White Crow film review by UK film critic Chris Olson. Starring Julian Gamm, Hannah Al Rashid, James Graeme, Andrew Rolfe directed by George Threadgold. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS White Crow Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Olson | Posted on: Feb 5, 2025 Directed by: George Threadgold Written by: George Threadgold Starring: Julian Gamm, Hannah Al Rashid, James Graeme, Andrew Rolfe Humble spy thriller White Crow , written and directed by George Threadgold, takes an ambitious swing at the action thriller genre and manages to get a few good punches in. Julian Gamm plays ex-agent J.D who is on a mission to avenge his misdeeds as an operative in a shady government unit after he learns of the depths of their evil. Whilst trying to take out various members of his former agency, he becomes hunted in return and goes on the run with unwitting do-gooder Emma (Hanna Al Rashid), who saves his bacon on more than a few occasions. Akin in story (if not in substance) to the Bourne movies, White Crow is an ambitious UK production with a small budget telling a big story. The governmental treachery, the hand-to-hand fight sequences, and the moody lead character with a special set of skills will be familiar territory for many viewers and Threadgold ensures they get bang for their buck when it comes to momentum. Every scene is written with adrenaline pulsing through it, ready for the next challenge J.D and Emma must overcome, as the conspiracy evolves. Gamm is a worthy lead, coping particularly well with the physical aspects of the role but it is Al Rashid in the outsider thrown into chaos turn which audiences are likely to connect more with. Her performance brought a much-needed gravitas to the script which could often fall into clunkiness when the depths of the plot were being uncovered. The choreography of the action and fighting sequences was great, with plenty of thrilling brawls taking place across numerous locations, and the sound design is knocked up to ten to ensure viewers are never given a dull moment to relax in. James Graem and Andrew Rolfe play excellent higher-ups and a particular highlight for this reviewer was the missed putt on a golf green followed by plenty of expletives. There are also a number of side characters who enter the fray along the film’s running time, not to ignore them but conscious of spoiler territory. The use of flashbacks to draw in more of J.D’s background was cleverly done, showing how a younger version of him was recruited, leaving him knowing only a life of violence and following orders. This tied in nicely with the film’s themes and gave an emotional depth to his character’s arc. Less polished than the spy franchises you are used to, White Crow gives a rawer yet no less thrilling ride.The filmmakers admirably keep things moving at a breakneck (literally) pace with very little downtime or superfluous subplots, knowing that the strength of their film lies in the brutality of the world they have created. Watch our video film review of White Crow . Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Chris Olson Digital Release, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Assessment film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander, Himesh Patel directed by Fleur Fortune. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Assessment Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Mar 20, 2025 Directed by: Fleur Fortune Written by: Nell Garfath Cox, Dave Thomas, John Donnelly Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander, Himesh Patel Director Fleur Fortune’s feature debut delivers an effective gut punch of a sleight of hand. What feels for quite a while like a near-spoof on our collective unpreparedness for parenting morphs slowly into something entirely else. Something more sinister, more human, and alarmingly likely. In a post-dystopian future where scientists have created an ageless but sterile dome world, it’s necessary to apply and be assessed for parenthood. Because, since no one dies anymore, and it was the strain on resources that caused the dystopia in the first place, children are not grown outside the uterus for just anybody. But Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel) are ready, they’re sure of it. They just have to convince their assessor, Virginia (Alicia Vikander). Fortune’s career up to now has involved a lot of music videos and perfume advertisements, work that’s sharpened her instincts for image. The shot making in The Assessment is often stunning, but it also informs the story. There are no voiceovers or news flashes to catch you up on the dystopia, who caused what, why we are where we are. But you don’t lose track of it because of how organically Fortune fits this story in this environment with these characters. Everything serves a purpose—each costume, dinner guest, glance and line of dialog—but none of it feels forced or false. The delicate balance created in the early going, a balance the assessor destroys with manipulated childlike chaos, is thanks to meticulous direction and performances. The three leads shine, none of them blameless and yet all forgivable. Because the chaos wrought in the film becomes more and more dire as the honest-to-god strain of this kind of world slowly, authentically reveals itself. The Assessment ’s resolution unfortunately feels less sincere, landing far more obviously than the preceding scenes. There’s a predetermined tidiness that flies in the face of the disarming chaos that came before. It’s a small criticism of an insightful, frightening look at where our future may take us. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Intruder film review by UK film critic William Curzon. Starring Dana Godfrey, Iryna Scarola, D.C. Douglas directed by Christian Jude Grillo . HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Intruder Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: William Curzon | Posted on: Oct 30, 2025 Directed by: Christian Jude Grillo Written by: Christian Jude Grillo Starring: Dana Godfrey, Iryna Scarola, D.C. Douglas Intruder follows an underground fighter, Bree (Dana Godfrey) and her estranged father as they attempt to steal a spacecraft to escape Earth, only to discover a deadly stowaway who damages their life support, forcing them to survive in the deadly and claustrophobic confines of space. A blend of sci-fi horror conceptually borrowing from the iconography of Star Wars (1977) and Alien (1979), the film visually and thematically employs social commentary on capitalist corporations within its futuristic landscape. It wears its influences on its sleeve to a fault and to the point of satire. Formally, the piece is overall competently shot and utilises a splendid use of blocking as well as unique colour grading. Visually, this is also a lot of fun, even with its lo-fi sensibilities, thanks to its limited budget and its genre-bending nature. The film almost has a B-movie feel to it and is reminiscent of the kind of films Troma Entertainment used to produce. Even though some of the VFX are inadequate, it almost adds to the feeling that director Christian Jude Grillo was attempting to create. The horror sensibilities surprisingly work well with the sci-fi elements, even with its jarring tonal shift through the midway point of the runtime. It owes a substantial amount to the films it borrows from. Dana Godfrey portrays Bree, and she gives a solid central performance balancing the comedic and more serious elements suitably well. Another standout aspect is the hand-to-hand combat, which is infrequently prevalent, with bare-knuckle fights emphasising the brutality of Bree’s MMA fighting techniques. The bloodshed on screen feels incredibly visceral to witness as a viewer. Unfortunately, outside of its technical standouts, the piece has little to offer thanks to uneven pacing, jarring edits and a severe lack of characterisation for the audience to latch onto and fear for their fate. Breaking news segments are oddly implemented into the narrative, which do, however, play well into the satirical nature thematically, but are jarring when inserted bizarrely throughout sequences of tension. While tonal shifts are admirable, both halves of the runtime feel like completely different films entirely, with no real sense of direction of where it's taking the audience. The corporation known as MICAH-TECH feels like a direct carbon copy of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation from the Alien franchise, as it embarrassingly homages other franchises to the point of unoriginality. While the survival horror elements are serviceable to the plot, the film struggles to create any claustrophobia or fear that the titles it is borrowing from did substantially better. The narrative becomes so unengaging thanks to stagnant pacing and oddly inserted flashbacks that may potentially take the audience out of the experience entirely. The tonal balance is incredibly uneven and baffling, with what the filmmakers were attempting to convey to the viewer about the greed of corporations, and the narrative concludes bafflingly with no sense of direction or thematic flair. Another major issue with the pacing is the prolonged runtime; trimming down the final edit could have potentially enhanced the overall finished piece by cutting out unnecessary scenes of exposition and exploring the deeper characterisation of other central characters. For example, further fleshing out ideas in the screenplay, such as why the director desperately wanted Bree to be an MMA fighter. Intruder is a genre-bending amalgamation of previous pieces of media with unique formal choices and a conceptually fun premise to boast. However, it feels like a chore to sit through, thanks to a baffling tonal redirect and borrowing too heavily from other pieces of pop culture, which executed their risky concepts much more earnestly. The result is an unfortunate and confusing attempt at a campy sci-fi horror piece of guerrilla filmmaking. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Curzon Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Finding Wilson film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Rhea Bailey, Darcy Jacobs directed by Emily Smith. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Finding Wilson Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Feb 25, 2022 Directed by: Emily Smith Written by: Viv Young Starring: Rhea Bailey, Darcy Jacobs A young girl encounters a stranger in the countryside, leading to a great deal of drama. A teenage girl named Jess (Jacobs) is walking alone in a forest, holding a dog-lead, although there is no dog in sight. She is approached by an unknown woman named Nicky (Bailey) who proceeds to have a conversation with her. It is revealed that Jess is being the victim of bullying and Nicky, who has been through terrible experiences herself as a combat medic at war, has been sent by acquaintances in order to help her. This short is a powerful drama that explores emotional trauma, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder, war trauma and bullying, including online bullying. It effectively presents two individuals who are suffering due to distressing experiences. The narrative focuses mainly on the encounter between Jess and Nicky and it includes flashbacks of Jess being bullied and Nicky engaging the enemy during combat. The flashbacks depict the devastating events both of them have gone through rather vividly and it is vey moving watching them share their feelings with each other. There are also scenes of air ambulance doctors and paramedics arriving at an isolated location in the countryside, where a tragic event has taken place. Both leads deliver very strong performances. Jacobs is quite emotional as a troubled youngster who is tormented by constant bullying and has become fragile and angry as a result. Bailey is great as kind-hearted war veteran who believes she can help the young girl with her problems as she is facing demons of her own. The mise-en-scene is rather impressive and includes emergency vehicles. Particular praise goes to the combat scenes, which create the feeling of being stuck in the middle of a hellish situation. Composer Sian Elizabeth Selway develops a dramatic score that adds significant value and the cinematography by Lily Grimes and Ed White looks beautiful. This film is an emotional journey that is very well made and superbly acted. It raises awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder, bullying and mental health issues and encourages people who are experiencing similar problems as the protagonists to reach out for help. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Dreamcrasher film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Lyud Hristov, Adie Mueller, Charlie Smith directed by Joseph Ringland. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Dreamcrasher Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Mar 27, 2026 Directed by: Joseph Ringland Written by: Joseph Ringland Starring: Lyud Hristov, Adie Mueller, Charlie Smith A short horror film written and directed by Joseph Ringland and starring Lyud Hristov, Adie Mueller and Charlie Smith. Things are not going well for young Norman (Hristov). He is being regularly plagued during night-time by some otherwordly supernatural and sinister-looking figure that magically appears in his bedroom. Not knowing whether this entity is real or not, he seeks the help of Dr Thorne (Mueller) in an effort to find a way to deal with this. This short starts as a supernatural psychological horror story, before getting into comedy and finally into heavy drama. The narrative alternates between Norman being tormented by the mysterious apparition and attending his therapy sessions with Dr Thorne. Things take an unexpected turn when he proceeds to develop a friendly rapport with the frequent and unwanted visitor. Clues appear here and there and they include the time three thirty-three in the morning, which seems to be significant and related to a fateful past event that severely impacted Norman's life. It is worth acknowledging the horror DVDs and posters, whose presence is probably to highlight the fact that this is a horror film. Arguably, the highlights occur when the humanlike creature appears (although it is not indicated in the film, this could be the titular Dreamcrasher). Dressed in what appears to be a hooded black robe, this being has a monstrous appearance, with branched horns on the head, a deer-like skull for a face and glowing white eyes. It does not speak and moves slowly. Are its intentions good or bad? Its presence is often accompanied by unsettling and ominous music by Thomas Pearce, who also provides dramatic music at times. The creativity involving the sinister sound of a clock ticking is also worth noting and so is Ringland's use of unconventional camera angles. As the main character, Norman is a tormented young man. Trying to secure himself a job, he is unable to do so due to the trouble that he is going through because of the entity. He is quite distressed and believes he might be losing his mind. However, it becomes evident that he is suffering the effects of a devastating experience. Mueller is sympathetic as a supportive and concerned therapist. The screenplay contains a variety of themes that involve mental health, including high anxiety, paranoia, having nightmares and insomnia. Mainly though, this is a story that deals with loss, trauma and grief and it is rather apparent that it aims to communicate the message that people must try to come to terms with their misfortunes and move on. A horror film that is frightening and also very emotional. On one hand it is about things that go bump in the night and on the other it concerns a terrible loss that has not been reconciled and it is the latter that gives this short the highest quality. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

James film review by UK film critic Joe Beck. Starring Jack Hollington, Morgan Watkins, Anna Koval directed by Claire Oakley. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS James Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Mar 31, 2024 Directed by: Claire Oakley Written by: Felix Levinson Starring: Jack Hollington, Morgan Watkins, Anna Koval The smallpox disease once caused the deaths of millions per year, sweeping across the world in the 17th and the 18th centuries, yet today it is the only human disease to have ever been eradicated. The diseases caused fever and vomiting, but was generally characterised by measles and rashes across the body, and in most cases it resulted in death. ‘James’ depicts the first steps towards the eradication of the disease, and the titular boy who was the first person to be vaccinated. As an educational and informative film ‘James’ excels, providing a detailed narrative of the process which saw Edward Jenner perform his first vaccination, and the boy who received it. However, as a dramatic film it falters, lacking any sense of tension or indeed pacing, and instead seeming to exist purely to provide a visualisation of those aforementioned events. There’s no dramatic edge to the film, and thus it is difficult to become truly invested, particularly when we already know the outcome, and that despite his protests James will be vaccinated, and will not contract smallpox. It is an interesting choice by both writer Felix Levinson and director Claire Oakley to frame the film not from the perspective of Edward Jenner, but from that of young James Phipps and his father. Through doing this we come to understand more the plight facing many of the poorest in England at the time Phipps was vaccinated in 1796, as poverty prevailed whilst the disease proliferated, causing deaths particularly amongst young children. James, played by Jack Hollington, is reluctant to be injected with the vaccine, yet the poverty of his family leads to both his father, played by Morgan Watkins, and his mother, played by Anna Koval, to see it as a means of putting food on the table and finding a much needed steady source of income. He is practically forced by his father to take the vaccine, and we see the pain and fear in his father’s eyes as he is forced to put his child through what was at the time an experimental procedure which few believed could actually work. Levinson’s script excels in these moments, as it demonstrates the bitter hardships facing the Phipp’s family, and how their desperation to get out of it, or perhaps more their desperation to survive, led to the breakthrough in Jenner’s vaccination and the eradication of smallpox. However, whilst Levinson’s script is excellent in portraying this through its subtleties, its dialogue is rather crude and altogether uninteresting, failing to add anything more, and, in some moments, even complicating the story. Furthermore, Oakley’s direction, whilst competent, fails to imbue the film with the creativity needed to elevate it beyond being categorised as purely educational, and means that the film is thoroughly lacking in drama. Nevertheless, despite a lack of drama throughout, ‘James’ is an interesting and informative watch, which both excels and falls down on key creative decisions. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Drowned film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring Sonya Richards, Ryan Nunes, Julia Little directed by Ryan Nunes. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Drowned Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Feb 28, 2026 Directed by: Ryan Nunes Written by: Ryan Nunes, Julien Elliot Starring: Sonya Richards, Ryan Nunes, Julia Little They say that the closest thing to war that most people ever experience is divorce. Ryan Nunes’ short film Drowned follows a couple in the aftermath of a separation, each side bearing the scars that complicate their lives as single parents in a melodramatic but moving short. After a fight with partner Jake (Nunes) at a Christmas party, we follow Sarah (Sonya Richards) as she navigates single parenthood of her daughter Emma (Julia Little). Sarah finds motherhood overwhelming, suffering from small memory lapses that lead to big problems. After forgetting Emma’s EpiPen, Sarah and Ryan find themselves in an emotional confrontation – where bitterness, anger and unresolved fractures explode into the open. Drowned tackles difficult questions about parenthood and divorce with a considerate tone and a careful hand. Ryan Nunes constructs characters with depth and reality, asking his audience to empathise with both parties of the divorce and engage with their qualities and their flaws as real people, rather than cutout characters. Jake’s outburst at Sarah feels aggressive at first, but his own struggles that originate in the breakdown of their relationship mean audiences will be able to understand his exasperation in a moment where he fears for the safety of his daughter. Similarly, the time we spend with Sarah where we see how her mental and physical condition lead to daily struggles just in her own life lead us give her grace naturally. It fits perfectly with the film’s message – that parenthood can be unconventional but is always easier shared, even in ways that we may not see firsthand. At times the film dials the melodrama up to 11, in moments that are emotional but a little awkwardly bulldozed into the story. The performers discard any sense of nuance in favour of amped-up cry-shouting. When appropriate this can be the crescendo of finely built dramatic tension that ensures no eye in the house is left dry. But rushed, and it feels like dramatic overkill – the acting equivalent of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. There is no doubt that both Ryan Nunes and Sonya Richards are excellent at portraying a breakdown. But the place of the pivotal exchange involving the EpiPen feels rushed in the context of the narrative. Whilst it is possible to imagine real parents reacting this way, the storytelling of the film makes the moment feel a little unearned, particularly seeing as it is a trigger for the two finding common ground in what is the climax of the film. The film looks crisp and professional with some interesting using of lighting – which ‘drowns’ out of the screen as Sarah’s desperation grows throughout the film. Nunes’ direction is also solid enough, knowing how to present Sarah as someone finding life more and more difficult and unhinged whilst her former partner becomes an invading entity (Nunes’ way of presenting his own character in the film who uncomfortably throws off the focus and balance is a particular highlight). Whilst Drowned is imperfect structurally and will not pull up any trees when it comes to storytelling around parenthood (its release close to the dazzlingly original If I Had Legs I’d Kick You not helping in this regard), it is a solid enough effort from director, writer and star Ryan Nunes and his team which will speak to people navigating parenthood or even just those who have ever felt isolated when dealing with an imperceivable task. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Send Help film review by UK film critic George Wolf. Starring Rachel McAdams, Dylan OI'Brien directed by Sam Raimi. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Send Help Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: Jan 28, 2026 Directed by: Sam Raimi Written by: Damian Shannon, Mark Swift Starring: Rachel McAdams, Dylan OI'Brien As much as Send Help feels like the Sam Raimi film that it is, the writing credits seem a bit unfinished. With a premise taken more from Triangle of Sadness than Castaway , and two pivotal plot points lifted from films I won’t mention for fear of spoilers, you’d expect at least an inspired by or story elements citation of the previous works. No? Alrighty then. Raimi works from a script by the team of Damian Shannon and Mark Swift (Baywatch, 2009’s Friday the 13th, Freddy vs. Jason ), providing the requisite dark humor, blood splatter and body fluids for a fun, root-for-the-underdog romp. Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) is that underdog. Linda puts in long, committed hours in the strategy and planning department of a big firm. She’d been promised a major promotion from the founder (nice Bruce Campbell portrait on the wall!), but now he’s passed on and the d-bag son Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) has taken over. And Bradley’s gonna give Linda’s promotion to his frat buddy instead. Linda sticks up for herself, so Bradley gives her the chance to prove her worth at a big merger meeting in Bangkok. But when their plane crashes, Linda and Bradley end up as the only ones left alive on a deserted island. And right away, Linda’s skills are very valuable indeed. Turns out, she’s a survivalist junkie who has auditioned for Survivor . Linda knows her way around the dangers of an uninhabited locale, while Bradley doesn’t know much beyond silver spoon-fed privilege. So Linda will not take kindly to being ordered around like the under-appreciated underling she was back in the office. Bradley eventually becomes contrite, but can he be trusted? Linda appears ever helpful, but can she be trusted? Their castaway days become an increasingly bloody game of cat, mouse and wild boar, with some wonderfully competitive chemistry between McAdams and O’Brien. She makes Linda’s transition to alpha female a crowd-pleasing hoot, and he crafts Bradley with a perfectly obnoxious mix of misguided mansplainer and smug elitist. Yes, it’s over the top, just like you expect a Sam Raimi deserted island playground to be. What an unspoiled canvas for some blood spray, projectile vomiting, and a little survival of the deadliest. Game on! Send Help delivers the R-rated fun, and it’s instantly relatable to the countless souls who’ve secretly dreamed of doing bodily harm to an insufferable boss. But it’s a comeuppance fantasy that still remains easily forgettable…unless you’ve seen the couple films it repeatedly recalls. Then we’ll have something to talk about. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic George Wolf Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HoneyDough film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Jillian Vitko, Jamie Craib directed by Jillian Vitko. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS HoneyDough Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Feb 18, 2022 Directed by: Jillian Vitko Written by: Jillian Vitko Starring: Jillian Vitko, Jamie Craib A young woman makes herself a man out of honey dough. It is Valentine's Day and Jackie (Vitko) is at home by herself. After chatting with her friend over the phone, she decides to have a snack and comes across a large jar containing honey dough with instructions that if one is feeling lonely, they can create a companion for themselves by cooking the dough. She prepares the dough and magically a handsome young man named Sam (Craib) appears. The two of them have a romantic evening together, having dinner and dancing, however things go downhill later. This short is an entertaining dark romantic comedy fantasy film that deals with themes of loneliness, romance, finding the right person and of course dough. The atmosphere is rather light-hearted throughout and it also becomes quite romantic. The plot is intriguing and makes the audience wonder how things are going to turn out. Interestingly, the dough itself is said to be purchased by a known shop and Jackie is not shocked or surprised at all when Sam shows up. Although it is hard to believe that anyone would react so naturally to the arrival of a person that was created out of dough, the whole thing still adds to the fun. Vitko delivers an entertaining performance as a single and cheerful woman who is looking for a bit of romance and Craib does a good job as a charming man who also happens to be made out of dough. Vitko also worked on the editing and creates well-constructed montage sequences and utilises jump cuts to good effect. Andrew Whitbeck develops music that includes jazz and it accompanies the scenes effectively and there is also a scene that features heavy metal music, making the experience more tense. The use of slow motion adds a comical tone when it is present. Generally, this multi-award-winning film is about the life of a single woman and her extraordinary attempt to find someone, with humorous and awkward results. It appears to suggest that sometimes relationships do not work out, sometimes people are not who they seem to be and that being single has its advantages. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

After the Devil is Dead film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Michael Lester, Angela Lester, Vickie Morgan Blum directed by Paul Catalanotto. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS After the Devil is Dead Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Dec 17, 2025 Directed by: Paul Catalanotto Written by: Paul Catalanotto Starring: Michael Lester, Angela Lester, Vickie Morgan Blum A feature-length documentary written and directed by Paul Catalanotto, about the unsolved murder of a woman that took place in New Orleans in the early eighties. On the 15th of November 1982, in New Orleans, Edna Ann Muscarello Lester, 32, was stabbed to death inside her home, which was then set on fire. To this day, the perpetrator (or perpetrators) have not been caught. Four decades after this terrible incident, her son, Michael Lester collaborated in making this documentary about her passing and to try to find out whether the one responsible was his father, Russell Lester Sr. Through a vast selection of old photographs and homemade video footage, all expertly edited by Catalanotto, and interviewees including Michael's sister, Angela Lester, one of Russell's former wives, Vickie Morgan Blum, and various relatives and friends, this film provides a dramatic account of a deadly crime and also investigates Russell as a possible perpetrator. The music by Bray Sibley III creates a dark and suspenseful atmosphere and the drama is further strengthened by letters written by Edna being read by a voice actress throughout. The feature covers the day of the murder and provides backstories, revealing what kind of a person Edna was and Michael and Angela's childhood, growing up with Russell, who was a police officer. It is strongly implied that Russell was a vile individual. Both his children and Vickie tell heartbreaking stories about how he was an abusive father who was often violent towards them. After painting a story about murder and abuse, the film then focuses on Michael's attempts to discover whether his father took his mother's life and much of his investigation involves talking to Vickie via their mobile phones. In some ways, this documentary is a drama about loss and abuse and a mystery thriller. This film acknowledges a good person who was cruelly taken from the world and the suffering that this loss has caused to her loved ones. It also serves as a commentary about domestic violence and also explores the impact that painful memories have on people and is also a story about fight for justice and closure. A rather intriguing viewing that attracts attention due to the crime that it centres on, its suspected perpetrator and the pain he caused to those around him. On a more positive note, it also discloses that people that he hurt were able to build lives for themselves. An emotional and shocking story. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film, Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition. Find out more at UK Film Review. Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition Chris Olson Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 11:51:52 AM GMT+1 20th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR’S EDITION BOX SET SPIRITED AWAY WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 On the 20th anniversary of the original release in Japan – 20th July 2001 – STUDIOCANAL are proud to announce the Anniversary Collector’s Edition Box Set of SPIRITED AWAY, the STUDIO GHIBLI masterpiece (creators of My Neighbour Totoro and Howl’s Moving Castle) , in stunning high-definition presented in a 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition Box Set. Chihiro, a headstrong 10-year-old girl, is travelling with her parents to their new home. Chihiro’s father takes a detour to explore a mysterious tunnel in the woods. On the other side they find a deserted and dilapidated theme park with a beautiful bathhouse at the centre. Unwittingly, they have strayed into a spirit world, a land of dreamlike scenery inhabited by ancient gods and supernatural beings, ruled over by the witch, Yubaba. With her parents held captive and Yubaba set on enslaving them forever, Chihiro must use all her energy to survive in this strange new place. With the help of Haku, a mysterious and brave young spirit, she is forced to overcome her fears in order to rescue her parents and escape. The winner of the Best Animated Feature award at the 75th ACADEMY AWARDS® in 2002, SPIRITED AWAY is a visionary work from Hayao Miyazaki which set the benchmark for all animation to come after, and is a remarkable fantasy adventure for both adults and children alike. The Collector’s Boxset includes the DVD & Blu-ray Doubleplay edition of the film, the Art of Spirited Away hardback book, original Japanese poster, oversized art cards plus an exclusive bath token bookmark, bathhouse pouch bag and card holder wallet, all housed within a rigid case box. SPECIAL FEATURES: Introduction by John Lasseter The Making of Spirited Away Meet Hayao Miyazaki Behind the Microphone - Voice Talent Featurette Alternative Angle Storyboards Original Japanese Trailers Feature running time: 124 mins Certificate: PG SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 EXCLUSIVELY FROM AMAZON UK. 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.). 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Encounter film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer directed by Michael Pearce. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Encounter Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Dec 2, 2021 Directed by: Michael Pearce Written by: Joe Barton, Michael Pearce Starring: Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer Just two features in, filmmaker Michael Pearce is proving himself a master craftsman. His sly ability to shift tone is matched by storytelling instincts that leave you holding your breath against seemingly inevitable heartbreak. Pearce’s 2017 film Beast (see it if you haven’t!) benefitted from Jessie Buckley’s raw, morally complicated performance. For his latest, Encounter , he can thank Riz Ahmed. Fresh off his Oscar-nominated turn in Sound of Metal (see it if you haven’t!), Ahmed delivers another searing, searching performance, this time as Malik. A marine with 10 tours under his belt, Malik returns to the home his wife makes with another man. He arrives not to cause familial conflict, but to save his sons (Lucian-River Chauhan and Aditya Geddada, both as cute as they are talented) from a problem much bigger than mere marital discord. Ahmed’s chemistry with the young actors brings a touching vulnerability to every scene, and as the boys’ road trip turns ever darker and wearier, Chauhan proves a formidable acting partner. Rare missteps stand out specifically because of their rarity. When a line delivery rings false, over-the-top or melodramatic it screams its presence because this cast and this script deftly convey so much so honestly. Octavia Spencer offers support in a role that feels out of step with the jarring authenticity the main cast brings to an otherwise wild, almost sci-fi storyline. Likewise, the police force Spencer’s parole officer Hattie rides along with — soft-spoken Shep (Rory Cochrane) and self-satisfied Lance (Shane McRae) — toe the line between character and cliché. Otherwise, though, Pearce, Ahmed and gang uncover tensions and complications, picking at your worries for these sweet boys and their beautifully damaged father. Tone shifts gradually but decidedly, every moment building a queasying energy until the inevitable finale (a beautifully choreographed sequence that calls to mind the insect infestation imagery of Act 1 while articulating the nerve-frazzling tension). The filmmaker and his game lead challenge expectations both in theme and in genre, and while their gamble doesn’t entirely pay off, it’s often riveting stuff. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >