Vamos Carajo film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Bella Kouds, Amit Barnathan, Dhwani Shah, Harsh Gupta directed by Harsh Gupta. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Vamos Carajo Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jul 29, 2023 Directed by: Harsh Gupta Written by: Bella Kouds, Harsh Gupta, Juan Teisaire, Dhwani Shah, Isa Ebrahim Starring: Bella Kouds, Amit Barnathan, Dhwani Shah, Harsh Gupta A short film about the lives of several different individuals and the things that unite them. Over the course of less than three minutes and operating like a montage, this film introduces the characters one after the other with brief scenes that provide an insight into their lives, reaveling the highs and lows. It begins with a young woman performing an audition, tap-dancing in front of a judge and things do not seem to go well. Then a young couple enter an elevator and have a quarrel. An online celebrity struggles to get his work done. A woman trains hard in a gym, eager to lose weight. Two guys play football in a park. A guy is in an undergound train. Rather different activities involving people who appear to be unrelated to each other. 'Vamos Carajo' translates into 'Come On Damnit' and that appears to be significant towards the end. All the people mentioned above come from various walks of life, yet they all end up in the same bar, watching a football match, socialising, laughing and cheering. All the sequences that deal witheach one's circumstances are rather different from one another, with every person having their own problems and goals. And then, things become similar for all of them, as they find themselves at the same location and experiencing similar uplifting emotions and to make things even better, it is Christmas and there are Christmas trees to cheer everyone up. Hence, the title could suggest that people should be joyful because life is wonderful. Director Gupta also worked on the editing and does a great job, cleverly utilising match cut techniques. Composer Anuraj Bhagat makes a substantial contribution with the score, which includes jazz and uplifting piano melodies. And the addition of a well-known Christmas song is a significant plus. The main message of this short appears to be that no matter how different people's lives are, they can still be united by common things, and in this case, that thing seems to be joy, as (as the end reveals) it is joy that brings them together and helps them forget their troubles. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Boy film review by UK film critic William Hemingway. Starring Arthur O’Kelly, Abraham Kleinman directed by Ben Rusnak and Ruth Rusnak. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Boy Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Feb 4, 2026 Directed by: Ben Rusnak and Ruth Rusnak Written by: Ben Rusnak Starring: Arthur O’Kelly, Abraham Kleinman A young man reaches out for connection and the human touch, but when faced with the reality of his decisions and his desires, he finds that the truth of the situation is not as easy as the longing for it. Danny (O’Kelly) is looking for someone to hook up with. Or at least he thinks he is. He’s young and fairly new to the dating game, especially the swiping and fast-talking kind that dominates mobile phone culture and the rest of gen-z society, and he’s taking the first tentative steps into a new world of connection and instant gratification. He’s found someone on an app and has invited them over to his gaff; well, the place that he’s housesitting in for a couple of weeks, anyway. In amongst the stuffy hallways and the creepy busts littering the windowsills, Danny waits silently until the doorbell rings. At the door is Mark (Kleinman), a thirty-something gentleman in shirt and tie, with a gloriously furry beard on his face. The tension is immediately awkward and Danny almost forgets to invite Mark in, but soon they’re at the dining room table, sipping wine, and getting to know each other. Mark is obviously the more dominant of the two, and every question, look, pause, and picking up of the glass, is charged with electricity as he probes Danny’s need for companionship. The power dynamic only reaches one way as they figure each other out and Danny realises that he’s being sized up like a prize calf, slotted into a very defined box, and gently led to the deflowering of his virginity. There is a lot of heightened tension in directors/producers, Ben and Ruth Rusnak’s thirteen-minute short, Boy . For the time we are with the two main characters much is said in the spaces between them, and more is revealed about their place in the relationship and dynamic by their body language and subtle gestures than is ever said by their words. The atmosphere is charged with sexuality, and with power, and every inch of it escapes through the screen thanks to the main performances from the two actors. The direction and cinematography keep things cool and distant in the background, while filling the close-up scenes with light, colour and connection, really drawing the viewer into the very confined, homely, but slightly dangerous situation. The music from Umberto Guadino and Aleksandra Vilcinska also adds to this tension, scraping strings and hitting percussion at off-kilter moments to keep us off-balance as the two men jostle and settle into their positions. There is a strange fear of dread that leaks from the screen, mostly from Danny, and it feeds into the themes and undercurrents of what Boy is communicating to us, as well as the rounding out of the story. For a film that is so short, Boy expresses everything it sets out to, and does it with style, flair and integrity, with everything feeling real in the situation we are witnessing in front of us. For an uncomfortable thirteen-minutes we are given an insight into the repressed emotions and difficult situations that so many queer and homosexual dating partners find themselves in. There are many statements to be made by writer Ben Rusnak, but they are filed away in the dialogue, the narrative, and the character play, so well that we see them as natural expressions and dynamics on screen. The visual language really describes the emotions at play and the story eschews an exploitative approach for a much subtler, more real sharing to happen. Boy doesn’t mince its words or its message, and hits right at home to the foundations that underpin a lot of the ways queer relationships develop, sharing its voice with us to help us better understand some things that might never change, nor be spoken about in public truthfully. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Hemingway Digital / DVD Release, Short Film, LGBTQ+ < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Mufasa: The Lion King film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr. Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen directed by Barry Jenkins. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Mufasa: The Lion King Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Dec 19, 2024 Directed by: Barry Jenkins Written by: Jeff Nathanson Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr. Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen It was hard not to be a little worried about Mufasa: The Lion King . Or maybe it was hard not to be worried about Barry Jenkins. Too few of our genuinely brilliant independent film directors come away from Giant Studio Efforts unscathed. (Quick callback to last week’s JD Chandor debacle, Kraven the Hunter .) Surely there are some auteurs who are able to leave their unique thumbprints on Disney films. No one comes to mind except Rian Johnson, and man, people really universally loved The Last Jedi , didn’t they? Well, Mufasa is far from the flaming disaster of Kraven , thank goodness. And it’s not nearly as polarizingly renegade as Jedi . Safe. That’s what it is. It’s also very pretty, if equally needless. The film delivers the origin story of Simba’s father Mufasa, providing—as origin stories so often do—a glimpse into the early development of other beloved and not-so-beloved characters. Young Mufasa (Braelyn Rankins) is separated from his parents and his pride by a great flood. Washed far from home, he’s saved by a bratty little cub called Taka (Theo Somolu). While Taka’s father, the king, will never accept this outsider, Taka’s mother (Thandiwe Newton) takes him in. As Simba and Taka (voiced as older lions by Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr., respectively) flee a marauding pride led by the villainous Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen, gloriously and effortlessly villainous), they find out what kind of lions they really are. And here for a while we get a bit of something refreshing. Mufasa’s worthiness to rule is grounded in skills learned from hunting with the females in the pride. And some of these transcend hunting skills: he listens, he’s humble, he’s honest. The CG animation is mainly very impressive and there are camera movements and choices that feel like new ideas in an old tradition. But tradition wins out, not just in the look but in the storytelling. (Outsiders are bad. It takes a king to lead. Women support the men who make things happen. Lions don’t eat meat?) The core story is often interrupted by a framing device of an elderly Rafiki (John Kani) telling the story of Mufasa. These breaks are meant to be funny, and sometimes they do generate a chuckle, but they feel more like well-timed bathroom breaks for when the film hits Disney+. But it’s not bad. Your kids might like it. They won’t likely remember it, but they won’t hate it. It’s perfectly safe. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release, Animation < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced. Find out more at UK Film Review. The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced Chris Olson Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 3:31:18 PM GMT The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Uncover the secrets of the world's most stylish spy organization and learn how it all began with the ingenious and action-packed origin story The King’s Man . From masterful filmmaker Matthew Vaughn, The King’s Man explores the mythology of the very first independent intelligence agency. Set in the historic WWI era, the lethal yet impeccably trained spies take on the ultimate mission to save the fate of humanity. Add the third Kingsman film to your collection on Digital February 9 and on 4K UHD, Blu-rayTM and DVD February 21. Film Synopsis Set during WWI, The King’s Man tells the exhilarating origin story of Kingsman, the world’s very first independent intelligence agency. As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions across the globe, one man must race against time to stop them. Bonus Features* The King's Man: The Great Game Begins Documentary A Generation Lost – Discover how the filmmakers created a richly textured story that explores the origins of the Kingsman spy organization. Oxfords and Rogues – Meet the phenomenal new cast of characters Matthew Vaughn has assembled. All the World's a Stage – Delve into the meticulous world-building of THE KING’S MAN with interviews, on-location footage, artwork, and details of on-set construction and design. Instruments of War – Experience the analog spy tech and early 20th century weaponry utilized in THE KING’S MAN and see a breakdown of the precise execution and evolution of the major stunts and combat in the film. Fortune Favors the Bold – Join Matthew Vaughn and his team for music scoring and sound design. Long Live the Kingsman – Cast and crew reveal their thoughts about their collective journey through the very special experience of making THE KING’S MAN. Featurettes No Man's Land – Experience the creative process behind the harrowing knife battle sequence in several stages: rehearsals, storyboards, interviews and on-set footage, culminating with the atmospheric VFX. Remembrance and Finding Purpose – Learn about amazing organizations such as The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, two U.K.-based resources for recovery, well-being and employment for military veterans. Also hear why Matthew Vaughn strongly supports their mission. Spymaster: Conspiring with Matthew Vaughn – Cast members discuss collaborating with Matthew Vaughn, as well as their impressions of his distinctive storytelling style. Weaponized Cinema: Film Propaganda in World War I – An exploration into the very real use of film as a weapon of propaganda during World War I. *bonus features vary by product and retailer Cast Ralph Fiennes as Orlando Oxford Gemma Arterton as Polly Rhys Ifans as Grigori Rasputin Matthew Goode as Morton Tom Hollander as King George / Kaiser Wilhelm / Tsar Nicholas Harris Dickinson as Conrad Oxford Daniel Brühl as Erik Jan Hanussen Djimon Hounsou as Shola and Charles Dance as Kitchener Directed by Matthew Vaughn Produced by Matthew Vaughn David Reid and Adam Bohling Executive Producers Mark Millar Dave Gibbons Stephen Marks Claudia Vaughn and Ralph Fiennes Screenplay by Matthew Vaughn and Karl Gajdusek Story by Matthew Vaughn Music by Matthew Margeson Dominic Lewis and Henry Jackman Based on the comic book "The Secret Service" by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons Product Specifications Street Date Digital : February 9 Physical : February 21 Feature Run Time Approx. 131 minutes Rating BBFC: 15 The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. Read Now Another Round UK DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced Following its acclaimed cinema release, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating Oscar winner, ANOTHER ROUND, starring Mads Mikkelsen, on early EST 24th September 2021 and DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 27th September 2021. Read Now Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow DVD and Blu-Ray UK Release Date Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow To Land Early On Digital (August 10th) and 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD September 13th. Read Now My Little Sister Gets October UK Release Date My Little Sister is due for a cinema release in the UK, on Friday 8th October 2021. Read Now Grimmfest Reveals Line-Up for 2021 Film Festival After a year of “home invasions” in the form of virtual screenings and online events, this October sees Grimmfest returning to the cinema at last. Read Now Helen Mirren Narrates Powerful Documentary Escape From Extinction Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents Escape From Extinction, a powerful feature documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, coming to selected cinemas from 17th September celebrating ‘Great Big Green Week’ (18-26 September). Read Now Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Following critical acclaim and standout performances, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of the heartbreaking British love story SUPERNOVA, arriving on EST 24th September 2021 and DVD and Blu-ray on 27th September 2021. Read Now The Djinn UK Release Date The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Read Now Come Play UK Digital Release Date Jacob Chase’s directorial debut feature COME PLAY tells the story of Oliver, a solitary autistic boy who comes across a creepy children’s story on his new tablet. Read Now 15m Giant Starfish in Leicester Square Ahead of UK Release of The Suicide Squad British actor Peter Capaldi (BBC’s Doctor Who, World War Z) ‒ who stars in THE SUICIDE SQUAD alongside Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena as genius scientist ‘Thinker’, was bravely photographed with the imposing creature Starro in London’s Leicester Square earlier today in celebration of the film’s UK release this coming Friday. Read Now West Side Story In Cinemas December 2021 From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, the 2021 remake of West Side Story will be coming to cinemas in December 2021. Read Now The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films. Read Now Rise of the Footsoldier Origins UK Cinema Release The eagerly-awaited RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS, starring legendary leading man Vinnie Jones, is showing exclusively in cinemas from September 3, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. Read Now Random Acts of Violence UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Date Jay Baruchel writes, directs and stars in his horror debut Random Acts of Violence, which makes its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder, following its success on the streaming service. Read Now Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 Read Now A New World Order Premieres in UK 23 August Black Mirror meets A Quiet Place in gripping sci-fi thriller A New World Order from director Daniel Raboldt in his feature debut, which gets its UK premiere on DVD and digital 23 August 2021 from Reel 2 Reel Films. Read Now

Sinners film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Michael B. Jordan, WunmiMosaku, Heilee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell directed by Ryan Coogler. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Sinners Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Apr 17, 2025 Directed by: Ryan Coogler Written by: Ryan Coogler Starring: Michael B. Jordan, WunmiMosaku, Heilee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell Ryan Coogler can direct the hell out of a movie, can’t he? For Sinners , he reteams with longtime creative partner Michael B. Jordan to sing a song of a 1932 Mississippi juke joint. The Smokestack twins (Jordan) are back from Chicago, a truckload of ill-gotten liquor and a satchel full of cash along with them. They intend to open a club “for us, by us” and can hardly believe their eyes when three hillbillies come calling. Jack O’Connell (an amazing actor in everything he’s done since Eden Lake ) has a brogue and a banjo. He and his two friends would love to come on in, sing, dance, and spend some money, if only Smoke would invite them. He does not. The night becomes a standoff between those inside the club and those outside, but by the time Act 2 sets its fangs, Coogler and his terrific ensemble already have you invested in everyone inside. The great Delroy Lindo effortlessly charms as bluesman Delta Slim. Wunmi Mosaku (His House, Lovecraft Country ) works with Coogler’s direction to turn the horror trope “supernatural expert” (the one person who can explain to the others what’s going on and how to stop it) into the film’s broken heart. Newcomer Miles Caton shines as the young blues guitarist whose voice is so sweet it can conjure the devil. The setting and period suit the film beautifully, giving Coogler room to play with ideas of religion and redemption, music and temptation, and everything else that offers hope to the powerless. Every character carries a rich history that you can feel. Jordan impresses in dual roles, carving out unique but dependent characters. O’Connell delivers lines and lyrics with a lived-in magic, twisting together Coogler’s insightful ideas about how prayer and song are often tools of the oppressor. It’s scary. It’s sexy. The action slaps. It’s funny when it needs to be, sad just as often. It looks and sounds incredible. And there’s a cameo from Buddy F. Guy, in case you needed a little authenticity. When Ryan Coogler writes and directs a vampire movie, he gives you reason to believe there is yet new life for the old monster. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Audition film review by UK film critic Amber Jackson. Starring Kevin Leslie, Anita Chui, Xander Berkeley directed by Bizhan Tong. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Audition Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Amber Jackson | Posted on: Nov 11, 2022 Directed by: Bizhan Tong Written by: Bizhan Tong Starring: Kevin Leslie, Anita Chui, Xander Berkeley Written and directed by Bizhan Tong, The Audition is a psychological thriller where aspiring actor, Larry Boyle, must fight to keep the people in his life alive. So described as ‘the audition of a lifetime,’ and with the majority of the action on video calls, the story weaves in and out of Larry being controlled by a faceless voice online who takes sadistic pleasure in playing a confusing and cruel game with Larry. Having his narrative controlled for him, Larry must confront his demons along with his discomforts. Tong’s bleak feature raises questions of surviving a global pandemic whilst trying to make sense of what is real. The film deals with feelings that audiences will remember well from times of quarantine and questions all through the lens of a mediocre and opinionated actor trying to find work. Larry’s mindset is warped by ideas of hoaxes and institutional racism and at first the script is jarring as you cannot quite place the tone. His opinions are dangerous, and the film is trying to make a point of this, particularly that he wishes to “preserve white history.” Him having no redeemable qualities means that the viewer cannot hold any sympathy for him even after he starts experiencing the life-or-death challenges set for him. As it seems as though the film seeks to raise awareness of the selfishness of humanity, this leaves the overall tone to fall flat at times. Tong clearly wants viewers to consider what a post-covid world could look like amongst a society with divided people. A running theme of cancel culture and anxieties over doxing sets the feature up to be an all-consuming video call world for Larry to navigate and battle his way out of. As everything spirals out of control, he questions the world around him like never before. It is a very unfeeling feature in its brutal violence and bizarre playing with people’s lives. As Larry is caught up in a game orchestrated for him, what happens in front of his screen is very all-consuming as he starts to question who the anonymous voice is. Camera shots throughout the film are very clever and consist of varying angles and tacking shots during scenes. As a result, the film feels very three-dimensional and has a very high production value. Cut between these scenes are real footage clips of George Floyd protests and #BlackLivesMatter events, as well as people in their own homes on video calls commenting on social issues. This mix of media adds a realistic dimension to the film as though we are witnessing another aspect of society in an online format. However, despite this interesting concept, the film does feel slow and drawn out in parts. The script is overdone at times and the plot grows confusing as it develops out of control. We struggle to make sense of what is going on as the characters do and continue to question the ‘screen reality’ that we are presented with. Tension is built up well within intense scenes and there is plenty more unpredictability in the second half of the thriller, but action sequences are lacking and are sometimes not very believable. Each acting performance is the saving grace of this film as it is incredibly emotive, particularly during more dramatic moments. Viewers do not have a hard time believing what each character goes through, as their mortality is continually threatened. Questions are also raised concerning acting and the entertainment industry, alongside inauthentic representation for the viewer. Although unsure if the filmmaking intentions are good or not, racism is interrogated on screen and Larry in particular is not redeemed for his negative speech. The Audition subverts expectations in that it allows viewers to route for the innocent characters rather than a flawed and bigoted protagonist. It is dark in excessive measures and focuses on human suffering during and after an unprecedented social event. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Amber Jackson Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The King's Man film review by UK film critic Cat McAlpine. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Gemme Arterton, Rhys Ifans directed by Matthew Vaughn. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The King's Man Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Cat McAlpine | Posted on: Dec 22, 2021 Directed by: Matthew Vaughn Written by: Matthew Vaughn, Karl Gajdusek, Mark Millar Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gemme Arterton, Rhys Ifans When Orlando Oxford’s (Ralph Fiennes) wife dies in front of him and his young son Conrad, his life is irrevocably changed. No longer is he a brave action taker. His life revolves around protecting his young son and respecting his wife’s dying wish. Naturally, this leaves an older Conrad (Harris Dickinson) desperate to prove himself as a man and meet danger at the front lines of WWI. That’s the first five or so minutes of The King’s Man . Director and co-writer Matthew Vaughn returns for his third entry in the franchise with something darker and sillier, plagued with tonal whiplash. What made his first two Kingsman films so successful was their absurd violence, over-the-top villains, and classic spy premise. This prequel goes without those key elements for almost an hour. Instead, we get a tense father-son drama about how war calls to all young men. The narrative of the first half of the film is punctuated with plot, plot, and more plot to explain the growing tensions leading to the world’s most gruesome war. When the Oxfords decide their only hope is to assassinate Rasputin (Rhys Ifans), I laughed out loud. It’s the same absurdity that made the rest of the series so enjoyable, but the ensuing hijinks were at odds with the movie I’d been watching. Most odd of all, The King’s Man ’s two most disparate scenes are its best. One features Ifans — fantastic as Rasputin, both horrifying and hilarious and perfectly suited to the series. In stark contrast is a night-time knife fight in no man’s land. Conrad’s experience at the war front is heart-wrenching and filled with equal parts hope and horror. Then Vaughn rips us right back into plot, plot, and more plot. Emotional arcs are completed with single, short scenes and we are finally delivered into the nonsensical action we expect, well into the film’s second hour. With The King ‘s Man , Vaughn has made two films. The first, a period war drama. The second, a Kingsman prequel. Both films are well done and enjoyable but squashed together they become difficult to keep up with. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Cat McAlpine Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Glinting film review by UK film critic William Curzon. Starring Eoin O'Sullivan, Brid Ní Chumhaill, Maureen O'Connell directed by Eddie Jackson. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Glinting Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: William Curzon | Posted on: Jul 8, 2026 Directed by: Eddie Jackson Written by: Eoin O'Sullivan Starring: Eoin O'Sullivan, Brid Ní Chumhaill, Maureen O'Connell Glinting follows a grieving husband, Jack (Eoin O’Sullivan), as he begins to sense his wife’s presence in the dust particles that catch a light around him. These dust particles draw him into moments that blur the line between memory and reality. The short piece is a harrowing depiction of grief, memory and loss, and how the central character copes with the glinting dust in his home. The piece immediately draws the viewer into the experience by providing no context for the central character's empty home, as he is drawn to the glinting dust. While the lack of characterisation and context is daunting at first, the filmmakers ensure each scene is crafted with a clear intent to showcase the damage grief can cause to an individual. The absence of dialogue creates an isolating, thought-provoking atmosphere as the central character struggles to make sense of his late wife’s sudden appearance in their home. It's a difficult watch, but its unique formalism and harrowing presentation make it essential viewing. The surreal, dreamlike presentation of the central character’s memories during moments of stillness is highly effective, powerfully reinforcing the film’s themes and ideas. Serving as the film's cinematographer, Jamie Doyle primarily employs fixed wide shots of the house to emphasise its emptiness, punctuated by close-ups of objects scattered throughout. This approach effectively frames the central character’s home as a space where memories of his late wife are evoked through everyday objects and drifting dust particles, blurring the line between memory and reality. At times, the camera also shifts to extreme close-ups of the central character in anguish, and this is incredibly devastating to witness as a viewer. Another incredible technical aspect is Karima Dillon El Toukhy’s musical score. The score is evocative with its hypnotic motifs that ultimately anchor the tension and severity of the central character's grief. Each musical cue feels perfectly suited to its scene, resulting in an unforgettable viewing experience. Eoin O’Sullivan delivers a compelling central performance as Jack, anchoring the film from beginning to end. He conveys so much with his facial expressions alone, making the experience all the more visceral through the raw honesty of his performance. Much of the narrative is focused on his performance, and the film wouldn't work without his commanding screen presence. The supporting players also leave a memorable impression despite their lack of screen time. While the piece doesn't offer much beyond its portrayal of a character processing his grief, its condensed runtime is well utilised, and it rarely puts a foot wrong. Each editing choice is profound, and it never overstays its welcome despite how harrowing its themes and ideas are. It's a deeply emotionally resonant experience, particularly in its exploration of the lasting damage grief can cause. The focus on themes of regret is also apt; the piece alludes to the importance of cherishing every moment while you still can and opening up to another individual before it's too late. The piece leaves the viewer soaring with hope, as the title suggests, the glinting dust shining with flashes of profound memory. Glinting is a harrowing experience with a dreamlike presentation to convey its emotionally resonant themes of grief, memory and loss. Aided by a terrific central performance and a hypnotic musical score, the film is an effective piece of filmmaking that doesn't shy away from the sheer isolation of grief. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Curzon Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Paul McCartmey: Man on the Run film review by UK film critic George Wolf. Starring Paul McCartney directed by Morgan Neville. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Paul McCartmey: Man on the Run Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: Feb 18, 2026 Directed by: Morgan Neville Written by: Morgan Neville Starring: Paul McCartney A seasoned filmmaker like Morgan Neville is smart enough to know that with Paul McCartney as your documentary subject, you gotta pick a lane and focus. For Man of the Run , Neville picks a good one: how on Earth do you approach following up your stint in the most culturally significant band of all time? Think about it. If you count Pete Best (first drummer), plus Stu Sutcliffe (original bassist) and even Jimmy Nicol (temporary tour replacement for a sick Ringo), they’ve been only seven souls in history who faced life as a “former Beatle.” And McCartney is the most commercially successful, by far. Man on the Run takes us inside Paul’s strategy for that second act. Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Piece by Piece, Steve! and the Oscar-winning 20 Feet From Stardom ) keeps mainly to the ten year period after Paul’s first solo album in 1970 officially signaled the end of the Beatles. Using archival photos, videos, interview clips and animation, Neville plays with an engaging audio/visual style that often mirrors a mixed-media scrapbook. He also keeps a tight reign on the time stamp, limiting more recent interview clips (from Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde, Paul’s adult kids and others) to audio only, so as not to break the immersive spell that keeps us close to McCartney’s head space at the time. And we hear and see much from the man himself. His thoughts on forming Wings with first wife Linda are endearing and self-reflective. He was seeking to combat his crushing fame by surrounding himself with bandmates, but couldn’t completely quell the ego and drive that made many of them feel like mere sidemen. Home movies from down on his farm are warm and loving, much like the sentiments on John Lennon and some very early days with the Fab Four. And you’ll probably learn a thing or two you didn’t know about the infamous pot bust in Japan. But above all, Man on the Run succeeds in its mission to reconsider an important decade in the life of an icon. We see a man seeking a new kind of contentment at home and on the run, making music that only became more impactful and influential as the bands played on. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic George Wolf Theatrical Release, Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >

King Ed film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Brendan Scannell, Sufe Bradshaw, Nick Fascitelli, Jack Plotnick directed by Nick Fascitelli. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS King Ed Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jul 16, 2024 Directed by: Nick Fascitelli Written by: Nick Fascitelli Starring: Brendan Scannell, Sufe Bradshaw, Nick Fascitelli, Jack Plotnick A young gay man is looking for his soulmate. The protagonist of this short comedy drama that mixes fantasy with reality is Ed (Scannell). Ed is in a relationship with Joseph (Fascitelli) and when he becomes aware of one of Joseph's playlists, he adores it and is absolutely convinced that the two of them are destined to be together because Joseph created it. However, Ed imagines that he is communicating with an oracle (Bradshaw), who informs him that the list was not created by his current partner. So, Ed embarks on a personal journey, hoping to find out who put together that playlist, leading to disappointments and revelations. The way the screenplay works is by being a romance, a comedy and a mystery. Ed plays detective, hoping to find the missing pieces to the puzzle and complete his romantic life and find happiness. One of the best aspects in this film is Ed. Ed is a likeable guy who believes in destiny and he embarks on a mission to find the love of his life. His belief in destiny is clear by the fact that he is convinced that the creator of the playlist is the one he must be with. Since he believes in destiny, he is significantly influenced by the oracle as he does not question her when she states that Joseph is not responsible for the special playlist. Scannell's impressive performance is at times dramatic and at other times amusing. The oracle is another thing that stands out. First of all, her appearance is quite memorable, with interesting clothing by costume designer Bailey Soudelier that includes a rather stylised mask. Then, there is her laid-back behaviour that includes a good sense of humour. Since a playlist plays a key part in the narrative, it comes as no surprise that there are a few songs in the soundtrack and good ones too, some of which are Harry Hippie by Bobby Womack, Fast Car by Tracy Chapman, We Belong by Pat Benator and Galactic Love by The Tempers. These tracks, along with the addition of a beautiful choir song make the audio of this film rather pleasant to the ears. This short is a journey of self-discovery. A journey that has its funny and awkward moments and its moments of drama. Scannell's performance, the soundtrack and T.J. Williams Jr.'s splendid cinematography provide high qualities to this film and so does the message that it delivers which is that self-discovery can lead to happiness. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film, LGBTQ+ < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Am Fear Liath film review by UK film critic Chris Buick. Starring Mark Agar, Siobhan Aislinn, Gary Swayne, Ger Boland, Andy Yule directed by Pauric Brennan. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Am Fear Liath Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Buick | Posted on: Jan 8, 2024 Directed by: Pauric Brennan Written by: Mark Hampton Starring: Mark Agar, Siobhan Aislinn, Gary Swayne, Ger Boland, Andy Yule Am Fear Liath , translated from Gaelic as The Big Grey Man and inspired by Scottish folklore legend the Big Grey Man of Ben MacDhui, begins with wildlife expert Fred (Agar) leading would-be creature-hunters Marty (Aislinn) and Ger (Boland) on an experience of a lifetime to finally find proof of the legendary Bigfoot (sorry, Sasquatch). But of course, despite discovering “footprints”, hearing strange noises and presenting them with undeniable footage, Marty and Ger are quick to catch on to what Fred and his business partner Paddy (Swayne) really are, a pair of shysters. But despite everything, Fred and Paddy are actually convinced that there is something out there, and with the wolves at the door hammering to collect some long-standing debts, they plan to find out once and for all. So, with apologies offered and accepted, they enlist the help of Marty and Ger to go with them into the woods once again, this time to track down the real thing. Am Fear Liath is an equal parts fun and tense man versus nature story that manages to give us some good laughs while also doing very well to create a lot of tension and more importantly enough intrigue when it needs to in order to keep us hooked. It layers and paces out it’s plot really well, the film does slow itself down from time to time in order give everything time to take a breath but it never feels like it's really ever losing too much momentum and it picks its moments well to drop in new and interesting character and plot revelations to always keep things ticking along nicely. It's cast of characters are fun and well-written too so you’re glad to go along with them all the way from beginning to end. They are also bolstered by some solid performances, Swayne, Boland and Aislinn are great company, and Yule’s mountain-man character adds a wholly unpredictable and fun dimension to proceedings, but it is Agar, who is able to play the loveable boyish buffoon just as well as they are able give heft to the film’s more emotional moments that is the standout. It’s not perfect, where the film falls flat the most is in the action scenes. Fights and the hits and punches thrown within them are pretty unconvincing leaving these moments feeling quite flat. Some of the later scenes also seem like a repetitive cycle of characters constantly running across the same background. But despite these blips, each time the film somehow seems to pick itself right back up again to its high level of drama and as mentioned before, intrigue. You want to see how everything is going to turn out for these guys, and it makes some smart choices with how it lets its story unravel that keeps us wanting and on our toes with a few twists and turns along the way. With enough charm in its story and characters to keep it enjoyable throughout the ebbs and flows, Am Fear Liath is a well-put together creature feature that achieves most of what it sets out to do. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Chris Buick Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Longing for Iran: The Tehran Diary film review by UK film critic Chris Buick. Starring Farouq Mohime directed by Farouq Mohime. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Longing for Iran: The Tehran Diary Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Chris Buick | Posted on: Feb 6, 2025 Directed by: Farouq Mohime Written by: Farouq Mohime Starring: Farouq Mohime Longing for Iran: The Tehran Diary is the documented journey of aspiring Iranian filmmaker Farouq Mohime’s return to Iran, eight years after their last time there and their first time returning in adulthood. Their aim, to observe how much and where Iran, and its capital Tehran in particular, has changed in that time and indeed over the course of its long, rich and complicated history, as well as looking to provide a better understanding of how diverse and different the country really is against common Western perception. Born in London, yet firmly holding onto their Iranian heritage, Mohime is admittedly not fluent in Farsi, but wants to be, and speaks briefly but significantly about how despite being a dual British national, there is a certain fear of prejudice that never truly goes away. But in fact, it’s this which makes Mohime’s such an interesting perspective, that of a young adult raised in the UK, realising the significance of both his nationality and nation’s place not just in the world but in history, placing Mohime in a unique position to be able to make and balance observations from both sides. Mohime defines their journey as "a trip to one of the most complicated and at times misunderstood countries in the world", which couldn’t be more accurate. As we journey along with Mohime during his time in Iran’s capital, their footage offers us not just a chance to travel through this genuinely fascinating and complex civilization, but probes deeper to show a people and a country that has changed over time in just as many ways as it hasn’t. Its presentation is a fairly simple and subdued affair, but one that is highly informative. With Mohime, we witness a number of places of significant cultural and historical importance, each venture showcasing just as much of Iran's vibrancy as its long history which, in many ways, is very much still integral to their modern-day culture. As we visit each place, they of course offer us all the historical context, dates, locations, who's and whys we need to know about what we are looking at, but the interesting parts come when offering their own perspective on how it all makes them feel, never erring into trying to force a change in mind, simply offering honest opinion. There are a number of fairly compelling segments, especially those depicting Iran’s long and murky relationship with the West, the US in particular and one striking segment details significant incidents that have since shaped the West’s tenuous relationship with the Middle east to this day. And there are others that highlight a shift in attitudes from within towards Iran as well, the growing disillusionment of the youth towards the Iran of old, to religion and to cultural expectations as a whole. It all makes for a much more layered and deeper piece of filmmaking that one would anticipate, never judging, simply observing. In Longing for Iran: The Tehran Diary , Mohime ponders the past, present and future of Iran, asking us and themselves, big insightful questions, as well as exploring their own hopes and dreams for their country and allowing us a better understanding of a complex and fascinating culture. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Chris Buick Documentary, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >