to apply utilitarian, deontological or virtue ethics to the problem, you’re going to end up with wildly differing points of view. There is a reason that this thought experiment is one of the most famous and long-standing in the history of philosophy, and let’s just say we’re not going to get to the end of it here, however, writer/director Binendra Menon wants to open up this discussion one more time, and so we have Bread . In his short seven-minute film, Menon visualises this exact philosophical problem and puts it on screen. There is nothing else to add to the story, no sidelines or alternate routes to go down, and no need for explicit characterisation or background – the shopkeeper sells the bread, the thief steals the bread, the policeman chases down the thief – job done. Except, that just in the closing moments of the film, Menon tacks on his own moral judgement to the scenario and fully commits to utilitarian ethics to press the point he wants to make, which is fair enough. Bread is set in the dense forests of India, where a local trader has a stall at the side of a dirt road. Once the thief (Akhilan) has stolen the bread, right in front of the police-officer (Zain), a chase ensues and the two men race off into the trees, each fulfilling their one-dimensional role according to their social status. Almost the entire film is taken up by this chase sequence, with a few trips and spills along the way, and there is never any dialogue between the two main characters. Everything is expressed in ADR grunts and sighs which don’t quite match up with the visuals, and the entire plot and motivation of the film is completely contained within the thousands years old dilemma. When the two men fall into a pit they can’t get out of, and are injured, then a decision has to be made about which morality is stronger – that of the law, or that of humanity. What does stand out from Menon’s film, away from the simplistic plot and one-note characterisation, is the cinematography. Captured by Menon himself, the tracking through the undergrowth and the keeping of the characters in the frame is all really well handled. The colour of the forest is luxuriant and Menon keeps everything crisp and clear as the two men run further into the dense green leaves. The expressions on the characters faces are always given to the viewer at explicit points, keeping us invested in their journey, and despite a lack of dialogue plenty of emotion is still transferred through the screen, especially in the closing shots. While Bread may not have an awful lot to it, and really nothing to add to the centuries old debate, it is well made, well filmed and well produced. It’s not certain that the film says anything about living in today’s world, tackling a theme that almost everyone in history will have discussed at some point, but it does make its own decisions and its own conclusions and presents them with some visual style. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot to be gained from watching Bread , unless you want to use it in a first introductory lesson to basic philosophy to illustrate one of the oldest dilemmas in human history. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Hemingway Short Film, Digital / DVD Release, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Charlie film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Gavin White, Kari White, Rodney Williams, Sam Holeman directed by Alec Ybarra. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Charlie Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jan 30, 2022 Directed by: Alec Ybarra Written by: Alec Ybarra Starring: Gavin White, Kari White, Rodney Williams, Sam Holeman A single mother desperately tries to help her teenage son who is dealing with the emotional consequences after going through a traumatic experience. Widowed mother Rachel (Kari White) lives with her son Charlie (Gavin White) in a large, smart house. A while ago, Charlie was involved in a terrible incident and he has not been the same since. He has become distant, quiet and unsociable and Rachel is doing her best to keep things together. Now Charlie has disappeared and the police are looking for him. This is a psychological drama and thriller that focuses on the post-traumatic stress disorder that a young boy is going through. The narrative is nonlinear and cuts between a detective (Williams) interviewing Rachel in her home about her missing child and flashbacks that are shown in non-chronological order and reveal Charlie's emotional state and how it affected his relationship with his mother. The pace is rather slow, the camera is almost constantly stationary and there are many long takes. Nearly the entire story takes place inside the house and much of the film shows Charlie engaging in various activities such as drawing, working out, performing an act and spending a great deal of time by himself, either being very quiet or showing signs of anger as he struggles with his emotions. The film also explores in depth how he interacts with his mother, which creates rather dramatic scenes. The screenplay effectively captures the isolation that Charlie is going through. There are only a handful of characters in this feature and they all do a good job. Gavin White is convincing as a sad and angry teenager who does not know how to deal with his feelings and has cut himself off from the rest of the world. Karen White is quite emotional as the parent who cares deeply for her child and worries about him. Ybarra directs very well and develops wonderful establishing shots of nature. Composer Sean Thomas delivers a score that is dramatic and there is also a variety of songs from different artists. This movie is a character study. It is a slow-burning drama about post-traumatic stress disorder, the importance of support and finding the strength to deal with the past and move on. Some may find the slow pace a bit hard to deal with, however this is an interesting piece of work that deserves recognition. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Night at the Cinema film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring Bradford A Wilson, Justin Griffith directed by Meosha Bean. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Night at the Cinema Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: May 15, 2022 Directed by: Meosha Bean Written by: Animated Horror Flicks Starring: Bradford A Wilson, Justin Griffith Normally, the scares that are provided in movie theatres come courtesy of the films being played on the big screen. But as Night at the Cinema demonstrates, sometimes the moviegoing experience can be exploited by real-life monsters. When John (Bradford A Wilson) is stood-up by his friends at the movies, he decides to go and see a film by himself. As he sits alone in the cinema, he notices the glare of an unknown man (Justin Griffith) further down his aisle. As the man’s staring makes him more and more uncomfortable, John decides to leave. But when he realises that he left his phone behind, he has a choice as to whether to confront the danger he has sensed… It's clear that Night at the Cinema’ s mission statement is that public spaces can be made deeply hostile places by dangerous and threatening people who choose to inhabit them. Key to the film’s impact in this regard is its use of a man as the protagonist rather than a woman. The scenario presented is one that women will likely find familiar – but which men themselves do not experience as often. Whilst not outrightly stated, this scenario-reversal makes for a powerful statement about how society makes people feel, and how places that should be open to the public for enjoyment can quickly become traumatic and intimidating if behaviours and culture are not modified. The film is robbed of plenty of it’s tension by the decision to use John as a storyteller – recounting his experience to viewers who ultimately know that he will survive his night at the cinema. The voiceover involves an abundance of exposition, even in places where it is highly unnecessary – and this harms the impressive visual storytelling we see from director Meosha Bean which would have been largely enough for viewers to understand what is happening without it being directly explained got them. Whilst traditional horror scares may not be the film’s ultimate purpose, it’s message would have been better served by a greater uncertainty as to John’s fate. The inclusion of apparent supernatural elements also confuses matters a little towards the film’s conclusion. It’s unclear whether factors like the ‘trap’ set for John, or his friends abandoning him is meant to be the result of a sinister unseen power, or just a series of unfortunate events that he experiences. It doesn’t quite rob the film of its power – and the final image we see is still powerful and captures the ultimate message and theme perfectly. But the inclusion does feel unnecessary, unnatural to the story, and forced upon the film by its genre. For a five-minute short, Night at the Cinema tells an intense and gritty horror story which executes an important message about very real traumatic and terrifying experiences people face – which is the ultimate aim for any horror film. It does feels however that the film would benefit from a little less hand-holding with its voiceover, and trust the impressive visual storytelling we see to get its theme across. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Brighton 4th film review by UK film critic Bandon Thomas. Starring Levan Tedaishvili, Giorgi Tabidze, Nedezhda Mikhalkova directed by Levan Koguashvili. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Brighton 4th Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Brandon Thomas | Posted on: Apr 1, 2022 Directed by: Levan Koguashvili Written by: Boris Frumin Starring: Levan Tedaishvili, Giorgi Tabidze, Nedezhda Mikhalkova Georgian filmmaker Levan Koguashvili’s Brighton 4th is a charming drama that surprises with some subtle comedic flourishes. It’s a film that never gets lost in a self-serious tale of immigrants “roughing it” – instead staying firmly grounded in interesting and likable characters. Kakhi (Levan Tedaishvili), a former Olympic wrestler, travels from the central Asian country of Georgia to the Brighton Beach neighborhood of Brooklyn to visit his son. He finds him living in a shabby boarding house and learns that his son owes serious debts to a local mob boss. Hoping to get his son out of this jam, Kakhi begins looking for ways to raise the money to pay off his son’s debt and return home to Georgia. Tedaishvili wows with a beautifully stoic performance. Kakhi is a character that happily takes on the burdens of those he loves. From committing a “minor” case of kidnapping to help two women get the pay they’re owed, to letting that same man free out of a sense of respect, Kakhi is a man with a strong – but quiet – moral code. Tedaishvili’s performance is all the more amazing as this is only his second film. His debut was all the way back in 1987’s Khareba da Gogia . Brighton 4th wonderfully blends drama and comedy. There’s a grounded absurdity to the comedy that makes it entirely relatable. Whether it’s the chaos from the kidnapping plot, or Kakhi’s family members continually losing money over minor annoyances, the laughs are good-natured and always centered in character. The most striking part of Brighton 4th is the spotlight it puts on basic decency. It would be easy to focus on the ugly parts of life when depicting the struggles of immigrants. That part is apparent in the film for sure, but Koguashvili’s interest is in how people treat one another when times get hard. Kakhi continually puts the hardships of his friends and family on his own shoulders and does so without complaint. One scene in particular – when the newly kidnapped man helps soothe a woman with epilepsy while she’s having a seizure – showcases the film’s core belief: that when things are hard, people will rise up to lend a helping hand. While not being an overly complicated tale about the strife of new immigrants, Brighton 4th does offer a sweet, uplifting tale of a family doing what they can with what they have to help each other. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Brandon Thomas Digital / DVD Release, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Three Main Men film review by UK film critic Swati Verma. Starring Andrew Johnston, Ryan Lock, David Rees directed by James Ormrod. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Three Main Men Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Jun 11, 2025 Directed by: James Ormrod Written by: James Ormrod Starring: Andrew Johnston, Ryan Lock, David Rees The writer-director James Ormrod has drawn inspiration from his real-life experiences of working hard thriving each day every day to come up with this idea of incorporating it as a movie. Andrew Johnston, Ryan Lock, and David Rees along with the supporting cast combine their comic timing to enhance the subject matter and increase the degree of audience engagement with the film’s content. The plot of Three Main Men revolves around three actors all desperate to make a mark in the industry, looking for their first professional role. Three Main Men opens with a combination of a long shot followed by a mid-shot of Ryan going through the details of an audition, while Andy and Dave are playing various games that help them boost skills that can assist the duo to hopefully crack the opportunities that come their way. The set design, black and white colour pallet, natural lighting, camera angles, dialogues, costume, hair, makeup, and props complement the storyline thus maintaining the continuity to ensure the element of realism and relatability. In terms of performance, Andrew Johnston plays Andy who wants to learn skills to boost his acting to taste success by putting in the hard work but also knows the value of friendships and therefore stands with them in times of need. Johnston showcases a range of emotions as well as reactions to different situations through his body language, voice modulation, style of dialogue delivery, facial expressions, and eyes. Ryan Lock plays Ryan who is trying to overcome a small mishap that occurred years ago but gets reminded of every time he auditions for a new role. Lock with his performance makes the character arc realistic and relatable for the audience. David Rees plays the role of Dave who follows a different approach of getting into the industry through an agent because he comes in with experience. Rees has fantastic comic timing to add humour in certain serious scenes without losing the actual gist of the same. Julia Nelson plays Mabel a tiny part of the team taking auditions for aspiring actors assisting them to take initial steps in direction of a bigger dream. The actress has limited screen space but manages to make a mark in the storyline by adding the drama along with spot -on comic timing in her dialogue delivery and voice modulation. The Three Main Men talks about prioritising friendship above internal competition standing up for each other in times of need. The short film reiterates that one should concentrate on the present instead of remembering what happened in the past and ruining the chances of success in the present moment. The dramatic piece tells us to celebrate even the small achievements. It motivates people to keep working hard. The creative piece highlights that unity is the key to thriving together in the journey towards the common goal, taking care of happiness therefore mental health is less likely to be affected. The dramatic piece provides viewers a reality check regarding the workings of the film/television industry and theatre making them realise that talent is only the starting point. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Teen Killer film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Sullivan Grace, Allison O'Connor, Ashton Pulis, Isabel Davison directed by Olivia Medrano. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Teen Killer Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: May 31, 2022 Directed by: Olivia Medrano Written by: Olivia Medrano, Allison O'Connor, Sullivan Smith Starring: Sullivan Grace, Allison O'Connor, Ashton Pulis, Isabel Davison A teenage serial killer is having trouble disposing of a body. Alex (Grace) is a teenage girl who kills people. Although she tends to be cautious when she commits murder, one day she kills an acquaintance who payed her an unexpected visit and now she needs to get rid of the body. So she calls two of her friends to assist her. Her friends are Sam (O'Connor) and Kyle (Pulis) and they are unaware of her deranged activities. Will the three of them be able to cover-up the crime? Regarding the mise-en-scene, there is gore and a disturbing scene in which body parts are being placed inside a blender. When characters are looking at the camera and speaking, a boom microphone appears sometimes, creating comical feelings. This short thriller is presented as a mockumentary, although not the entirety of it is filmed that way. It begins with Alex holding a clapperboard, looking into the camera and introducing herself as a serial killer. Then a title card states that the events in this 'documentary' are true, apart from the ridiculous bits. This clever and humorous introduction effectively sets up the tone of the story. After Alex talks about her killings and explains why she commits them, the narrative moves to the murder of Becky (Davison) and to the actions that are required in order to dispose of her dead body, which is pretty much the main focus of this film: the killer and her friends trying to get rid of a dead person. And that is not a negative thing, as the plot is intriguing and there is plenty of dark humour. The acting may not be great, however that does not stop the performances from being amusing. Pulis, especially, is quite comedic as a sensitive guy who freaks out by the shocking situations he unwillingly has to deal with. Alex's stepfather is a good supporting character, who is cheerful and oblivious to his stepdaughter's murderous personality. The two biggest strengths here are the story and the humour. Having a serial killer as a protagonist and observing her as she does nasty things is something that catches people's attention and the dialogue and gruesome situations are supported well by clever dark humour. This is an interesting achievement and and those who enjoy dark humour mixed with the slasher genre will most likely find this short comedy thriller appealing. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Other Birthday film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Sarah Seymour, Joseph Hammal directed by Gabriel Brown. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Other Birthday Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Nov 27, 2024 Directed by: Gabriel Brown Written by: Giulia Vascotto Starring: Sarah Seymour, Joseph Hammal Megan (Seymour) and Tom (Hammal) are a young couple and live in a nice house, with their dog, Boots. However, things are not well as the two of them do not talk to each other. Megan appears to be sad, quiet and distant, while Tom is attempting to keep the spirits high by playing with Boots and being sociable. Eventually, a birthday party for Boots at their home organised by Tom will upset Megan and make her confront her issues. The script and the acting add significant qualities. With a story that takes place in a household where happiness and sadness coexist, this short's well-crafted screenplay manages to be uplifting and melancholic simultaneously. The film's dramatic atmosphere is supported by Lucy Green's music that includes wonderful piano melodies and the song Bittersweet View by Eli Hartley and Rebecca Romeo Pitone was a great choice to end the film with. Speaking of the ending, big commendations go to the animation during the closing credits. There is a moment later on in the film (which we won’t spoil) which could have been enhanced with more context for the viewer but this may be down to personal taste. The narrative succeeds very effectively in establishing the pain caused by the couple's loss, however, it would have probably been even more dramatic if the viewer had further context behind this.The reason for Megan's reserved and sad state is not revealed until the end, making it a mystery why she seems so unhappy and the revelation is quite emotional. The strong performances (assisted by strong direction from Gabriel Brown) by Seymour and Hammal are vital factors in creating a dramatic atmosphere. Megan is struggling to come to terms with her emotional pain and appears to be unable to embrace any sort of happiness, which is wonderfully portrayed by Seymour. On the other hand, Hammal’s performance as Tom is cheerful and acknowledges the fact that life must go on. Together, the performers capably depict the couple’s differing attitudes on dealing with a devastating tragedy and supporting the main conflict in the story. The themes the film raises include the aftermath of loss and grief, the pain it causes and (on a positive note) about the significance of support and not ignoring the good parts of life, even when things are bad because pleasant experiences can help make things better. And of course, the joy that pets bring is also acknowledged. This is a poignant and heart-warming story that contains valuable lessons about life. It indicates that tragedies can heavily affect people and that people should not forget about the happiness that can be found in those around them. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Trespass film review by UK film critic Swati Verma. Starring Hema Varshini, Vikas Ravi directed by Tharun Venkituswamy Sarvanan. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Trespass Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Dec 7, 2022 Directed by: Tharun Venkituswamy Sarvanan Written by: Tharun Venkituswamy Sarvnan Starring: Hema Varshini, Vikas Ravi The title of the short film- Trespass means to enter someone’s land or property without permission or commit an offence against a person or a set of rules. The white font used for the name of the film has the connotation of purity, simplicity, and innocence that can be ruined by the act of trespassing. The writer and director of the short film Tharun Venkituswami Saravanan incorporates major life lessons in the script with the assistance of two young protagonists played by Hema Varshini and Vikas Ravi. The plot of Trespass revolves around a woman and her love interest. The latter is very interested in helping her organise the room and also stealing a chance to spend some quality time with each other. The white and grey colour palette utilised by the filmmaker in the film has the connotation of mixed emotions, a sense of uncertainty and indifference, highlighting the subject as well as the mood of the movie. The set design, lighting, dialogue, background music, costume, hair, and makeup has been kept natural to complement the simplicity of the screenplay. Trespass opens with a slightly shaking long shot establishing the character arc of the onscreen couple brilliantly. In terms of performance, Hema Varshini plays the female protagonist a student who is struggling to deal with studies and also being organised in life. The young actress works on body language, facial expressions, and voice modulation to communicate the chaos, friendship, love, etc effectively to allow continuity and smooth flow of the narrative. Vikas Ravi plays the role of the central character; a very supportive and loving partner who attempts to bring out the best in his girlfriend. Vikas portrays the calmness and the positive attitude required to combat all of life's issues and emerge victorious. Ravi understands the nuances of his character. He depicts the traits of an ideal boyfriend making it real and relatable for the audience. Both actors effectively showcase the coordination, chemistry, and bonds that help uplift the storyline assisting the viewers to better understand the small details of the intimate story. Trespass talks to its audience about the need to be organised so that one can create a healthy balance between professional and personal life and enjoy both aspects to the fullest. The short film reiterates the fact that gender roles shouldn’t be defined and should depend on what the situation demands. The cinematic piece discusses the importance of creating space for themselves and the effect of the same on the minds of people. The creative piece comments on the human behaviour of holding on to unnecessary things. Trespass advises the viewer that it is crucial to continuously clean up and filter mental stress for a better future for themselves and their loved ones. The film also talks about the significance of expression and the power of communication to lead a better lifestyle in the long term. Trespass successfully tells us the significance of finding a strong life partner who can become a huge support for each other allowing them the opportunity to grow together. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Practice Squad: Go Hard or Go Back Home! film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Wesley Price, Edward Gant directed by Clark Birchmeier. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Practice Squad: Go Hard or Go Back Home! Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Apr 25, 2025 Directed by: Clark Birchmeier Written by: Phillip Buchanon Starring: Wesley Price, Edward Gant A short sports drama written by Phillip Buchanon, directed by Clark Birchmeier and starring Wesley Price and Edward Gant. First of all (with the intention of helping viewers have a better understanding regarding what this film is about), the author of this review would like to explain that a practice squad (as a title card states at the beginning of the film) is sometimes referred to as a practice roster and it consists of a group of players who are signed by a sports team but are not part of the main roster. They are active in professional gridiron football and can be released during the season. Concentrating now on the plot. The story focuses on Brandon (Price), an American football player, who is in the practice squad and trains hard, hoping that his opportunity will come. Supported and encouraged by his coach (Gant, who is the scriptwriter's brother) and his friends, Brandon is determined to succeed for his family. This six-minute short does not have much of a narrative, which is not a bad thing, as what it focuses on the efforts and struggles that the young protagonist goes through, training hard on the field, listening to his coach's advice, overcoming injury and pursuing his dream of becoming a sports star. Buchanon was a player for the National Football League and it was this project that led to the creation of N.I.L.ionaires , another short film about American Football that was reviewed by the writer of this review. N.I.L.ionaires was also written by Buchanon and directed by Birchmeier and has music by Brandon Crear. Price delivers a decent performance as a youngster who is facing challenges that professional athletes face. Determined, he carries on, confident that success will come. Gant is his coach who believes in him and motivates him. This short provides an insight into the world of professional athletes, revealing the struggles that they must deal with and the drive that they require in order to fulfil their ambitions. Additionally, this is a story about self-esteem, motivation, support, having dreams and pursuing them and overcoming obstacles. Buchanon has other sports stories in mind and intends to create a TV series in the future. Taking under consideration how inspiring this short film is, Buchanon's future projects are things to look forward to. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >