Lochgoilhead Forever film review by UK film critic Chris Buick. Starring Liam Martin directed by Liam Martin. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Lochgoilhead Forever Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Buick | Posted on: Mar 31, 2024 Directed by: Liam Martin Written by: Liam Martin Starring: Liam Martin Travelling with his father to finally clear out his late grandparent’s home in the Scottish Highlands, documentary filmmaker Liam Martin’s deeply personal and brave decision to document this pilgrimage back to Scotland offers a very brief but intimate window into an engaging and emotional father-son relationship where almost nothing is said but almost everything is felt. Lochgoilhead Forever is no doubt a brave venture from Martin given how open they are with such a personal story, but it’s one that will no doubt speak to many and judging from the well-deserved reaction the film has received, it already has. In part, it’s a brilliant study of how most parents eventually, in the eyes of their children, stop being perceived as almost infallible deities, instead just as flawed and misguided as everyone else. But what Lochgoilhead Forever is, more than anything else, is a story about the acceptance of that fact. Early on, we get to understand that this return to Scotland isn’t one that is going to necessarily bring to the fore a host of fond and happy memories. In the film’s opening moments, the only time when Martin or anyone addresses the viewer directly, we are offered just enough of a baseline as to the history of the relationship at hand, one filled with its share of pain and sadness born out of anger, alcohol and the breakdown of family. But the film doesn’t dwell on the why or what was or could have been, what’s important is the what now, and from there Martin lets the film speak for itself. As they tend to the long-neglected house, leafing through old photos and gathering up chintzy old knick-knacks, it’s then through simple observation of Martin’s father we see that, despite everything, Martin and his father’s relationship is still one filled with love and affection for each other, even if it can never explicitly be said. It’s incredible how, through letting us simply see rather than tell, Martin is able to convey infinitely more about his and his father’s story than a million words ever could. But the film’s stand-out moments are in the father’s quiet reflections being back in this place, where his true emotions and mannerisms constantly belie his stubborn and adamant words. Again, it’s a film about acceptance, not just for Martin as to the man his father is, but for his father’s own pain and grief at the memories such a visit brings back to him, and one of if not the film’s most poignant touching moment that encapsulates it all is his father contemplating not letting the house go at all, his words reasoning that it would be a hassle for everyone, but we can see his eyes unable to hide a deep, wistful sadness and unwillingness to let it all go. Incredibly authentic and deftly made, Lochgoilhead Forever is like watching the final chapter of a long and interesting story that of course, makes you wish you knew more but more importantly, makes you feel simply grateful to Martin for deciding to share his story with us. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Chris Buick Documentary, Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - Dirt Music Gets July Digital Release. Find out more at UK Film Review. Dirt Music Gets July Digital Release Chris Olson Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 1:07:21 PM GMT+1 Dirt Music Coming to Digital Download 19th July Adapted by Gregor Jordan from Tim Winton's critically acclaimed novel of the same name, the film features an incredible cast including leading performances from Kelly Macdonald (Line of Duty), Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) & David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings). Dirt Music follows Georgie (Kelly Macdonald) who's barely holding it together these days without a drink. Once a nurse, now she’s trapped in White Point with local crayfish baron, Jim Buckridge (David Wenham) and his two sons. One hazy night she sees the lone figure of Lu Fox (Garrett Hedlund) appear in the mists of the bay. A long time ago he was a dirt musician, but now he survives as a poacher - an unwise choice given Jim’s iron-grip on the local fishing trade. Georgie is instantly drawn to Lu, and the pair begin an intense affair. What Georgie doesn’t realise is that the Foxes and the Buckridges have a long, murky history which just might rise to the surface. Dirt Music will be available on Digital Download from 19th July The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. Read Now Another Round UK DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced Following its acclaimed cinema release, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating Oscar winner, ANOTHER ROUND, starring Mads Mikkelsen, on early EST 24th September 2021 and DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 27th September 2021. Read Now Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow DVD and Blu-Ray UK Release Date Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow To Land Early On Digital (August 10th) and 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD September 13th. Read Now My Little Sister Gets October UK Release Date My Little Sister is due for a cinema release in the UK, on Friday 8th October 2021. Read Now Grimmfest Reveals Line-Up for 2021 Film Festival After a year of “home invasions” in the form of virtual screenings and online events, this October sees Grimmfest returning to the cinema at last. Read Now Helen Mirren Narrates Powerful Documentary Escape From Extinction Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents Escape From Extinction, a powerful feature documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, coming to selected cinemas from 17th September celebrating ‘Great Big Green Week’ (18-26 September). Read Now Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Following critical acclaim and standout performances, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of the heartbreaking British love story SUPERNOVA, arriving on EST 24th September 2021 and DVD and Blu-ray on 27th September 2021. Read Now The Djinn UK Release Date The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Read Now Come Play UK Digital Release Date Jacob Chase’s directorial debut feature COME PLAY tells the story of Oliver, a solitary autistic boy who comes across a creepy children’s story on his new tablet. Read Now 15m Giant Starfish in Leicester Square Ahead of UK Release of The Suicide Squad British actor Peter Capaldi (BBC’s Doctor Who, World War Z) ‒ who stars in THE SUICIDE SQUAD alongside Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena as genius scientist ‘Thinker’, was bravely photographed with the imposing creature Starro in London’s Leicester Square earlier today in celebration of the film’s UK release this coming Friday. Read Now West Side Story In Cinemas December 2021 From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, the 2021 remake of West Side Story will be coming to cinemas in December 2021. Read Now The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films. Read Now Rise of the Footsoldier Origins UK Cinema Release The eagerly-awaited RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS, starring legendary leading man Vinnie Jones, is showing exclusively in cinemas from September 3, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. Read Now Random Acts of Violence UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Date Jay Baruchel writes, directs and stars in his horror debut Random Acts of Violence, which makes its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder, following its success on the streaming service. Read Now Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 Read Now A New World Order Premieres in UK 23 August Black Mirror meets A Quiet Place in gripping sci-fi thriller A New World Order from director Daniel Raboldt in his feature debut, which gets its UK premiere on DVD and digital 23 August 2021 from Reel 2 Reel Films. Read Now

The Railway Children Return film review by UK film critic Brian Penn. Starring Jenny Agutter, Sheridan Smith, Beau Gadsdon, Austin Hayes, Kenneth Aikens directed by Morgan Matthews. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Railway Children Return Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Brian Penn | Posted on: Jul 17, 2022 Directed by: Morgan Matthews Written by: Daniel Brocklehurst, Jemma Rodgers Starring: Jenny Agutter, Sheridan Smith, Beau Gadsdon, Austin Hayes, Kenneth Aikens When the Railway Children was released in 1970 the adjectives poured like water from a tap. Charming, evocative and heart-warming could have been invented for this classic directed by Lionel Jeffries and starring Jenny Agutter. A touch over half a century later the sequel finally arrives on the big screen. Like the original it's a love letter to a bygone age and radiates with goodness. The key elements have been retained as the story picks up during the Second World War. The logical reference point alights on evacuees arriving in the village of Oakworth from a bomb damaged Manchester. Bobbie (Jenny Agutter) is now in middle age and a grandmother. Her daughter Annie (Sheridan Smith) is the school headmistress and together they form a welcoming party at the picturesque station. However, the excitement of city kids seeing the countryside is tempered by a harsh new reality. As local residents are prompted to make a choice three siblings are left behind because people cannot feed three mouths. Led by eldest sibling Lily (Beau Gadsdon) they vow to stay together. Predictably Bobbie convinces Annie to take them in. Grandson Thomas (Austin Hayes) welcomes the company of new playmates as they quickly adapt to country life. The children begin to explore local railway tracks and find US serviceman Abe (Kenneth Aikens) hiding in a disused railway carriage. Abe has deserted amidst racial tensions and harsh treatment from the Military Police. But how will the children react to this new discovery? With the basic ingredients it's difficult to get this film wrong. Director Morgan Matthews uses the spectacular West Yorkshire landscape and hopelessly romantic aura of steam trains to great effect. Added to a wholesome story of children finding friendship and teaching the adults a thing or two along the way, it feels like a comfortable armchair. The army-treating-black-recruits-like-the-enemy storyline has appeared many times before, so doesn't break any new ground. But then again it doesn't need to as there are recurring themes in all period dramas. As a coherent piece it finds its range very quickly and draws strong performances from a highly talented cast. Jenny Agutter provides continuity while Sheridan Smith ensures familiarity; but it's the kids that really stand out in this film, particularly Beau Gadsdon, who delivers a strong performance as the vulnerable and stubborn Lily. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Brian Penn Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Neutopia film review by UK film critic Lawrence Bennie. Starring Laurie Duncan, David Schall, Deanna Orlando directed by Kane Wilson. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Neutopia Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Lawrence Bennie | Posted on: Aug 8, 2024 Directed by: Kane Wilson Written by: Kane Wilson Starring: Laurie Duncan, David Schall, Deanna Orlando How far will technology go? Forty years ago with The Terminator , James Cameron blasted the concept of a world ravaged by artificial intelligence across the screen. Four decades on and, suddenly, the rise of AI is prevalent in the news and social media. The wonders are there, but so are the warnings and in Kane Wilson’s excellent Neutopia , we see some chilling answers to the questions of the limits of artificial intelligence. In the year 2034, the government are pushing for 'Neutopia' - a society where humans and artificial intelligence are harmonised in the mind. Londoners are now linked to the Artificial Intelligence Network (AIN), as a result of a mandatory brain implant known as the Neural Connect. For Myles (Laurie Duncan), it is not enough. He needs more. The solution? ‘Perfect Overdrive’. Described as “artificial intelligence selective consciousness”, it programs whatever is asked of it. And, with a high-stakes business presentation looming, it seems to be just what Myles needs right now.. Wilson’s vision of 2030’s inner-city London may not be a borderline dystopia, but its dark, gritty and its domination by technology has left it soulless. Here, data has replaced drugs in the criminal underworld; Myles’ addiction is not to illegal substances, but to bootlegged artificial intelligence software - or, perhaps more aptly, mindware. When he finds no food for dinner, or for the dog, there’s a simple solution. He just needs to say ‘Perfect Overdrive’ and tell it what he needs. In 2024, we have to wonder how far we are becoming dependent on technology. In the 2034 of Neutopia, that question has long since passed. Wilson presents a society not so much technologically-driven as it is technologically-ridden; Myles’ mental and physical world is completely dependent on AI. Independent action and thought have vanished from his life. Whenever there’s a problem, he calls on Perfect Overdrive. Predictably, things soon go awry and Myles’ over-reliance on his integrated AI brings his world crashing down around him. But, perhaps that’s the point. We need to see Myles’ Faustian downfall coming. It would be somewhat worrying if we didn’t. Beginning with a somewhat ironic, yet nonetheless foreboding, Terminator -style credits sequence, Wilson strikingly jumps to a setting entirely different from what we might expect at this point and, indeed, from what we see in the rest of the film. Myles is sat lifelessly, staring blankly out into a beautiful, sun-filled garden. In his hand, he clutches a child's snow-globe, the only thing which seems to trigger some sign some of life back into him. Wilson then flashes back to begin Myles' story. We may have started with a nod to The Terminator but, structurally, Wilson's film plays out more like Citizen Kane - the image of the snow-globe to set up the mystery, the flashback, the rise and fall of the protagonist and the pay-off resolving the enigma of the opening scene. At the film's end, visited by his daughter, the catatonic Myles is unable to respond; his eyes are a deathly blank stare, his mind presumably melted from the melding of his brain with Perfect Overdrive. Glancing at the globe, beneath Myles' dead gaze, something begins to happen. The memory of a moment. A feeling. The credits roll. Neutopia presents a disquieting vision of the very near future - one where the world isn't unnecessarily ruled by AI, but where the independence of an individual has become subservient to it. Yet, its quietly powerful ending, suggests a chance of hope and the power of humanity above anything artificial. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Lawrence Bennie Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Gospel of Dating film review by UK film critic James Learoyd. Starring Michael Orlando Peters, Rachel Brooks, Nicole Pringle directed by Khiray Richards. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Gospel of Dating Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Mar 9, 2026 Directed by: Khiray Richards Written by: Khiray Richards Starring: Michael Orlando Peters, Rachel Brooks, Nicole Pringle The Gospel of Dating , written and directed by Khiray Richards, is a new feature-length comedy about a church which requires further funding and exposure following a period of economic lapse during Covid lockdown. The church’s bishop (played by Michael Orlando Peters) eventually agrees to help produce a church- based dating show which would involve his Christian community. We then follow a series of individuals as they search for love, and experience some amusing, often ridiculous hijinks involving the production of the show. This is a niche, flawed but not unentertaining dramedy – ostensibly aimed at a religious audience. I’ve never seen a Christian sex-comedy, and I doubt you have either, dear reader – but many hilarious moments in this film come very close to that territory (my favourite moment in the whole runtime is a riotous vibrator joke). What I’m trying to get at is that this piece is not so staunchly traditional, and in fact explores some engaging modern relationship dynamics. In terms of the picture’s construction, The Gospel of Dating is a technical success. The audio and soundtrack are an example of this project’s refinement. The on-location sound is properly captured; the foley is carefully done; and the music is implemented to create an appropriately humorous sensibility. The cinematography, while not outstanding, offers a pleasing use of focus – complemented by a cinematic, high-quality colour-grade. You could argue that there is an overuse of Steadicam in this movie, and not enough clear, static wide shots, or even especially striking closeups. The reason being is that the constant use of Steadicam means that the visual aspects of depth and composition feel intangible and non-committal. I like the fact that our protagonist of the bishop must learn a few important lessons about acceptance and social modernity; however, this may rub many up the wrong way, as it did for this critic at first. There’s one truly horrific scene in which condescendingly sinister music plays and the bishop hatefully says the phrase “pronoun people”. Even if the film eventually confronts this prejudice – arguing that “salvation doesn’t have a label” – and even discusses the contradictions of “traditional value”, it takes its time to do so and comes across as condescending. Nevertheless, for better or worse, what this scenario offers is an accurate portrayal of America’s dire political climate. Especially in relation to the depiction of the TV executive whose malignant motives aim to maintain a conservative, regressive image whilst still making wider-reaching profit. There’s also an element of capital ‘R’ Realism here in that it is inherently fascinating to make a movie focusing on the financial struggles of institutions – even when the overall feel of the piece is frequently one of absurdism. At its core, The Gospel of Dating is getting at something economically relevant. For non-Christians like myself, a film such as this is not something one would commonly seek out for casual viewing purposes. Yet the movie’s offering of a clean aesthetic, a comforting and consistent tone, as well as plenty of genuine laughs means that this picture may provide entertainment beyond its target-audience. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic James Learoyd Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Trigger Happy film review by UK film critic Rachel Willis. Starring Tyler Poelle, Elsha Kim directed by Tiffany Kim Stevens. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Trigger Happy Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Rachel Willis | Posted on: Feb 27, 2025 Directed by: Tiffany Kim Stevens Written by: Daniel Moya, Tiffany Kim Stevens Starring: Tyler Poelle, Elsha Kim Unhappy George (Tyler Poelle) has a plan. Miserable at work, miserable at home, George needs a change. His chosen method for changing his life becomes a madcap adventure of sorts in director Tiffany Kim Stevens’s film, Trigger Happy . Since misery loves company, George isn’t alone in his dissatisfaction. George’s wife, aspiring actor Annie (Elsha Kim), is as annoyed with George as he is with her. Several others express their frustrations and despairs in various ways as well. Thankfully, Stevens isn’t interested in making us miserable. Rather than wallow with unhappy characters, we watch as George, Annie, and their friends find ways to improve their circumstances through torrid affairs, spouse murder fantasies, and hilarious professional accomplishments. Of course, because none of the characters are honest with each other, or even themselves, misunderstandings abound. What could almost be described as comedic hijinks occur, except they’re a little too bloody to be truly called hijinks. Stevens, co-writing with Daniel Moya, pens dialog with a strange, melodic poetry that gives it a musical quality, adding a level of surrealism to the film. George’s increasing frustrations play well with this quality. Adding to Trigger Happy ‘s uncanniness is the slyly revealed reality of George’s world, which isn’t quite the same as ours. It’s not obvious at first, but as the film progresses, more hints are dropped. And as the title of the movie suggests, guns abound (not so different from our world in that way). Each person in George’s world is compelling in their own unique way. Though some play a bigger part in George’s misery than others, none of the ancillary characters feel unnecessary. From his coworkers to his boss, to the friendly shop owner, each person has a place in George’s orbit. Still, it’s Annie, as both his antagonist and his wife, who has the most commanding presence in George’s life. It’s easy to love and loathe both characters. Trigger Happy is, overall, a winning parody about the miseries of everyday living. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Rachel Willis Digital / DVD Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Kill 4 Love film review by UK film critic Joe Beck. Starring Pratiksha Kadur, Dacotah Ateah, Darnelle David directed by Hugh Liu. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Kill 4 Love Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Nov 2, 2022 Directed by: Hugh Liu Written by: Hugh Liu Starring: Pratiksha Kadur, Dacotah Ateah, Darnelle David There are moments of ‘Kill 4 Love’ which capture both the heart and the mind, often when it is at its most grounded, however, it constantly tries to reach for the moon, without ever realising just how good it is down on earth. Generally, films, especially amateur shorts, should be praised for having grand ambitions of lofty concepts, but sometimes the opposite is true. ‘Kill 4 Love’ is one such case, partially because what it aims to achieve isn’t all too impressive in the first place. We are first introduced to a man, credited only as ‘The Ex’ and played by Dacotah Ateah, coming off the call with who we presume to be his girlfriend. We can tell right away that he’s supposed to be morally weaker. Why? He smokes weed, talks in far too a carefree manner and is lounging on a sofa more comfortably than we would like. Though Hugh Liu, who both writes and directs, characterisation is easy to grasp, it is too plain and plays far too closely to stereotypes that those who smoke weed abuse their partners. Though we don’t see him abuse his partner, Cynthia (Pratiksha Kadur), her passive nature whilst around him, and the fact that she appears to stick by him despite receiving sparing amounts of love is supposed to hint that way. At the very least, their relationship is full of neglect and without much love. Therefore, we presume that the film will focus on the aftermath of the positive pregnancy test, flashed up with a background of a foggy motorway at the outset of the film. This is all rather dull, containing weak characters and even weaker writing. However, the other side of the film, depicting what appears to be a budding relationship between Cynthia and ‘The Boy’, played by Darnelle David, feels genuinely heartfelt, at least at first, and fills us with that warm fuzzy feeling we get when watching a plausible love depicted on screen. Kadur and David have good physical chemistry, and their voiceovers are surprisingly well-written. Problems start to emerge, however, when the voiceovers are ditched for actual conversation, at which point the writing, and consequently the acting, falls apart. Lines like ‘I just hope our friendship stays the same way…..platonic’ leaves the actors with little to work with and make the pair seem strained and uncomfortable more than anything. The dialogue is robotic and worsens when the two strands - revolving around Cynthia’s relationships with ‘The Ex’ and ‘The Boy’ - intertwine. Nevertheless, whilst Liu’s writing is abject, his direction has moments of sheer brilliance. Firstly, to successfully capture Kadur and David’s physical chemistry, an arguably harder feat than capturing vocal chemistry, is impressive. But more than that, he successfully captures everyone’s desire to be wanted and to feel connected in our desperately hectic, fast-paced world. There are fleeting moments which feel like a Wong Kar-wai film, and the speed ramping, combined with an excellent soundtrack demonstrates his abilities as both director and editor. However, a bad script catches up to anyone eventually, and it doesn’t take long for that to really drag ‘Kill 4 Love’ down. Hugh Liu is hopefully a director we see more of in the future, but the writing should be left to someone else. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

I'm Not Here film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Juno Jakob directed by Juno Jakob. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS I'm Not Here Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jun 12, 2022 Directed by: Juno Jakob Written by: Juno Jakob Starring: Juno Jakob A man with mental health issues films himself as he talks about his life. This documentary was filmed at St James' Hospital, with Jakob as a newly-arrived patient, who decides to use his mobile phone to film himself as he talks about his thoughts and explains to the viewer what it is like living with mental illness and what life at a psychiatric unit is like. Jakob has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and has been brought to the hospital, where he is on suicide watch as he is considered to be a danger to himself. This feature is a sort of follow-up to Jakob's 2014 short documentary People Call Me Crazy , that also focuses on him being filmed as he explains what it is like living with mental health disorders. Filmed in black-and-white, almost the entire documentary consists of Jakob sitting inside his room at the hospital and talking to the camera. After giving a brief tour of his room, he then proceeds to explain to the audience who he is and what his current situation is. He began suffering from paranoid schizophrenia as a teenager and gradually his condition got worse. He hears and sees things that are not there and his hallucinations include the voice of a man named Norman Bates (from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho ) and the visual presence of a terrifying scarecrow. He also believes that the Nazis are out to get him. He finds it difficult to understand the world and sometimes thinks about harming himself. Regarding Jakob himself, he comes across as an intelligent, honest, calm and self-aware individual, although he does show signs that he has issues. Occasionally, he forgets what he was talking about and repeats himself and sometimes his illusions take effect, making him anxious and frightened. The whole film is shown through a smartphone's camera. Save for a few occasions when Jakob moves the camera around, the camera remains static, with him looking into it and speaking. This documentary is quite intriguing and dramatic. It raises awareness of mental health problems and effectively shows the effects such conditions have on people and for these reasons it is an achievement that deserves praise and recognition. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film, Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - Accessible films at BFI Flare 2021. Find out more at UK Film Review. Accessible films at BFI Flare 2021 Chris Olson Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 11:17:20 AM GMT BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival is for everyone. We’re committed to ensuring it is as inclusive and accessible as possible. The majority of English-language features and shorts are accessible with: Closed caption subtitles, including descriptions of non-dialogue audio, for customers who are D/deaf or hard of hearing Audio description for customers who are blind or partially-sighted For a full list of films with closed captions and audio description, follow the link below. You can watch feature films at any point during the Festival wherever you are in the UK. Once you start the film, you have 4 hours to finish watching. All Screen Talks, pre-recorded introductions, Q&As and events will have subtitles - and will be available to watch for free online. If you have any questions about access or would like to share your feedback with us, please email box.office@bfi.org.uk Closed captioning supported by Mishcon de Reya The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. Read Now Another Round UK DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced Following its acclaimed cinema release, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating Oscar winner, ANOTHER ROUND, starring Mads Mikkelsen, on early EST 24th September 2021 and DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 27th September 2021. Read Now Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow DVD and Blu-Ray UK Release Date Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow To Land Early On Digital (August 10th) and 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD September 13th. Read Now My Little Sister Gets October UK Release Date My Little Sister is due for a cinema release in the UK, on Friday 8th October 2021. Read Now Grimmfest Reveals Line-Up for 2021 Film Festival After a year of “home invasions” in the form of virtual screenings and online events, this October sees Grimmfest returning to the cinema at last. Read Now Helen Mirren Narrates Powerful Documentary Escape From Extinction Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents Escape From Extinction, a powerful feature documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, coming to selected cinemas from 17th September celebrating ‘Great Big Green Week’ (18-26 September). Read Now Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Following critical acclaim and standout performances, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of the heartbreaking British love story SUPERNOVA, arriving on EST 24th September 2021 and DVD and Blu-ray on 27th September 2021. Read Now The Djinn UK Release Date The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Read Now Come Play UK Digital Release Date Jacob Chase’s directorial debut feature COME PLAY tells the story of Oliver, a solitary autistic boy who comes across a creepy children’s story on his new tablet. Read Now 15m Giant Starfish in Leicester Square Ahead of UK Release of The Suicide Squad British actor Peter Capaldi (BBC’s Doctor Who, World War Z) ‒ who stars in THE SUICIDE SQUAD alongside Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena as genius scientist ‘Thinker’, was bravely photographed with the imposing creature Starro in London’s Leicester Square earlier today in celebration of the film’s UK release this coming Friday. Read Now West Side Story In Cinemas December 2021 From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, the 2021 remake of West Side Story will be coming to cinemas in December 2021. Read Now The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films. Read Now Rise of the Footsoldier Origins UK Cinema Release The eagerly-awaited RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS, starring legendary leading man Vinnie Jones, is showing exclusively in cinemas from September 3, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. Read Now Random Acts of Violence UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Date Jay Baruchel writes, directs and stars in his horror debut Random Acts of Violence, which makes its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder, following its success on the streaming service. Read Now Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 Read Now A New World Order Premieres in UK 23 August Black Mirror meets A Quiet Place in gripping sci-fi thriller A New World Order from director Daniel Raboldt in his feature debut, which gets its UK premiere on DVD and digital 23 August 2021 from Reel 2 Reel Films. Read Now

Incognito film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Vikram Singh, Ayushi Nema, Dev Chauhan directed by Ravi Muppa. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Incognito Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Sep 6, 2022 Directed by: Ravi Muppa Written by: Ravi Muppa Starring: Vikram Singh, Ayushi Nema, Dev Chauhan A hotel receptionist discovers that one of the guests is in serious trouble. A man (Singh) works as a receptionist at a hotel. However, that is not the only thing he does there, as he has placed hidden cameras in one of the rooms and the en suite bathroom, so that he can film couples as they have intercourse and then he uploads the videos on a pornographic website in order to make money. One day, a man (Chauhan) and a young woman (Nema) rent the same room and through the cameras, the receptionist finds out that something very bad is going on. This short is a thriller with a great deal of suspense and tension. With very limited dialogue, it tells a dark story that catches the viewer's attention right from the start and maintains it until the end. The plot deals with rather sinister subjects that include people unknowingly being filmed while they have intercourse and having the act being posted online, people trafficking and individuals being forced into prostitution. With this in mind and the addition of some scenes that are quite distressing, it should be mentioned that this film is not for sensitive viewers. As the main character, the receptionist is mostly an anti-hero. Because of what he does with the cameras, the audience is unlikely to root for him, even though he decides to help the woman who is being used as a sex slave by the man who accompanies her. The receptionist proves that he has a heart, however that is not enough to redeem him. The character who gets the viewer's sympathy and support is the unfortunate young woman, who is in a terrible situation. The story is told from the perspective of the receptionist and much of the film is seen through the spy cameras. By intercutting the hidden camera shots with actual shots, the director and writer Ravi Muppa creates a lot of tension. The dramatic, suspenseful and tense music by Mathew Job is a great aspect that helps create the right emotions and praise also goes to the cinematography provided by Azim Moollan. This short thriller is certainly one that will keep the audience in suspense and occasionally at the edge of their seat. The acting is strong and the plot (although dark due to the subject matter) is quite intriguing. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Remember Us film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring Feisal Bizimana, Rob Trend, Frank Harper directed by Kaitlyn Boxall. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Remember Us Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Jul 28, 2026 Directed by: Kaitlyn Boxall Written by: Kaitlyn Boxall Starring: Feisal Bizimana, Rob Trend, Frank Harper Kaitlyn Boxall’s debut feature Remember Us portrays a moving, life-changing friendship that spans generations and defies illness. It’s an impressively shot and emotional film that is at its best during patient and downplayed moments that hone in on the heart of its layered characters, and where it contemplates what responsibility, masculinity and respect really mean. Tearaway youth Lucas (Feisal Bizimana) is caught up in petty crime and receives a community service order that sees him deliver food parcels with his supervisor Steve (Frank Harper). Disillusioned with his friends who drag him into trouble, Lucas finds purpose in his community work, especially when it puts him into contact with Arthur Miller (Rob Trend), a dementia sufferer who was once a football player. Lucas builds a friendship with Arthur, going beyond his mandated responsibilities to make the old man’s life a little fuller. But when his old life endangers his new one, Lucas is presented with a decision that tests what kind of man he wants to be. The biggest success of Remember Us is the convincing and touching central relationship between Lucas and Arthur. The film takes its time first unravelling Lucas’ character – building the young man as someone with a conscience and who strives for a better life than the one he has drawn, albeit one who has also made bad decisions. His first interactions with Arthur are spiky, but his sensitivity takes over when he finds Arthur in distress. The bond between the two grows as Lucas recognises Arthur as another isolated, lonely soul, and he takes it upon himself to act as both a carer and a friend. Arthur in turn is lucid enough to recognise the same yearning in Lucas, and provides him with fatherly advice that Lucas has never had in his home life. It becomes clear throughout the film that Lucas’ life is being torn in two, and that a conflict between the warring halves is inevitable. Lucas is an amiable enough character that viewers enjoy exploring these two sides of him – the wannabe gangster who emanates a hard shell, and the caring young man who proactively helps out a man forgotten by the rest of the world. We see complexity in both these worlds – his friendly, cheery mate George (Micheal John-Day) is a likeable and positive personality who Lucas cares for, but he circles unsavoury characters at the same time. Meanwhile supervisor Steve is a gruff, hardass who takes joy at times in speaking down to Lucas – yet tries to steer him on the right path. These complex personalities help create a believable dilemma for Lucas, and the audience can empathise with his conundrum over whether to abandon his friends. Unfortunately, the narrative crumbles under its own weight in the final third of the film. The aforementioned choice presented with Lucas leads to a brutal consequence. However the actions of the police, Arthur’s family and Lucas himself make little sense in the aftermath. It’s difficult to reconcile Lucas’ actions when dealing with the police, or the fact that he is able to present himself to Arthur afterwards. We get little proper conclusion beyond a hint at redemption for Lucas and a possible reunion between the pair. However the level of brutality inflicted on Arthur means viewers will struggle to really be convinced that the story has the happy ending the filmmakers commit to. It's a shame that the story comes off the rails, as prior to this the film had been built carefully and patiently with the promise of developed conflict and conclusion. The viewer may feel short-changed coming away. Yet viewed as a whole, there is still a lot to admire in this film – especially for a feature-length debut. The relationship at its heart, and the lessons that come from it are the prime accomplishment, and should be what the audience remembers. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Theatrical Release, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Group film review by UK film critic William Curzon . Starring Elle E, Magnus Einarsson directed by Neil Crittenden. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Group Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: William Curzon | Posted on: Dec 23, 2025 Directed by: Neil Crittenden Written by: Neil Crittenden Starring: Elle E, Magnus Einarsson The Group is a short piece that follows a young woman, Jackie Gibson-Berg (Elle E), as she drives her father, Terrence (Magnus Einarsson), to his regular Parkinson’s support group meeting, where she is faced with a harsh reality. Written and directed by Neil Crittenden and shot on location at the Cloisters in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, the piece explores the inner turmoil the daughter faces as she musters the courage not to bottle up her emotions and reach out to her father. One of the most impressive feats of the film is how compelling and emotionally resonant the experience is despite its tight runtime. It's evident from the opening frame that the daughter is hiding something and is unable to express her feelings to her father due to the actress's use of an understated posture. The use of visual storytelling and the “show, don't tell” approach is a compelling tool that works profoundly here, anchoring the performances to impressive heights. Implementing striking stock footage is another astounding formal decision that conveys the daughter's childlike innocence before cutting to the present day. The piece is accompanied by a haunting and melancholic musical score that complements the meditative tone throughout its entirety. However, the most unique narrative device is the use of quotes presented on the screen between scene changes to convey the character’s inner torment. Both central performances from Elle E, in her portrayal of the daughter and Magnus Einarsson, in her portrayal of her father, are incredibly compelling and understated in their delivery. While the performers are not given much material to work with, they elevate the script by conveying profound nuance and restraint in their performances that deeply resonates. Their chemistry is raw and haunting as their love for one another is profoundly evident in their dialogue exchanges, showcasing a lovely father-daughter dynamic. Despite its limited runtime, the film manages to convey its themes and message eloquently by displaying a helping hand of empathy towards families or individuals dealing with Parkinson’s. It's a deeply haunting piece of filmmaking that may connect profoundly with many viewers. Sam Beckley’s cinematography primarily consists of fixed camerawork and tracking the actors slowly in moments of discomfort. It's an incredibly visceral way to shoot the performers and creates a sense of anxiety as the daughter wrestles with her inner harsh reality. The use of surrealism is another potent choice that depicts the daughter's anxiety taking hold of her and essentially forcing her to speak out. While the film is relentlessly paced, the editing at times can become jarring as it awkwardly cuts to black during pivotal moments, and this may take viewers out of the experience. That being said, the powerful and emotionally gut-wrenching performances from Elle E and Magnus Einarsson vastly outweigh those flaws. The Group is a striking piece of filmmaking that uniquely depicts a father-daughter relationship and the fear of coming to terms of how having Parkinson’s can affect you and the people around you. While the material is restricted due to budget constraints, it still manages to convey a raw depiction of having the courage to speak out to another before it's too late. Led by two phenomenal performances from Elle E and Magnus Einarsson, this is an emotionally resonant body of work that is bound to stick with you. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Curzon Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >