OBA OMO (The King Child) film review by UK film critic James Learoyd. Starring Temi Ami-Williams directed by Seun Richards. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS OBA OMO (The King Child) Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Apr 17, 2024 Directed by: Seun Richards Written by: Temi Ami-Williams Starring: Temi Ami-Williams I’m a sucker for any film that focuses on a performer’s face and the natural power it holds, OBA OMO (The King Child) is one such example. It tells a spiritual tale through evocative, free-flowing imagery and voiceover. There is but one subject in the piece: a woman within nature performing "the oral folk tradition of Ibeji". Meanwhile, a loud voice relays the story of The King Child , speaking of the descendants of the ‘Columbus Monkey’. On the surface this may seem inaccessible or, perhaps, confusing; however, this short film’s use of physicality and sporadic, Malickian visuals provide a fascinating sense of discovery. One may not fully comprehend all the cultural concepts the piece is exploring, yet we marvel at its hypnotic tone and wondrous mystery. Some of the cinematography is quite lovely: it’s appropriately soft and mobile, reflecting both the sparse content of the piece and how the subject moves. Each shot is completely motivated by the character’s actions on screen – we, as the audience, feel connected with her visually, which is apt for a work that’s based around such spiritual subject matter. The use of shallow depth of field is pleasant... although the use of auto-focus is completely out of place and easily avoidable. A handheld camera is often criticised (for some reason), yet here it appears emblematic of the movie’s spontaneous aesthetic. Arguably, one of the best elements of the picture is its use of reflection: it’s such a simple yet effective use of set design. The way this rectangular, rimless mirror is placed around nature is fabulously inventive – it gives the environment a varied feel in terms of perspective, and it also allows us to view our protagonist in a slightly different manner, an additional fragmentary layer. Also, metaphorically speaking, there’s something ethereal or otherworldly in its being there, as if we are in fact peering into some fantastic but grounded plane of reality. The lead performer is terrific. She displays such a dedication to channeling emotion purely through physical expression - she doesn’t have a line of dialogue. They oscillate between wistful and playful to being stagnant; there’s a naturally reactive manner to how she interacts with the surroundings. A performance like this can really make a film. Narrative becomes a lot less important when a subject harnesses the frame themselves. There’s certainly a bravery and power to the main performer which cannot be denied. A lot of thought and creativity has gone into OBA OMO (The King Child). It feels artistically confident throughout and encourages audiences to be ambitious in how they choose to interpret its messaging. It is, of course, an unusual and uncommercial piece of filmmaking (thus perhaps not entertaining to the average viewer); but its artistry is more than present and should be celebrated. The only explicit, technical mishap one notices is the strangely compressed sound of the voiceover which is both loud and unclear; although, for many, this may bring a uniquely sinister feel to what we’re hearing. But to surmise, it’s a fascinating and original work – one that fully engages with a filmic spirituality. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Close-Up: An Odyssey film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Skye Armenta, Nick Gatsby directed by Nick Gatsby. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Close-Up: An Odyssey Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Sep 14, 2021 Directed by: Nick Gatsby Written by: Skye Armenta, Nick Gatsby Starring: Skye Armenta, Nick Gatsby A surreal journey about a woman's quest to reach Mars. Gatsby is a filmmaker who specializes in experimental and surreal narratives and this short is an example of this kind of creativity. Storywise, this film is about a young woman named Lucy (Armenta), who seems to be under the influence of drugs and acquires the assistance of her dealer (Gatsby) in order to drive her to 'Mars', which appears to be her idyllic location. The story begins kind of like Trainspotting , with Lucy talking to the audience about going on a spiritual journey and then turns into Bonnie and Clyde as she and her dealer find themselves being pursued by the police after an armed robbery. The cinematography is a feature that stands out. The decision to shoot in HD 8mm gives the film a dark and unearthly feeling. Reality seems to be mixed with fantasy (most notably a scene showing the two protagonists driving towards planet Mars) and the world gives the impression that it is shown through Lucy's eyes. There are interesting lighting effects, mesmerizing images and colours and the way they are placed into the image brings similarities to the techniques used in Natural Born Killers . Without the apparent hallucinations from drugs, this would most likely provide a different experience. The fact that the entire film seems like a dream is probably its biggest strength and combines live-action with animation. Armenta plays a person whose main purpose in life seems to be taking drugs. Constantly smiling, she appears not to have a care in the world. Gatsby is her drug dealer, who knows how to use a gun. Watching this achievement is an amusing and surreal experience. The visuals are intriguing, the soundtrack is great and the editing is creative. The viewing will most likely make the audience feel that they are watching a dream rather than actual facts. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Shifting Tides film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring Yuri Angelov, Yoan Popov, Hristo Borisov directed by Yoan Petrov. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Shifting Tides Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Oct 15, 2024 Directed by: Yoan Petrov Written by: Yoan Petrov Starring: Yuri Angelov, Yoan Popov, Hristo Borisov Generational divides and family trauma are explored in Shifting Tides, Yoan Petrov’s moving short set on a coast that acts as a dividing line between a bereaved uncle and nephew. Having recently lost his mother, Kristian (Yoan Popov) heads to a remote fishing village to find his reclusive uncle Mitio (Yuri Angelov). The pair couldn’t be much more unlike each other – with Kristian’s upbringing in the city putting him at odds with the harbour life, and the two struggle to find common ground even with their shared loss. But the time they spend together thaw’s their issues, and a hidden history helps Mitio rekindle a familial sense. Shifting Tides has a powerful sense of empathy and heart. Yoan Petrov’s intelligent writing style gives definition to both uncle and nephew – critical to the film’s success given that their differences are the driver of the plot. Kristian’s modern sensibilities come through authentically and naturally, as do his clashes with Mitio (who makes his disdain of vegans particularly known). The slower pace of the film fits their awkwardness with each other, and allows the pain each share to emanate during quieter moments of the story. Director of photography Giorgos Tsamis stages events beautifully – particularly during the closing scenes of the film on the lake. The palette of the film seems to match the relationship dynamic – natural darks taking precedence during moments of tension or difficulty when the divide between Kristian and Mitio feels insurmountable, and lighter and more vibrant when they are finding common ground or confronting long neglected thoughts and feelings. The imagery is sometimes a little standard during slower moments and doesn’t always compliment the quieter scenes. Yuri Angelov’s Uncle Mitio dominates his environment throughout most of the film – never feeling ruffled by his nephew’s presence or stopping to question his way of life. He quietly carries his sorrow at both his sister’s death and the resentment at her abandonment with him, and Angelov’s nuanced performance allows his inner turmoil to slowly bubble through. Yoan Popov’s performance as nephew Kristian is a world away from his uncle, echoing so many young people who return to familial homes to find little in common with the places of their heritage. Popov instils an uncertain drive in Kristian – a young person who knows where he has to be and what he has to do, but who doesn’t quite understand why. Whilst it drags at times and doesn’t always maintain visual engagement, Shifting Tides succeeds on the back of strong, committed performances and a relatable central relationship between engaging characters. The generational divide at the films’ centre is one that audiences will recognise in different locales and languages, and shows that even those with nothing in common can find a bond. Watch of Video Film Review of Shifting Tides . Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

WSXA International // WScreenShowcase is a FilmFreeway Gold festival, and a partner event of ARFF Barcelona, ARFF Paris, ARFF Amsterdam and ARFF Berlin. As an International & Independent event, WSXA awards the creations in various categories such as Best Director, Best Short Film, Best Actress & Actors, Best TV & Web Series, Best Comedy, Best Experimental Film, Best LGBTQ Film, Best Inspirational Film, Best Erotic & Bizarre Film, Best Student Film, Best Thriller & Horror, Best First-Time Filmmaker, Best Micro Film and the Best Trailer. WSXA International // WScreenShowcase WSXA International // WScreenShowcase is a FilmFreeway Gold festival, and a partner event of ARFF Barcelona, ARFF Paris, ARFF Amsterdam and ARFF Berlin. As an International & Independent event, WSXA awards the creations in various categories such as Best Director, Best Short Film, Best Actress & Actors, Best TV & Web Series, Best Comedy, Best Experimental Film, Best LGBTQ Film, Best Inspirational Film, Best Erotic & Bizarre Film, Best Student Film, Best Thriller & Horror, Best First-Time Filmmaker, Best Micro Film and the Best Trailer. SEE MORE FILM FESTIVALS

The newly dropped trailer for Ink confirms those expectations, delivering a relentless, kinetic glimpse into Fleet Street's most disruptive era.. Brand new film trailers. Ink When news first broke that Danny Boyle was adapting James Graham’s stage hit Ink, cinema purists instantly knew we were in for something volatile. The newly dropped trailer for Ink confirms those expectations, delivering a relentless, kinetic glimpse into Fleet Street's most disruptive era. The footage wastes no time thrusting us into the high-stakes, smoke-filled newsrooms of 1969. Guy Pearce looks utterly magnetic as a young, ruthless Rupert Murdoch, capturing the calculated ambition of a media tycoon determined to upend the British establishment. Opposite him, Jack O'Connell delivers a swaggering, intense performance as Larry Lamb, the editor tasked with transforming The Sun into a populist juggernaut. The brief, razor-sharp exchanges between the two set a fiery tempo, perfectly capturing Graham's bite. Boyle’s signature directorial style is on full display throughout the trailer. Dynamic camera angles, rapid-fire editing, and the thunderous, rhythmic clacking of printing presses build an electric atmosphere. With Claire Foy making a brief but commanding appearance, the ensemble cast promises incredible dramatic weight. The trailer frames the dawn of tabloid journalism not merely as a historical pivot point, but as a thrilling, seductive takeover of popular culture. This initial look suggests a blistering, masterfully acted period drama. Boyle appears to have crafted an urgent, hypnotic piece of cinema that explores the cost of sensationalism. Mark your calendars; Ink looks set to be an unmissable cinematic event. Paper Tiger The Paper Tiger trailer suggests a searing, deeply moving examination of ambition, guilt, and the toxic pursuit of the American Dream. Ink The newly dropped trailer for Ink confirms those expectations, delivering a relentless, kinetic glimpse into Fleet Street's most disruptive era. The Social Reckoning Seeing the first teaser trailer drop for its spiritual companion piece, The Social Reckoning, sent an absolute chill down my spine. Focker-in-Law If the film can sustain the frantic, competitive energy displayed in this preview, Focker-In-Law might just be the rarest of cinematic beasts: a comedy sequel that actually manages to justify its own existence. We are officially on high alert. Heart of the Beast Heart of the Beast looks like a gripping, tear-jerking cinematic triumph that will resonate with action fans and animal lovers alike. We will definitely be front and centre with our popcorn when this one hits the big screen! Klara and the Sun Klara and the Sun looks like a heart-wrenching, beautifully acted triumph that will linger in the mind long after the curtains close. Power Ballad What has us incredibly excited about Power Ballad is the dynamic friction between its two leads. Paul Rudd seems perfectly cast as the rugged, everyday musician who just wanted a shot at the big time, acknowledging with a heavy heart that having his name on a song of that magnitude would have completely changed his life. The Debut UK Film Review hasn't yet seen the final curtain rise on this one, but if the film matches the sheer dramatic potency of its trailer, The Debut is set to be a staggering, must-see cinematic triumph. One Night Only One Night Only looks to be a sharp, subversively funny, and emotionally resonant look at how we connect when time is running out. It takes a wild, satirical premise and uses it to explore a timeless question: Who would you choose if you only had one night? Supergirl As we look toward the 2026 release, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow stands as a testament to the new direction of DC Studios. Masters of the Universe With the arrival of the first trailer for the 2026 reboot of Masters of the Universe, the cinematic landscape prepares for a collision of sword, sorcery, and surprisingly, suburban Earth. Wild Foxes Dune: Part Three Picking up roughly seventeen years after the seismic events of Part Two, the trailer immediately signals a shift in tone. While the first film was an act of world-building and the second a visceral war epic, Dune: Part Three—an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah—looks to be a far more claustrophobic and tense affair. In The Grey Scary Movie 6 The horror-comedy world is officially being turned upside down as the first trailer for Scary Movie 6 has finally arrived, marking a monumental return for the franchise that defined a generation of parody cinema. Empire of Lies Empire of Lies arrives in UK cinemas and on digital platforms on 27th March. Undertone Undertone is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on Friday, March 13th, 2025. If the trailer is anything to go by, we suggest you keep the lights on and perhaps think twice before pressing play on your next favourite podcast. The Moment The Land of Sometimes Twins Alfie and Elise find a magical Wish Watch on Christmas Eve and are swept by the Wish Collector into the musical Land of Sometimes, where they learn that wishes have consequences. Avengers: Doomsday Fans are elated at the release of the first teaser trailer for Avengers: Doomsday. Set for a theatrical release on 18th December 2026, find out more here.

Currently expected for a March 2022 release, The Batman (2022) starring Robert Pattinson is one of the most anticipated films of next year. Warner Bros dropped The Batman Main Trailer and DC fans have gone crazy with excitement. . Brand new film trailers. The Batman Main Trailer Currently expected for a March 2022 release, The Batman (2022) starring Robert Pattinson is one of the most anticipated films of next year. Warner Bros dropped The Batman Main Trailer and DC fans have gone crazy with excitement. Directed by Matt Reeves (who co-writes the story of The Batman too), the film has a stunning cast list including the likes of Paul Dano, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell. Stay tuned for more developments on The Batman and for now, enjoy this Main Trailer from WB. Paper Tiger The Paper Tiger trailer suggests a searing, deeply moving examination of ambition, guilt, and the toxic pursuit of the American Dream. Ink The newly dropped trailer for Ink confirms those expectations, delivering a relentless, kinetic glimpse into Fleet Street's most disruptive era. The Social Reckoning Seeing the first teaser trailer drop for its spiritual companion piece, The Social Reckoning, sent an absolute chill down my spine. Focker-in-Law If the film can sustain the frantic, competitive energy displayed in this preview, Focker-In-Law might just be the rarest of cinematic beasts: a comedy sequel that actually manages to justify its own existence. We are officially on high alert. Heart of the Beast Heart of the Beast looks like a gripping, tear-jerking cinematic triumph that will resonate with action fans and animal lovers alike. We will definitely be front and centre with our popcorn when this one hits the big screen! Klara and the Sun Klara and the Sun looks like a heart-wrenching, beautifully acted triumph that will linger in the mind long after the curtains close. Power Ballad What has us incredibly excited about Power Ballad is the dynamic friction between its two leads. Paul Rudd seems perfectly cast as the rugged, everyday musician who just wanted a shot at the big time, acknowledging with a heavy heart that having his name on a song of that magnitude would have completely changed his life. The Debut UK Film Review hasn't yet seen the final curtain rise on this one, but if the film matches the sheer dramatic potency of its trailer, The Debut is set to be a staggering, must-see cinematic triumph. One Night Only One Night Only looks to be a sharp, subversively funny, and emotionally resonant look at how we connect when time is running out. It takes a wild, satirical premise and uses it to explore a timeless question: Who would you choose if you only had one night? Supergirl As we look toward the 2026 release, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow stands as a testament to the new direction of DC Studios. Masters of the Universe With the arrival of the first trailer for the 2026 reboot of Masters of the Universe, the cinematic landscape prepares for a collision of sword, sorcery, and surprisingly, suburban Earth. Wild Foxes Dune: Part Three Picking up roughly seventeen years after the seismic events of Part Two, the trailer immediately signals a shift in tone. While the first film was an act of world-building and the second a visceral war epic, Dune: Part Three—an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah—looks to be a far more claustrophobic and tense affair. In The Grey Scary Movie 6 The horror-comedy world is officially being turned upside down as the first trailer for Scary Movie 6 has finally arrived, marking a monumental return for the franchise that defined a generation of parody cinema. Empire of Lies Empire of Lies arrives in UK cinemas and on digital platforms on 27th March. Undertone Undertone is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on Friday, March 13th, 2025. If the trailer is anything to go by, we suggest you keep the lights on and perhaps think twice before pressing play on your next favourite podcast. The Moment The Land of Sometimes Twins Alfie and Elise find a magical Wish Watch on Christmas Eve and are swept by the Wish Collector into the musical Land of Sometimes, where they learn that wishes have consequences. Avengers: Doomsday Fans are elated at the release of the first teaser trailer for Avengers: Doomsday. Set for a theatrical release on 18th December 2026, find out more here.

Butterfly Affect film review by UK film critic Joe Beck . Starring Jediael Stiling, Shadrach Agozino, Noah Hicks directed by Edem Wornoo. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Butterfly Affect Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Apr 23, 2022 Directed by: Edem Wornoo Written by: Edem Wornoo Starring: Jediael Stiling, Shadrach Agozino, Noah Hicks Google defines the butterfly effect as ‘the phenomenon whereby a minute localised change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere.’ It’s a theory which has been explored by many philosophers, and many films - namely the 2004 film ‘The Butterfly Effect’ starring Ashton Kutcher. Here, in Edem Wornoo’s ‘Butterfly Affect’, the phrase fits both the google definition and also the journey of a butterfly in becoming the beautiful creature everyone knows and loves. Everybody knows the journey of a butterfly from primary school - the caterpillar creates a cocoon and emerges a beautiful butterfly - but not everybody associates the same process with human development. ‘Butterfly Affect’ makes a noble attempt at delving into this compact topic, nailing the caterpillar and butterfly stages, but delivering an unfulfilling and confusing cocoon phase. The film focuses on Iris (Noah Hicks and later Jediael Stiling), a young ballet dancer on a South London council estate, who has to hide his passions from the people around him, for fear of losing respect. Iris lives a double life - immersing himself in the street culture of South London, and dancing when he’s alone. He reluctantly smokes, he pretends to be going out to ‘kick ball’ and he is being pushed towards a path of violence, yet, unbeknownst to everyone but his cousin Prince (Shadrach Agozino) he dances in front of his pet butterfly. Prince is at least somewhat supportive at the beginning, telling Iris ‘do your ting bro’, but then abruptly tells him that he can’t be dancing if he wants to keep face. This is indicative of much of the adversity which Iris faces, and it all builds up into a couple of outbursts of anger - one violent, the other non-violent. What’s strange is that in the cocoon stage Iris turns into someone unrecognisable - committing an unforgivable act which makes it extremely difficult to come back and like the character. Nevertheless, 'Butterfly Affect' is powerful, sending a clear message of acceptance, and that people should be able to enjoy whatever they like. Director Edem Wornoo is clear in this messaging, and tells it well - incorporating it beautifully into a story which could have easily been utterly soulless. At times, Iris does resemble a buttery, with beautiful shots of him dancing in his room, the camera gliding over his posture and technique and inviting you to sit back and applaud. The actors all are terrific, with Noah Hicks playing the young Iris with a tenderness in his youth, but with a roaring lion wanting to burst out, whether that be through dance or violence. When the baton is handed over to Jediael Stiling to play the older Iris, he maintains that tenderness, but adds a layer of strength to the tenderness to suggest that Iris has been through something traumatic and come out the other side a more mature man. 'Butterfly Affect' is a beautiful story of overcoming a form of adversity to become the person that you want to be. It slightly loses itself in the middle, but is nevertheless affecting in its messaging, and it's tenderness makes it all the more heartwarming. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Disrupted Expectations 4: Art, Words, and Mind Powers film review by UK film critic James Learoyd. Starring Jorge Villacorta directed by Jorge Villacorta. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Disrupted Expectations 4: Art, Words, and Mind Powers Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Jun 9, 2024 Directed by: Jorge Villacorta Written by: Jorge Villacorta Starring: Jorge Villacorta What a double bill! For those of you who have not read my piece on Disrupted Expectation 3 , please do so for some much-needed context before the following... Alrighty, let’s talk about Disrupted Expectations 4: Art, Words, and Mind Powers . This particular entry into the franchise begins with our protagonist addressing people off-screen who are neither seen nor really there. This establishes a fresh idiosyncrasy that was teased in the last film: we know, obviously, that no person is anywhere near this man, and yet he insists to state awkwardly “Everybody - I need your help with this” or “Ah! We have another question, thank you.” The intent, of course, is to persuade me (the actual spectator) that he is somebody whom people take seriously; however, in reality, it just makes him seem evermore unhinged. Is this in any way an entertaining element? - who knows. It’s for you to decide, dear audience, and that’s the magic of Disrupted Expectations 4: Art, Words, and Mind Powers . Allow us to discuss some positives. There’s a genuinely interesting moment early on in which he discusses a Columbian work of art depicting a squirrel, pointing out how a more abstract, geometrical approach has been taken (it sounds almost genuine). Later on, he talks about perspective and the role of artificiality in art, and that’s relatively interesting. And at one point, he actually goes outside which is a valuable change of scene! One of the more dynamic moments in the picture comes when our guy pretends to be on a phone call. Whilst it lasts for an excruciatingly long time, it’s some of his better acting and provides another layer of whimsy to this utter nightmare. It is also in this moment that the nicest shot in either film takes place – which I have used as the image for this review – as a piece of square furniture unintentionally frames his head quite pleasantly. This is also the most metatextual and, dare I say it, intelligent portion of the movie. While on the phone, he speaks of how artists wish to view themselves; he also effectively reveals the fact that this is all a scam... yeah, I don’t understand it either. It could very well be argued that there is a unique level of discovery to these bizarre videos... Consider this, the man at no point knows what he is about to do or say – and neither do we. To persuade his ‘audience’ that he has anything of value to offer, he utilises random objects in his location. In means of pure desperation, he attempts to convince the viewer that the random items in this warehouse are “beautiful works of art” that an artist has purposefully constructed. He points to a doorknob and exclaims “why is it here?” He throws out the term “the ocean of consciousness”. Whenever a loud plane flies by, he acts as if it has a greater meaning. There’s truly nothing like this, and thankfully - unless I blacked out - there’s no cryptic hate speech in this one! These are the standards we’re working with, folks. Now this is very important: at minute 32:50 he almost trips over and gets really scared. This is the most entertaining and emotive moment in both of these films. Following the slight scare, he explains “don’t worry, we have insurance... I apologise” - pretty funny stuff. He states that “you must learn about this kind of advanced art” - and, y’know what, maybe I’m just a slow learner. Watching these two pieces has been an interesting exercise in analysing human behaviour and psychology; delusions and showmanship. It’s an odyssey has left me with a great many questions and conflicting thoughts, but to quote something I can actually get behind: “Being an artist like this is not easy” - well you can say that again. Thanks for reading. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic James Learoyd Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Watch Painting By Numbers at the 2022 UK Film Review Festival. See the UKFRF 2022 lineup and buy your festival pass. Painting By Numbers Listen to our review on the film podcast What our film review said: READ FULL REVIEW Like many of his films, Jegatheva has developed an educational context for his audience with vibrant animation and an interesting vision into what our world could become if we keep seeking to destroy it. Painting by Numbers is a clear presentation of the faults of the human condition and the form of an animated short film is an eerie way to portray it. Proudly supporting MediCinema for our 2022 film festival.

Old Guy film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu, Cooper Hoffman directed by Simon West. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Old Guy Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Feb 20, 2025 Directed by: Simon West Written by: Greg Johnson Starring: Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu, Cooper Hoffman There were three reasons to be optimistic about Old Guy , the latest from director Simon West. West used to make big budget, memorably bad actioners (Con Air ), then middle budget middling actioners (The Mechanic, The Expendables 2 ), and now low budget actioners that have to find a way to capture attention. Hence, the three reasons for optimism. Number one, two-time Oscar winner and all around magnetic onscreen mischief maker Christoph Waltz plays the lead. He’s Danny Dolinski, an aging hitman with a penchant for drink, drugs and threesomes (and hideously patterned short sleeve button downs). Dolinski’s recovering from hand surgery—his trigger hand—which is slowing him down. Thus, he’s been tasked with training a new man, Wihlborg (Cooper Hoffman). Reason number 2. The actor’s handful of onscreen performances—particularly, his remarkable lead turn in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2021 Licorice Pizza —mark him as an actor I’m anxious to see in anything. And reason 3, Lucy Liu, whose recent work finds edges and scars that give characters intriguing dimension. She’s particularly wonderful onscreen right now in Steven Soderbergh’s inverted ghost story Presence. What’s most fun about the casting is that all three talents are playing entirely against type. And though not one of them is entirely convincing as their own particular fringe-of-society misfit, each is deeply charming. West’s direction is frantic enough to do service to both the action and comedy Old Guy is trying to convey. Greg Johnson’s script is not helping. The dialog is not especially funny and worse still, the plot itself falls entirely apart under the lest scrutiny. But the veteran popcorn-and-car-chase director injects a bit of tension and giddy humor with image juxtaposition and punchy editing. And there’s just a silliness in the cast that’s engaging. Liu’s character is an absolute afterthought, but the performance compels interest nonetheless. Hoffman’s been handed less a character than a handful of tics in dark nail polish, but he gives the guy a heartbeat and you find yourself rooting for him. And Waltz, so charmingly miscast, characteristically finds insignificant moments to turn into cinematic highlights. You’ll forget Old Guy the minute those catchy looking credits stop rolling, but sometimes a brain needs to turn off and wallow in three solid performers having fun and making the most of a bad situation. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Digital / DVD Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD in virtual cinemas 12th April. Find out more at UK Film Review. SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD in virtual cinemas 12th April Chris Olson Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 2:43:21 PM GMT+1 Trinity CineAsia presents critically acclaimed thriller Sheep Without A Shepherd released in virtual cinemas and as part of Chinese Cinema Season from 12th April, and available on Digital platforms from 26th April. Li (Xiao Yang, Detective Chinatown ) and his wife A Yu (Tan Zhuo, The Bravest ) run a small business in Thailand and enjoy a happy home life with their two daughters. When their eldest daughter is violently assaulted, blackmailed and left traumatised by another student, her parents intervene, leading to a dead body which needs to be hidden, and every trace of the boy buried to cover up the accident. However, the missing boy’s parents, dogged detective La Wen (Joan Chen, Marco Polo, Lust, Caution ) and mayoral candidate Du Peng (Philip Keung, Blind Detective ) are pushing the local police to turn over every rock to find the truth, stopping at nothing until their missing son is found. A remarkable directorial debut from filmmaker Sam Quah, Sheep Without A Shepherd boasts incredible performances and a tense and emotionally riveting story, making it a must-see and compelling new thriller. Trinity CineAsia presents Sheep Without A Shepherd released in virtual cinemas and screening as part of Chinese Cinema Season from 12th April Book tickets: https://www.chinesefilm.uk/film/sheep-without-a-shepherd-wu-sha/ Available on Digital from 26th April Pre-order on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/sheep-without-a-shepherd/id1558945070 See it virtually via… Rio Cinema Genesis Cinema HOME Manchester Chapter Showroom Workstation Kinokulture 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. 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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. 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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 >