The Long Quiet film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring Hugh McDermott directed by Lucy D'Cruz. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Long Quiet Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Oct 20, 2024 Directed by: Lucy D'Cruz Written by: Lucy D'Cruz Starring: Hugh McDermott The bond between horse and rider is one as old as human civilisation, and whilst we all like to imagine we could tap into it in our most traditionally masculine of fantasies, the closest most of us come will be an all-night session on Red Dead 2. The solo journey of Hugh McDermott across Argentina on horseback is the subject of The Long Quiet – but it is anything but traditional. McDermott’s life led him from rural Ireland to the mountains of Argentina, where he embarks on a 2- year horseback journey of self-discovery on which he confronts his past and the person he is to become. He reflects on his connection with horses through his life (including his current companion Pancho), childhood neglect, sexuality and masculinity, as the journey becomes more than one of endurance – but of formation. The Long Quiet is more character-piece than documentary. It is a spiritual deconstruction of a man most viewers will likely be unfamiliar with – but who by the end those same viewers will know as intimately as a friend in their own life. Hugh McDermott’s life is retold by those closest to him, who recount their own connections, events in his past and their own explanations for his contradictions and motivations – as Hugh himself retells the viewer of his own perspective through narration. The journey across the mountains of Argentina itself fades in an out of events – bolstering the real story about what makes the man. McDermott never shies from the intimate details – from the traumatic to the romantic – leaving everything on the table for those engaged with his story. His self-discovery and perspective on life’s real meanings mean that the story becomes as personal for the viewer as the subject, and forces one to look inwards at their own history. The titular ‘long quiet’ is described in the film as the long moments on horseback when the world fades away and the sensation of being carried becomes ethereal. In some sense, the film is a brilliant recreation of this sensation in visual form. This can lead to zoning in some moments and one may find themselves losing thread of the narrative, but as a sensation it forms part of an experience. Throw in atmospheric vista shots of the landscapes that capture the essence of the remote, and the film settles as truly spiritual at its best. It is undeniable a slow experience, and viewers ought to watch in an environment in which they are willing and able to give respect to its pace in order to get the most out of the feature. There are also times in which this becomes glacial, and revelations that seem self-explanatory have to be dragged out of the story, becoming repetitive at times. Yet for those looking and willing to immerse, they will find a nakedly human (and, I guess, equine) story of discovery. The Long Quiet is long, and it is quiet. But sometimes in those long quiets are echoes. And this one will echo with viewers for some time. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Indie Feature Film, Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Dolce Far Niente film review by UK film critic James Learoyd. Starring Michael Antonio Keane, Cristina Filippone, Susy Serra directed by Michael Antonio Keane. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Dolce Far Niente Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Mar 29, 2024 Directed by: Michael Antonio Keane Written by: Michael Antonio Keane Starring: Michael Antonio Keane, Cristina Filippone, Susy Serra The rather enigmatically titled Dolce Far Niente (Sweet Doing Nothing) poses some thoughtful questions, yet it’s the way in which they’re presented that makes this short feel unique in many ways. It depicts an incredibly personal, romantic tale of a young Irish writer staying in Italy. He narrates his activities as he wanders the streets, enjoys nature, and interacts with the various people around him, but narratively this is represented through recollective fragments. I was reminded of the reflective narration often used in the beautiful works of Éric Rohmer. The film presents us with a great many visual idiosyncrasies to enjoy. Perhaps, most notably, there is frequent use of a filter which distorts and blurs a lot of the image. Being a practical, lens-based effect as opposed to something added in post-production really gives it a vintage look which also suites the Italian streets and landscapes we’re being shown. Its purpose is also to fragment the image, like the structure of the narrative, as if being viewed through a very specific perspective – one whose thoughts are always playing a part. There are also some wonderful compositions, particularly when it comes to the opening few shots, which hold a patience and softness to them, using the buildings to frame the lovely blue of the sky (it all feels very Call Me by Your Name ). These novelties certainly elevate the piece to a level that it otherwise would not reach. The only issues, aesthetically, come in moments wherein, for whatever reason, the shutter-speed is randomly a lot faster than a previous shot (as to compensate for an excess of light): it’s slightly too digital a look that doesn’t match the whole romantic, wistful atmosphere. The editing has an alluring, stream of consciousness style, a fluidity that feels quite like a modernist novel. This style of sporadic cutting also provides a dynamic style for the viewer to enjoy – in fact, a lot of the film’s substance can be found in the form more than the story and themes themselves. With such ambitious editing and creatively stimulating cinematography, it’s easy to overlook certain story flaws, but they exist nevertheless... Message and story-wise, the short elicits some mixed feelings. On the one hand, there’s a pleasing (if slightly easy) message about self-love and acceptance, although one could argue that the narration doesn’t probe any deeper than that nice surface level. It all works very smoothly; very neatly. It simply could have been more thought-provoking with some more self-reflective, emotionally complex messaging. In addition to this, having Italy be the location for our story, you would think this may offer an explicit purpose or maybe even political commentary or allegory, yet it’s all quite clean and apolitical. But to conclude, there’s a beautiful atmosphere on display in Dolce Far Niente . Not every short possesses this degree of editorial and visual creativity, thus, for that reason alone, it’s more than worth a watch. The film’s a wonderful effort and, most importantly, demonstrates a love for using the cinematic form to discuss the internal. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

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

Tomorrow's Today film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Greg Kritikos, Joanne Scorcia, Annunziato Carbone, Dave Morrissey Jr., Heather Cole, Dominick Martini directed by Timothy Hines. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Tomorrow's Today Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Dec 14, 2021 Directed by: Timothy Hines Written by: Frederick Stroppel, Susan Goforth, Sandy Chila Starring: Greg Kritikos, Joanne Scorcia, Annunziato Carbone, Dave Morrissey Jr., Heather Cole, Dominick Martini A story about a group of people who unwillingly get involved with dangerous criminals and must find a way to get themselves out of trouble. Charlie Boy (Kritikos) does stand-up comedy for a living and is quite popular in his neighbourhood. He gets along with people, goes to church and is trying to leave his criminal past behind. His friend Tommy G. (Carbone) is a wannabe actor who idolizes movie star Tom Hardy. Unfortunately, Tommy also has a gambling problem and when he gets himself into serious debt with gangsters, Charlie, along with his friend Joey ''Shakes'' (Morrissey), attempt to help Tommy out, leading to further complications. This is a dark comedy crime drama that includes interesting characters and an intriguing plot. The main focus is on Charlie and the situations he and his friends get into and the script effectively explores the lives of the protagonists. The narrative contains themes of friendship, supporting each other, loss, grief and the pursuit of one's dreams. There is adult humour, criminals threatening people, a robbery, a kidnapping and there are also emotional scenes. Kritikos leads the film well as well-meaning person, who is willing to help others and is suffering due to a terrible event that took place in his past. Carbone plays his part well as an optimistic individual dreaming of movie fame but ends up creating problems and Scorcia is convincing as a single mother who also has a tragic past. Martini is menacing as Big Angie, the leader of a gang of criminals. The film contains wonderful establishing shots of New York City and several well-constructed montages that utilise fast motion and include shots various people and locations in New York, kind of like a documentary. The filmmakers also make limited use of black-and-white cinematography. The soundtrack is rich, consisting of enjoyable tracks and the theme song Tomorrow's Today is a great addition. This award-winning feature offers an entertaining experience that is not without its moving moments and the plot and characters are enough to gain the viewer's attention and approval. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Always Smile film review by UK film critic Joe Beck. Starring Jason Park, Min Keon Kim directed by Jason Park. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Always Smile Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: May 11, 2025 Directed by: Jason Park Written by: Jason Park Starring: Jason Park, Min Keon Kim All great films have a hint of melodrama, and yet if you were to go through the canon of classic cinema there are very few that could be described as truly melodramatic. Their messages run deeper through the film than just in the surface level dialogue, they are found more deeply in the nature of the directing, the beats of the soundtrack, and, of course, in the subtext of the script. ‘Always Smile’ has no panache to it, nothing to separate it from eye rolling, cringe inducing melodrama. ‘Always Smile’ comes from prolific indie filmmaking production company Hypatude Productions, and is directed by Hypatude’s founder Jason Park. Park’s passion for film, and for filmmaking, is obvious and present in ‘Always Smile’, yet sadly that never translates to any genuine quality. The film follows two brothers, Alex (played by Jason Park) and Johnny (played by Min Keon Kim) who, following the tragic deaths of their parents, have fallen into homelessness. The two brothers live out of a van, with Alex working a dead-end job and Johnny attending community college. That life of daily struggle is shaken up one day when they witness a woman’s kidnapping. Crucially, that critical moment does not come until the fifty-fifth minute, only thirty minutes before the end. If this were a longer film, then spending an hour building up the characters would be sensible but with just thirty minutes to go, there isn’t enough time to properly find a resolution. The structural problem of ‘Always Smile’ is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to its lacklustre script. The film falls into one of the pitfalls of writing characters under the age of twenty. It simply doesn’t understand how twenty-something year olds talk, with each character riffing off cringeworthy lines of modern slang. This attempt to make the script seem realistic has the complete opposite effect, instead making some scenes laboriously painful to get through. The actors do their best, but performances all round are poor and often stilted. It’s a film that makes the questionable decision to glorify poverty, and as the film ramps up to an action-packed conclusion, that blatantly raises its head. Throughout, the struggle of the brothers is presented as noble, glossing over the harsher extremities that their situation offers. Other serious themes of sex trafficking are similarly glossed over, merely acting as a hastily added plot device to bridge the divide between the first hour and its rushed conclusion. ‘Always Smile’ is a film lacking in any subtlety. It devolves almost instantaneously into preachy melodrama without nuance and cleverness to its message. This extends beyond the script to the directing and to the soundtrack, making for an altogether grating experience. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Joe Beck Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Untranslatable Forest film review by UK film critic James Learoyd. Starring Maria Drangel, Kirsten Schuhmann, Saori Goda directed by Ivan Miguel, Andy Camou. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Untranslatable Forest Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Jun 7, 2025 Directed by: Ivan Miguel, Andy Camou Written by: Ivan Miguel, Andy Camou Starring: Maria Drangel, Kirsten Schuhmann, Saori Goda “It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on Earth has ever produced the expression: ‘As pretty as an airport.’” This Douglas Adams quotation opens The Untranslatable Forest – a two-minute animation about language in which we’re taken through rooms and spaces within a psychedelic, abstractly presented airport; each space merging the natural world with artifice. The animation itself, speaking of its technical construction, is three-dimensional computer-generated animation. Pleasant colours and textures displayed in what one could point to as a kind of ‘videogame’ aesthetic (just to give you an idea of its appearance). It looks wonderful and is artfully done. This is partly to do with what the animation is depicting and the complex, thought-provoking design elements at play. There’s a sensory aspect to the filmmaking, an immersive journey through locations, feelings, sounds and ideas which – ironically enough – might be difficult to describe with conventional language. But that’s part of the beauty of it. To name a couple of examples: brown leaves are dispensed through the ticket machines and float down to the ground; branches and bushes are being scanned through security in glass boxes; and the plane itself is filled with grass in the aisle and a river above. It’s really a gorgeous thing to witness, like a provocative art installation which utilises collage and bright contrasting colours to both disrupt the spectator’s perception as well as appeal to the eye. In the space of less than three minutes, an audience will find themselves simultaneously calmed and transfixed by what they witness onscreen. Directors Ivan Miguel and Andy Camou have done an intelligent thing by taking this Douglas Adams statement and running with it in the most expressive, unusual manner possible – but outside of form, it’s also a most socially direct piece. The film draws our attention to how languages are being lost over time, almost as if it’s a living organism which – like the natural world and the impact of global warming – is being damaged irreparably bit by bit. This subconscious, visual parallel between words and greenery makes us care deeply for the languages we’re reading onscreen and hearing through the soundtrack. A word should also be spared for said soundtrack of the film – both in the awe-inspiring score and the pleasing audio design. It’s as if the sounds of nature, grass swaying and leaves falling have never felt so satisfying. To combine the natural and technological, in the most careful and structured way, scratches a certain itch in the brain. In The Untranslatable Forest , the filmmakers do indeed manage to make an airport setting appear almost overwhelmingly “pretty” (as their opening mission statement establishes). Through the use of slick, textural animation, the viewer is fixed to the screen as we glide omnisciently through the world of the film. We’re then hypnotised by the experimentation on show in the form of these juxtaposing textural concepts elegantly becoming one. But it’s the overarching message which leaves one deep in contemplation once the credits have finished rolling. An outstanding micro-short, filled with depth and innovation. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film, Animation, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Bull Street film review by UK film critic Chris Olson. Starring Malynda Hale, Loretta Devine, Arielle Prepetit directed by Lynn Dow. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Bull Street Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Chris Olson | Posted on: Dec 3, 2024 Directed by: Lynn Dow Written by: Lynn Dow Starring: Malynda Hale, Loretta Devine, Arielle Prepetit Lynn Dow's Bull Street is a compelling legal drama that delves into complex themes with passionate intensity. The film's strong performances and evocative Southern atmosphere create a captivating viewing experience. Malynda Hale stars as LouEster Gibbs, a small-town lawyer who must take on the case of her life when her estranged father turns up dead. The passing of her dad brings uncertainty surrounding LouEster’s family home, which she shares with her much-beloved grandmother Mrs Big-Gal (Loretta Devine), as her biological sister Kendra (Arielle Prepetit) - also a lawyer but with a Harvard background - comes to town looking to take what she sees as rightfully hers. Lynn Dow delivers a potently emotional journey with Bull Street . The tone of the film has an engrossing Southern U.S. charm that plays to the sense of character often found in depictions of that part of the world. LouEster is a sympathetic character, having lost both her parents but still powering through barriers and challenges set before her by centuries of prejudice and privilege. Hale gives a strong lead performance, coping well with the various traumas her character endures, a moving speech at a funeral was a particular highlight. Other cast members shine too but not as brightly as Loretta Devine who is simply having a ball in every scene she’s in. The vibrant cinematography and solid editing are often overpowered by the dominating soundscape. The sound design, at times, is too clunky and mawkish, giving the feel of the film a sense of a “made-for-TV” movie which sadly undermines the story. A more elegant choice of songs and music could have enhanced Bull Street quite dramatically but as it is, this may still appeal to a mainstream audience. By exploring themes of family, inheritance, and racial injustice, Bull Street offers a poignant commentary on the complexities of the American South. The film's exploration of the intersection of personal and systemic issues is both timely and thought-provoking. There is a great section where the complicated backstory of LouEster’s parents gets explained from various viewpoints, which is a terrific way of displaying the gossipy nature of this community and how certain people aim to control the narrative in their favour. While some scenes lean into melodrama, the film's emotional intensity largely works, drawing the viewer into the characters' struggles. Despite its occasional missteps, Bull Street is a heartfelt and engaging film that explores important themes with passion and conviction. While it may not be a perfect movie, it offers a compelling story and strong performances that are sure to resonate with audiences. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Chris Olson Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Bapteme film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring Paul Roux directed by Alessandro Amaduci. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Bapteme Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Dec 4, 2022 Directed by: Alessandro Amaduci Written by: Alessandro Amaducci Starring: Paul Roux The music video for Paul Roux’s Bapteme artistically and imaginatively captures the essence of connection. With a futuristic setting that matches the electronic soundscapes the artist operates with, this video is well-suited to accompanying the new track. The video loosely follows an astronaut as they explore a desolate, abandoned city seemingly made of stacked-up records. The astronaut travels in zero-gravity through this strange, sometimes intimidating world, and eventually meets a partner who they initiate a connection with. This connection brings new life and colour to the world as the pair embrace. Bapteme’s video is interpretive, and as with all music videos, designed to emphasise the song rather than any great plotline. Using impressive visuals, the video is a treat to watch, and matches the song’s tone. Electronic music can be tailored to many emotions – and here it is clear that the importance of contact, forging relationships and communication is what the artist seeks to embolden with his music. The video envisages this without awkwardly inserting a complex or distracting plotline. The visual effects themselves work well and look crisp, slick and convincing. The video is designed to look robotic and otherworldly – with crackling static embroidered into the design of the bizarre city, and a digital space background bringing a definite sense of unease to the astronaut’s adventure – with the danger of floating away into nothingness an ever-present threat. Mostly in black and white, the film intentionally mixes the futuristic and the distant past to place the events in an uncertain timeline – possibly at the creation of a new world or after the destruction of an old one. The actual music is allowed to dictate the video’s events, with the repetitive beats convalescing their own momentum and grabbing directly into the listener’s chest. With electronic music particularly designed to be shared with others, the normally-solitary act of watching and examining a music video tends to run in countenance to this. But Bapteme’s is visually interesting enough to fit-in should it be required at a dance event or anywhere else it may be required. Even brief glimpses of the film are attention grabbing and dynamic enough to supplement its pulsating music. So whilst the Bapteme’s track is interesting enough alone, fans of Paul Roux and the electronic genre in general should check out the interesting music video and appreciate the imaginative work in bringing the crafted beats to life. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film, Music Video, Animation < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Read the film podcast transcript from the episode titled UK Film Club 010 - Dream Scenario - Miracle Club - Earth Mama - Paw Patrol on UK Film Club part of the UK Film Review Podcast. < Back UK Film Club 010 - Dream Scenario - Miracle Club - Earth Mama - Paw Patrol Listen to This Episode UK Film Club 00:00.00 ukfilmreview And make you famous. Make sure you tell all head office that you're on the UK film of your podcast. You know. 00:00.00 Brian Penn Yeah I know it's got. It's good. It's got potential wasn't it. We got we got to look at every possibility aren't we Chris really to spread the word. You know. 00:11.17 ukfilmreview Yeah, we could find out what his ah favorite Christmas film is maybe and you know get that in there. 00:16.43 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, that's true. That's true Tis the time of time of year isn't it really such a tradition is that we start talking about our favorite Christmas films I mean I notice we've got a smattering of Christmas movies to review tonight haven't we say. 00:33.49 ukfilmreview Yeah I mean some of that was ah purposeful by me and some of that was just ah chance there was a filmmaker who submitted ah a Christmas film which we'll get to um, but yeah, no, this episode is is a mix and it's got. 00:42.43 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah. 00:50.25 ukfilmreview s got everything really you know, not only that we've got a film that I've seen at the Cinema So this is huge news. You've you've also seen something pre-release because you got you into a screening. So I think the listeners are going to be in for a real treat. 00:52.46 Brian Penn Are yeah ah no yeah, yeah, that's right? yeah. 01:06.68 Brian Penn That we're gonna we're spoiling and not me really with all this this truly ecletic. Next. 01:09.80 ukfilmreview Um, two. And also I have a stinking cold which if you can't tell from my voice. That's what's going on. But so I'm not giving it to them by doing this as a podcast rather than going up to them in the street like I like to do and tell them my opinions on Films. So. 01:17.46 Brian Penn Um, yeah, ah. 01:22.28 Brian Penn Um, that's yeah yeah I I mean I just got over a rather back hole myself. So you know I I do understand there's a lot of it about that's what we normally we say don't we under under these circumstances. There's a lot of it about and that well no. 01:33.26 ukfilmreview Yeah, there's a lot of it about yeah and not always about cold. So yeah, that's the her exactly all yours and. 01:41.90 Brian Penn Don't get cold. Don't get too close to your microphone Chris that's when I say oh my? Yeah exactly? yeah. 01:47.96 ukfilmreview If this is your first time to UKFilm club you're probably wondering what the heck is going on one of these 2 guys blaing about um, there's going to be a lot of that and if this is your first time. Welcome u k film club is a place where we review all films any type of film including as we've mentioned Christmas films. 01:52.93 Brian Penn And I ah. 02:07.89 ukfilmreview Um, but that is largely just this time of year. We're also going to be reviewing a bunch of cinema films which Brian has seen we're going to be on one I've seen we're going to be reviewing a streaming pick something that's on Netflix then we're going to head into a bunch of indie short films that we get submitted to the website. And we're going to review about 5 of those and finishing up with the nostalgia pick which is a film from the past and this episodes nostalgia pick is a Christmas classic. Um, but I won't say exactly what of it is. 02:34.30 Brian Penn E. 02:44.99 ukfilmreview But you could probably just read the description of the episode if you're really that yeah desperate to know? Um, but anyway, ah yeah, there's lots to get through. Um, and as I said I've seen something in the somo going to save that because is a pretty special film. So why don't we kick off Brian with. 02:48.14 Brian Penn A yeah. 02:57.17 Brian Penn That the a. 03:04.38 ukfilmreview The new Ah Nicholas Cage Film Dream scenario. 03:06.29 Brian Penn Oh right? Okay, yeah let's start off with that one so written and directed by Christopher Borgley is stars Nicholas cage as you just mentioned and Julian Nicholson Paul Matthews is a quiet mild mannered university professor. Bres through life without much incident. This apparent calm is disturbed when he also relates a dream that she swepts away and her father does nothing to stop it. Paul is still be troubled by the dream. Why would he just stand by and watch his daughter in mortal danger. Even in the concepts of the dream. It runs country to the natural inclination to protect his children. This is the list of his problems as he also creeps into the dreams of his students. What is initially seen as a joke becomes more sinister as a dream so increasingly explicit and violent Paul's life and personal relationships are affected. As the dreams mysteriously spread across the nation Nicholas cage thoroughly buries his existing persona in favor of a Bordin gray bearded academic. This makes the character even more refreshing because it seems so different from his previous work christopher borgby. Has crafted a character that outwardly couldn't be less threatening if he tried and would be the last man with a starring role in someone's nightmare. This is a weakness in it. There is a weakness in the narrative that doesn't move very far and fails to properly explain why it's happening. But then again, maybe that's exactly the point. 04:37.55 Brian Penn The unexplained subconscious creating a dream scenario that makes no real sense. All good fun as long as the audience doesn't get too logical. 04:46.56 ukfilmreview So as like that last bit is like true about every film right? there Don don't pull it apart too much. 04:53.29 Brian Penn Work. Yeah, and ic we are critics like Chris aren't we um and that natural inclination is to sort of ask why I mean look you could be as outrageous an outlandish as you like with any plot as long as you keep some grip on reality. Something quite fascinating about dreams because they are symbolic. They do mean something or we turn ourselves on means something but this is taking it a stage further and if you question the the plot too much it loses its power to us to a certain extent but all very good fun like and. Pretty much in the horizon and not comedy as it's being bashed by some reviewers. 05:27.32 ukfilmreview Ah. 05:32.87 ukfilmreview Yeah, because when I looked it up I thought it's a interesting mix of genres obviously comedy horrors are always a bit kind of ah risky I would say and to stick Nicholas Cage in who has these is. 05:38.33 Brian Penn Yeah. 05:47.77 ukfilmreview But a toe in both camps. But I would say probably more in the comedy side of things than the than the horror. Um to then see I like you say the type of character the physical appearance of this character was like so far removed from what you expect from cage. Is it kind of like ah is it darker. 05:50.14 Brian Penn Um, yeah I think so yeah. 05:58.86 Brian Penn That Yeah, like. 06:07.57 ukfilmreview Is it is it a darker film than comedy or is it more light. Ok. 06:09.30 Brian Penn Now I think it is very dark I won could I wont put a comedy at all I mean I didn't I mean maybe it was the mood I was in the I sort of film but I didn't find anything remotely funnier Ben said right? Some people might find an element of humor that but it is very dark. It is. The horizonre it sits very well there because it's dealing with with some very challenging themes that we can't necessarily explain and you know it ties in with horror supernatural. You know that type of bag. It's definitely It's definitely in that territory. But I think it's all the stronger for it though and that's where it rightfully belongs. But I I imagine that it won't work for a lot of a lot of people because perhaps they do expect cage to make light of it because because he is ah a very good comedy outs. He can play straight but he can play comedy really well. But. He plays it straight here and his appearance as to say his appearance looks totally different. You would barely recognize it. It looks like he's put on weight as well for the palm not Sony has but it just looks like that. So. It's completely out of carrots if you if you compare it to sort of lackey's biggest films. Like I don't know the rock. For example, um, it's I mean the carist could be more different but that might be what appeals to him is that it is very differently something. He hasn't really done before. 07:24.60 ukfilmreview There. 07:34.87 ukfilmreview Well, especially you in recent years we've had a lot of nit cage films even a film about him right? The massive a kind of unbearable weight of massive talent something something like that. Um, that actually was very good I enjoyed that film. But. 07:43.55 Brian Penn Yeah, the bit. Ah, it's yeah, that's the one? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's good fun. Yeah. 07:52.27 ukfilmreview You know, even to be picking fun at himself. You know he's become kind of pasti. She's become this character that is almost just iconic upon itself that for him to step into a role like this. It's It's true of a yeah, a great actor. It's a sign of a great actor that they're able to do that. They're able to even be. 07:57.84 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah. 08:10.82 ukfilmreview What on 1 hand like the butt of the joke and then on the other hand doing a what sound sounds like more of a horror slash comedy and really changing the physical appearance to just throw himself into it I think that's great I really do like Nicholas cage I think he's got a great filmography. Um. 08:16.16 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah. 08:23.19 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah, yeah I I think he's a good answer I think he's underraced in some ways you know he's always made films that are popular that make a certain amount of money in the box office. But I think he he. And don't think he's been fully accepted as someone who can ask who can handle different genres different characters and this proves that even more that he's very versatile and he can do it. So yeah, a good film, a good sort of film again may not work for everyone. But. Challenging and it's worth seeing. Yeah, that was from that was very good that great Seway you know. 08:59.28 ukfilmreview Okay, yeah, so that's dream scenario and I'm currently in theaters. So if you can catch it. Do catch it. That's what we say but don't catch our cold. Whatever you whatever you do. You know what? and that that came to me with a head full of cold. So no 100% not I don't rehearse anything off the co. Um, so yeah, checks notes. Yes, that's what I say next? um, well from 1 incredible actor to some more. 09:18.20 Brian Penn Oh you haven't rehearsed that thing very cool and I saw one sign is off the calf. Yeah course it course it is yeah ah ah. 09:34.57 ukfilmreview We're going to go to the Miracle Club now. Um, and this this is a hell of a lineup. 09:36.54 Brian Penn Ah, right? Okay, yeah, it is yeah very much so directed by thados o Sullivan starring Maggie Smith Kathy Bates Laura Linney and Stephen Ryan we go back to Dublin in the 1960 s locals are increasingly agitated by a talent composition offering a trip to the holy shrine at lords now. Everyone's looking for a miracle as lil and iileen join an unlikely goal group in the composition. They both win tickets and make plans for their pilgrimage but they face a part. Well. Ah, face from the past deraled the preparations Chrissy was best friends with eile but suddenly left sound following a tragic incident Leo was the mother up of Chrissy's fulov and also has many axes to grind can a trip to Lord's hilllar rift that's festered for 40 years there are caricatures in thelyration dubious accents to match Laura Liny gets away with it playing a character that that's lived in America for 40 years Maggie Smith and Kathy Bates give the accent a fair run for its money like the truth espians they are but the accents remain an ongoing weakness throughout the film. Stephenn Ray lends strong support as ere's husband Frank but it's quickly relegated to a hymn indoors role when the goal leave for lords for all, its obviously effects the miracle club keeps away from the 2 star territory. Thanks primarily to an outstanding caste. The story carries a much stronger message than it might initially suggest. 11:05.66 Brian Penn Deals with faith in superstition in the most practical way and that's refreshing to see on the big screen. But if there was ever a film that was saved by the cast is this film frankly but again, very nice, very watchable. It's some good performances. The accents are a bit variable. You know they do hover between Belfast and Dublin via Birmingham but you know I'm prepared to forgive them that um, a good watch a good watch. Really. 11:29.17 ukfilmreview Ah, perfect. 11:34.57 ukfilmreview It's funny isn it how that can really affected an enjoyment of a film because often it's like why like why would you cast I mean I get I get it here because these are absolute Titans of film. But even so it's like you're gonna. 11:42.30 Brian Penn A here? Yeah Smith. 11:51.53 ukfilmreview Yes, have great actors but you're going to lose that sense of authenticity by not casting someone that is yeah from the place and I yeah I just feel that that's such an important part because it does really dry I come we were watching something recently my wife we got like halfway through it. She just said I can't actually carry on. 11:52.95 Brian Penn He yeah. 12:04.56 Brian Penn There. 12:11.41 ukfilmreview Because of this person's accent and that's how bad the film is I can't actually even what the film was but it was someone putting on an American accent and they were clearly British and it just kept coming through. But anyway so the Miracle Club we're saying kind of what midlink kind of film. It's not. 12:12.71 Brian Penn Um, and I be there? Yeah yeah. 12:25.88 Brian Penn Yeah, it yeah, it's it's a threestar film I mean I mentioned twostar territory because it's something as simple as that in my own mind where it could lose a star and it becomes a 2 wo-star film but because it. 12:28.53 ukfilmreview Up there. But it's worth a worth a punt. 12:46.90 Brian Penn I Think right for the big spring. 12:57.55 Brian Penn Ah case. So with the miracle club then that my my feeling was that it was ah a 3 star film that won an extra star in my own mind because of the performances of the as involved we will. We've already mentioned the ah variable accents which is often an issue for a film like this. And we know it doesn't have the authenticity. It might have had with irishborn answers but star quality wins through the cast they have got helps us sell the film in America which is always an important consideration. So for that. It gets an extra star but you get to see some very good answers. Breathing life into what would otherwise have been a very rusing story about superstition about faith but they do it very well and they were fortunate to have a caste that was so capable and that will carry a film and it's the trip. It's It's the true indication though of good actors who can make it work. Yeah. 13:54.74 ukfilmreview Yeah, and I think audiences will know what they're getting if they go to the cinema for a film with this type of cast that's not winning any kind of massive favor with the critics I think they'll sort of know where it sits but it is in cinemas right now. Um, so if you're listening to this on release and. 13:58.13 Brian Penn With him waiting. Me Not yeah. 14:12.90 ukfilmreview Yeah, it's called the miracle club let' us know what you think if you see it um and see if you agree with Brian's 3 star rating um heading hopefully now to something slightly stronger and better. Um, Brian was very fortunate to go to a prescreening of earth mama over Toba. 14:13.80 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah. 14:21.24 Brian Penn Is a. 14:29.64 Brian Penn That's right I was okay then so written and directed by savannah leaf starring Ti Noel and Erriica Alexander Jia is a mother of 2 children in care with another on the way she is a recovering addict and enrolled on every recovery program humanly possible. 14:35.72 ukfilmreview Are. 14:47.43 Brian Penn Every positive step brings her closer to getting her children back gea dreams of the day she can stand up in court and prove her fitness as a mother a social work in this car and becomes a friend and honest broker could adoption be the solution to gea's Problems Earth Mammamo pulls. Absolutely no punches in a bleak. But sadly realistic snapshot of Urban Life. It's a story that's been told many science before but some hit the spot better than others. There is a detached almost visceral quality that really stands out as a character jeer will ask for no favors nor will she complain about how she got here to her raking over the past is a waste of energy. The present has plenty to keep her busy. She's simply Asking. What do I do now as a viewer it easy to buy into Ge's predicament as she battles to do the right thing. There is a natural glowve of simplicity that doesn't feel staged or constructed. It's hugely reminiscent of flying the wall documentary. The characters are facing problems that are universally Understood. We see real people living in real lives which gives the story an undeniable impacts any it directs you can project this level of realism onto the big screen has achieved the rare feeds. It was good. It was good. It. 16:01.54 ukfilmreview I Mean it's as good as say as ah, a very strong review and I know that you like to film after you'd been, but it's really powerful to hearing how you're describing the film as well because it's clearly you know, deep and meaningful and there's a lot there. Um yeah I think. 16:04.27 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah. 16:15.86 Brian Penn Are um, yeah. 16:18.92 Brian Penn Yeah. 16:19.80 ukfilmreview It sounds fabulous. Um, is it the sort of film people should see at the Cinema is it that kind of immersive experience that you're going to want. 16:25.78 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, I feel they should you know I mean this type of story people may think it belongs on the small screen. It's a kitchen sink Drama or you could call it that but this is ah the way it's made the way it's short. It's designed for the big screen and it's not a comfortable watch. But. 16:43.12 Brian Penn Therein lies. The real power is that it's it's shown you a side of life that isn't pleasant to think about, but it happens it happens across the world. You know you've got a young girl. We're still growing up but also tries to be a mother as well with and she has all these other issues in the life to deal with. So it's ah it's ah, an excellent portrayal of a tough life of somebody living a very soft life at a very young age and it works really well. This film goes on general release on the eighth of December and I hope people do go go and see it but it might not necessarily sit very well with. Ah, the Christmas crowd and the other films that are on release at the moment but it deserves to it deserves to a go on the big screen and people should give it a chance but it's very good. The fact that i. I was able to talk so much about it and speak so much about it. Gives you an idea of the effects it had on me and. 17:40.93 ukfilmreview Yeah, and I think yeah, it's a kind of film that often when you go see something like at the cinema you get surprised by how affecting it is whereas something I don't like the the last one we just reviewed it could be like yeah you know what to expect? you know how that's going to go. Whereas with this I think it's doing something different. It feels like it's yeah more of a unique story and also I believe it's the filmmaker's first feature length Savannah Leaf I think it's her first featurelink film I'm just done some shorts I think beforehand quite a few shorts to be fair music videos but still. I think it's really powerful to support like a filmmaker's first directorial for a feature because you then get to experience you. This is how they'll handle. It. The first time. Yeah, obviously yes, they might not be want to be the perfect film but to have come away with such good reviews already just shows that she. Yeah, must be a pretty promising director. Um, yeah, let me just pause it. There. Okay, well next up is a film I saw at cinema largely because. And wanted to take my daughter. She's 5 and it's the first time she's been to the cinema. So yeah I took courtesy earth Mama as well. No I didn't really I took it to see I still get to see paul patrol the mighty movie which. 18:55.39 Brian Penn Oh. 19:05.65 Brian Penn Um I had. 19:11.71 ukfilmreview We are big fans in this household we've seen lots of poor patrol of the the other movies and the ah the series and yeah, this was the sort of perfect time for me to bring my daughter to the cinema because I knew it's something that she would sit through because it's hour and a half. It's not like a short film and yeah I was. 19:25.41 Brian Penn A. 19:30.80 ukfilmreview Thoroughly impressed by my daughter's resolve to sit there and watch it. She was perfect in the cinema you'd be very proud Brian knows no no shouting no throwing anything she didn't even get up from her seat to go to the toilet which is to be honest unheard of for that length of time. So I am yeah. 19:37.48 Brian Penn Brilliant, Fantastic. Well yeah, you got a very well trying done. Yeah, you've obviously got a very old trying. 19:50.20 ukfilmreview Sure I I did strap her in but and I this is um for anyone that is ah, not aware of poor patrol. It's um, a group of dogs who solve crime or crime crime save they sort of have different abilities and a different skill set and they have their leader called rer who is a human. And basically they normally operate in Adventure Bay going around and it started as a sort of simple tv show and they're doing simple things. It has now escalated up to the point where we're getting these big blockbuster animated movies that are more akin probably to something along the Marvel sort of franchise. Really. Um, and also relying heavily on merchandise hence why I am now incredibly poor. Not to mention going to the cinema these days my goodness that was expensive. Um, but that just shows you how infrequently I go? Um, but yeah in in this. 20:37.82 Brian Penn A. 20:48.90 ukfilmreview Movie The Pul Patrol Pus get superpowers. Um, which actually happened in the show. So I'm not sure where the crossover here happened and yeah, it's got a big um, big cast depending on where you see it because or how you see it because this is kind of more of ah, an in thing. But. 20:56.74 Brian Penn Are. 21:06.45 ukfilmreview With poor patrol if you watch it on say Netflix you get the american cast voices. But if you watch it on say like 1 of the british cu channels or something or channel 5 You get the english voice cast. So when I saw it at the cinema it was with the british voice cast which was quite. 21:12.70 Brian Penn Um. 21:22.70 Brian Penn Um. 21:24.85 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, yeah. 21:25.11 ukfilmreview Ah, jolting say theise because you're used to these voices being american and suddenly it British British cast so I'm not 100 % sure who's in the british version and I know who's kind of in the american version but that's not the one I saw so just a heads up for any parent that's planning on seeing the Paul Patol movie um yeah the the voices might differ slightly? Um, but it's good. It's good. Fun. It's very much fast pace. Lots of you know, structured ah sequences of action. You know you have there, you could you could plot this film exactly identically to the previous film. Um. 21:57.66 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm sure I'm sure. Yeah. 22:02.86 ukfilmreview But it's it's it's good. It's that they know what they're doing. They know how to make a few in jokes for the parents. Um, but largely they do rely on these characters which have been well sculpted. You know they spent a long time with these characters. Um, and they're just doing something a little bit bigger I think for the for all the fans out there. Um, yeah. 22:12.71 Brian Penn Yeah. 22:21.56 ukfilmreview I don't think this is good. There was a film that has come out before this current. What's called ah but the 1 is actually was slightly better. Um, but this one is is pretty good. It's worth your time. Your kids are gonna like it if they like pull patrol. Um, but yeah I wouldn't go it. It's not. In the same league as something like ah you know Spider Spidy verse yeah all that sort of stuff. Um, in terms of it being kind of more of a grown up animated film. This is still very much geared towards young children. Um, but it is good if you like Borderdol so it's in ah. 22:41.35 Brian Penn Like yeah. 22:47.40 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, yeah. 22:57.20 ukfilmreview I mean I was lucky to see it because he's been in cinemas for a while since September it's one of those films that because it ticks the box for a family film of all ages I think they do very well and they get to just kind of stay there as long as bums on seats are coming in. You'll get a lot of repeat visits. Love. 22:57.95 Brian Penn Yeah. 23:03.68 Brian Penn A a. 23:12.18 Brian Penn Um, yeah, it is is so well it seems to me I mean I've only seen the odd trailer here and there and read up a bit on it but it does the job doesn't it I mean it's a perfect film for the family isn't it really that. 23:14.45 ukfilmreview Yeah, parents coming again and then sitting there through it all again. 23:29.51 Brian Penn It's sure you know your kids don't have to concentrate for too long. What is it ic 8 minutes it's put it's perfect's in that way and I mean I think it is it save you series as well. 23:34.90 ukfilmreview Ere. 23:39.17 ukfilmreview Yeah, so it's been a series for a long time. Um, quite a few seriess but they they started making kind of feature length episodes that were more about mono feature length but they were 40 minutes um so they were kind of like because ah, a standard episode is more like. 23:50.80 Brian Penn E. 23:57.49 ukfilmreview 10 or or 20 I think so yeah, they were doing these sort of longer episodes then they started graduating more towards the sort of our hour twenty Mark um, but what they did with the first film. The the bigger film it was they gave you the origin story of 1 of the characters and then with this. 23:59.93 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah. 24:10.10 Brian Penn Yeah, ah right. 24:14.71 ukfilmreview Film They've done it on a different character So I am wondering if that's kind of their plan is to just try to go through all the characters and say this is how they kind of came into the portraital but that's absolutely fine. More power to him um does really work. 24:21.66 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, yeah, come ah well I think it's interesting though is that they used the british caste to voice the characters for the Uk and they've stuck with an american cast for. 24:37.56 Brian Penn The the North American version which yeah I think's an interesting approach isn't it really because that. 24:40.24 ukfilmreview Yeah, it it feels on it feels a bit unnecessary for Western audiences that are yeah from English majority speaking countries because I say we're all quite used to American voices and with us so with something like this the action the characters even just down to things like you. 24:58.47 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah, yeah. 25:00.22 ukfilmreview How they drive where they drive. Yeah, it is kind of American It feels American so to give it British accents in my opinion kind of is quite jolting. It was like this doesn't really fit. Um, but I think if if you've only ever watched it with the British voices I think you wouldn't notice. But for me I was like oh this is. 25:09.66 Brian Penn Yeah. Yeah, they try to make it more accessible I guess aren't they really you know the the fact that they've given them that they're making them english or british it's a deliberate move to try and make it more accessible to Uk audiences. But I almost wonder whether that's even necessary really because. 25:17.85 ukfilmreview Weird. Yeah. 25:33.47 Brian Penn You know we become used to American accents on C film and cv for God those how long so it shouldn't really present that much of a barrier but it's interesting that they've done that but it's for. 25:42.21 ukfilmreview Maybe we should do that with this podcast. No that anyone in America listening we should get some american versions of us. You know they could be there is I mean after after you having a go at you know Maggie Smith's irish accent I'm not sure we should start trying on accents Brian. 25:46.81 Brian Penn yeah yeah I mean maybe we should try american accents. You know we might need a bit of coaching I mean we don't well and and maybe we aren't on shaky ground Chris there is one one small point I like to come back to with regard to earth mama. 26:03.91 ukfilmreview Ok, yeah, different. 26:06.15 Brian Penn Ah, you know we mean you know we've always mentioned with short films is that there's potential for it to become a future lengthng film right? Well with Earth Mammama that actually happened because it is actually based on a short film that Savannah luther directors are made. It's called the short version. It's called the heart still harms. 26:11.13 ukfilmreview Yeah. 26:22.71 ukfilmreview Okay. 26:24.80 Brian Penn And based on the success of that short feature. We got this film so I wanted to mention that because we've often spoken of that haven't we about short? yeah. 26:31.76 ukfilmreview Well that is fabulous. Yeah I mean it's actually really powerful to hear that because we get a lot of filmmakers and some of which will review today who've done short films and with the idea of making it a feature. So yeah, it's always really great seeing that actually happen. 26:38.39 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, so I wanted to mention that specifically because it kind of dos tell us with what we've always discussed about short films and the potential they want how to go on and become a series or a feature film. But earthbaler very good I can't recommend it enough out ah out on general release seaact for december. 27:02.65 ukfilmreview There you go and you know par patrol also started as a short Tv show and then became this mighty movie. So it all links really think big. 27:09.31 Brian Penn Um, yeah, you guys? Yeah think big think big. Yeah. 27:16.16 ukfilmreview Um, probably not the case with the next film. Um, we're moving on now to our streaming pick now this is a film from any streaming service which I decide on really largely. It's mostly been Netflix movies because they are very good at letting us know what's coming. 27:25.64 Brian Penn Boy. 27:32.20 ukfilmreview Um, kind of wish I hadn't picked this um but but yeah'll, we'll get into it. Um, it's a Christmas film and it's called best dot christmasdot ever exclamation mark so I'm already annoyed and it's ah it's yeah bent. 27:41.94 Brian Penn Yeah, ah yeah I yeah. 27:50.33 ukfilmreview And essentially a family ends up at the house of a semi old kind of um University friend. She's not old but their friendship is old. Um, but the the friend seems to have an amazing life going on. 27:59.18 Brian Penn Are. 28:08.45 ukfilmreview So our protagonist played by Heda Graham is largely jealous because of what she reads in their Christmas newsletter and that her child ends up taking care of the satnav and directs them to this amazing house where they get snowed in and have to ah spend Christmas with this. 28:14.00 Brian Penn A. 28:19.88 Brian Penn A I think there. 28:28.40 ukfilmreview Other family ah albeit whilst um, questioning their own family life Now if the word contrived ever could be a use for the plot of a film. It feels like it is this one? Um I There were so many points in this film where I was like. 28:35.47 Brian Penn Um, no yeah, really really. 28:47.77 ukfilmreview Yeah, but that's not how people would act. That's not anyway anyway, what do you think of best Christmas ever bride. 28:50.14 Brian Penn Ah, and I I I thought it was just about bearable if I'm being absolutely honest, it does stretch credibility as its a breaking point my my first big big quam with this film was the the premise that they. All got into a car. Um sort of the 2 kids and they set off apparently to spend Christmas with her sister right? and the kids secretly reprogramed the saturn knife. Ah so that they had end up going to Jennifer's house now. How on earth. 29:16.32 ukfilmreview Um, yeah. 29:25.67 Brian Penn Could they get to Jennifer's house and only just realize they're at the wrong house that that there are they're not at their sit. Her sister's House. They're at Jennifer's sounds how could they travel all that way and not think to themselves hang in a minute this isn't the the right way. We're not going to my sister's house. But they don't question it until they actually get there if you see I'm getting it am I am I being picked 2 pickage you think. 29:47.45 ukfilmreview I Thought well I don't want to try and explain it for them. But the only thing I think is I don't think they've been to her sister's house yet. So I think it is a new house and I I think I might be wrong. But I think there's that plus I think they do arrive kind of at night and I kind of. 29:56.24 Brian Penn Oh I Never knew. 30:04.78 ukfilmreview That bit I can kind of say do you know what? I'm gonna ah let you off that you didn't know the kid had done it and we are all kind of slaves to sat now for these days if you drive you you do kind of just follow it mindlessly. But I do think you I think one of them says oh we've been dry for an extra 4 hours 30:13.97 Brian Penn Um, yeah, well yeah, but yeah, this is what I'm getting at and that kind of rips the the heart out of the storyline a bit for me. 30:20.10 ukfilmreview That it should have taken and it's like well maybe you should have realized. 30:28.14 ukfilmreview That. 30:30.82 Brian Penn You know, but look so that's that right to start with now we I think we know more or less that Christmas movies are going to follow familiar lines aren't they, they're not going to deviate too far from what is accepted on what the formulas are for making a Christmas movie but it was. Ah, bit twey a bit corny but it just stayed on the right side of bearable for me. 30:56.41 ukfilmreview Yeah, for me, it felt like um Christmas vacation but nowhere near as good like it was like that. Yeah feeling of Christmas is the time to reflect on your family and often they kind of. 31:01.10 Brian Penn A. 31:10.42 Brian Penn Um, yeah. 31:11.67 ukfilmreview You feel oh my family's not very good and then you kind of go through Christmas and you realize your family is good and that's fine I don't mind these tropes and that they are there because it's comfy and warm. But with this it was flimsy and it was boring I must say I was watching I was getting bored. Um. 31:21.11 Brian Penn Um, yeah. 31:31.45 ukfilmreview Just felt like it was by the numbers. It felt like Netflix had said guys made a christmas film. You know, get a few people in it who know? yeah, the audiences are going to know rope it all together. You could write you could bash this out in a day you know in terms of the writing and it just felt like. 31:42.41 Brian Penn Yeah, but I it. 31:48.94 ukfilmreview There wasn't enough because with Christmas films. You either go down the line of you're going to do a kind of of satirical look. You know like Christmas vacation where it is kind of you're playing maybe on the scrooge thing but largely, you're going to do a ah look at a realistic. 31:51.55 Brian Penn And. And and. 32:07.65 ukfilmreview Jaunt or you're going to go down the route of pure fantasy. You know like the nostalgia pick. We've got this month but with this it was like they didn't think of anything kind of that clever to do the the more realistic route and then they threw in a little bit of like ah fantasy like. 32:09.90 Brian Penn A. 32:26.55 Brian Penn Um, yeah there. 32:26.70 ukfilmreview Out of no that really didn't work. Um, and it's kind of like yeah it felt very just thrown out there and they didn't even bother to come back and and rewrite it to make sense and to even make it interesting. Um, one thing that for me did. 32:40.76 Brian Penn Really yeah, one day. 32:46.70 ukfilmreview Save the film from being complete disaster was brandy norward um, she was good. She was very funny, very charismatic. Um, she felt like a character we wanted to spend more time with and obviously offset by Heather Graham's kind of nitpicking slash. Ah. 32:48.94 Brian Penn She was good. Yeah, very good. Yeah. 32:58.80 Brian Penn When. 33:06.70 ukfilmreview Cynical character who is questioning her choices in life. And yeah, all that stuff that was it was okay that was okay, but other than that it felt like something that was a small part of a totally different film. It was like they could have just had something else happen and it would have been absolutely fine. Um. 33:07.15 Brian Penn Um, yeah there. 33:18.77 Brian Penn Ah, yeah, yeah, no it yeah wasn't good I know I'd be very surprised if it was it. You know. 33:25.36 ukfilmreview Yeah I don't it won't end up on. Anyone's favorite Christmas film list. 33:32.96 Brian Penn You're write about Briy Norwood I think she was probably the star of the film in many ways but she had a more sympathetic character as well. Heather Graham's character was quite and wasn't particularly likekable. She didn't endea herself particularly did she by the way she behaved. You know she had all this festering resentment that Jennifer had everything. 33:37.56 ukfilmreview Tri yeah. 33:51.90 Brian Penn And she didn't when really she has a nice life but there's always somebody better off There's always somebody worse off so it didn't it didn't handle those basic Christmas messages particularly well and I think you're right I think I think it was you know. Ah, bit like oh we need. We need a new Christmas movie to promote and it had a decent budget by the look of it. But you know it it didn't really work that well but it was bearable. It was bearable just about. 34:20.76 ukfilmreview It was yeah I yeah think it was bearable and I think it's a sort of film that I don't know. Maybe if you've got a connection to someone in the film or whatever you might want to watch it but largely. It's it's pretty avoidable. Um, but that was best Christmas ever which. 34:29.42 Brian Penn A not not either gray. Yeah yeah, does yeah 9 34:38.58 ukfilmreview Again I still don't understand that title. But anyway I'll get in sidetrack now. Um, that was our streaming pick for the month but I do apologize because it's not 1 You should actually really seek out. Um, unless you do need to go to sleep. We are moving on now. 34:48.94 Brian Penn No oh oh oh. 34:54.41 ukfilmreview But actually we're not. We're not going too far. Actually we're staying in the Christmas vibe. Um, but this it's more. It's a Uk christmas film called Christmas time now this is an indie film that's been submitted to us for us to review. It's already been reviewed on our website and I can say up front that. 35:03.26 Brian Penn Are. 35:13.98 ukfilmreview Joe Beck who reviewed it did not like this film I enjoyed it ah much more than he did I must say um, but if you want to read Joe's review that's absolutely fine. Um now Christmas time John to go for the plot on this one Brian. 35:14.98 Brian Penn No no. 35:21.73 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, yeah of course so pirates are by Dan Daniel Coler starring Neil Jones and Shelley Bentley this is really a spin on Christmas Carol. It's basically scrooge the central character Kevin Snowden a science teacher who hates Christmas he drags his family off skiing just to avoid the festive period only this time his wife has switched their booking to Lapland so they can enjoy a proper Christmas but this excursion takes an unexpected turn and forces Kevin to def front. Fraie Stephens I actually quite enjoyed this I think if you take it for what it is that it is an independent film with a small budget relying on a familiar Christmas theme I think it works really well and it's quite it's quite sweet it's quite endearing I enjoyed it. 36:14.38 ukfilmreview Yeah I enjoyed it. Um I think I went in with low expectation because I'd read Joe's review but I am also very aware that a lot of people don't like Christmas films in general. 36:17.68 Brian Penn Um, like so. 36:21.50 Brian Penn I. 36:26.90 Brian Penn Yeah. 36:28.90 ukfilmreview They don't they just as a genre like some people who just don't like horror films. So if someone is very anti christmas films I kind of get that a lot from their writing. Um I didn't know Joe didn't like Christmas films before I assigned him. But that's absolutely fine because I think you know Joe's a very good critic and he likes a lot of films. He just didn't like this one. And when I went in with that low expectation I was able to kind of appreciate what the film had done very well obviously you can pick up some bits which aren't fabulous. There's a few issues with the film. But what I did really enjoy was that yeah it was playing on the scrooge thing. It also. Similarly to what we just reviewed. It did have a Christmas vacation vibe because you've got this kind of character like his his obnoxious friends or or like neighbors web they're on the on the trip as well and causing him to get into situations that he doesn't really want to get into um and I I just found watching the. 37:13.24 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah, on some trip. Yeah. 37:23.33 ukfilmreview The dad's exasperation just really enjoyable I was just like he's he's clearly having like the worst tire of his life and I'm I'm here for it I was I was really enjoying it. Um I did feel you know that what 1 big issue with this film. 37:25.19 Brian Penn Yeah, and I there the. 37:40.63 ukfilmreview Is they go to Lapland right? This the part thing that they the the wife switches their plans to go to Lapland instead of where they normally go in Scotland and when they get to Lapland it looks nothing like Lapland it's clearly not Lapland. It's clearly just somewhere in the uk that they found because like all the staff. 37:42.47 Brian Penn Um. 37:45.38 Brian Penn And. 37:51.30 Brian Penn I know I was going to say that? Yeah yeah, yeah, like I know and I I. 38:00.54 ukfilmreview Sound like they're from the Uk all the vehicles have got like Uk license placed and I'm just hope I get you you we need to suspend disbelief. But maybe if you aren't planning on going to that location or at least being able to convince us that that's where you are then don't put it in the story because I felt they could have re. 38:06.98 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah. Yeah, and I yeah that yeah I mean this is where I think a limitedive budget comes into flame where. 38:19.75 ukfilmreview Redone this film differently without having to lose that sense of disbelief. 38:28.51 Brian Penn The money just wasn't available but it was plainly obvious it wasn't disguised at the soul that you you knew for a fact, there were nowhere near that down that burn you know, but I mean as to say that's that's where you're exposed with a limited budget and I think it. It kind of makes up for it because I quite enjoyed the way the story unfolded gently it gently unfolded you you got to see why Kevin hated Christmas quite as much as he does and you came to understand more as a kart. So I like I like the introductions to the film where where he was. In class with his students and they were talking about whether ah five Christmas was scientifically feasible like I enjoyed that I've not seen that done before quite on that. So. There's a lot to enjoy in the film. You know there are things that they do very well but it does get exposed slightly where they have. Like don't have a lot of money to play with and it does does show. 39:24.14 ukfilmreview And I think that what that is um for me. That's when I I I will judge a filmmaker based on that because you got your story that you want to tell I get that. But if you don't have. 39:32.84 Brian Penn A. 39:37.64 ukfilmreview Resources you need to find a way to make the story work and I felt that that was a big part missing from this because when you compare this to some. It's quite similar in in terms of I said I suppose tone anesthetics to something like nativity. Yeah, with that British British very british film. You've got a lot of. 39:39.60 Brian Penn And. 39:49.48 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 39:56.40 ukfilmreview Non- actors in that film and yeah, they've done it that can't be a big budget film. There's no way that's a big budget other than Martin Freeman and like it's quite a low low costs. Yeah, there's not many people that are going to be on the poster and the locations are all pretty simple. You know it's like a school. Basically. 40:05.59 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah. Yeah, me. 40:13.81 ukfilmreview And I felt with this. It was like why are you trying to convince us this is Lapland it's really annoying me and I know yeah the latter part of the film. There's a reason but they could have written around that they could have done it in a different way that was the only thing that really kind of I thought that's too ambitious. You've gone too ambitious there and I think you're going to lose a lot of people with this. 40:21.53 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah. A a yeah. 40:32.72 ukfilmreview Um, and then up than now I actually felt that the film had a lot to to offer like he said I think that dad is a great character. The mum gets slightly written out a bit if I'm honest, um, but his relationship is kids is really sort of interesting to watch you know and how he's. 40:35.99 Brian Penn Yeah there A yeah yeah. 40:48.97 ukfilmreview Struggling as a parent and how he is actually struggling as a husband as well and what he's trying to do and how this time of the year is ah is a time to potentially address that. Um, so I really I really like that and I thought the the film has some really good set pieces in like they they've got this dries. 40:58.59 Brian Penn Um, yeah, that. 41:07.99 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah I was good I was good fun. Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah. 41:08.27 ukfilmreview Gee slope and things like that like added a little bit of like look but good fun. Yeah I think that's probably the best word for it. Um, and it's it's quite twe, but it's charming as well at times and I think as a british audience I think we'll get more out of this. Then you would say out of best Christmas ever I think this is more geared towards a british audience who are going to understand the foibles of a character like this. 41:25.24 Brian Penn well well yeah of course but I mean it's interesting that you can compare it to best and best Christmas ever. You know the the opening gambit of the story was that his wife changed the booking to me that's much more credible than the opening to best Christmas ever. 41:40.43 ukfilmreview Um, yeah. 41:45.60 Brian Penn Where the kids put a different address into the into the siteath that kind of hangs together better than best Christmas ever for me if you were just comparing the two where they kind of Kicktart the story. This is how we get to where we are. This is how they get to the friend's house in best Christmas ever and this is how we end up getting to laland. 41:52.91 ukfilmreview Yeah. 42:04.91 Brian Penn Because she simply switched the flights that works better that has more credibility if yeah, well yeah, pardon that pop pop. Not yeah. 42:10.51 ukfilmreview Yeah I think yeah, this is a very believable film. Um, that's that's stuff other than the lap lamp bit. Um pa up. But I think they? yeah yeah, if you if you're gonna watch a Christmas film out of the 2 I definitely pick christmas time I would I would watch this again and now I think. 42:24.70 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, no I know I don't think I'd watch it again. Best Christmas ever but particularly with the 4 stops are for each word I think it begins. 42:27.42 ukfilmreview That's the power of a Christmas film I said oh yeah and I'd watch that again if that was on I'd watch that um I wouldn't watch best Christmas ever I would I would avoid that. 42:41.34 ukfilmreview A gram. Yeah grammatically it was annoying. Um, but Christmas time not so much so they go um, let me find out if this is available I believe it is going to be available. But. 42:43.92 Brian Penn Yeah, but yeah, it begins. Yeah now christmaslu's good. 42:55.32 Brian Penn Um. 42:58.39 ukfilmreview Yes I think you can rent or buy on prime video I believe um so yeah, do check it out if you can get hold of your copy or watch it online and yeah, let's know what you think of Christmas time. Um. 43:04.99 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah. 43:13.85 ukfilmreview We are now moving on to a web series. That's right Brian we are broadening our horizons. We are now into the Tv miniseries. Um, this is ah, an anthology. Ah which has 5 episodes this is available on prime video if you're in the u k. 43:15.30 Brian Penn 2 Yeah, why not? yeah. 43:30.31 Brian Penn And. 43:32.17 ukfilmreview And I I believe when I watched it it was actually included in the prime video subscription which is really good. So it's called trail of dark matter and this follows 5 43:36.53 Brian Penn Are and in. 43:47.33 ukfilmreview Completely separate episodes but they are in the same kind of universe. There are characters which are shared between some of the episodes. Um and each episode is largely ah consisting of 2 main characters probably or or 3 at the most conversing. 43:49.90 Brian Penn A. 44:03.12 Brian Penn A. 44:07.20 ukfilmreview And in in the same location for the whole piece now on paper that feels quite limiting and it feels like oh okay, yeah is it is it gonna be boring but I actually found every episode pretty engaging and it got increasingly more um, sort of sinister and controversial and things that they were delving into became quite gripping. 44:07.83 Brian Penn The. 44:19.31 Brian Penn Yeah, no yeah. 44:24.93 ukfilmreview Like any good Tv series does um but like said each episode on its own is still powerful to watch because you've got these 2 characters often going through a very sort of rich scripts. Yeah, such as like the first episode is like about this couple chatting. Um and she wants to know why he left her. And they're going through like all these like relationship problems that they had and just that on its own I found really compelling I was watching now I thought oh and then there's a little twist and stuff. Um, there was another episode where these 2 women are chatting in the laundette. They come from quite different worlds but then they realized actually they've got a lot of shared experiences as women and yeah I won't. 44:48.49 Brian Penn Um. 44:49.69 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, Well. And I. 45:02.91 ukfilmreview So spoil too many of the episodes because I think that it's really worth people watching But what did you think of trail of dark matter right. 45:08.90 Brian Penn Yeah I ah really enjoyed all of them I think that as individual segments you can appreciate them. They have a standalone feel but you can also watch them something in one go I I really enjoyed the the um the heads to heads where relationships found. So. Ones that stand out for me because there are some some are better than others to be fair, but they're all good. Um, old flame which was the the first statement where the woman was having a conversation with her ex-boyfriend now the ex-boyfriend came across as something of ah, a counselor or a therapist. Trying to explain to her why and their relationship didn't work out and tried to emphasize to her that it was just as much her as it was him and I quite enjoyed the way they handled that and book ending the the 5 episodes was adversaries where an ex-boyfriend a girlfriend had tied up. In a room somewhere and you think where on earth is this going but it was fascinating to see the interplay between those 2 characters gradually ah unfolding taking you to a place that you wouldn't really expect to be in terms of the plot very cleverly done I also thought um. 46:21.92 Brian Penn Blood relations was good as well where the brother and sister were meeting her father. Ah and the brother had something to tell his father which of course we won't dieulge here but very sort of um, engrossing sort of playlets. Really, there are only 20 minutes long age aren't like. 46:30.32 ukfilmreview That. 46:38.52 ukfilmreview Yeah. 46:40.62 Brian Penn I Think the only one that didn't work quite as well for me was strangers with the two girls in the warm dress. It seemed to to ah take too long to get to where it was going. There was something vaguely interesting about it but probably wasn't strong for me Anyway I see other four. Um. 46:54.61 ukfilmreview I like that when I was happy with that one I thought I found the um the 2 characters really interesting terms of they were quite different and then yeah again, not not to spoil it. There is a bit of a twist near the end. But yeah. 46:58.46 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah. 47:03.41 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, and it is a twist and all them and kindred as well. That's the brother and sister preparing for a pari and the father turns on. Ah yeah. 47:15.94 ukfilmreview Yeah, that I would say actually I like that one I was probably my favorite one. Ah. 47:20.36 Brian Penn They're they're They're all good, but as to say the the strangest I don't I'm not so sure about but you know as to say it's a bit like ah, a sketch show isn't it. You could call call this um, a serious sketch show where you got fire sketches and. 47:39.56 Brian Penn Reasonably quick fire 20 minutes each and they come at you at pace they all they all follow. Ah a similar theme because the the title of the um, the 5 episode the title of the series gives you some idea of how um conversations concerning so in a certain direction. And they constantly surprise you they'll do. They're not what you're expecting very clever but like any kind of sketch based program is that some stand out more than others some work better than others but overall very impressed, really impressed. Yeah. 48:10.58 ukfilmreview Very impressed as I say it's available on Amazon prime currently this trail of dark matter. Yeah, thoroughly recommend it and we don't often review our web series but it has become more common now and I think it works these these work well as individual. 48:19.52 Brian Penn Um, yeah, definitely. 48:27.20 Brian Penn A. 48:29.10 ukfilmreview Short films but it also works as an overall piece too. Just also to mention with Christmas time if you did want to find out more about the film. It's an Instagram Christmas time movie or 1 word. This doesn't have any social media as far as I'm aware trend of that matter. But you can find it on. Prime so you don't need social media to find out about it. You can just go and watch it. Um, so that's the trend of dark matter now moving on to a short film called eurobos am I saying that right? which is that how you would say euroboris. 48:56.80 Brian Penn Um. 49:03.56 Brian Penn Ah I think that's how I would say it to be on it. You're a boros. Yeah yeah, we are film. Yeah. 49:07.40 ukfilmreview We're getting into our irish accents again Brian it's been ah It's been a it's been an episode of that. Um, now this is an incredibly powerful short film set in 1950 S Ireland and it starts with this quote as sort sort quote about ah is it trauma trauma. 49:17.97 Brian Penn In. 49:23.88 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah, steeper than that. But yeah, that will do that will do that would do. 49:26.68 ukfilmreview Ah, being a time traveler I am absolutely paraphrasing them by the way. It's much more fitting in the film. yeah yeah I thought would do um and yeah, a really powerful start to what is an incredibly powerful short film. It's only 10 minutes um directed by di a donnna who. 49:40.96 Brian Penn If why. 49:46.13 ukfilmreview And yeah, it's about this girl. She's at the beginning of film. She sat by the lake with a for my guess is her boyfriend. She then realizes she's late for church. She runs off forgets her shoes and the her family chastise her when she gets there um things then happen and she gets. 49:51.98 Brian Penn O. 49:59.48 Brian Penn A. 50:05.77 ukfilmreview Committed to a a mentor hospital and the film takes on a very dark and sinister tone with lots of sort of nightmarish sequences happening. Um, what do you think of this one. 50:12.72 Brian Penn Um, yeah, very good, very disturbing very scary. You know we get to see inside. Moira's mind you know and experience flashbacks to key events in her life. That effects of running through the corridors of her confinement again. It's that word. Symbolism isn't it that she opens a door to another disturbing episode and it is frightened to watch. It's gripping. You can't set your eyes off it and it is indicative of. Ah, the attitude in a ah, very strict and devout country like Ireland used to be and it feels again. It feels real. You feel that sense of Claustrophobia. It's incredibly powerful very grim though. But you know there is someone who is trying to break out of the. A religious and emotional strike jacket very strict strict upbringing and she's trying to live an normal life have a boyfriend have a relationship and that sense of panic that kicks in when she realizes she's like for church and it gives you some insight into. What faith can do you know it's almost kind of like a negative thing that faith does it where it becomes obsessive and it becomes restrictive but frightening incredibly frightening but it's something that you you try and not watch but you you have to watch. It's that type of thing. 51:45.57 Brian Penn But they've captured an image and a view of life that we only hope and pray doesn't exist anymore. They existed back in the 50 s but not now we hope from praying. But. 51:58.40 ukfilmreview Yeah, and obviously any film being made now. Obviously you have to question why are they making this and I think there is this rise of conservatism and you know, um, especially in the last few years since ah 52:01.45 Brian Penn And by. 52:12.20 Brian Penn Like. 52:12.77 ukfilmreview Ah, de trump ah rocked up and caused everyone to get a bit crazy again. Um that I think there's always a reason to be telling these stories and also to not forget the people that went through these sort of situations I think there's a at a March page at the end I think what was really powerful about this film was the way they. 52:20.92 Brian Penn Yeah, no I. 52:31.38 ukfilmreview Captured not just like because you said that? yeah I captured it visually. But for me, it was the atmosphere because it was very frenetic. The editing was like kind of terrifying and it it made you feel it almost in a palpable way of it being part of her experience and. 52:33.57 Brian Penn Are there. 52:46.82 Brian Penn There. 52:49.37 ukfilmreview From what starts off as quite a sort of okay I don't know where this is going because it just seems like a kind of average drama to go to being something a little bit more forceful. It's I mean it doesn't say it's a horror as a category but I would say it is. It's a thriller kind of horror for me I found it horrific at times and and and very. 52:51.44 Brian Penn And. A. 53:02.21 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, very yeah. 53:08.27 ukfilmreview Very compelling. Um, yeah, it it's it's incredible. It really powerful and you know when you watch a film like this, you're watching you go? Yeah, we're in safe hands. There's this this whole cast whole crew knew the assignment they knew what they needed to pull off and they've pulled it off incredibly. They've executed this absolutely perfectly. 53:15.10 Brian Penn Is. 53:20.84 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, and yeah I totally agree Emma Dargan Reid deserves a a mention who plays Moira the central character who's very good. Got great lines very very very striking and very very telegenic or photojaic I'm not sure what's the right term sotogenic photogenic you know, but she comes across very well yeah, you. 53:50.66 ukfilmreview Absolutely really powerful. Um, and yes euro boro so that's UROBOROS because I had trouble that spell it is a view divs. Um, but that's definitely our ignorance. Not there's um, hundred percent recommend this film. 53:57.10 Brian Penn I know? Yeah yeah. Yeah, of course Yeah, definitely. 54:07.39 ukfilmreview And you can find out more about it if you go to Instagram and search for their handle which is constant motion pictures or 1 word. Um and you will find it if you can't find it drop us a line and we will put you in the right direction I don't know if it's available anywhere. 54:14.70 Brian Penn Right. 54:22.13 Brian Penn Um, so well. 54:24.80 ukfilmreview Um, as far as I'm aware. It's not I think did we get a private screener. Ah yeah, so not available to child to aware but definitely find out more if you can it really powerful stuff is Irishris Drama Great performances, incredible, filmmaking. Very. Dark and atmospheric and it would just it will linger with you as well like when I finish watching it I felt it I was like oh I'm still feeling that like way after finishing that film. Um, so okay, we'm sticking with the shorts. We are now going to review Filmmaker Katyia plates. 54:45.44 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah, definitely there. 55:02.30 ukfilmreview Las Noggas now if ever there was a interesting premise I think this film is it. Ah, it's a stop motion film and set in the future. Um, where humans have kind of been eradicated by. 55:03.24 Brian Penn Um, yeah. 55:06.89 Brian Penn The. 55:19.78 Brian Penn Yeah, pretty much there. 55:20.81 ukfilmreview Their own kind of greed and stupidity I think yeah, which is yeah yeah, that's pretty scary straight away but very on the nose. Um, and we're now living in a world of animals who are trying to survive I guess they're having quite a lot of problems ah making it rain I believe this. Is a third part of a bigger set of films that I believe is is like a they they describe it as an ecological adventure. Um, and yeah, there's a few characters that are kind of standing out. Yeah I think one of the characters called Dr Almo 55:43.15 Brian Penn Oh. 55:57.23 ukfilmreview Um, and there's going to be potentially a feature length about that character. Potentially Um, and yeah, they need her because they've got these things called homies which are characters that I believe scraped from the remains of humans. Um. 55:57.49 Brian Penn Um, cop Um, oh right? okay. 56:11.80 Brian Penn Here are. 56:15.60 ukfilmreview And they use those to potentially create rain or water because they're now using up the loss of their reserves but they are getting ill with this mysterious sickness and they need Dr Alma to come in. Ah, save them now if this sounds like I'm rambling is because ah it is is. It's a very hard film to follow. Did you feel that way. Brian yeah. 56:26.58 Brian Penn Um, yeah I Again, it's that word. Symbolism isn't it. You know that it's It's kind of it's talking about. Global warming climate Change. It's even not in towards Covid isn't it and other ah fatal viruses that that could could appear but it's it's not particularly easy to follow I mean what I got from it as is what I got from it I could be slightly wrong about this but you know. 56:45.30 ukfilmreview Um. 56:58.67 Brian Penn It's imagining a ah time when humans as you as you pointed out have made themselves extinct that they finally pushed this this drop button where they don't exist anymore. So the world has gone back to the animal kingdom where it's Cis animals and. 57:17.54 ukfilmreview The. 57:20.14 Brian Penn And animals are ah basically in charge now now Dots Alma looks like a turkey to me or is it turkey and hitch hitch the the scientists that contacts her looks like an owl they all look like birds or insect insects to me. So I get the impression that that the earth is gone back to nature now that it is animals that's running the world because animals were here before humans. That's what I was kind of getting from it now. It sounds like I'm rambling now. But but it shows how. 57:50.43 ukfilmreview Her. 57:56.47 Brian Penn Kind of challenging it is you know something that appears very simplistic stop motion animation is very simplistic but that's what makes it watchable. That's what gives it an edge. But um, you know that's what I got from it and it's very interpretational. But it it does sort of touch on common themes that we should all be aware of it's all about preserving the environment and imagining what might happen thousands of years in the future. 58:23.61 ukfilmreview Yeah, and I think like yeah using stopmotion to to go into these themes could have been. Yeah, okay, they're going to make it like a friendly a child's child aimed kind of peace but actually this is. Not at all aimed at younger audiences. It's very much an older audiences film is. It's quite um, disturbing I think at times and there's bits that some of the characters look quite creepy. Um I think in the review we did Jason mentioned that it was kind of a bit. Ah. 58:41.37 Brian Penn No, no yeah. And free me. 59:00.22 ukfilmreview Was that timber and film the nightmare night before Christmas saw a night before because that kind of idea and yeah I think what? yeah casia plate is doing with this is quite bold. It's ambitious and you I think it is difficult sometimes to follow. Albeit it's definitely the third part. 59:01.40 Brian Penn Oh right? Yeah yeah. 59:10.89 Brian Penn A. 59:18.21 Brian Penn If. 59:18.31 ukfilmreview And I've looked into and yeah, there was a second part we reviewed quite a few years ago it's 18 called meeting Mcguffin and that was the so second in the film. It's all about global warming. So there must be a first part at some point so we're coming into this yeah slightly later? Um, but as it is as a standalone film. It is. 59:26.71 Brian Penn Right? yeah. 59:38.20 ukfilmreview Very interesting. It's intricate. It's been brilliantly made lovingly made. You know there's so much here I Think my favorite part is a bit where she goes off on her bike and she goes across the landscape on her little sort of motorbike and I thought that was just delightful. It was so great to watch. Um, but I must say I think. 59:41.76 Brian Penn Um, yeah. 59:45.60 Brian Penn A. 59:51.25 Brian Penn Yeah. 59:56.27 ukfilmreview Some of the harder hitting themes and the story I were kind of less attaching themselves to me and I got that I got the themes like I understood that but I don't think I was really immersed in that. Ah that side of things. Um like say yeah, it's a proof of concept I think for a feature like about Alma. So. 59:58.89 Brian Penn I Yeah yeah, yeah, it's good. Yeah, it's got yeah, it's got a lot go for it I think it's got potential and it's very watchable but it's very interpretational as Well. You know, but I think the. 01:00:16.27 ukfilmreview If people want to check it out I think it's worth it just to sort of see what might be coming because I think with a longer time period and a more spaced out approach to the plot might help you know. 01:00:35.89 Brian Penn Ah, think you you kind of broadly get the points. It's trying to make that you know we only have one world. We need to look after the environment we need to look after the climate you know you get all of that you know all those messages come through loud and clear. But it's It's also quite Scary. You know as you pointed out. It's not.. It's not one for kids at all I think it's quite alarming when you look at the subject matter that it deals with. But then again, it's good that it's challenging. It should you know viewing shouldn't be that comfortable where it doesn't make you think at All. So I think it's important that it does that. 01:01:10.45 ukfilmreview Absolutely um, so that was less norgas a short film and you can find out more about Katya plate on auto on Instagram so Catia plate all 1 word um or just drop us a line if you are interested. 01:01:13.49 Brian Penn Are. 01:01:27.44 Brian Penn M. 01:01:29.52 ukfilmreview And we'll let you know, um, whether or not you can see the film anywhere. Um, and also what's happening with the feature length because I would actually like to see it I would like to see what this could look like as a feature that needs to maybe. 01:01:37.67 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 01:01:45.64 ukfilmreview Structured in a way that the audience can get the whole thing in 1 go because I feel like we kind of been maybe brought in at the end of this and it's not making as much sense. Yeah, so there you go. 01:01:46.99 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, yeah, it needs to be a bit more accessible I reckon. Yeah. 01:01:58.96 ukfilmreview Moving to our last indie film which is a feature length called trust in Love which as titles go that is was it wasn't the strongest point I was like oh trust in love Oh here we go and I. 01:02:02.70 Brian Penn M. 01:02:12.46 Brian Penn Um, yeah. 01:02:15.17 ukfilmreview Brought to mind kind of like those 80 s rock songs that trust in nerve car I can imagine it be that and then when I watched the film was I actually you know I wasn't that far off. Um, so in this film. It's about a music producer who is going through the throwes of a divorce. 01:02:18.79 Brian Penn Um, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 01:02:33.82 Brian Penn And. 01:02:34.85 ukfilmreview Um, and his son and daughter are obviously going to be victims in this situation he in the meantime is also struggling with his career because he's got this band that of yeah, maybe they're I think they're from they are from the 80 s or or something. 01:02:52.20 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah. 01:02:54.64 ukfilmreview And they were were famous but now they're struggling to sort of make it in the you know Post-social media world where yeah they need a they need a hit to keep going and never has it been harder for music artist to make it and yeah, essentially it's about the. 01:03:04.40 Brian Penn Never yeah. 01:03:13.18 ukfilmreview The the main character this this music producer having to come to terms with what's happening to his family and his career at the same time and his yeah rock and roll Lifestyle and whether or not that will carry on. Um I enjoyed this I actually thought it was It was. 01:03:14.79 Brian Penn Who. 01:03:20.48 Brian Penn In. 01:03:30.71 Brian Penn Um. 01:03:32.48 ukfilmreview Serviceable it worked. Um, they're go be wrong. There's parts to it which feel kind of ah so light and cheeky that they sort of were getting away with um, but it's got a kind of rock and roll film style I like that there was like bits where it would like pop up. 01:03:38.53 Brian Penn Are. 01:03:43.92 Brian Penn A. 01:03:51.26 ukfilmreview But there was like a line in the film about films and then it popped up with like a little message saying oh there's a ah ah recommended films that you should click so it kind of felt modern. It felt relevant. It felt that it was doing something to kind of. 01:03:52.70 Brian Penn A. Yeah, there Yeah, and. 01:04:05.22 ukfilmreview Ah, merge this sense of ah of an older character living in ah in the new world and and how the 2 lifestyles don't really gel. Um, what do you think of of this one right. 01:04:08.42 Brian Penn A. 01:04:14.10 Brian Penn Yeah I enjoyed it I don't think it's really breaking any new ground I think the storyline itself is fairly predictable. You know there, you've got this record producer Mickey Ferrera who what used to be a big noise and he's got this band that. Try to make ah a make or break new album. That's either going to ah push into new heights or it's going to finish them off altogether so he's under pressure and his marriage is falling apart. His kids have got issues I think it's a familiar storyline that we've we've seen often seen before but very likable. And I like the music in the in the film as well. The music made by a bang was still heart who had never previously heard but I quite enjoyed the music to and nice cameo from shall we say a well-known pop star from the 1960 s pops up who who. It's always nice when you see a cameo so I enjoyed that as well. Overall yeah, really good fun but nothing nothing um, groundbreaking wind blowing in so far that it's a very typical story of a failing relationship and the kid's suffering because the marriage is is beginning to crumble. 01:05:10.54 ukfilmreview That. 01:05:30.30 Brian Penn And ah, the glamour that attracted sophie to to Mickey is kind of fading now because he's not what he used to be but I think it's it's a very nice setup. He's very watchable, very likeable. But. Nothing you haven't seen before but enjoy the music watch it for the music. Yeah. 01:05:49.12 ukfilmreview Yeah, that's what I got for it was the it was a tone thing also come from a music background I enjoyed that um and I like that it was trying to grapple with some big themes like divorce and there's like a they talk about attempted suicide and things like this that it wasn't. 01:05:53.13 Brian Penn Are. 01:06:02.55 Brian Penn Yeah, not. 01:06:08.87 ukfilmreview Completely light but I did feel that those things were kind of getting overshadowed by things scenes that were being like flashy for a flashy sake like swimming pools and supercars and tennis courts and lots of. The lifestyle stuff which people are going to want to watch from the Instagram side of things but it didn't really do anything for the for the plot. Um I think your enjoyment of this film really makes or breaks on whether or not you get on with the central character. Um I think he is. 01:06:31.13 Brian Penn Yeah, um, yeah. 01:06:37.45 Brian Penn Love. 01:06:42.20 ukfilmreview Flawed and you know he's not the the best role model but I think if you're on his journey and you you're happy to to see where he goes but I could imagine some people maybe not getting on board with that and I think the filmmakers know that that he is a kind of strong presence wrong because I think it's based on a real person. Um. 01:06:58.64 Brian Penn Yeah, and it's written by Jim Patuor who plays Mickey he write the screenplay didn't he as well. So. 01:07:01.38 ukfilmreview Ah, it pops up at the beginning it says that it's based on a real person. Yeah. 01:07:08.71 ukfilmreview Yeah, yeah. 01:07:13.78 Brian Penn You you feel? there's there's a closeness and and intimacy between the character and the answer which always always helps but you know I say good fun in a song as it goes they did drop in some typical West Coast Rock cliches but you kind of half expect it. 01:07:16.63 ukfilmreview Um, yeah. 01:07:31.44 Brian Penn But you know you, you'd take that for what it is but you know good fun. It works and it's a pleasant way to spend some time which is what you've always got to judge a film by you know, have I have I just spent 2 hours watching a film and I'm not going to get those 2 hours back or can you say I enjoyed those 2 albums. You know it's that's the way you got to look at it and I ah quite enjoyed it for what it was? Yeah yeah. 01:07:55.34 ukfilmreview Yeah I did too I must say as ah, especially a feature like yeah these sort of films. It can be difficult if you aren't on board I was I I found it more engaging than I thought I was going to um, if you are interested in in the film. Ah there is a website trust in lovethemovie.com effect 01:08:04.10 Brian Penn So. 01:08:12.25 ukfilmreview Isn't your bag on Instagram you can find them trust in love the movie. All 1 word. Um, that is the only information I can offer at this stage I don't know if it's out anywhere I believe again we had a private screener for that one? um. 01:08:16.52 Brian Penn In. 01:08:21.94 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah. 01:08:28.98 Brian Penn Um, and. 01:08:29.89 ukfilmreview But yes that was trust in love and that is all of the indie and short films. We're going to review if you have submitted your film recently as in this month or in November um, we will be doing an extra show. Ah in December to catch up on all of the extra films we got submitted. We do have a lot. So thank you for everyone who sends them in. 01:08:39.94 Brian Penn E. 01:08:45.47 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, absolutely oh, that's right? and you you're a trooper absolute trooper. 01:08:49.64 ukfilmreview Um, we just want to make sure we have enough time to go through all the films properly rather than rushing them. Pardon me I've made it through almost a whole episode with out coughing. Ah ah, but I yeah, just before the the nostalgia pick I'll let out a cough because we need to you know. Take ah an intake of breath ready for what is our Christmas film review of the year we're heading back to 9094 S Tim Allen starring the Santa Claus um this is a firm childhood favorite of mine I must say what's just a lot growing up. 01:09:13.10 Brian Penn A a. 01:09:23.83 Brian Penn Oh oh. 01:09:27.51 ukfilmreview I was a a kid in the 90 s so this kind of ticked a lot of boxes for me. Um, but ah also um, it spawned a couple of sequels not not going to go into those they they are very hit miss. Um, but but the original. 01:09:41.70 Brian Penn Um, no. 01:09:46.17 ukfilmreview Had a lot of charm if you've not seen the film before it is about a a dad played by Tim Allen who Scott Calvin and yeah you eagle ear listeners will realize SCScott Calvin Santa Claus it's all linked. It's all like um, he. 01:09:53.50 Brian Penn Count in. 01:09:58.88 Brian Penn A a. 01:10:04.64 ukfilmreview Is having Christmas eve with his son who they're also is's a divorce story and but he's spending Christmas eve with his son and inadvertly knocks Santa Off the roof. Um and santa. 01:10:16.87 Brian Penn I Should do I should do. That's one does? Yeah, yeah, yeah now. 01:10:20.38 ukfilmreview Yeah I mean it's quite. It's quite dark if you aren't looking at this from of the comedydies San Santa's dead quite early on in this film. Um Tim Allen then picks up the the suit and wears it and therefore accepts the santak clause as in a contract and becomes santa. 01:10:34.57 Brian Penn A. 01:10:39.35 ukfilmreview He then delivers all the presence of the night but he believes it to be a dream at first and he kind of writes it off as that. But then things start to happen and he starts to transform into santa whilst his son is going through the whole throes of whether or not he still believes in Santa. 01:10:53.65 Brian Penn Um. 01:10:57.30 Brian Penn A. 01:10:59.33 ukfilmreview And yeah, it's it's ah it's got a lot of cynicism from Tim Allen you know there's a lot of funny lines and jokey stuff for the for the older people but there is also a very heavy fantasy elements like yeah, what i' was saying earlier. This is a film that really just jumps. 01:11:04.83 Brian Penn Yeah, there. Yeah. 01:11:12.85 Brian Penn Yeah. 01:11:17.73 ukfilmreview Two feet into the santa idea. Ah yeah, we go to the north pole we meet the elves. Yeah, all that stuff. Um, as said childhood favorite of mine but Brian had you seen this before and what's your feeling on it. 01:11:18.66 Brian Penn Yeah. 01:11:25.20 Brian Penn Me Yes I had since before a long time ago I probably saw it when it first came out because I like your arms up nus. Go to the movies but then and don't think you were we. 01:11:37.57 ukfilmreview Only just say Brian right? You only just yeah, only jazz? Yeah, we won't go into it. 01:11:42.80 Brian Penn Ah, only just yeah, un just I was ah I was more than merely a child myself. But you know now I really I really enjoy it I think it's I think it's very sweet, enduring incredibly inventive I love the idea that the moment he touches san's jacket he creates abinding contracts and he becomes Santa Claus ah like that. It's very clever. It's a good play on words and it explores a different angle to a typical plot for a Christmas movie that is children who want to believe in san of Claus but they're getting to the point where they're questioning whether Santa Claus does exist or not so I like that side of it I thought I think it's just very invinsive. I think judge Reinhart's very good playing the playing the smart ass would be stepfather. You know the the the boyfriend to to the mother I think he was really good Sim Allen I think has as avoided um big movie stardom a bit. 01:12:26.32 ukfilmreview Her. 01:12:39.46 Brian Penn Too often I think he should be a bigger star than he really is um yeah, he probably has equal fame playing playing buzz night. You doesn't equal from toy story. But I think always felt that so sim Alan was capable so much more and should be a bigger star than he is, but. 01:12:46.53 ukfilmreview Um, yeah. 01:12:57.47 Brian Penn You know alongside toy story Santa Claus is probably the film that we we know him for it's beautiful. It's beautifully put together I think it's inventsive. It's clever and it I like the transformation where he gradually turns into Santa Claus you know where he. Just goes grey and his beer grows and he can't stop it and then his belly gets big doesn't it. You know I like I love all of that that kind of gradual progression and you would be convinced. There is Santa Claus you think he's father of Christmas by the end of the film. So you know you pick so I've got Sayris she picks some great films for the nostalgia slot. 01:13:20.64 ukfilmreview Um, there. 01:13:34.91 Brian Penn And heaven knows there's a white choice out there. But this is a good pick because I think honestly believe as good as it is I I believe it's so underrateive as a Christmas movie and you know it seems to be that elf gets all the headlines you know of the recent Christmas movies itself. 01:13:49.57 ukfilmreview Yeah. 01:13:54.12 Brian Penn It's wall feral but what about sant cla what about Sun Claus what about similar to him. 01:13:57.90 ukfilmreview I So much prefer this to elf I like Elf is is okay but I think this what why we love about this film is this ah this ongoing friction between what happens if you lose your sense of belief. Yeah, your faith. Yeah. 01:14:14.26 Brian Penn Who yeah. 01:14:17.80 ukfilmreview The idea that you've you've lost that magic because you've decided that actually yeah, the world is just as cynical as we all think it's meant to be and why bother? yeah and like you see that in um the 3 kind of adult characters displayed in different ways and what's really funny is because you got Tim Allen 01:14:22.69 Brian Penn A A. Is. 01:14:35.15 ukfilmreview When he's talking to Charlie his son. He's very much like yeah, no, it's all real. Of course it's real like he really wants him to still believe even though he himself is a very cynical character like when he's not with Charlie he's the one going this is ridiculous I this isn't real. Why am I why is this happening and I think there is that really lovely kind of ah. 01:14:37.48 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like. 01:14:54.70 ukfilmreview Like cotomy going on between the 2 characters of of it. Yeah, he's living this double life that he's going to have to choose this path and accept that either he is Santa and you give into that side or he's not and then it's like the final nail in the coffin for him being you know this like miserable loner. Basically um. 01:14:54.80 Brian Penn A like there. 01:15:09.52 Brian Penn Um, giving email a. 01:15:13.35 ukfilmreview And so there's that going on but all within what is actually quite a light and fluffy and easy going Christmas film. Yeah I just thought it was a really good one to revisit. It's on Disney plus so it's very accessible. There are two more films and I would say they get worse much worse. Um. 01:15:15.80 Brian Penn You know? Yeah, yeah, yeah I can talk. They are. 01:15:28.72 Brian Penn As as like as sequels always do almost always do no. 01:15:32.97 ukfilmreview Always do um, it's It's not a great franchise and I think the the strength of the first film gets very diluted when they start moving into the other territory and it it starts to get very silly. Um, but yeah, no, this really stood up Still very funny. It's got great. Score. It's a whimsical. 01:15:41.80 Brian Penn A. 01:15:47.27 Brian Penn Right. 01:15:52.80 ukfilmreview Lots of fun set pieces and bits for you to enjoy and like I said I think the fantasy element to it is really fun because this could have easily been different. It could have been. Oh he's Santa but like yeah, it's going to be more kind of sad and and gritty and upsetting. It's more like no no, they're going to give you lots of the. 01:16:06.47 Brian Penn Ah, a. 01:16:10.76 ukfilmreview Child side of it as well as the adult side of it. Um, so yeah, no glad glad you agree Brian I'm glad I'm glad you haven't ruined my childhood as well I thought you're gonna come in just you know. 01:16:11.17 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, no absolutely no, not I perished the thought honestly know brilliant. No really I really enjoyed it and it was great seeing again because 1 thing that. Nostalgia slot dances that it reminds me of great films that I've seen and forgotten that I've seen it's that type of thing you know and that's what's great about the nostalgia slot because it's a memory breaker and it makes me go back to films that I've forgotten how much I enjoyed. 01:16:32.35 ukfilmreview Um, yeah. 01:16:44.13 ukfilmreview And there we go Santa Claus available on Disney plus now that's it for this episode. Um, as I said we'll be back in Mid -december with an extra indie show and then we won't be back till January with. 01:16:53.73 Brian Penn E. 01:16:59.66 ukfilmreview Well maybe a look ahead I'm not sure brush sure what we're doing January look ahead. Sounds good. 01:17:00.87 Brian Penn Yeah, yeah, that that will will include a look ahead but there there are be there'll be plenty of films or general release that we can also review as well. So bit. Yeah yeah I know that's right, yeah were we're growing as people we were developing. 01:17:07.18 ukfilmreview So review. Yeah, we we we're gonna play it by ear because by that point we'll be totally different people me and Brian would have advanced by a whole extra month and you know who knows I might knock Santa Off the roof and then I'll have to be him and I won't be able to do this podcast anymore. 01:17:23.16 Brian Penn You never know. Yeah know yeah, you'll have a big fluffy white bed and you'll be busy. We yield them preparing all less present. Ah, ah. 01:17:25.14 ukfilmreview You know you know the white bid's not far off anyway, it's getting its getting quite white as it is. Don't don't talk about that. Um, but yeah, we hope you've enjoyed the Uk Film Willview Podcast this has been be film club with me and Brian there are other shows to check out. 01:17:40.90 Brian Penn What. 01:17:43.67 ukfilmreview On our feed so do go give those guys and girls lots of love. Um, but yes, if this is the last episode you hear this year then thank you for being with us. We hope to see you again in 2024 01:17:47.25 Brian Penn We. And yeah, good seasons to you all play for now. 01:18:00.35 ukfilmreview But good season to you all. Previous Next

Inanimate film review by UK film critic Swati Verma. Starring Rohan Khurana, Sneha Gosh, Ankan Mullick directed by Suryadoy Gosh. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Inanimate Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: May 4, 2022 Directed by: Suryadoy Gosh Written by: Suryadoy Gosh Starring: Rohan Khurana, Sneha Gosh, Ankan Mullick The name of the film-Inanimate refers to a non-living object. The writer-director Suryadoy Gosh has built the narrative around a unique love story that surprises the audience. The abstract nature of the film and the combination of various languages like Hindi, English, and Bengali allows the filmmakers to attract a large number of viewers to the creative piece. The plot of the short film revolves around a lonely man with no friends who finds solace in restoring old broken things. One fine day he stumbles upon a discarded female mannequin. After restoring the same he enjoys its company. She becomes his only place of peace and comfort in an unforgiving world. In the opening sequence a focus light on the Mannequin followed by a close-up shot of the protagonist Ani (Rohan Khurana) who is seen standing in the confession box. The director Suryadoy Gosh and cinematographer Prachie Bedi do not shy away from highlighting the flaws of the male lead. The black and white colour palette along with the lighting, set design, background music, dialogues, make-up, and costumes increase the elements of drama and mystery in the movie. Bedi elegantly captures the mannequin's journey of self-discovery and the new world to which she is introduced courtesy of Ani. The major landmarks of Kolkata have been covered by the DOP to enhance the theme of the film further. The use of writing letters as a tool by the creative team to communicate the emotional outburst of the central character helps the storyline of the film move smoothly. In terms of performance, Rohan Mehra plays Ani who is struggling to survive in the demanding world. Rohan Mehra showcases how strong Ani appears to be but he strongly needs someone to become the emotional support that he can hold on to for life. Mehra portrays the transformation from a lonely person to a friend to the little boy so effortlessly. Sneha Gosh as a female mannequin is very charming and attractive. Gosh does not have any dialogues in the film but manages to pick up the body language of the doll which helps her leave a lasting impression with her acting skills on the audience. Ankan Mullick plays the role of the kid in the film. This child artist provides the necessary light moments in the storyline to create a balance between thrill and drama. Mullick gives the reason to escape the problems of Ani's life for a short while. The bond between Ankan Mullick and Rohan Mehra is enjoyed by the viewers of the short film. Inanimate raises an important question about How far one can go for the sake of love. It becomes important to express their feelings and not struggle with what society expects from people living in it. The film talks about thinking about the possible consequences before allowing oneself to be emotionally attached to something or somebody. The film teaches the viewers to be sensible and practical and not lose their own identity to chase love. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Perspectives film review by UK film critic Chris Olson. Starring Joy Reiger, Carmel Bin, Carlos Gharzuzi directed by Neer Musa Shelter. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Perspectives Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Olson | Posted on: Sep 29, 2023 Directed by: Neer Musa Shelter Written by: Neer Musa Shelter Starring: Joy Reiger, Carmel Bin, Carlos Gharzuzi Never before has the “truth” been so elusive than in the modern age we find ourselves in. The irony that we have the ability to record our surroundings at any given moment using a handy device that nearly everyone has in their pocket, has actually led to a complete distrust of the facts we are presented with and often leads to a cacophony of conflicting opinions from anyone who decides to jump into the fray. Filmmaker Neer Musa Shelter’s nerve-wracking short film Perspectives sees a solder (Joy Reiger) and her partner (Carmel Bin) have their pleasant bus ride disrupted when a man (Carlos Gharzuzi) gets on and gives the impression of being a bit strange - he’s wearing a jacket in summer and won’t stop staring at the couple. As the tension gets too much for our soldier, she raises her gun at the passenger and must decide what to do whilst a plethora of smartphones captures the action on live streams. A boiling pot of a short film, Perspectives delivers an exhausting yet thrilling visual experience for the audience. From the intense central performance by Reiger to the onslaught of pinging notifications and mobile phone sounds, it’s a film that relishes in making the viewer uncomfortable whilst throwing them into a compelling story based on true events. The simple use of the bus location for the majority of the film was reminiscent of the classic action Speed (1994) starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, with interior shots feeling intimate and the CCTV feeling cold and dangerous. It’s powerful to note the reactions of the other passengers on the bus. They mostly grab their phones and start to record the intense standoff between our soldier and the man. At one point, the bus is stopped and the soldier has him at gunpoint, instead of panic and pandemonium, the passengers seem to debate what the world will think of her. Eagle-eyed viewers will be able to note the surprise ending but the door is still very much left open to interpretation as to the real intentions behind our stranger getting on the bus that day. The filmmakers intended to present something that made it hard to separate fact from fiction and this creates a fantastic space for the story to operate. Capturing the immediacy and potency of social media in such a cinematic way is difficult but with the short film Perspectives , it doesn’t feel gimmicky. Instead, the movie feels like a taut thriller that makes us question the varying angles we are shown into the events unfolding and explores how difficult it is to really know the motives and intentions of anyone without really experiencing them first-hand. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Chris Olson Short Film, World Cinema, LGBTQ+ < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Beautiful film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring Meng Jin directed by Mulan Fu. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Beautiful Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Nov 3, 2021 Directed by: Mulan Fu Written by: Mulan Fu Starring: Meng Jin Beautiful is an emotional and heart-wrenching short film that viewers will struggle to watch through tear-filled eyes. It’s a powerful piece of work – and all the more remarkable that it was directed, written, animated and scored by its multi-talented originator Mulan Fu, who was inspired to create the film from real-life experiences. The film is a short, animated tale of a young girl growing up with her mother. We follow the pair at different stages of their lives – initially when the girl is very young and idolises her mother, and later in life as a teen when her mother is in the grips of a battle against breast cancer. As her mother’s condition deteriorates, the girl comes to realise the true meaning of love for her parent, and must reckon with the prospect of loss. The story is told through a series of snapshots from the girl’s life and memories, and lucid, symbolic imagery which perfectly encapsulates both the joyous times in the mother and daughter’s lives, as well as the emotional trauma each undergo. Director Mulan Fu does not shy away from the most harrowing realities of cancer, and the brutal developments of the mother’s battle contrast strikingly with the cartoonish animation style. These difficult scenes will provoke varying reactions in viewers, dependent on their own personal experiences. But the care the director takes in portraying them means no-one will be immune from an emotive response. The animation itself is vibrant – mixing an anime-style with more a traditional western children’s look which brings the family to life and imbues them with character. The gorgeous stylings are all the more impactful in the aforementioned scenes which portray the mother’s struggle, and the ethereal symbolism becomes acutely disturbing in a style usually associated with wonderment and cheer. Yet some of the highlights are the simplest moments – such as the young girl trying to fit in her mother’s shoes, or the pair bonding over lunch. Further life is brought to the film through its musical score, with a gentle piano riff accompanying the story throughout. The music weaves and dances alongside the imagery, and becomes mournful and tragic as the film progresses. The continuous piece is key for immersion – at times leading the film itself as much as it is crafted around it. The personalisation and synchronicity are clearly the result of the passion and dedication from the director, who clearly left a piece of her soul in the film. For a 5-minute short, Beautiful is a film that will create lasting memories for viewers and leave all but the most stone-hearted an emotional wreck. But beyond the intensely personal story, is an excellent demonstration of coping with trauma and bereavement, and the importance of parental love – even in the face of unbearable difficulties. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film, World Cinema, Animation < All Reviews Next Film Review >