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Honest Police film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring Robin Nicolle, Alexandra Jolly. Casey Stevenson directed by Glenn Ganley & Samuel Rees. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Honest Police Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Mar 17, 2022 Directed by: Glenn Ganley & Samuel Rees Written by: Robin Nicolle Starring: Robin Nicolle, Alexandra Jolly. Casey Stevenson It’s always the sad, small little people who let power go to their heads. From that one overbearing boss we’ve all had, to the guy overcompensating for his fragile machismo by starting a war in Ukraine – there’s just some people who should never be trusted with authority. Honest Police is the story of one such individual - a wannabe cop who can’t bare to see the slightest infractions go unpunished. A mysterious man named Kevin (Robin Nicolle) roams the streets day and night dressed in a cheap policeman’s uniform, in search of wrongdoers and rulebreakers. However, his victims are not committing crimes – and are instead guilty of only minor lapses of dishonesty, such as not using a seatbelt when changing parking spaces, or failing to report the wrong change from a shop. The ‘honest cop’ lays down his interpretation of the law – but the real deal police are wise to him, and hot on his tail. Its difficult to nail down exactly what Honest Police is trying to accomplish. As a comedy, it enjoys minor success with its farcical portrayal of a nobody who yearns for the power and respect a police uniform brings, and laughs do ensue from the overzealousness of Robin Nicolle’s straight-faced yet ludicrous performance. But the film lacks any real statement where it feels like one should be. There is no developed commentary on the role of police in society, or on the macho nature of power and how this corrupts. Any drama the film attempts to imbue is undercut by a confusing and illogical plot which goes nowhere and gives little context or information to the story. We know nothing of the honest cop’s motivations or background, and therefore it is hard to reach any sort of opinion on him as protagonist or antagonist. The story side-tracks to a halt when exploring the love-life of random victims Robbie (Casey Stevenson) and Jessica (Alexandra Jolly), in one particularly painfully-acted scene which appears to have been included solely to provide for an even more confusing twist-ending. The plot itself is unsatisfactory, but the structuring issues here make it illegible. Given the smaller budget of the film, the production quality is impressive and works as an asset to the film. The honest cop’s blatantly cheap uniform contrasts well with the professional-looking uniforms of the legitimate officers and adds a solid layer of gag to the cop’s tyrannical actions. A recurring 70s-style funk soundtrack never gets old, and is easy to imagine playing in the cop’s head as he lives out his likely TV-show inspired dream of police life. And the film creates a frantic pace for its chase scenes with smart editing choices. There are however some botches evident, such as failure to balance the sound levels, and the seeming inclusion of a flubbed line at one point. There’s a cheesy charm to Honest Cop, and the irreverent sense of humour it boasts is worth a few genuine laughs. But poor acting, and lack of any meaningful story or themes mean it is ultimately forgettable and messy. About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film, World Cinema, Web Series < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Seth Troyer writes movie reviews for UK Film Critic. As one of the talented UK film critics, find out more here. Seth Troyer Seth Troyer is a Columbus, Ohio based artist currently working for the Metropolitan library system (they may as well pay him since he'd be there everyday anyway). Along with loving "weird, experimental" films, he is also a lifetime monster movie obsessive. Over the course of the last decade he has created many short films as well as a post-apocalyptic mini series (all available on his Youtube channel). Seth also takes part in various musical projects, and is currently attempting to publish a science fiction novel he recently completed. Follow On Twitter Read My Film Reviews

Film news - Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date. Find out more at UK Film Review. Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Chris Olson Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 2:48:52 PM UTC UK RELEASE DATES FOR SUPERNOVA ON EST FROM 24 SEPTEMBER 2021 & DVD and BLU-RAY FROM 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 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. SUPERNOVA is available to pre-order now from Amazon. Written and directed by Harry Macqueen (Hinterland), SUPERNOVA features deeply moving performances from Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci as they navigate the emotional toll that can come with the harsh realities of life. It is deep Autumn and Sam and Tusker, partners of twenty years, are on holiday. They are travelling across England in their old campervan visiting friends, family and places from their past. Since Tusker was diagnosed with young-onset dementia two years ago their lives have had to change. Jobs have been given up and plans put on hold. Their time together is now the most important thing they have. As the trip progresses however, their individual ideas for their future begin to collide. Secrets are uncovered, private plans unravel and their love for each other is tested like never before. Ultimately, they must confront the question of what it means to love one another in the face of Tusker’s irreparable illness. Read our Supernova Film Review. 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

A Deadly Beautiful Date film review by UK film critic Swati Verma . Starring Deniz Sodal Gulsen, Naja Julie Jensen, Tore Dokkedahl directed by Emrah Caso Ljucic . HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS A Deadly Beautiful Date Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Jun 19, 2025 Directed by: Emrah Caso Ljucic Written by: Emrah Caso Ljucic Starring: Deniz Sodal Gulsen, Naja Julie Jensen, Tore Dokkedahl The writer-director Emrah Caso Ljucic enjoys exploring mysteries of the human mind. Ljucic intermingled thrill, perceptions, and drama to create cinema that showcases the complexities of the human experience that resonate long after the credits roll leaving the audience inspired intrigued and eager asking for more. Deniz Sodal Gulsen, Naja Julie Jensen, and Tore Dokkedahl understand Ljucic’s vision delve into psychological thrillers blurring the lines between reality and Illusion. The plot of the short film revolves around a celebrity’s captivating and deadly beautiful date that escalates into a surreal nightmare. As tensions mount shocking revelations push the boundaries of sanity leaving the audience gripped on the edge of their seats yearning for answers. A Deadly Beautiful Date utilises various cartoons along with the opening credits and music to establish the subject matter of the movie engaging with the film’s content from the very beginning. The long shot of the male protagonist sitting alone in a lavish restaurant in a bad mood intensifies the narrative slowly picking up pace. The set design, the black, golden, and blue colour pallet exude elegance, and luxury but with hidden coldness/sadness, dim lighting, camera angles, sound, music, dialogues, costume, hair, makeup, and props complementing the storyline to depict authenticity, drama suspense, and emotions on a profound level. In terms of performance, Deniz Sodal Gulsen plays the male protagonist Deniz who likes to show off his luxurious life but he is running out of emotions in his day-to-day life. He is waiting for his date to arrive completely unaware of what the future holds for him. The young actor effortlessly portrays a dominant demeaner in major part of A Deadly Beautiful Date but is gradually forced to change his behaviour due to the situation that gets worse. Naja Julie Jensen plays the role of Mia Sofia a well-educated strong and charming lady who comes to meet Deniz challenging his thought process and standing against everything that she thinks is wrong. Jensen depicts all the qualities that inspire people and they can learn incorporating them in their lives. Phillip Bogh plays Dr. Nullermann who agrees to help the owner/ the waiter of the restaurant with an illegal activity for the sake of money. Bogh with his acting skills, body language, voice modulation, makeup, and facial expressions immerses himself completely in the negativity of the character arc. A Deadly Beautiful Date talks about the unconditional love of parents becoming our shield when something unforeseen happens that can turn life-threatening as well. The short film reiterates that society has given certain gender roles that’s need to be broken or altered to let people move on with the dynamic nature of time. The dramatic piece warns the viewers that choosing the illegal/wrong path may seem to lure them to take an easy solution for their problem but actually it comes with long term sadness, suffering for themselves and others around them. The creative piece also highlights that value people, relationships, and happy times spend it with the right mind-set because the time that goes by doesn’t come again and one is left with only regrets. About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Wicked: For Good film review by UK film critic Chris Olson. Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh directed by Jon M. Chu. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Wicked: For Good Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Olson | Posted on: Nov 18, 2025 Directed by: Jon M. Chu Written by: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, Gregory Maguire Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh It doesn’t feel like it’s been a clock-tick since the first Wicked film reigned supreme over the box office and cinema listings, yet here we are with a superbly realised sequel (although this feels more like a continuation) that gets deeper and darker into the stories from the land of Oz and is likely to be a behemoth to contend with for 2025’s biggest film. SPOILER WARNING Following the conclusion of Wicked (2024), the powerful witch Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is now public enemy number one across the land, fighting a losing battle for hearts and minds to try and convince Oz’s population that the “Wonderful Wizard” (Jeff Goldblum) is actually a lying trickster. Her efforts to free persecuted animals and reveal the ingrained deception of Oz’s most powerful get skillfully skewed by Madame Horrible (Michelle Yeoh) and those in charge, leading to widespread fearmongering and propaganda to create a villain that unites everyone against Elphaba. Our emerald green heroine is not completely alone, however, with her ex-schoolmate Glinda (Ariana Grande) trying desperately to placate both sides and bring Elphaba back into the fold, whilst also developing her own cult following as a magical, bubble-riding witch (one that sadly can’t do any magic). SPOILER FREE FROM HERE To say it’s mostly more of the same feels disrespectful to Wicked: For Good , however, this is meant as a feel-good compliment. This second instalment carries across the same gorgeous aesthetics, captivating performances, and vivid cinematography that make it an absolute cinematic must-see for 2025 (and 2026 most likely). The storyline gets deeper and darker, and there are some excellent moments where the original Wizard of Oz characters get woven in and out of this tale, which are handled expertly. The sublime choreography of the dance sequences pays great tribute to Wicked’s origins as a popular stage musical, and the songs here are just as good as the first movie. The costume design is also the best of the year - an insanely talented team here. Ariane Grande’s comic timing is just as appealing as her incredible voice, and it’s a shame in the sequel, we get less of it. A standout scene where she mocks Elphaba’s newfound cackle elicited uproarious laughter in the screening I attended. She also enhances many of the musical numbers where the counterpart is maybe lacking, looking at you, Goldblum and Yeoh. Cynthia Erivo is the beating heart of this film, masterfully balancing the need for drama, romance, spectacle, tension and comedy (sometimes all in one scene). There are several moments within Wicked: For Good where sleight of hand gets applied, and characters are magically transported - a particularly great scene involves Glinda and some mirrors, which was really impressive to see realised onscreen. It’s a shame some of the CGI animals and backdrops weren’t as arresting, but viewers who didn’t have a problem with the first film will certainly be engaged in the second. By exploring themes of a post-truth world, this second entry feels far more potent than the first (which was more of a teen high-school movie at times). There’s a political activism in Wicked: For Good that allows the film to feel heartier, somewhat more noble. Combine this with the simply outstanding fantasy world that’s been created and the incredible lead actresses, and it’s a crying shame we can’t click our heels three times and get a third movie out of this truly epic cinematic duology. About the Film Critic Chris Olson Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Taryll Baker writes movie reviews for UK Film Critic. As one of the talented UK film critics, find out more here. Taryll Baker Since around 2010, when my love for cinema truly started, I’ve been learning to watch films in a different way to that of the general viewer. Studying the craft both in front of and behind the cameras, it quickly became a passion of mine. In recent years I started to write about films on my personal blog, and that eventually lead to landing myself in the team here at UK Film Review. Like most critics (or perhaps unlike), I try to be as positive as possible whilst providing an honest and thorough review. Although it’s very hard for me to narrow it down to just a few, my favourite films include The Lord of the Rings trilogy, 12 Angry Men, Parasite, Memento, anything Marvel/DC (the MCU is rewatched yearly) and most things Scorsese, Park Chan-wook and Quentin Tarantino. Other interests include television, with shows such as Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Last Kingdom, The Walking Dead, Kingdom, Game of Thrones, and Mr. Sunshine. Theatre favourites (plays/musicals) include Hamilton, Les Misérables, Waitress, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Dear Evan Hansen and True West. You can find me on both Twitter and Instagram under the username: @taryllbaker I write short burst reviews/thoughts on Letterboxd, which if you didn’t know, is a really smart website and app for keeping track of everything you’re watching. Come join in the fun, just search my name. Follow On Twitter Read My Film Reviews

Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Guillermo del Toro, Roger Corman, Peter Bogdanovich, Joe Dante directed by Thomas Hamilton. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Jan 25, 2022 Directed by: Thomas Hamilton Written by: Thomas H amilton, Ron MacCloskey Starring: Guillermo del Toro, Roger Corman, Peter Bogdanovich, Joe Dante Who doesn’t love Boris Karloff? From Frankenstein’s monster to the Grinch, he’s brought to life some of the world’s best (and greenest) baddies. And he did it with grace, understatement and more than a touch of weirdness. Co-writer/director Thomas Hamilton, like many of us, loves Boris Karloff and wants to celebrate his legacy. The vehicle for this celebration is the documentary Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster . Interviews from gushing fans including filmmakers Guillermo del Toro and Joe Dante, as well as film historians, colleagues and Karloff’s daughter, Sarah Karloff, ground the doc. With these voices, Hamilton shapes a picture of the actor as a lovely soul, humble, and more talented than audiences of his time realized. We’re also treated to a smorgasbord of scenes from Karloff’s 50+ years onscreen. Ample time is spent with the many incarnations of Frankenstein, of course, including mention of the partnership Karloff and make-up magician Jack Pierce shared in the creation of cinema’s most iconic monster. The film hits the other obvious highlights as well: The Mummy (1932), The Black Cat (1934), Black Sabbath (1963) and Targets (1968) among them. Hamilton also digs into Karloff’s TV experience, which reinvigorated his career as well as his love of acting. Low lights, such as Karloff’s list of racist Asian characters, most notably the abomination that is The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932), are touched on if never fully examined. Most interesting is footage of del Toro and Dante, two greats of genre cinema, both detailing the career and impact of a hero. Conversation with Peter Bogdanovich, who directed Karloff in the chilling Targets , leaves the most lingering impression. Man Behind the Monster falls short in two fairly important areas. There’s no revelatory information, and that’s OK, but there’s little more insight here than what you might find on Wikipedia. The second real shortcoming is in production value. Most subjects sit in front of weakly imposed green screen images. Even artwork rendered by Joe Liotta finds itself lost in front of garden variety backdrops. The end result is a pleasant enough chance for Karloff fans to soak up like-minded love of one of cinema’s greatest genre performers. Hopefully everyone can come away from it with a list of new Karloff movies to discover. About the Film Critic Hope Madden Digital / DVD Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Napoleon film review by UK film critic Brian Penn. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Rupert Everett directed by Ridley Scott. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Napoleon Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Brian Penn | Posted on: Jan 12, 2024 Directed by: Ridley Scott Written by: David Scarpa Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Rupert Everett For those who fell asleep during history lessons ‘Napoleon’ may not be the most reliable means of catching up with the little corporal. The feted military commander and emperor of France has kept writers busy for the last two centuries. And the focus splits evenly between his conquests on the battlefield and those in the bedroom. Under the guidance of director Ridley Scott this film edges towards the latter but is no less entertaining. Historical liberties must be taken with a pinch of salt. Sometimes the truth can be dull and copy poorly onto the big screen; so a delicate manipulation of the facts is necessary. Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix) is commissioned as a second lieutenant in the artillery regiment when discontent begins to rumble. Major battles methodically plot Napoleon’s inexorable rise as the French Revolution takes grip on a care worn nation. He is appointed senior gunner and artillery commander of republican forces at the siege of Toulon. Napoleon is soon promoted to Commander of the Interior but romantic entanglements take hold. He meets the infamous Josephine de Beauharnais (Vanessa Kirby) and a tempestuous affair begins. The wars that bore his name are selectively explored including the Battle of Borodino, Austerlitz and Waterloo where he confronts his nemesis the Duke of Wellington (Rupert Everett). Napoleon is a rich and satisfying cocktail of history, intrigue and bodice ripping debauchery. Whilst it veers more towards ‘Bridgerton’ than ‘Waterloo’ (the historically superior account) it’s still a cracking good yarn. Ridley Scott specialises in combat based epics and works his magic here. The battle sequences are spectacular and used minimal computer generated effects, even disguising camera operators as soldiers to blend with the action. Joaquin Phoenix totally nails the cold arrogance of Napoleon whilst Vanessa Kirby delivers a seductive turn as Josephine. Meanwhile Rupert Everett borders on caricature as Wellington but certainly looks the part. Many would argue with some justification that it lands too heavily on Napoleon’s personal relationships. But his liaison with Josephine will burn more brightly in the mind than the wars he fought. It also broadens the appeal of a film that summarises an incident filled 30 year period. It’s a fine effort to distil the life of a remarkable historical figure. About the Film Critic Brian Penn Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Watch Making Beethoven Proud at the 2022 UK Film Review Festival. See the UKFRF 2022 lineup and buy your festival pass. Making Beethoven Proud Listen to our review on the film podcast What our film review said: READ FULL REVIEW This is a moving film that explores the magic of music and the power of the human spirit. It examines how one's passion and determination can get them out of a seemingly hopeless situation. Proudly supporting MediCinema for our 2022 film festival.

Love With Black Spots film review by UK film critic Joe Beck. Starring Oli Harding, Saffron Walters, Bailey Dowler directed by Oscar Wenman-Hyde. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Love With Black Spots Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Sep 9, 2022 Directed by: Oscar Wenman-Hyde Written by: Oscar Wenman-Hyde, Jade Wenman-Hyde Starring: Oli Harding, Saffron Walters, Bailey Dowler As we grow up, certain things which once seemed like the biggest deal in the world fade into the background, and become minor inconveniences. It is a fact of life. ‘Love With Black Spots’ is a film built in the same vein, dealing with something which would have seemed like the biggest problem in the world at age fourteen, but for anyone older seems like nothing. The problem is that the protagonists of this film are both in their 20s - they no longer have that excuse of naivety. A couple has moved into their new house, as we understand thanks to the shot of boxes being carried up to the door’s peephole, which gives director Oscar Wenman-Hyde the chance to play around, with an intriguing shot from the angle. Wenmam-Hyde’s direction is competent throughout, at times exceeding that solid baseline, and as such, it stands as the only stable component of an otherwise cringe-worthy and childish film. The couple, Jack (Oli Harding) and Isla (Saffron Walters) are clearly discordant, throwing little niggles and bites at each other, with little nuggets of other failings in their relationship thrown into the script (for example, the fact that Jack never viewed the house before moving in). At this stage the script, penned by Oscar and Jade Wenman-Hyde, appears slight, giving us critical information subconsciously in a very natural way - all is looking good. However, things quickly fall apart after the couple christen their new house and discover the main issue of the film, and the inspiration behind its title - a ladybug infestation. To any ordinary grown adult this would be no big deal, you either go around exterminating them, remove them, or hire an exterminator to deal with the problem. However, for Jack and Isla this only strains their relationship further, and they grow apart - if they hardly seemed to know each other before then they’re worse than strangers now. This could, emphasis on could, have possibly worked had the script continued to be at least functional. Instead, in an attempt to present the two as distant, the script creates a wall between them, and the dialogue becomes turgid, painting the actors in an extremely negative light. That’s not to say that none of the film’s shortcomings falls to the responsibility of the actors - who lack any semblance of chemistry, which becomes a bigger issue at the turning point of the film. The turning point is so ridiculous, yet so innocuous that you wouldn’t even realise it unless you’d read the synopsis beforehand. The relationship between Jack and Isla hinges on Jack accidentally swallowing a ladybug, an incident with no dramatic effect whatsoever, and which is incredibly forgettable. Supposedly as a result of the ladybug, the couple becomes all loved up again. The sentence doesn’t need a follow-up to explain the illogicality of the premise. It’s around that point where the film truly begins to fall into tatters, as Isla becomes thoroughly unlikeable and their relationship progresses without ever showing us any real signs of true affection between the two. Also synonymous with bad teenage dramas of the same ilk is the trope of the ‘gay best friend’, in this instance, a character played by Bailey Dowler called Red, because he’s ginger - a sign of the attention afforded to this character. This is just another example of ‘Love with Black Spots’ taking the worst parts of 00s teen movies and moulding them into a short film with adults as its protagonists. In the end, despite a promising start, ‘Love with Black Spots’ ends up falling into the tropes and pitfalls of a genre that it shouldn’t even fall into. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Read LGBT Film Reviews from UKFR on some of the latest theatrical, indie, and short films. Submit your LGBT film for review too. LGBT Film Reviews One of the most influential and exciting genres in films, our LGBT film reviews cover a massive array of cinematic releases, independent cinema, and short films. Having become a hotspot for new filmmakers, UK Film Review is proud to have promoted some of the best LGBT films in the UK and internationally. We also work regularly to promote BFI Flare, the biggest LGBT film festival in Europe. In fact, on this page you will see reviews of LGBT films as well as features and special articles that we have written about BFI Flare. The reason why we have chosen to highlight LGBT as a specific genre on our website is to promote the ideas of inclusion. As an entertainment website, we invite all types of filmmakers to submit their films for us to review and promote (good or bad) and want storytellers from all walks of life to do the same. You can use the Submit Your Film page to send us the details of your film and there are various options available in terms of when you need the review done by (perfect for festival submissions etc). If you are an LGBT organisation and would like to be a partner with UK Film Review, drop us a message on our Facebook page. We are always looking to promote our filmmakers across as many relevant platforms as we can and can offer exposure for your organisation in return. All that's left to say is enjoy these LGBT film reviews, remember to share the love wherever you can. Gender Studies (2026) Short Film Review William Hemingway Mar 13 3 min read Sister Wives Short Film Review alexjames96 Aug 21, 2025 2 min read Filmmaker Interview with Val Tan Amber Jackson Sep 2, 2024 5 min read Film Podcast: Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott shine in Love Drama Chris Olson Feb 23, 2024 1 min read Dino at the Beach Short Film Review alexjames96 May 3, 2023 2 min read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe TIFF Review - Sep 12, 2022 2 min read More Film Reviews

Film news - Bad Hair Gets Digital Release July 5th 2021. Find out more at UK Film Review. Bad Hair Gets Digital Release July 5th 2021 Chris Olson Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 2:57:47 PM UTC From acclaimed writer/director Justin Simien (Dear White People) comes a horrifically fun and delightfully macabre new film. BAD HAIR follows an ambitious young woman (Elle Lorraine) who gets a weave in order to succeed in the image-obsessed world of music television in the 1980s. However, her flourishing career comes at a great cost when she realises that her new hair may have a mind of its own and a taste for blood. With an outstanding cast and a stunning soundtrack, this impressive, resonant and chilling horror provides both scares and laughs. Prepare yourself as terror takes root... Available on Digital EST from Mon 5th July Available on DVD, Blu Ray and Digital TVOD from Mon 12th July BBFC Certificate: 15 Starring Elle Lorraine, Jay Pharoah, Lena Waithe, Kelly Rowland, Laverne Cox, Chanté Adams, James Van Der Beek, Usher Raymond IV, Blair Underwood, and Vanessa Williams 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