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 >

Clown-N-Out film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Katy Mahard, Joe Heck, Max E. Williams, Monazia Smith, Zachariah Axel directed by Mark Hensley. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Clown-N-Out Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Mar 23, 2025 Directed by: Mark Hensley Written by: Mark DaPonte Starring: Katy Mahard, Joe Heck, Max E. Williams, Monazia Smith, Zachariah Axel A feature-length dark comedy neo-noir thriller written by Mark Daponte, directed by Mark Hensley and starring Katy Mahard, Joe Heck, Max E. Williams, Monazia Smith and Zachariah Axel. In Los Angeels, one night, an ex-con party clown named John (Heck) breaks into the home of young actress Elaine (Mahard). Unbeknown to him, she is suicidal and had just attempted to take her own life. He assists her and remains at her place and the two end up developing a rapport between them. However, danger is on the horizon in the form of a hitman (Axel) and a ruthless film producer (Williams). Filmed on a budget of $4K and almost without a crew, this feature has a narrative that involves criminals, murder, home invasion, blackmail and a great deal of drama, however, the main focus is the awkward relationship that is generated between the intruder and the victim. Following a brief confrontation, the two of them begin to open up to each other, revealing their struggles and (to a certain degree) becoming friends. Initially, the story is a mystery (why John breaks into Elaine's property and why she tries to end her life is now known) and it is through dialogue and grainy flashbacks that answers are provided regarding the plot and the characters' situations. There are plenty of film posters throughout, which is a nice touch and the soundtrack has a good selection of songs, along with Vincent Jones' atmospheric music. Although the plot is intriguing, the pace feels a bit too slow, primariy during the first third. This does not significantly bring down the film and the exciting third act adds a great deal of value. Mahard is quite dramatic as a troubled woman who dealing with more than she can handle and believes that ending her life is the only option. Although she has reached rock bottom, she is a clever and ultimately strong person. Heck is an awkward guy. Estranged from his partner and child, with a criminal record, he too, is not doing well and decides that committing a vile act will lead him to a bettwe life. Clumsy and naive, his character provides the story with humour and so does Axel as a careless assassin. Williams' character comes across as the baddest person here, a foul-mouthed, manipulative and dangerous man. Acknowledgement also goes to Sharon, played by Smith, Elaine's supportive neighbour who knows how to handle a gun and whose screen time is probably less than what her character deserved. This feature could be categorised as a home invasion thriller with guns and murder. However, mental health is one of the story's key themes, particularly depression, suicidal tendencies and loss. More upliftingly, self-esteem, self-reflection and the significance of support are also involved. This film is decribed as 'a film noir that pays homage to the gritty independent films of the past and showcases the best of independent cinema'. It could very well be that it accomplishes that, however, what it certainly is is an intriguing viewing with an interesting story that addresses mental health issues and highlights the importance of support. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Luminosity film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Gary Albert directed by Alex Forster. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Luminosity Film Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jan 16, 2022 Directed by: Alex Forster Written by: Gary Albert Starring: Gary Albert The recording of a live and mesmerising performance by Hackney multi-instrumentalist Gary Albert in front of an audience, inside a church. Winner of multiple awards, including Best Live Performance and Best Sound Design, Luminosity is Albert's first live show after the COVID-19 pandemic and he was inspired to do this after reading the book titled The Universe is a Green Dragon by cosmologist Brian Swimme. Filming and editing was done by Alex Forster and it was mastered and mixed by Zaak Kerstetter. This wonderful performance took place at St Cyprian's Church, Baker Street, London and the location and beautiful interior of the church helps create a peaceful atmosphere. Albert stands at the end of the large hall, facing the audience and in front of him are a microphone and his instruments, that include a flute and an electronic keyboard. He utilizes them with great care and produces beautiful music. Known as The Music Alchemist, Albert does an amazing job in mixing the sounds and ends up creating music that seems otherwordly. At times the score is tender, and it also becomes dynamic. Albert also provides vocals and his voice sounds wonderful and full of passion. After he finishes a piece, he speaks to the audience about the wonders of the universe, about how full of miracles life is. His calm and passionate speeches make the whole experience feel more heavenly. The performance takes place during night-time, which helps create a magical atmosphere. The hall is darkened and the colour of the lights and the way they have been set up makes the show more visually pleasing. Various cameras record the event, filming the performer from either a long shot or a medium shot. The creative editing makes effective use of dissolve techniques. This fifty-five-minute-long music video takes the viewer on a beautiful journey with unforgettable music by an artist whose passion and dedication are clearly evident in their performance. This recording provides the pleasure of observing an individual as he shares his creativity with the world and it is a viewing that is highly recommended. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Collect Your Roadkill film review by UK film critic Swati Verma. Starring Kit Murphy, Ryan Haire, Cosmo Posa, Tashi Nash directed by Alessio Mazza, Hugo Morgan. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Collect Your Roadkill Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Aug 12, 2022 Directed by: Alessio Mazza, Hugo Morgan Written by: Alessio Mazza, Hugo Morgan Starring: Kit Murphy, Ryan Haire, Cosmo Posa, Tashi Nash The writer-director Alessio Mazza and Hugo Morgan of the feature film- Collect Your Roadkill present well-curated content full of adventure, thrill, drama, and mystery to bring the two protagonists (Kit Murphy and Ryan Haire) together on this unknown journey which allows the audience to be involved with it right from the very start. The storyline of the film revolves around two strangers who cross paths while trying to escape their past; they form an unlikely music partnership that will take them running across rural Australia. The feature film follows a nonlinear narrative with a well-knitted script to support the continuous movement between various subplots of the film. The musical pieces chosen by Kit Murphy and Hugo Morgan are suitable for the subject matter the filmmakers are dealing with. The colour palette, set design, lighting, camera angles, dialogues, background music, flashbacks, costume, and makeup provides the required push to the story as it seems to be moving at a slightly slower pace in the initial moments. The camera pans out then pans in followed by panning down to above introducing a new character to intensify the sense of curiosity in the minds of the viewers. Kit Murphy plays Jim Buckley who a music enthusiast is looking for answers to the present problems that life has thrown at him. Murphy uses his musical knowledge and the simplistic approach of reacting to every situation in the story to makes Jim Buckley full of realism and relatable in the eyes of the audience. Ryan Haire takes up the role of Sidney Utio who is a complex character with multiple layers running from his past to figure out how to deal with the present. Haire utilizes his facial expressions, voice modulation, and eyes to convey the range of emotions the character is going through. Cosmo Posa is the grey shade character Ringo Utio brother of Sidney who wants to take his brother back so that both of them can work towards solving the ongoing family feud. Posa the young actor effortlessly portrays the angry young man avatar and the audience tends to enjoy his scenes as it has some well-written banter. The film Collect Your Roadkill reiterates the importance of hope, luck, and destiny required to deal with tricky and difficult everyday situations. The need for a friend, life partner and music is also very crucial to relieve any kind of emotional and mental stress. The musical drama advises its audience to face and accept their past as well because one cannot get rid of any experiences in life. The comedy-drama also tells us that sometimes being brave is the only option left to tackle the sudden unexpected turn. The cinematic piece inspires the viewers to continuously explore and experiment, and listen to the heart when it comes to choosing the right career option for them. The creative piece highlights how vital it is to know what is right and wrong for all the parties involved. To conclude, I like to say that the filmmakers have given an open-ended climax to the film keeping the closure accessible for the viewers to interpret the same. By doing this the makers want to make the audience feel inclusive Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Swati Verma Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Last Duel film review by UK film critic George Wolf, Hope Madden. Starring Jodie Comer, Adam Driver, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck directed by Ridley Scott. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Last Duel Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: Oct 13, 2021 Directed by: Ridley Scott Written by: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Nicole Holofcener Starring: Jodie Comer, Adam Driver, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck Take a look at the list of screenwriters on The Last Duel, and one name jumps out at you. There beside Oscar-winning writers Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is Oscar nominee Nicole Holofcener. All three, along with director Ridley Scott, are also listed as producers, and while this project may seem out of character for Holofcener (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Please Give, Enough Said, Lovely & Amazing ) her insight proves indispensable. Based on the 2004 book by Eric Jager, the film chronicles events leading to the last officially recognized judicial duel in France, a 1386 trial by combat between knight Jean de Carrouges and squire Jacques Le Gris. Carrouges (Damon) accused Le Gris (Adam Driver) of raping his wife Marguerite (Jamie Comer). Unsatisfied with the lenient decision handed down by Count Pierre d’Alencon (Affleck), Carrouges appealed directly to King Charles VI (Alex Lawther), where Carrouges threw down the challenge that Le Gris accepted. Scott presents the tale with exceptional craftsmanship and spectacle, getting big assists from Dariusz Wolski’s gritty, expansive cinematography and Michael Fentum’s detailed sound design. This is a brooding, brutal, violent and sexually violent film, one that utilizes a Rashomon-style narrative to frame an often-debated moment in history around a centuries-old struggle that continues today. Separated into three chapters, the film gives us the truth according to Carrouges, Le Gris, and then Marguerite, when the onscreen text holds a few extra beats on the phrase “the truth.” And while what changes with each new side of the story is vital, there’s equal importance to be found in the elements that don’t change. One man’s crime is another’s entitlement, one man’s denial gets “the benefit of the clergy,” while one woman’s truth is disregarded among the power of men. The ensemble cast is outstanding, led by Driver’s convincing cad, Damon’s gruff brute and Affeck’s delightful range as the shallow Count. But as Marguerite’s acerbic mother-in-law (a terrific Harriet Walter) dresses down her accusation with a pointed “You think you’re the only one ?” Comer shoulders the courage that becomes the soul of the film. Her nuanced performance chapter to chapter tells us everything about the perspectives of the two men involved, and she carries Marguerite’s mindset with a weary bravery that depicts just how tiresome – even 600 years ago – it is to have to defend yourself after you’ve been raped. It’s not just Comer, though. Scott’s camera lingers tellingly on the reactions of different women throughout the story as they silently respond to the charges. Scott presents the climactic duel with the completely thrilling treatment it requires, but by then it’s clear why Holofcener’s contributions were so vital. As talented as Scott, Affleck and Damon are, making this film without the filmmaking perspective of an equally gifted woman would have amounted to more of the same: men telling us how rape is for women. The Last Duel aims for more than just a gripping history lesson. It’s ultimately able to use that history to remind us that the way society treats women generally – and women’s sexuality specifically – has changed little since the freaking Middle Ages. Shame. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic George Wolf Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Maria film review by UK film critic Jack Salvadori. Starring Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino directed by Pablo Larrain. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Maria Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jack Salvadori | Posted on: Aug 30, 2024 Directed by: Pablo Larrain Written by: Steven Knight Starring: Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino There is no doubt that Chilean director Pablo Larraín is the master of biopics. By developing his own formula, he specialised in depicting pragmatic figures of the 20th century, mostly female, showing only a glimpse in their life, a few days that are enough to encapsulate their essence in a condensed amount of time. In other words, not the Wikipedia page treatment that most other biographical pictures tend to follow. Last year he brought to the Lido El Conde , portraying Augusto Pinochet as a vampire. This time, in a return to form, he’s dealing with a ghost. Maria Callas, in her personal third act, lives with the spectre of her past, having lost her voice but not her ego. And if in Spencer (2021) Lady Diana was striving for privacy, here Larraìn reverses the situation, with Callas chasing the spotlight instead. Intimate and yet never accessible, close but not too close, La Callas wanders around the streets of Paris accompanied by her disillusions, reminiscing of Varda’s Cleo from 5 to 7 . But the Diva’s lost voice still echoes in her present, cutting to operatic flashbacks that remind of Forman’s Amadeus , where the now mythological Callas becomes her own Salieri. Conscious of her withering, she has not performed in over four years, and her only companions are her butler and maid with whom she shares a tender familiarity; but “there is no life away from the stage” for Maria Callas. Morphing into La Traviata’s Violetta, Maria is as moving as the great tragedies Callas played at La Scala. Elegantly shot on film, mesmerising compositions alternate with zesty dialogues written by Steven Knight, particularly with her charismatic lover, Aristotele Onassis. Angelina Jolie delivers a career defining performance, fragile in her everlasting strength and irresistible eccentricity. Her lips alone, vibrating in each aria, deserve an oscar nomination. Larrain is in perfect tune. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jack Salvadori Film Festival < All Reviews Next Film Review >