Everyone film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Yasaman Mohsani, Jules Brown, Che Watson, Flynn Matthews directed by Marcus Flemmings. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Everyone Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Feb 27, 2024 Directed by: Marcus Flemmings Written by: Marcus Flemmings Starring: Yasaman Mohsani, Jules Brown, Che Watson, Flynn Matthews A great deal of drama is taking place inside a restaurant. This feature drama follows the lives of several customers and a waitress as they dine in a fancy London restaurant and have meaningful conversations and arguments. The customers are split into groups, each table with its own issues. The diners consist of Rich (Matthews), a famous football player and his agent, Tom (Watsone), Sasha (Ella Bardot), a young model and her mother (Saria Steel), a trio consisting of a woman and two men, sitting next to each other, four siblings and a man sitting by himself named Jack, who strikes up a conversation with Ella (Mohsani), the waitress (apparently, Ella is the only waitress in that restaurant). The well-structured screenplay alternates between the tables, constantly moving from one conversation to the other and the story takes place in real-time. Over the course of an hour-and-a-half, the viewer will get to know the characters and their situations and experience heavy drama and also some dark and adult humour. The atmosphere switches between awkward, light-hearted or serious, with the subjects of life-changing discussions including loyalty, relationships, family values and self-expression. In order to provide a clearer picture, a brief description of the conflicts at each table would help: Tom is trying to convince Rich not go sign up with another agency, Sasha forces her mother to follow her wishes, Rob (Mitch Hewer) is struggling to understand the relationship that is going on between him, a woman and a man, the four siblings have hard feelings between them and insult each other and Ella builds a strong bond with the lonely stranger. Although each discussion has its own subjects, they have similarities as they all involve some sort of conflict, or at least self conflict. It should be mentioned that an elderly couple is also present in the restaurant, quietly eating. The characters are interesting and diverse when it comes to personality and opinions. Tom stands out as an angry football agent with an in-your-face attitude. Ella is the most uplifting protagonist and her positive attitude encourages her new photographer friend to rediscover his joys. The directing includes many face closeups with the character making eye contact with the viewer. Junior Jackson is creative with the editing and effectively utilises wipe techniques. The dramatic music includes drumming and violin and successfully constructs an atmosphere. There is a part where the film turns into a black-and-white music video. Although the dancing and song during that sequence are to be commended, the whole part feels out of place in comparison with the rest of the feature. This film is basically a collection of stories that take place simultaneously inside a restaurant and the result is intriguing thanks to the well-written dialogue, the strong performances and the themes that are explored, particularly self-discovery. The ending seems to indicate that even though people can have issues and differences, they can still be united. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Hidden World film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Emily Deforest, Austin Cassel directed by Anthony Vazquez. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Hidden World Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jun 7, 2022 Directed by: Anthony Vazquez Written by: Anthony Vazquez Starring: Emily Deforest, Austin Cassel A woman is left alone in her house after her partner goes on a business trip. She soon discovers that she is not alone. A young couple live in a large, smart house and one night the man (Cassel) leaves to go abroad for a couple of days for a temporary work assignment. The woman (Deforest) stays at home, with the dog to keep her company. However, a masked intruder breaks in and she finds herself at his mercy. Will she survive? This short thriller is quite a nail-biting ride that concentrates a great deal on the home invasion genre. The majority of the narrative focuses on the poor woman as she is taken prisoner in her own home by the fiend. He ties her up and gags her and then proceeds to torment her in disturbing ways. When unnoticed, she attempts to free herself and use a mobile phone to call for help. The film begins with normality, showing a seemingly happy couple, with the woman being unhappy that her partner goes of on business trips so often. The atmosphere changes dramatically with the appearance of the intruder, bringing the viewers into a world of despair and danger. The screenplay does a very effective job in keeping the audience at the edge of their seat and the unpredictable plot twist will most likely make them want to watch the film again and try to pick up the clues they might had missed before. As the victim of the villain, Deforest's performance is vital in order for the invasion scenes to be terrorising, and she succeeds at that spectacularly, being very convincing at being hopeless and petrified. Director of photography Jared Freeman delivers wonderful cinematography and Matthew Newman and Jordan Seah make a great contribution with the music that they provide, which is sinister and tense, accompanying the scenes very effectively. This twenty-minute-long film is a memorable experience whose greatest strength is creating a dreadful atmosphere. For the most part, it will keep the viewers on the edge and it will then surprise them with the plot twist. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Soul Graffiti film review by UK film critic Alasdair MacRae. Starring Danielle Brower, Kyle Loethen, Justin Stidham directed by Jet Ainsworth. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Soul Graffiti Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Alasdair MacRae | Posted on: Nov 13, 2022 Directed by: Jet Ainsworth Written by: Jet Ainsworth Starring: Danielle Brower, Kyle Loethen, Justin Stidham Popular country radio station K.A.N.T. or 101 The Boot in St. Anthony, Missouri is under threat after long-term owner Ray Deakins passed away and left it to his no-good son Ray Deakins Jr. (Justin Stidham), who has since converted it into failing pop channel 101 The Jam . As the station bleeds advertisement income, Deakins Jr. begins laying off the staff including DJs and the 28-year veteran local news reporter. Morning show host Niki Bliss (Danielle Brower) must rouse the remaining staff to save the station, and herself, from both financial and identity crises. Meanwhile down on his luck, wannabe salesman Ben Cross (Kyle Loethen) is dumped by his fiancé and living in a motel, until coincidence draws him and Niki Bliss’ together and his life begins to find some direction. The recipe of The Soul Graffiti is well-tried and tested, a hearty core duo working to fix themselves, a glug of bad guy in Deakins Jr., and seasoned with a handful of colourful side characters, like a stereotypical cowboy DJ. Conventional, but comforting. Nothing is more testament to this than the title, coming from a classic schmaltzy midway speech that Niki Bliss gives, “Y’know soul graffiti… it’s like decorations that people leave behind on you…People have a way of leaving a mark on each of us, we’re all walking, talking, loving, hating, works of art.” Although that isn’t to say that there aren’t a few moments throughout where the chef could have done with tasting the dish before adding ingredients, and some may find that the hundred-and-ten minutes cooking time leaves it a little overdone. In low-budget indie filmmaking, it comes with the territory to overlook some of the issues with poor image quality, and even lacklustre image composition (a problem that somehow plagues even the biggest of big-budget movies nowadays), but in The Soul Graffiti because it is set in a radio station it feels frustrating when there are issues with the audio quality whether it be sound editing or mixing. As to be expected there is a constant soundtrack of both original and non-original songs, but their position in the mix is often distracting. This is more noticeable in scenes where the characters’ dialogue is not crisp and clear, ironically worse when they are in a radio booth opposite a professional microphone. The issue is by no means a deal breaker, but given the subject of the film it becomes more distinct. The Soul Graffiti is a pleasing drama but lacks that special something to distinguish it from the pack. There are plenty of worse ways to spend just shy of two inoffensive hours than watching Niki Bliss and the team at 101 The Jam save their radio station from the grips of nepotism, incompetence, and greed, whilst learning a bit about themselves along the way. Watch the official trailer for The Soul Graffiti here Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Alasdair MacRae Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Summer Issues film review by UK film critic Alasdair MacRae. Starring Vasilios Asimakos, Adam Masnyk, Matthew Berke directed by Eric Kelly. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Summer Issues Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Alasdair MacRae | Posted on: Oct 2, 2022 Directed by: Eric Kelly Written by: Adam Masnyk, Rory Cardin Starring: Vasilios Asimakos, Adam Masnyk, Matthew Berke During the summer break from university, Sean (Vasilios Asimakos) returns to his sleepy hometown and picks up from where he left off with his job in a comics and collectibles store. He finds that his colleagues haven’t changed all that much, aside from the creeping realisation of happiness decreasing over time. Even though he appears to be on the supposed right track in life, Sean finds himself dissatisfied and struggling with anxiety. He hopes that this summer job might take some of the pressure off of him, but there is still a chance that it may exasperate the issue. Sean’s life is relatable. As a first-generation student he was told that university was the key to a better life, but after a tough semester and now taking prescribed medication for anxiety he is beginning to feel the weight of expectations. His single-parent father tells him that he needs to grow up and take on more responsibility, ignoring the fact that he returned home to earn money rather than take up an unpaid internship. Because he is unhappy and under a considerable amount of stress he is easily overwhelmed, even when completing simple tasks at work. His boss worries that he is unstable and his friends are concerned that he has changed. But the comic store is a safe space for him, after all, there are half a dozen other employees all struggling with their own problems, and they make it through the day by gently ribbing and having petty squabbles with each other. Sometimes after work, they have a few drinks and play hockey, and life begins to seem a little more bearable. This may all sound a little trite and cliché, and it is, but sometimes that is all that is needed. It is simply not possible to ignore the resemblance of Summer Issues to the work of Kevin Smith. It is so alike that it could be called an imitation. Like the early entries in the ViewAskewniverse, the film is mostly set in a retail store, with the characters trapped behind counters or undertaking menial tasks as they attempt Clerks -style humour, an intersection between mumblecore and caricature. Another similarity is the director Eric Kelly who, like Smith, plays a part in his film. He stars as a new colleague of Sean’s, a snarky but open-minded film nerd. There is also a shared meta-narrative ethos of finding a path that makes you happy, which relates more to Smith’s more recent work. It would be easy to shoot this down as a copycat work but there is something endearing about the idea of someone feeling inspired to make a film that continues Smith’s legacy. There is a residual good feeling that comes with a work like this, it feels as though the process of making it was just as rewarding as the finished product. Summer Issues isn’t going to surprise anyone, but it makes up for it with well-intentioned heart. Sometimes making a film about doing what makes you happy is the best thing you can do. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Alasdair MacRae Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - Out of Death starring Bruce Willis Gets Digital Release Date. Find out more at UK Film Review. Out of Death starring Bruce Willis Gets Digital Release Date Chris Olson Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 10:21:53 AM GMT+1 Coming to Digital Download from 2nd August & DVD from October 4th Bruce Willis and Jaime King to star in action thriller ILY Films today confirmed that their latest action thriller, Out of Death , is set to be released on Digital Download from August 2nd and on DVD from October 4th. Directed by Mike Burns, who makes his feature film debut, Out of Death stars the legendary action icon Bruce Willis (Die Hard ), Jaime King (Sin City , My Bloody Valentine ) and Lala Kent (Hard Kill , Vault ). Still grieving the untimely death of her father, photojournalist Shannon Mathers (Jamie King) spreads his ashes in the woods when she witnesses a cop (Lala Kent) shooting and killing an unarmed henchman during a drug deal. She captures the whole scene on her camera before being discovered. Shot at, scared, helpless and on the run, she races her way through the woods with no recognition of her location. Distracted by the violent noise of the attack, Jack Harris (Bruce Willis) a newly retired police officer who is relaxing at his cabin, saves Shannon just in time and the two narrowly escape into the woods. Not sure of whom she can trust, as more dirty cops arrive to help hunt her down, including the brutal town sheriff Hank Rivers (Michael Sirow), she decides to rely on Jack, her only real chance to fight back the corrupt police and bring it to justice. Director of ILY FIlms, Richard Lechartier, says "We are delighted to be releasing Out of Death in the UK. It's a tense action-packed thriller and we are sure the audiences will love seeing Bruce Willis back to his best". Out of Death will be available on Digital Download from August 2nd and DVD from October 4th The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. Read Now Another Round UK DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced Following its acclaimed cinema release, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating Oscar winner, ANOTHER ROUND, starring Mads Mikkelsen, on early EST 24th September 2021 and DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 27th September 2021. Read Now Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow DVD and Blu-Ray UK Release Date Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow To Land Early On Digital (August 10th) and 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD September 13th. Read Now My Little Sister Gets October UK Release Date My Little Sister is due for a cinema release in the UK, on Friday 8th October 2021. Read Now Grimmfest Reveals Line-Up for 2021 Film Festival After a year of “home invasions” in the form of virtual screenings and online events, this October sees Grimmfest returning to the cinema at last. Read Now Helen Mirren Narrates Powerful Documentary Escape From Extinction Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents Escape From Extinction, a powerful feature documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, coming to selected cinemas from 17th September celebrating ‘Great Big Green Week’ (18-26 September). Read Now Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Following critical acclaim and standout performances, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of the heartbreaking British love story SUPERNOVA, arriving on EST 24th September 2021 and DVD and Blu-ray on 27th September 2021. Read Now The Djinn UK Release Date The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Read Now Come Play UK Digital Release Date Jacob Chase’s directorial debut feature COME PLAY tells the story of Oliver, a solitary autistic boy who comes across a creepy children’s story on his new tablet. Read Now 15m Giant Starfish in Leicester Square Ahead of UK Release of The Suicide Squad British actor Peter Capaldi (BBC’s Doctor Who, World War Z) ‒ who stars in THE SUICIDE SQUAD alongside Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena as genius scientist ‘Thinker’, was bravely photographed with the imposing creature Starro in London’s Leicester Square earlier today in celebration of the film’s UK release this coming Friday. Read Now West Side Story In Cinemas December 2021 From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, the 2021 remake of West Side Story will be coming to cinemas in December 2021. Read Now The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films. Read Now Rise of the Footsoldier Origins UK Cinema Release The eagerly-awaited RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS, starring legendary leading man Vinnie Jones, is showing exclusively in cinemas from September 3, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. Read Now Random Acts of Violence UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Date Jay Baruchel writes, directs and stars in his horror debut Random Acts of Violence, which makes its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder, following its success on the streaming service. Read Now Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 Read Now A New World Order Premieres in UK 23 August Black Mirror meets A Quiet Place in gripping sci-fi thriller A New World Order from director Daniel Raboldt in his feature debut, which gets its UK premiere on DVD and digital 23 August 2021 from Reel 2 Reel Films. Read Now

The Magic of Santa Claus film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring N/A directed by Andrew De Burgh . HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Magic of Santa Claus Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Sep 20, 2024 Directed by: Andrew De Burgh Written by: Andrew De Burgh Starring: N/A Complaining about Christmas coming earlier every year is basically an Autumn tradition at this point. But some grace really should be given to stop-motion projects showing up a little early – after all animating a couple of seconds can take days so timing release perfectly for the December window really seems to be tempting fate. Besides, there’s only 96 days left until the 25th, so you can treat yourself to The Magic of Santa Claus a little early. Brought to life in the classic Claymation style that Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer made iconic (and that Elf memorably parodied), this short tells a poignant story of Santa Claus who finds he only has one day left to live. Looking back over his life, from humble beginnings to the worldwide operation the Christmas day has become, he feels a sense of fulfilment and bliss – and decides to take out the old red sleigh for one last ride. Claymation as an art is one that rightly fascinates and amazes viewers regardless of story, setting or character. The sheer difficulty and commitment required to bring movies to life through the slightest movements – from tiny facial expressions to supernatural moments of wonder – mean any creation is remarkable and admirable. This is no less true for The Magic of Santa Claus, and director Andrew De Burgh and sculptor C. Diamant combine to create a North Pole, workshop and Middle Eastern setting that is believable and convincing. The characters themselves are a little more a mixed-bag, with motions and movements a little limited – perhaps by production/budget restrictions. Beyond the occasional arm movements, complex motions are generally not attempted, limiting the visual interest of the audience. The emotions of the characters are plainer to see and there are some genuinely moving moments – such as Santa’s final meeting with his reindeer which is further testament (if we needed it) that real, human emotions can be instigated by a piece of plasticine. There are other rough edges around the production, such as a failure to succinctly integrate printed text which impacts on viewer immersion negatively. The story is quite basic – little context is really given to Santa’s condition or why he has only a day left on Earth (it’s a good thing mail reaches one on time in the North Pole). His journey through memory lane is touching, and shows that leading a good life will provide fulfilment at one’s end and leave a positive legacy for those left behind. The film really is more of an exercise in the artform rather than a tightly-woven narrative. The bar for Claymation is set so incredibly high by a certain studio and their cheese-loving duo, that it’s easy to forget just how difficult producing any film in the form is. The Magic of Santa Claus fails to match the highs of its contemporaries, but that doesn’t mean it is without value. Andrew De Burgh clearly understands the importance of emotion in his characters, and manages to realise this in several touching moments in his short. It’s not Rudolph, but there is some magic here. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film, Animation < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Rochelle McLaren writes movie reviews for UK Film Critic. As one of the talented UK film critics, find out more here. Rochelle McLaren I am an aspiring film critic and actress living in London. My favourite directors are Ava Duvernay and Tyler Perry however I am a lover of all genres especially a good thriller. Read Latest Film Reviews

Is This The Bed We Lie In? film review by UK film critic Holly Baker. Starring Constance Reshey, Joel Blanco directed by Joseph McGovern. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Is This The Bed We Lie In? Film Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Critic: Holly Baker | Posted on: Oct 9, 2025 Directed by: Joseph McGovern Written by: Joseph McGovern, Constance Reshey, Joel Blanco Starring: Constance Reshey, Joel Blanco The short film Is This The Bed We Lie In? questions marital values through a moral and spiritual conundrum that a couple faces. Joseph McGovern expertly presents a unique, controversial perspective on preemptive infidelity, exploring the idea that, whilst being in love and committed to somebody, satisfaction may be needed outside of the marriage. Jennifer and Robert are a married couple. They usually have no trouble with intimacy; however, Jennifer is dissatisfied with the marital routine they have fallen into. Robert spends his days at work, whilst Jennifer, a housewife, eagerly awaits the 1 hour and 45 minutes they will spend talking to each other every day. Marriage can be restricting, especially considering the patriarchal standards which are set when entering such a contract. A marriage is a legally binding romantic loyalty, but this doesn’t seem to be working for Jennifer, as she opens up about her desire to explore her sexuality. Is This The Bed We Lie In? is particularly short. The film consists of only one scene, which lasts just a few minutes. Despite its short runtime, the film adopts a deep-seated approach, painting a clear, profound picture of the two characters. Constance Reshey (Jennifer) and Joel Blanco (Robert) are closely shot throughout the short piece. The couple’s conversation takes place in their bedroom, a shared intimate space providing a safe and private environment for the two to open up. From the film’s opening, the audience is made aware of the differing headspaces between the pair. Robert is filmed front-on and close-up, wearing bright pink and dressing himself. It is as if he is fully prepared for and endorsed within the marital commitment he is in. By presenting Robert’s comfort and readiness in his position as a husband, the film conveys integral ideas on how the institution of marriage solely benefits the man. Meanwhile, Jennifer is shot side-on, hunched over and blue, foreshadowing the revelation that marriage is not entirely meeting her needs and acting as a symbolic contrast, as women often must sacrifice their freedom to conform to the role of being a wife. Both Reshey and Blanco commit to a soft acting style. Viewers can sense their comfort around one another, as well as their ability to be fully vulnerable. Through subtle body language and a directorial focus on the two actors’ facial expressions, the viewer is provided with a touching, almost invasive perspective on the two characters’ emotional turmoil. Towards the end of this short piece, as Jennifer opens up to Robert, she breaks out of the stereotypical role of wife. She towers over him, holding and comforting him, actions and movements which are usually associated with the male counterpart of a relationship. Her desire to break free from marital conventions is followed by Robert’s hesitance to deny that from her, bringing her closer to the autonomy she so desires. Thus, her movements are no longer reluctant and submissive, and she is no longer sullen. Viewers may feel misaligned with Jennifer’s desires morally, as what she desires is certainly controversial and clearly hurtful to Robert. However, there is a heartwarmingness to this film which comes through the honesty and tenderness both characters possess. There is something slightly alien about Reshey and Blanco’s performances, an absurdness that aligns with the idea that marriage itself is an implausible construct for two people who may love one another but also desire freedom. The film, therefore, through its careful direction and delicate performance styles, presents the flaws of their marriage marvellously and poignantly, not providing a solution to the characters’ conundrum but letting us sit with it, just as Jennifer and Robert must. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Holly Baker Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Africa is Home film review by UK film critic William Curzon. Starring Tamia Jamal, Tselane Diphoko, Jason Trum directed by Wiclive Mazo. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Africa is Home Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: William Curzon | Posted on: Dec 16, 2025 Directed by: Wiclive Mazo Written by: Tselane Diphoko Starring: Tamia Jamal, Tselane Diphoko, Jason Trum Africa is Home is a short film that envisions Africa as a united continent where people of all races can live together in peace and love. The filmmakers wished to convey a compelling narrative that sparks conversation regarding how many people of different races consider Africa their only home, even if their ancestors came from elsewhere in the world. Even with the film's restricted runtime, director Wiclive Mazo warrants enough social commentary to justify deeper discussions after the credits roll. The musical score and use of needle drops serve as one of the most intriguing aspects of the film, presenting one of its biggest strengths whilst proving detrimental at times. While the score accompanies the opening credits incredibly well with its pulse-pounding and majestic themes, it can be oddly overbearing in dialogue-heavy scenes and feels out of place during discussions of race. It is, however, consistently creative and definitely one of the most memorable aspects formally. The piece almost feels like a music video at times, with the amount of music present and how it jarringly shifts tonally into another piece of licensed music. Wiclive Mazo’s direction is competent enough; however, the use of blocking often feels awkward and unnatural, and camerawork relies heavily on fixed shots, rarely doing anything memorable. That being said, the drone photography and the sprawling shots of Africa outside of the central characters’ dialogue are admittedly impressive to witness. The opening credits, accompanied by beautiful photography and powerful conversations about generational hatred, are provocative and visually arresting. The tone of the piece feels entirely uplifting, with its heart clearly in the right place about educating others on race and accepting our differences. It brings up intriguing discussions regarding acceptance in your community and acknowledging the pitfalls of the past, and what we can do to make a change to the way others are unable to love one another. Unfortunately, due to the limited runtime and lack of a wide range of perspectives, the piece is sadly restrained in what it actually has to say, and an extended runtime could have fleshed out and deepened discussions to allow more discourse to be had beyond the film. This is mainly due to the piece primarily focusing on only three individuals. While the dialogue is engaging and thought-provoking, the conversations at times feel stilted due to how unnatural their line delivery is, and it takes you out of the raw experience. The piece employs a powerful social commentary focused on community and the importance of empowerment, envisioning Africa as a place where people's voices are amplified worldwide. It conveys themes of love and peace, with a narrative centred on Africa’s determination to foster these. It may abruptly conclude and offer minor perspectives due to the lack of people present in the discussions; however, the piece still manages to employ enough intriguing points to the audience. Africa is Home is a thought-provoking piece of filmmaking with an uplifting social commentary that depicts Africa as a loving and hopeful place to unite black communities, and educate others on topics such as race, community and history. It may suffer from being unable to offer a wide variety of perspectives due to its sparse runtime; however, this still manages to connect on a deeper level due to how much material is covered within the minimal duration. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Curzon Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

American Fiction film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander directed by Cord Jefferson. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS American Fiction Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Jan 10, 2024 Directed by: Cord Jefferson Written by: Cord Jefferson, Percival Everett Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander Boyz in the Hood is a great movie. In 1991, the same year 23-year-old John Singleton’s feature debut made box office and Oscar history, Julie Dash released the beautiful, generational drama, Daughters of the Dust. No guns, no cops, no real violence to speak of, Dash’s film nabbed a Sundance grand jury prize nomination and cinematography award. Daughters of the Dust was essentially forgotten upon its release. (It has, thank God, in recent years been rediscovered, restored, and added to the National Film Preservation Registry.) But Boyz in the Hood immediately reshaped movies. Writer/director Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction takes aim at fiction – print or cinematic – and its problematic relationship with Black trauma. But to say that Cord’s film would like to see movies move beyond Boyz in the Hood and other films that revel in suffering would be to simplify, even miss its point. The filmmaker complicates the discussion with debate over a Black creator’s right to simply pursue success, as any other creator might. Even if that means catering to a white audience’s thirst for Black trauma. “White people think that they want the truth, but they don’t. They just want to feel absolved.” You might not expect a film that floats this truth so effortlessly to be a laugh riot, but American Fiction delivers an awful lot of laugh-out-loud moments. Jeffrey Wright plays cantankerous college professor and literary writer Thelonious “Monk” Ellison. His latest manuscript is not being picked up for publication, his students hate him, and suddenly he needs to look after his mother, who will need round-the-clock care. Which costs money. The kind of money you can make if you pander to exactly the readership he loathes. Monk does, incognito, and soon he’s pretending to be something he’s not at work and pretending not to be something he is at home. Buried within this are a couple of really lovely, sweetly complex middle-aged romances. Those are rare in films, so they deserve a mention here. Issa Rae and Sterling K. Brown offer remarkable supporting turns as characters you want to dislike but simply cannot – part and parcel of a film that forever asks you to rethink what you believe you know. And maybe laugh bitterly as you do. Adam Brody is also a hoot as that same smarmy douche he always plays, but he does it so very well. Jon Ortiz and Erika Alexander both bring warmth and humanity to a story essentially about a man who is not quite sure how to be warm and human. Wright – an underappreciated genius of an actor if ever there was one – does what he always does. He conjures a fully formed human being, flawed but forgivable and endlessly earnest. Buoyed by a delightful ensemble and cuttingly hilarious script, he delivers one of the finest performances of his career. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Wolfenstein: Legacy Of Defiance film review by UK film critic William Hemingway. Starring Jordan Liebowitz, David Benedict Smith directed by César Fión Góngora. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Wolfenstein: Legacy Of Defiance Film Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: May 26, 2026 Directed by: César Fión Góngora Written by: César Fión Góngora Starring: Jordan Liebowitz, David Benedict Smith In an alternate timeline where the Nazis won the Second World War (yawn) two adversaries sit down opposite each other at a table to talk about who the biggest ‘Billy Big Bollocks’ is, as they desperately try to play their one-upmanship on just who is getting out of that room alive. Based on the long running video game series, Wolfenstein , this first episode in what is to be a web-series, Legacy Of Defiance , throws us into a world where something unknown (to us) happened which allowed the Nazis to win WWII. William ‘B.J.’ Blazkowicz (Liebowitz) has been captured and has been brought before Ken Von Hermann (Smith) to suffer his fate, but of course, not before the nasty Nazi gets to play the Bond villain in teasing and torturing his prey before the final twist of the knife. At least one of these characters has been brought directly from the games and therefore cannot be attributed to the writer/director, while the other appears to be an amalgam of stock Nazi enemies. Both of these characters, however, are the most basic, bland, stereotypical, and useless caricatures of video game heroes/villains, with no depth or saving grace to their background or development. As the two sit in the deeply darkened room opposite each other, we see that B.J. is wounded and bleeding, while Von Hermann is dolled up in his starched uniform and sitting himself down to tea. This is apparently London in 1964, but actually it’s just a table in the dark, and there is no sense of anything beyond the blackness of the room, not even the two guards who are apparently there but we don’t see until they come forward at Hermann’s command. The Nazi goes about his usual soliloquising business while B.J., and us, are forced to listen to his inane ramblings. Without any inkling of the games or the backstory that surrounds them, we too are in the dark as to what’s going on, as the horribly bad dialogue offers us only snippets of history that reveal nothing about how the situation came to be or any detail as to how the war was won. We are then introduced to the fact that in 1964 there’s somehow mobile communications technology, and not just that, but mobile holographic communications technology, that never gets explained away either, we just have to have played the games and know it, or take it as it is without questioning it. This is an indication of how poor the writing is and how as viewers we are just left to flounder in the dark while some fan gets to indulge his pubescent fantasies and offer lip-service to the games that shaped his formative years. This fan-made film is an entire homage to those games, stealing their ideas and characters, but offering nothing cinematically or narratively to push the franchise forward, or to bring new fans into the fold by expanding the universe into new media. The fact that Blazkowicz can somehow survive five shivs to the sides and what sounds like the ripping out of a kidney, is probably all testament to the character in the game, too, but when put into the first episode of a filmed series with no explanation it just comes across as grossly stupid. To say that the conclusion of this episode is then beyond belief, would be an horrendous understatement. The switching around of the situation and the level of control makes absolutely no sense at all, and the final stand-off is unshakably poor in how it plays out. If the head Nazi who was going to take over the world and ‘rebuild the Empire’ can’t even shoot one guy, then what even were we doing here in the first place trying to understand this turgid monstrosity. There is absolutely no saving grace in the writing or playing out of Wolfenstein: Legacy Of Defiance and it should be avoided by everyone at all costs, apart from those who childishly believe that Nazi killing is the be-all and end-all of good, honest fun. If you really want to see Nazis getting killed then go and play the games instead. They were really bad, too, but you might actually get some feeling from that which isn’t utter betrayal and disappointment. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Hemingway Digital / DVD Release, Short Film, Web Series < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - Tyrese Gibson stars in ROGUE HOSTAGE with John Malkovich. Find out more at UK Film Review. Tyrese Gibson stars in ROGUE HOSTAGE with John Malkovich Chris Olson Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 11:58:54 AM GMT+1 Rogue Hostage Trailer Fast and the Furious favourite Tyrese Gibson takes the lead in Rogue Hostage an all-action, high-octane shoot-em-up thriller, that features a star-studded cast, including John Malkovich, Michael Jai White and Luna Lauren Velez . This adrenaline-fueled film is set for its UK premiere on DVD and digital on 26 July 2021 from 101 Films. The thrill-a-minute actioner sees Gibson as a kick-ass ex-marine who must tackle an evil group of armed militants who storm his stepfather’s store and wreak violence and havoc in their wake, taking and breaking hostages galore. Kyle Snowden is a single father taking care of his young daughter while struggling to cope with PTSD, following his harrowing service in the marines. When a gun-toting gang take over one of his stepfather’s (John Malkovich ) grocery stores, he’s forced to take matters into his own hands, using his well-honed skills to save innocent hostages and topple the militia leader. With non-stop action and a high-body count Rogue Hostage will take hold and keep you entertained until its explosive finale. 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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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