The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something has Passed film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Joanna Arnow, Scott Cohen, Babak Tafti directed by Joanna Arnow. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something has Passed Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: May 9, 2024 Directed by: Joanna Arnow Written by: Joanna Arnow Starring: Joanna Arnow, Scott Cohen, Babak Tafti no one told you when to run you missed the starting gun Pink Floyd sang of a particular worrisome anxiety. Joanna Arnow perfectly articulates the emotion, or lack of, right from the title of her feature, The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something has Passed. Arnow writes, directs and stars as Ann with unerringly deadpan delivery. Ann suffers from Millennial malaise. Her job evokes no passion. Her family is clingy and yet distant. Even her interest in BDSM, in Arnow’s hilariously banal depictions, is lifeless. Growing listless with her longtime, much older “dominant,” Allen (Scott Cohen), Ann engages new partners, then moves to more traditional dating, finally developing a charming relationship with Chris (Babak Tafti, all warmth and tenderness). At this point, Arnow’s detached irony threatens to make way for genuine human emotion. Chris and Ann’s awkwardness is sweet. You almost root for the film to be turning into a romcom. Arnow toys with that, as well as the coming-of-age arc, resisting cliché and doling out generational insights in hilarious monotone. While there is something vaguely Lena Dunham about Arnow’s film, her voice is so utterly her own it’s tough to really compare The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something has Passed to anything else. That voice echoes in the film’s visual aesthetic as well: everyone and everything at arm’s length, somehow simultaneously disengaged but compelling. Not everything gels, and even the bulk of the film that works brilliantly will not work on everyone. Arnow’s film is an acquired taste— defiantly so. But like most good comedies, it’s saying something incredibly honest and more than a little bit sad. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Requiem for a Fighter film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Kim Kold, Enn Reitel, Grayson Matthews, Glenn Dagda, Edie Newman, Cara Partridge directed by Danny Patrick. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Requiem for a Fighter Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Dec 18, 2022 Directed by: Danny Patrick Written by: Danny Patrick, Jason Gerard Starring: Kim Kold, Enn Reitel, Grayson Matthews, Glenn Dagda, Edie Newman, Cara Partridge A Danish man goes to Northern Ireland, in order to investigate his son's mysterious passing. There he encounters a variety of characters as he searches for the truth. Lucas (Kold) is a hardened man with a military background and his son has just passed away while in Derry, Northern Ireland. Lucan is not satisfied with the authorities' investigation regarding his passing and he decides to travel from Denmark to Derry and conduct his own search into the causes of his son's demise. In Derry, there is a bare-knuckle fighter named Michael (Matthews), who is managed by his father Liam (Reitel). As Lucas investigates, he gets involved with those people and others in the city. Based on the short film Michael by Jason Gerard, this feature is a dark comedy drama that contains multiple characters whose lives are connected to the story's events. Basically, the narrative consists of two storylines, one is about Lucas' investigation and the other concerns Michael and the issues he has two deal with, including dealing with a fight whose terms he and his dad believe are unfair and trying to come to terms with his sexuality. Other characters include Michael's sister Alice (Newman), a doctor named Peter (Dagda), Michael's girlfriend Emma (Partridge) and two nasty people named Brian and Paddy, who give Michael and his father a hard time while negotiating a fight. There is dark humour and adult humour, mystery and scenes of confrontation and emotional scenes. This movie was made in response to a great deal of homophobic marches and backlash in Northern Ireland against same-sex marriage and Michael appears to be the character who is related to that fact. Michael hides his homosexuality, only revealing it to Peter, his doctor, with whom he has an intimate relationship. Michael's struggle to come to terms with being gay is one of the main conflicts of the film. The feature has a few interesting traits. Some of the characters (the ones with boxing experience actually) are introduced with a title card that caontains their name, nickname and fighting record, which is pretty cool. In some scenes with Lucas, his son's ghost can be seen accompanying him. The ghost looks like his son when he was alive, only that it glows a bit and does not speak or interact. Having this apparition is odd and adds a supernatural element to the film. The presence of the young man's spectre might suggest that his father imagines that his son is still with him, encouraging him to seek justice for his son. The phantom is an interesting addition, although maybe it is not really necessary. Patrick directs very well and creates wonderful aerial shots of Derry. Commendations also go to Michael Miles for the beautiful cinematography. Regarding the audio, Paul Casey makes a great contribution with the dramatic score and the soundtrack also includes a number of songs by Paddy Nash. This feature is a viewing that is humorous and also quite dramatic at times. The plot explores homosexuality, loss, the world of combat sports, family, inner struggles and self-discovery. It suggests that one should be who they want to be and not try to hide who they are. With good acting and well-written characters, this movie is a satisfying experience. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Honey Makers film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Finbar Lynch, Anil Goutnam, Nila Aalia directed by Jeneffa Soldatic. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Honey Makers Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Aug 10, 2021 Directed by: Jeneffa Soldatic Written by: Deborah Grimberg Starring: Finbar Lynch, Anil Goutnam, Nila Aalia A foreign couple are dealing with two problems: a gang of skinheads and a bee nest. Arjun (Goutnam) and his wife (Aalia) are an Indian couple from Uganda living in North London in 1984. They work at the shop, which the own. Unfortunately, they are being menaced by a group of skinhead youths that hang around outside their store. And if that was not enough, bees have formed a large beehive in the back garden of their shop. The two of them need to find a solution for both issues if they are to find solace. A beekeeper (Lynch) arrives and what follows is a conversation between him and the shopkeepers about their past, bees and confrontation with the vicious people. This is a multi-award-winning short drama about immigration, antisocial behaviour, racism and bees. It addresses social issues and depicts what the poor couple have to endure rather vividly. The skinheads tend to remain outside the shop, shouting and giving the couple threatening stares and occasionally walk in and intimidate them into giving them goods for free. Interestingly, comparisons are made between the skinheads and the bees. For instance, when the couple and the beekeeper talk about how the bees tend to find a spot to create a nest and stay there, it is implied that a similar thing could be said about the gang, as apparently, they have chosen to hang around the shop. The acting is superb. Goutnam and Aalia are very convincing as hard-working individuals who just want a peaceful life. Lynch is sympathetic as a friendly beekeeper who knows his trade very well and cares about others. Great praise goes to the actors playing the tattooed skinheads, who are very menacing as aggressive young men, willing to resort to violence. The sound has good quality when the buzzing of bees is heard and the song I Shake by Sean van Doornum is an appropriate addition. Susanne Salavati does an amazing job with the cinematography. This is a rather interesting achievement that contains tense and dramatic moments and well written dialogue. It tackles issues regarding racism and yob violence and will likely leave the viewer with a thoughtful experience. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana film review by UK film critic Amber Jackson. Starring Alexandria Romanov, Mark Bogumil, Charleston Harvey directed by Richard Fysh. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS 7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Amber Jackson | Posted on: Mar 19, 2024 Directed by: Richard Fysh Written by: Richard Fysh Starring: Alexandria Romanov, Mark Bogumil, Charleston Harvey “A casually coherent concoction of chaos. And fruit.” Would you like to watch a thrilling murder-mystery film that is equally comedic and horrific? Then you’ve come to the right place, as Richard Fysh’s American feature film fits the bill. This is a movie certainly unlike any other. Merging horror, satire and even the essence of a musical, 7 Kills, 3 Songs & a Banana ticks all the boxes for being absurd in a fun way. Containing all the hallmarks of a horrifying thriller, including sex and death, the film is a slightly funky take with music - and bananas. 7 Kills follows Amber (Alexandria Romanov), a vibrantly cynical young woman who identifies as a lesbian. At the start of the film, she is struggling to deal with the sudden death of her ex-girlfriend, Rachel (Charleston Harvey), which forms the crux of the story. With a killer on the loose, as well as Rachel’s boyfriend Steve (Mark Bogumil), sparks fly and venomous words are exchanged in this bitter satirical feature. An engaging interpretation of a modern-day slasher film, 7 Kills clearly takes inspiration from those before it in the genre. Slowly building suspense and integrating various moments of gory horror, the film successfully charts Amber’s journey as she tries to come to terms with her emotions. However, there are elements of the film that unfortunately fall flat. With some moments feeling awkward and some of the actors struggling to convey the essence of the dialogue, the feature struggles to keep pace - giving the viewer permission to lose interest. Likewise, parts of the narrative feel inconsistent and cut around a bit too much, again losing some of the meaning. As the story goes through the motions, we lose sight of Amber’s motivations which confuses some of the scenes. Whilst 7 Kills is not perfect, there is something captivating about it. The viewer finds themselves invested in Amber’s story, whether we like it or not, in addition to the lives of the supporting cast that all become intertwined in a cocktail of drama. Whilst it is not perfect, making a film with a very minimal budget is no small feat and should be commended. Parts of the satire are glorious, but some lands a bit dry - although that may just be the English filmmaking influence! Dealing with challenging subjects including homophobia, mental health, grief and murder, 7 Kills deserves some merit for handling these subjects in a comedic way without being offensive. Being originally from Doncaster in the UK, writer and director Richard Fysh’s American-based film cuts through the noise and posits his ironic perception of US culture, alongside some of the trials and tribulations of the modern world. 7 Kills holds great potential as a feature and Fysh is certainly one to watch as his unique style develops. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Amber Jackson Indie Feature Film, LGBTQ+ < All Reviews Next Film Review >

THOR v Killer Clown film review by UK film critic Joe Beck. Starring Reggie Haynes, Devane Boyd, Isha Margry directed by Reggie Haynes. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS THOR v Killer Clown Film Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Dec 30, 2022 Directed by: Reggie Haynes Written by: Reggie Haynes Starring: Reggie Haynes, Devane Boyd, Isha Margry Certain films have the ability to capture a time period and provoke glorious reminiscences of past glories. ’THOR V KILLER CLOWN’ captures all the worst aspects of 2016 and reminds us that life wasn’t necessarily as good as we remember it to be. Some may interpret that as a compliment. It isn’t, ‘Thor v Killer Clown’ is one of the worst films you’ll ever have the displeasure of witnessing. Before the film begins, we are told that it may be confusing for those that haven’t watched ‘The House of Reggie’s series. Naturally, as I have more things to do with my life than search out an obscure web series from over five years ago, I had not watched the show. I can say with certainty that I will not be seeking it out on the back of ‘Thor v Killer Clown’. Quite frankly it’s hard to say whether or not the film would be any less confusing having watched the show, since its plot is hardly the main source of confusion, rather how haphazardly it has been created. Written and directed by Reggie Haynes, the film stars Haynes as four twin brothers, whom all use their special talents to make the world a better place. However, when threatened by a malevolent politician, and facing pressure from the UN, the quadruplets must face a murderous clown. Killer clowns were all the rage for a few months in 2016, and ‘Thor v Killer Clown’ capitalises on that long-passed craze with a performance by Devane Boyd as the titular clown which is reminiscent of a drunk impression of Heath Ledger’s ‘Joker’. The killer clown, on the orders of the former UK leader (Isha Margry), has been ordered to blow up a building and kill the members of THOR (standing for The House of Reggie’s). Also embroiled in this bizarre, yet extremely basic, plot are ‘the Orphans’ - two young superheroes, whom we’re told, marvel-style, in the middle of the film will return. The four brothers, all played by Haynes with ample passion to make up for a lack of ability, all feature prominently, though the value of some of their talents isn’t particularly apparent. Three of the brothers have fairly ordinary talents - music, comedy, radio - and indeed it is one of those brothers, VR, who is the main target of the Killer Clown’s pursuit. However, one of the brothers, Legacy, has the talent of superpowers. Imagine being given the talent of radio when your brother has literal superpowers. The major oversight of this glaring imbalance sums up the botched script, which is stunted, leaving every line of dialogue forced and inhuman. The script is too convoluted, making a relatively simple plot far too dense for a 35-minute film, meaning that it’s impossibly difficult to become invested in the outcome of the story. This isn’t helped by Hayne’s direction, which is almost non-existent, and reduced to nothing by the inconsistency of the film’s editing, which, fraught with redundant jump-cuts, would leave even the most ardent Tommy Wiseau fan with a raging headache. ‘Thor v Killer Clown’ is, quite simply, terrible. Though Reggie Haynes’ passion for his work cannot be faulted, the film itself is bad in pretty much every way imaginable. Killer clowns were a fad forgotten in a matter of months, but ‘Thor v Killer Clown’ may take years to recover from. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande film review by UK film critic George Wolf. Starring Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack directed by Sophie Hyde. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Good Luck to You, Leo Grande Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: Jun 17, 2022 Directed by: Sophie Hyde Written by: Katy Brand Starring: Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack If we’re boiling down film narratives to heroes and quests, it won’t take long to define Good Luck to You, Leo Grande . Nancy is our hero, and sex is her quest. And she would like good sex, thank you, although she can’t quite bring herself to expect the elusive release that she spent decades faking for her husband’s benefit. But now Nancy (Emma Thompson) is an aging widow, fidgeting nervously in a hotel room and second-guessing her decision to hire handsome young escort Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack) for a tryst. Thompson is, of course, glorious. And as much fun as it always is to see her command those in-charge characters spitting ruthlessly droll asides, Nancy reminds you how equally adept Thompson is with self-effacing humor, vulnerability and longing. Writer Katy Brand’s script is filled with delightful wordplay, subtle wit and insightful details, one of the most resonant being Nancy’s history as a religious education teacher. We see her as a woman not only desperate to learn things she was never taught (and she has a list!), but also now regretting some of the lessons she passed down to young girls in her classrooms. To Nancy, Leo represents more than just lust. He is the power of youth, and all the possibilities of a different generation that have long felt shameful to many from her generation. McCormack is terrific, worthy of extra kudos for not shrinking from the prospect of simply being the “other half” of a two-hander led by a rarified talent. Leo has some issues of his own beneath his suave demeanor, and McCormack reveals them with subtlety and heart. But back to our hero. Nancy’s journey is, of course, an intimate one, and director Sophie Hyde doubles down on the intimacy, rarely leaving the privacy of the hotel room. Regardless, the film is never claustrophobic and always cinematic, framing even the most sexual moments with a refreshing honesty that the characters (and these two impeccable performances) deserve. And you know what? We deserve it, too. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is a simply wonderful look at embracing who you are and what you want. It’s funny and empowering, warm and touching, even heartbreaking at times. Let’s hope it finds the audience it deserves. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic George Wolf Digital / DVD Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Take from Me film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Ethan McDowell, Kyla Diane Kennedy, Dwayne A. Thomas directed by West Eldredge. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Take from Me Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Aug 31, 2025 Directed by: West Eldredge Written by: West Eldredge Starring: Ethan McDowell, Kyla Diane Kennedy, Dwayne A. Thomas A feature horror film written and directed by West Eldredge and starring Ethan McDowell, Kyla Diane Kennedy and Dwayne A. Thomas. Something sinister is taking place in a small town in the United States. After a young woman named Elizabeth (Kenendy) arrives and moves into an isolated house, a man disappears. John (McDowell), a handyman who used to live in this house, begins to suspect that there is more to this newcomer than meets the eye. Meanwhile, Abe (Thomas), the head of the local police, investigates the disappearance and gets closer and closer to uncovering the truth. Filming was completed for less than 90k, however the level of creativity gives the impression that the budget was much higher. Eldredge does such an amazing job as the director that it would be hard to believe that this is his directorial debut. The film is beautifully shot and the visuals look fantastic thanks to Kenneth Keeler's cinematography. Plus, the acting is very strong, but more about that later. Regarding the plot, it is a sort of mystery and romance, with much attention being directed towards the rapport that builds between Elizabeth and John and Abe's investigations. The atmopshere is dark, dramatic and suspenseful and murder does occur. A man discovers that the new woman is town is hiding very dark secrets and the two of them develop a relationship. As intriguing as this plot is, the screenplay does not succeed in being constantly gripping, spending a great deal of time exploring the characters, instead of moving the story forward. Of course, character exploration is crucial for a good story (which this one certainly is), nevertheless, spending so much time on the character makes the pace too slow and this feature overlong. The three protagonists (Elizabeth, John and Abe) are all suffering from a tragic past. Played brilliantly by Kennedy, Elizabeth is arguably the one who stands out the most, primarily due to what she actually is and because she claims that she does not mean anyone any harm but feels that she has no choice. John is an alcoholic who is dealing with loss and has spend years taking care of Elizabeth's house, as he used to live there with his wife and child. Meeting Elizabeth appears to be giving him a new purpose. Abe is a family man and recovering alcoholic who has had his own misfortunes. Self-reflection plays a major part in this story, as does trauma, loss and alcoholism. Additionally, the significance of support and finding a soulmate are also acknowledged. It would be fair to state that this horror film is slow-paced and overlong. Regardless of this, this feature deserves commendations for the acting, the plot, the atmosphere and for the technical aspects. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Destroyer film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Sin Heng Chan, Sasha Jagsi, Jorge Fernandes directed by Albert Bullock. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Destroyer Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: May 27, 2023 Directed by: Albert Bullock Written by: Albert Bullock Starring: Sin Heng Chan, Sasha Jagsi, Jorge Fernandes A photographer tells her disturbing life story. Two young women arrive at a photography studio for a photoshoot. One is the photographer (Chan) and the other is the model (Jagsi). While the session goes on, the artist proceeds to tell her customer about her past and the revelations are rather sinister. This short thriller is quite a dark story that explores very dark subjects. The narrative alternates between the studio, with the photographer telling her story to the model (who becomes more and more upset by what she hears) and sequences from her past, including flashbacks, photographs and family footage of her dog Paul and her cousin Micah (Fernandes). While taking pictures, the photographer explains how she ended up with her current profession, which results in her mentioning unsettling facts about her childhood, beginning with the harsh upbringing she had with her parents who were strictly religious, before moving on to distressing events involving her dog and her cousin. As sinister as the photographer's story is, there are also images that add to the dark atmosphere such as footage of people wearing white masks, who are inside a church (presumably the troubled heroine's parents) and a montage of historical and real-life photos that have sinister connections, including one of musician and singer John Lennon with the man who would eventually murder him and one of former U.S. President George W. Bush being informed of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The sinister music certainly helps in creating a distressing mood and the filmmakers make effective use of slow motion, out of focus and fast cutting techniques. The photographer is the main center of the film and Chan convincingly portrays her as a disturbed individual with a troubled childhood. This psychological thriller places the viewer into the mind of a person who has serious mental issues. It explores very dark issues that include childhood trauma, animal cruelty, online pornography, mental health and revenge. It is an uncomfortable viewing, however it deserves praise for the dark and powerful atmosphere that it creates, which makes it a memorable experience. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

When The Balloon Bursts film review by UK film critic Swati Verma . Starring Dinithi Fernando, Lance Lawyer, Brian Robert Calfano directed by Tanmay Srivastav. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS When The Balloon Bursts Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: May 1, 2025 Directed by: Tanmay Srivastav Written by: Tanmay Srivastav, James Philips Hunter Shallcross Starring: Dinithi Fernando, Lance Lawyer, Brian Robert Calfano Writer-director Tanmay Srivastav along with other writers James Philips, and Hunter Shallcross attempts to bring out the emotions/struggles of the foreign students through this beautiful intriguing film. Dinithi Fernando, Lance Lawyer, and the supporting cast understand the nuances therefore building the degree of audience engagement with the content instantly. The plot of When The Balloon Bursts revolves around two foreign exchange students who experience the pressure of every day life. They reminisce in their shared love for poetry. But as the pressure builds their will to keep going is tested and there’s no telling when the balloon will burst. The short film begins with a combination of mid-closeup shots of a door from where we see Niya (Dinithi Fernando) enter school followed by the class in a chaotic mood sets up the subject matter of the movie. The conversation in her mother tongue has been incorporated to provide the female protagonist with a sense of relief. The voiceover utilised by the makers makes the storytelling more intense with a crucial subplot. The set design, colour pallet, lighting, camera angles, sound, music, dialogues, costume, hair, makeup, and props are kept natural to complement the various situations in the storyline. In terms of performance, Dinithi Fernando plays the role of the female protagonist Niya who is trying to gather all her strength and confidence to strike a balance between academics as well as life in the new country. Fernando showcases two different personalities of Niya very effectively so that the makers can depict her equation with her dad and school authorities as the narrative picks up pace. Lance Lawyer plays Joshua who motivates Niya with a special note as they are in the same situation in life. Lawyer as Joshua is treat to watch as he subtly talks about his learnings from the life experiences and shares the same with Niya so she can use it to make her a better person both on a personal as well as professional level. When The Balloon Bursts reiterates that all kinds of struggles/ pressures in people’s lives will always exist but it depends on us how we handle it to paint our canvas and lead our lives how we want to. The short film talks about the importance of a strong support system from friends, family or even strangers so that they can provide one the courage to express and not suffer in silence. The dramatic piece teaches the audience how crucial it is to prioritise mental health. The cinematic piece also talks about the responsibility the authorities must exercise towards all students so that these children can openly communicate regarding any physical or mental discomfort while pursuing the courses of their choice. It is often said that change is the only constant but one needs some comfort in order to excel academically. When The Balloon Bursts highlights that one should be ready to combat every situation in life because it is unpredictable. The creative piece tells us that not only hard work but overall well-being is necessary to achieve success in a true sense. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Fading Petals film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Melanie Revill, Charlotte Reidie, Tom Metcalf, Gary Raymond directed by Bradley Charlton. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Fading Petals Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Mar 1, 2022 Directed by: Bradley Charlton Written by: Bradley Charlton Starring: Melanie Revill, Charlotte Reidie, Tom Metcalf, Gary Raymond An elderly woman and her young carer open up to each other, leading to dramatic consequences. A young female carer has been assigned to look after an ill, single, old woman who lives by herself in her home. The aged woman appears a bit eccentric and initially she is cold and distant towards her helper and questions her about her life. Eventually, the two women learn more about each other and bond. However, it is later revealed that things are not what they appear to be. This dark psychological drama explores the lives of two troubled individuals and the relationship that develops between them. Basically, the first half or so focuses on the interactions between the carer and the old woman. None of the characters' names are revealed. The elderly woman claims that she does not want to bond with the youngster, yet she wishes to know more about her, to find out who she is. She asks her rather personal questions, much to the carer's disapproval. During the second half, things change rather dramatically, with revelations that make the viewer question events they saw previously. The strong screenplay contains a great deal of drama and emotional conversations. The struggles that the two women go through are shown rather vividly. The narrative contains situations that deal with trauma, regrets, loneliness, alcoholism, religion, domestic violence, mental health and self-discovery. There is hardly any happiness in this hard-hitting story. The unexpected twists effectively turn things around and bring the audience closer to understanding what is really going on. The acting is superb. Revill is astonishing as an unhappy loner who spends her time painting, building a dollhouse and solving puzzles. She is haunted by her past, has a drinking problem and tends to be violent when she gets angry. Reidie is equally great as a young person who has troubles of her own, as she is living with her abusive father who does not want his daughter dating. Metcalf and Raymond play their supporting roles very well. Charlton's directing includes well-executed long takes and the editing makes good use of fast cutting techniques. Oliver Rigby delivers beautiful cinematography and there are creative lighting effects. The score by William Cunningham is powerful and dramatic and adds significant value to the feature. This film is a distressing story that is rather heavy on emotions. The atmosphere is downbeat and the dramatic revelations, confrontations and powerful performances make this movie an admirable achievement. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Amateur film review by UK film critic Kieran Freemantle. Starring Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Laurence Fishburne, Caitríona Balfe, Holt McCallany directed by James Hawes. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Amateur Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Kieran Freemantle | Posted on: Apr 15, 2025 Directed by: James Hawes Written by: Ken Nolan, Gary Spinelli, Robert Littell (novel) Starring: Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Laurence Fishburne, Caitríona Balfe, Holt McCallany Based on the novel by Robert Littell, the 2025 version of The Amateur is the second adaptation, following an unlikely man on a mission of vengeance. Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) is a CIA cryptographer who’s happily married to Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan). Charlie’s world shatters when Sarah is murdered during a terrorist attack in London. Charlie seeks revenge and blackmails his superiors to give him training so he can hunt his wife’s killers. However, Charlie has made himself a target for bad actors in the CIA as he travels across Europe. The Amateur was a nut-and-bolts thriller: it wasn’t fancy and far from revolutionary, but it gets the job done. It came out after the release of Black Bag, and both films appealed to a similar audience of slightly older cinema-goers. The Amateur was helmed by James Hawes, a seasoned TV director, including episodes of Slow Horses, so he knows how to craft a spy-thriller. Although, as an action director, Hawes has a long way to go since it was obvious when stunt doubles were used for the fight scenes. The Amateur did feel like a throwback to thrillers from the early-to-mid noughties, whilst modernising certain aspects. The original novel was published in 1980, so the new film had to update the politics and technology. Charlie was a computing genius who communicated through encrypted devices, could hack into any system like security cameras, and used modern technology like 3D modelling. The Amateur felt like a cross between The Recruit and The Bourne Trilogy. The Recruit was a workmanlike thriller from 2003 that showed a young man training to be a CIA agent. The Bourne comparison came about due to the corrupt elements within the CIA, and Holt McCallany was in the same role as Chris Cooper, Brian Cox, and David Strathairn, men hunting a rogue agent. Like the Bourne films, there was a lot of monitor watching and searching everywhere Charlie has visited for clues. Scott Z. Burns, one of the writers of The Bourne Ultimatum, did uncredited rewrites for The Amateur. The Amateur was a slow burn. It took its time as it showed Charlie being trained, the CIA investigation, and Charlie going on his manhunt. The film made a point that Charlie was not a superspy like James Bond, Jason Bourne, or Ethan Hunt. There was a scene like Skyfall that showed that Charlie couldn’t aim a gun no matter how much he tried. Charlie’s first fight was with a woman having an asthma attack, in a scene that would annoy the Critical Drinker. Charlie had to use his knowledge, invention, and creativity to carry out his assassinations, acting like Agent 47 from the Hitman games. Charlie had to do this to emotionally distance himself so he could kill other people, and there was an emphasis on Charlie’s psychological torment. Rami Malik has proven himself as an actor on film and TV and earned acclaim and awards for it. In The Amateur, Malek played his role as someone who might be on the spectrum. Charlie was an intelligent, if socially awkward man who said he liked solving puzzles and was determined and focused. He was able to maintain relationships, as shown by him being happily married, and he has a sense of empathy as shown through his interactions with a character in Istanbul. Charlie didn’t fall into the savant trap that has appeared in other films. Laurence Fishbourne was also a highlight in the film as Charlie’s mentor who developed a begrudging respect for the computer programmer. For fans of spy-thrillers, The Amateur does scratch an itch. It was a competently made film that had been lacking for adults, even if it's an overly familiar story and plot points. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Kieran Freemantle Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Talk to Me film review by UK film critic George Wolf. Starring Sophie Wilde, Alexandre Jensen directed by Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Talk to Me Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: Jul 27, 2023 Directed by: Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou Written by: Danny Philippou, BillHinzman, Daley Pearson Starring: Sophie Wilde, Alexandre Jensen Talk to Me doesn’t waste much time before escalating the conversation. And while the shocking prologue isn’t the only reminder you’ll get of similarly structured films such as The Ring or It Follows , Australian brothers Danny and Michael Philippou carve out a timely teen horror update that is often chilling and consistently engaging. BFFs Mia (Sophie Wilde from The Portable Door ) and Jade (Alexandra Jensen) are eager to hang out with the edgy kids at the local parties. And lately, that means getting in the room with Joss (Chris Alosio) and Hayley (Zoe Terakes), because they let you talk to the hand. Where did Joss get it? Was it the hand of a satanist, or maybe a long dead medium? Details are sketchy. But if you’re game, you grip it, say “talk to me” and take the ride. And everyone else, of course, films the experience. The Philippou brothers (both direct, Danny also co-writes) worked in TV, YouTube videos and on the camera department for The Babadook before this first feature, and it’s a debut that shines with a confident vision. We’ve seen some of these threads before, but this fresh take is able to capture the current zeitgeist without any desperation for hipness. Viral fame isn’t the lure here, it’s the high of glimpsing the other side and the enlightened feeling it gives you. But for Mia, it’s also the gateway to a very personal journey that could answer questions from her past while saving the life of Jade’s little brother Riley (Joe Bird). The script smartly stays a step or two ahead of contrivance, and is able to find some impressive psychological depth as it touches on grief, trauma, and the anxieties of leaving childhood behind. Plus, come on, the creepy “embalmed hand” gimmick is effective from the start. It gives the Philippou brothers a great anchor for building an aesthetic of ethereal dread while they score time and again with wonderful practical effects. This is R-rated horror, refreshingly light on the jump scares and false alarms, leaning instead on a parade of visual images that can truly terrify. And even when we don’t see what the game players are seeing, the fact that we’ve already had a hellish glimpse feeds a devilishly fun game within our own imaginations. Talk to Me somehow feels familiar, but uncomfortably so. It’s a horror show always eager to deface the rulebook, and leave you with a wonderfully organic sign that this game is not over. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic George Wolf Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >