Film news - Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition. Find out more at UK Film Review. Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition Chris Olson Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 11:51:52 AM GMT+1 20th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR’S EDITION BOX SET SPIRITED AWAY WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 On the 20th anniversary of the original release in Japan – 20th July 2001 – STUDIOCANAL are proud to announce the Anniversary Collector’s Edition Box Set of SPIRITED AWAY, the STUDIO GHIBLI masterpiece (creators of My Neighbour Totoro and Howl’s Moving Castle) , in stunning high-definition presented in a 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition Box Set. Chihiro, a headstrong 10-year-old girl, is travelling with her parents to their new home. Chihiro’s father takes a detour to explore a mysterious tunnel in the woods. On the other side they find a deserted and dilapidated theme park with a beautiful bathhouse at the centre. Unwittingly, they have strayed into a spirit world, a land of dreamlike scenery inhabited by ancient gods and supernatural beings, ruled over by the witch, Yubaba. With her parents held captive and Yubaba set on enslaving them forever, Chihiro must use all her energy to survive in this strange new place. With the help of Haku, a mysterious and brave young spirit, she is forced to overcome her fears in order to rescue her parents and escape. The winner of the Best Animated Feature award at the 75th ACADEMY AWARDS® in 2002, SPIRITED AWAY is a visionary work from Hayao Miyazaki which set the benchmark for all animation to come after, and is a remarkable fantasy adventure for both adults and children alike. The Collector’s Boxset includes the DVD & Blu-ray Doubleplay edition of the film, the Art of Spirited Away hardback book, original Japanese poster, oversized art cards plus an exclusive bath token bookmark, bathhouse pouch bag and card holder wallet, all housed within a rigid case box. SPECIAL FEATURES: Introduction by John Lasseter The Making of Spirited Away Meet Hayao Miyazaki Behind the Microphone - Voice Talent Featurette Alternative Angle Storyboards Original Japanese Trailers Feature running time: 124 mins Certificate: PG SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 EXCLUSIVELY FROM AMAZON UK. The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). 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

Encounter film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer directed by Michael Pearce. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Encounter Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Dec 2, 2021 Directed by: Michael Pearce Written by: Joe Barton, Michael Pearce Starring: Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer Just two features in, filmmaker Michael Pearce is proving himself a master craftsman. His sly ability to shift tone is matched by storytelling instincts that leave you holding your breath against seemingly inevitable heartbreak. Pearce’s 2017 film Beast (see it if you haven’t!) benefitted from Jessie Buckley’s raw, morally complicated performance. For his latest, Encounter , he can thank Riz Ahmed. Fresh off his Oscar-nominated turn in Sound of Metal (see it if you haven’t!), Ahmed delivers another searing, searching performance, this time as Malik. A marine with 10 tours under his belt, Malik returns to the home his wife makes with another man. He arrives not to cause familial conflict, but to save his sons (Lucian-River Chauhan and Aditya Geddada, both as cute as they are talented) from a problem much bigger than mere marital discord. Ahmed’s chemistry with the young actors brings a touching vulnerability to every scene, and as the boys’ road trip turns ever darker and wearier, Chauhan proves a formidable acting partner. Rare missteps stand out specifically because of their rarity. When a line delivery rings false, over-the-top or melodramatic it screams its presence because this cast and this script deftly convey so much so honestly. Octavia Spencer offers support in a role that feels out of step with the jarring authenticity the main cast brings to an otherwise wild, almost sci-fi storyline. Likewise, the police force Spencer’s parole officer Hattie rides along with — soft-spoken Shep (Rory Cochrane) and self-satisfied Lance (Shane McRae) — toe the line between character and cliché. Otherwise, though, Pearce, Ahmed and gang uncover tensions and complications, picking at your worries for these sweet boys and their beautifully damaged father. Tone shifts gradually but decidedly, every moment building a queasying energy until the inevitable finale (a beautifully choreographed sequence that calls to mind the insect infestation imagery of Act 1 while articulating the nerve-frazzling tension). The filmmaker and his game lead challenge expectations both in theme and in genre, and while their gamble doesn’t entirely pay off, it’s often riveting stuff. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Read the film podcast transcript from the episode titled UK Film Club Episode #007 - Gran Turismo, Strays, Oppenheimer, Prisoner's Daughter, The Fly on UK Film Club part of the UK Film Review Podcast. < Back UK Film Club Episode #007 - Gran Turismo, Strays, Oppenheimer, Prisoner's Daughter, The Fly Listen to This Episode UK Film Club TRANSCRIPT MISSING In this episode of UK Film Club, film critics Chris Olson and Brian Penn review the following films:Gran Turismo: This action-adventure film based on the popular video game franchise stars Aaron Paul as a young driver who is given the opportunity of a lifetime to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship.Oppenheimer: This historical drama film tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who led the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb. The film stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey Jr.Strays: This comedy film follows a group of stray dogs who are abandoned in the city and must learn to survive on their own. The film stars Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx.Haunted Mansion: This supernatural comedy film is a remake of the 2003 film of the same name.Prisoner's Daughter: This thriller film tells the story of a woman who is forced to confront her past when her father, a former prisoner, is released from prison. The film stars Jodie Comer, Brendan Fraser, and Brian Cox.The Man With His Fingers In His Ears: A short film. Zapper! an indie feature film.The Fly: This 1986 sci-fi horror film tells the story of a scientist who is accidentally transformed into a half-man, half-fly creature. The film stars Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis.Learn more about our film podcast on our website - https://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/podcast Previous Next

La Noche Dentro film review by UK film critic Joe Beck. Starring Clare Durant, Ignacio de la Puerta, Rafa de Vera, Ana Pariente directed by Antonio Cuesta. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS La Noche Dentro Film Review average rating is 5 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Feb 8, 2024 Directed by: Antonio Cuesta Written by: Antonio Cuesta, Adrián Pino Starring: Clare Durant, Ignacio de la Puerta, Rafa de Vera, Ana Pariente A film about the death of a child is naturally going to be a heavy watch. Maybe even more so when it occurs in a hospital, and when there is nobody truly to root against for such a cruel injustice and horror. In situations in which we witness or hear about the most abject of horrors, the worst imaginable - the death of a child for instance - we immediately look for culprits and somebody to blame, often instead of analysing the tragedy at hand, and the more root cause for its occurrence. ‘La Noche Dentro’, which translates from Spanish to English as ‘The Night Inside’, both seeks for a culprit for the tragedy of a child’s death on the children’s ward of a hospital as well as examining the greater more significant reasons behind the child’s death. The immediate responsibility for the death falls on Belén, a young nurse, who injected the child incorrectly with insulin rather than paracetamol. We’re first introduced to Belén, played by Clare Durant, as she wakes up after being attacked, presumably by the child’s father. With a large red bruise covering her left eye and the camera looming above her as she lays helplessly being questioned accused of malpractice by her colleagues, Belén is immediately placed in a vulnerable position. This changes when she rises, thinking that she has credible evidence to prove that she didn’t commit wrongdoing or make any mistake, as she stands taller than her colleagues, and remains in focus, unlike their blurred faces. However, when such evidence fails to materialise, she once again casts a diminutive figure against the hostile gaze and questions of her colleagues. All this reflects the strength of Antonio Cuesta’s directing, framing Belén in different perspectives depending on her own self-belief and control of the situation. This is further reflected by the fact that the camera is either handheld, or gives the impression of being handheld, as it moves around chaotically tailing Belén as her mind rushes with doubt, confusion and panic, particularly when confronted with the parents of the dead child. In later scenes Cuesta’s camera sways as though it were the ghost of the dead child, wishing for a peaceful resolution, particularly in a key interaction between the mother of the child and Belén. Hospitals are places of death, though a children’s ward never should be, and the script, penned by Antonio Cuesta and Adrián Pino, conveys that message perfectly. Whilst Cuesta and Pino’s script searches for an individual culpable for the tragedy, rightfully it never finds one responsible, instead succinctly underlining the toll that abject working conditions, overstretched resources and working far too long shifts - 29 hours - has on Belén and all the nurses. ‘La Noche Dentro’ is critical not of an individual, but of an institution that has, in countries across the world, been mismanaged and underfunded, resulting in tragedies such as the one depicted in the film. ‘La Noche Dentro’ is an important piece of filmmaking to understand the scale of crisis that health services around the world are facing, with the underlying tragedy of the film only heightening it’s scale. Aided by a marvellously nuanced performance by Clare Durant, and Antonio Cuesta’s impressive directing, ‘La Noche Dentro’ takes you on a journey throughout, as layer after layer of this unfolding tragedy is revealed, evoking shock, horror and ultimately sadness throughout. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Bae Wolf film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Jennifer Hill, Morgan Shaley Renew, Aaron Blomberg, Rachel Petsiavas, Cleve Langdale, Josh Kern, Katie Langdale directed by David Axe. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Bae Wolf Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jan 29, 2022 Directed by: David Axe Written by: David Axe, Darien Cavanaugh Starring: Jennifer Hill, Morgan Shaley Renew, Aaron Blomberg, Rachel Petsiavas, Cleve Langdale, Josh Kern, Katie Langdale An Early Middle Ages dark comedy fantasy horror film based on the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf . Shot over the course of ten days in South Carolina by a crew and cast that were mostly amateurs, this amusing feature tells a story about a village in Denmark that is regularly attacked by a monster. That village is called Heorot and it is ruled by Queen Walchtheo (Petsiavas). Every once in a while a few villagers get killed by an entity called Grendel (Kern), which has a human-like appearance, with a red body and a monstrous face. Eventually, a warrior named Beowulf (Hill) and her companions arrive at the village and offer to take care of the problem once and for all. However, things do not go so smoothly. This is a fun period movie with an intriguing plot, dark humour, interesting characters and it also has moments of brutal violence. The humour focuses on dialogue and situations where people act childishly and do not take things seriously. The mise-en-scene is rather creative and it successfully brings the audience back to approximately 500 A.D., when the story takes place. Credit goes to Haley Runa Strehl and Mike Amason, who worked on the costumes, making them look like Middle Ages clothing. The cast are convincing enough as they are dressed in their period clothes and have paint on their faces. The weapons and buildings also look great. Regarding the characters, it is Grendel and his mother that steal the show, primarily because they are supernatural beings. Although they are both quite deadly, they also have feelings and can get emotional. Other characters include Walchtheo's courageous daughter, Princess Freawaru (Renew), a scribe named Shaper (Langdale), who does a great deal of writing throughout the film and Beowulf, who, contrary to the poem, is a woman. The heroes work and clash with each other as they try to deal with the creatures that threaten Heorot. Gauge Santiago and Matt Akers do an interesting job with the score, making it sound dramatic and beautiful and there is also electronic music. The filmmakers utilise creative lighting techniques. This movie was filmed on a tight budget, therefore one should not expect terrific special effects and the acting is not superb. Nevertheless, this is still an enjoyable experience. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Without Kelly film review by UK film critic William Curzon. Starring Medea Strid, Truls Carlberg, Ida Broddlinder directed by Lovisa Sirén. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Without Kelly Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: William Curzon | Posted on: Jan 19, 2026 Directed by: Lovisa Sirén Written by: Lovisa Sirén Starring: Medea Strid, Truls Carlberg, Ida Broddlinder Without Kelly follows a young mother, Esther (Medea Strid), as she is forced to leave her baby daughter with the child's father. Caught in a wake of longing and desperation, through the night she chases comfort and purpose and seeks ways to hold onto what she cares for the most. The piece is an uncompromising and raw tale of motherhood, told in a rather simplistic narrative approach, entirely from the female perspective. One of the most impressive feats of the piece is how immediately the viewer is swept into the sheer intimacy of the filmmaking on display. The visually stunning photography from DP Christine Leuhusen is commendable and eases you into Esther's experience as a mother. The camerawork at times is frenetic and urgent as it tracks Esther in a state of distress and discomfort, utilising extreme close-ups. Lisa Rydberg’s musical score is evocative and emotionally resonant, and anchors the lack of context through Esther’s characterisation. The filmmakers also strip away the score from specific scenes and rely entirely on the actors’ performances, which is a risky formal decision that pays off beautifully. Its tight pace at times is a detriment and a positive to the experience, as the lack of context for Esther makes it demanding to resonate with her struggles. An extended runtime could have perhaps fleshed out her characterisation more profoundly and enhanced its staying power after the credits roll. That being said, the “show, don't tell” approach is commendable and a remarkable way to convey her inner turmoil. The central performance from Medea Strid in her raw portrayal of Esther is phenomenal. Her screen presence is essential as the narrative relies entirely on her character and performance to convey her longing to be with her child. While the supporting players are given less material to chew on, their performances are serviceable to the plot, and their chemistry is magnetic with Strid’s leading screen presence. The unpredictability of the narrative is astounding at times and entirely conveyed profoundly through Esther’s choices as she uses her body and physical need for desire to numb the pain of isolation. Writer/director Lovisa Sirén clearly set out to express the emotional devastation of a young mother grappling with the life-changing decision she has made after being forced to leave her child, and they succeeded with flying colours in that regard. While the experience is tightly paced and never overstays its welcome, the conclusion to the narrative amounts to fairly minor, with a lack of resolution for Esther’s character growth. On the other hand, the complexity of Esther’s motivations is remarkable and evocative, leaving the viewer with much to ponder on regarding the female perspective when separated from their child. Without Kelly is a stunning piece of filmmaking that sheds a harsh light on a woman’s longing for connection after being forced away from her child. Resting entirely on a masterful lead performance from Medea Strid and Lovisa Sirén’s formalism, the simplistic narrative approach may detract from the experience at times; however, this is a heart-stirring exploration of motherhood. WITHOUT KELLY will screen at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Short Film Program 3 — premiering on January 24 at 9:15pm MST. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Curzon Short Film, Film Festival < All Reviews Next Film Review >

May December film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, Charles Melton directed by Todd Haynes. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS May December Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Nov 15, 2023 Directed by: Todd Haynes Written by: Samy Burch, Alex Menchanik Starring: Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, Charles Melton I’ve missed Todd Haynes. He hasn’t gone anywhere, and I don’t mean to imply that what he’s made in recent years is bad. In 2021 he made a remarkable documentary on The Velvet Underground, and his previous two narrative features – Dark Waters and Wonderstruck – were worthwhile and interesting. They just weren’t very Todd Haynes. Perhaps after his 2015 masterpiece Carol , the capstone to a string of magnificent and unusual films (Safe , Velvet Goldmine, Far from Heaven and I’m Not There ), it was time for Haynes to find his stride with a more mainstream audience. May December feels more like Haynes of old: a sultry situation masquerading as hum drum, populated by Tennessee Williams-esque damaged beauties wanting, wanting. Plus, Julianne Moore. Moore, who stunned in both Safe and Far from Heaven , returns to Haynes-land as Gracie. Years back, beautiful Gracie went to prison for loving the wrong man. Well, boy. 7th grader, actually. Indeed, she had Joe Yoo’s (played in adulthood by Charles Melton) baby behind bars. But after prison, Gracie and Joe built a life together. Their oldest daughter is in college now, and their twins Charlie (Gabriel Chung) and Mary (Elizabeth Yu) are just about to graduate from high school. Soon-to-be empty nesters, Gracie and Joe welcome (if somewhat reluctantly) TV star Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) to their home. In just a few weeks, Elizabeth will play Gracie in a new independent feature film about Joe and Gracie’s life. Portman is magnificent, biting into a role with more salty meat than anything she’s handled since Black Swan . Elizabeth is, of course, not what she appears to be. But what’s magical in Portman’s performance is the way the actor utilizes odd moments to reveal who Elizabeth truly is. Moore is characteristically brilliant and wonderfully enigmatic. Elizabeth’s goal is to understand Gracie, which makes that the main goal of May December , but Moore’s not giving an inch. Is Gracie the master manipulator people might believe, or is she the babe in the woods she projects? Or is human nature more complicated than that, no matter how much movies and actors and audiences try to believe otherwise? The whole cast impresses, but it’s Melton who truly surprises. The one innocent in the film, stunted by a lifetime of repressed and lived trauma, his Joe is the heartbreaking emotional honesty in a film that flaunts insincerity. The filmmaker, working from a script by Samy Burch and Alex Menchanik, finds wry humor in the soap opera nature of the tale. It’s a morally ambiguous, gorgeously realized character study. It’s so good to have Todd Haynes back. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Horror Stories film review by UK film critic Holly Baker. Starring Lukas DiSparrow, Joseph Simpson-Bushell, Andrea Kularatne directed by Lukas DiSparrow. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Horror Stories Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Holly Baker | Posted on: Apr 20, 2026 Directed by: Lukas DiSparrow Written by: Lukas DiSparrow Starring: Lukas DiSparrow, Joseph Simpson-Bushell, Andrea Kularatne Horror Stories (2024) is an anthology horror film that combines six stories into one narrative, centred on a United Kingdom-based book club that has discovered a method to spookily enter the world of storytelling. One by one, each member of the club must touch a magical book which transports them into a unique narrative setting, each designed to scare and thrill the participant experiencing the tale, as well as the viewer. The stories all have their own aesthetic and many of them involve unexpected twists and startling performances. The film was supposedly made with zero budget, and was written, directed and produced by one man- Lukas DiSparrow. His creation of the feature-length film was unplanned and was sparked by his production of 10 short films over several months, which he saw as having the potential to be brought together into one singular, multifaceted narrative. Creating a feature-length film without any budget is a remarkable achievement, and often when restricted by monetary boundaries, filmmakers’ creativity can blossom marvellously, and Horror Stories is a particularly excellent example of how successful a restricted project can be. Despite the limited crew and set, DiSparrow was able to incorporate lighting, music, and various other design strategies to ensure each of the stories has its own unique aesthetic. Each world stands out both visually and narratively, whilst all maintain a lightly comedic but overarching sinister and bizarre tone so the viewer gets a clear feel that they are all from the same universe. The strength of the short horror stories’ substance of course varies throughout. For instance, the opening segment involves an off-beat clown performance followed by an unconvincingly gory massacre, lacking in fear factor partly through the ridiculousness of what takes place, but also lighting is a major factor, as whilst the scenes take place outdoors in daylight, the lighting appears artificial which removes any sentiment of realism and therefore fear. Meanwhile, there are some strongly memorable, original concepts which are executed here. Most notably, She Lives In Me, the film’s closing story involves a shocking revelation and brings to light the horrors that some individuals face who are uncomfortable in their own bodies, haunted by a different kind of past than that expected of a ghost story. The film’s budget of zero inevitably required a limited and unprofessional cast, which required the re-use of actors from the book club in the fantastical horror worlds. Skilfully, the narrative smoothly justifies the presence of faces seen before by viewers, meaning there is no jarring confusion, there is an intriguing sense of blending between reality and fantasy. As well as this, despite the actors all being unprofessional and largely inexperienced, viewers will find themselves startled by some of the genuinely menacing performances here. A notable highlight is during the Devil’s Feast segment involving a satanist older woman played by Jan Olivia Hewitt, who shines in her role. Her menace and insanity as a convincing devil-worshipper is stunningly fearful. Unfortunately, many of the short stories suffer from poor lighting making some of them difficult to engage with. As mentioned, some of the stories are also less narratively compelling, whilst some, particularly She Lives In Me, are cleverly conveyed masterful pieces of storytelling. The varying quality between the different stories is at times insulting to the short form, as many of the segments shine fantastically on their own, meaning viewers can’t help but question if it was necessary to combine them into a feature film. Overall, there is certainly a lot of credit due to DiSparrow’s creativity and the commitment from all the cast to creating a unique, bizarre, zero-budget horror film which will be enjoyable for many viewers. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Holly Baker Indie Feature Film, Horror < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - The World to Come UK Release Date. Find out more at UK Film Review. The World to Come UK Release Date Chris Olson Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 12:53:52 PM GMT+1 The World to Come Trailer & UK Release Date THE WORLD TO COME , starring Katherine Waterston , Vanessa Kirby , Christopher Abbott and Casey Affleck , and directed by Mona Fastvold , which comes to UK cinemas on Friday, July 23 . In this frontier romance framed by the four seasons and set against the backdrop of rugged terrain, Abigail (Katherine Waterston), a farmer’s wife, and her new neighbour Tallie (Vanessa Kirby) find themselves powerfully, irrevocably drawn to each other. As grieving Abigail tends to the needs of her taciturn husband Dyer (Casey Affleck) and Tallie bristles at the jealous control of her husband Finney (Christopher Abbot), both women are illuminated and liberated by their intense bond, filling a void in their lives they never knew existed. Director Mona Fastvold (The Sleepwalker, co-writer of CHILDHOOD OF A LEADER and VOX LUX ) examines the interior lives of two women resisting constraints, giving voice to their experiences. Scripted by Jim Shepard and Ron Hansen (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), THE WORLD TO COME explores how isolation is overcome by the power of imagination and human connection. Directed by Mona Fastvold; Screenplay by Ron Hansen & Jim Shepard; Based Upon the Original Story “The World to Come” by Jim Shepard; Produced by Casey Affleck; Produced by Whitaker Lader; Produced by Pamela Koffler, David Hinojosa; Produced by Margarethe Baillou; Director of Photography André Chemetoff; Production Designer Jean Vincent Puzos; Editor Dávid Jancsó, H.S.E.; Costume Designer Lumini a Lungu ța Lungu; Music by Daniel Blumberg; Music Supervisor Tracy McKnight. THE WORLD TO COME is only at UK cinemas Friday, July 23. 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

Beating Superbugs Better: Can We Win? film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Tom Patterson, Steffanie Strathdee, Timothy Lu, Ramanan Laxminarayan directed by William Mudge. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Beating Superbugs Better: Can We Win? Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jan 10, 2023 Directed by: William Mudge Written by: Jean Mudge Starring: Tom Patterson, Steffanie Strathdee, Timothy Lu, Ramanan Laxminarayan An informative documentary about bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, which are also called superbugs. There are certain bacteria that are immune to medicines, which makes treatment harder and therefore increases the possibility of death and disease spread. Through interviews with experts on bacteria and animation, this film explores in depth how these bacteria are created, how they spread and what is being done in order to fight them and the results are intriguing and worrying. It is revealed that millions of people around the world lose their lives to these bacteria and that if solutions are not found, the consequences will be severe. A number of the most hazardous bacteria are examined, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and Tuberculosis. The film looks into how these diseases affect people through the use of animation that involves bacteria and molecules and through interviews of individuals who have suffered and recovered from the bacteria. The former patient interviewees include Tom Patterson, who was infected while travelling in Egypt and he, along with his wife Steffanie Strathdee and the other survivors share their dramatic experiences. Apart from the survivors, the list of interviewees includes Global Economist Jim O'Neill, Antibiotic Developer and Infectious Disease Expert John Rex and other experts whose knowledge puts together an image of the global situation with superbugs. There are often animated sequences that involve 3D Animation and they (along with the voice-over that is provided by Fiona M. Hughes) are quite helpful in understanding how bacteria work. William Mudge also worked on the creative editing and the result is great and even better with the addition of Christopher Rife's music. This is certainly an interesting documentary that is also shocking due to the revelations that it contains. It raises awareness of antimicrobial resistance and points out that its occurs mainly because of people's irresponsible actions and suggests that efforts are required from everyone in order to prevent bacteria from spreading. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film, Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Cubic Zirconia film review by UK film critic Chris Olson. Starring Keith Lamont Johnson, Kate Mobley, Carter Nelms directed by Jaron Lockridge. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Cubic Zirconia Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Olson | Posted on: Nov 25, 2024 Directed by: Jaron Lockridge Written by: Jaron Lockridge Starring: Keith Lamont Johnson, Kate Mobley, Carter Nelms Brimming with tension and superbly directed, filmmaker Jaron Lockridge’s crime drama Cubic Zirconia transcends the frills and spills of the genre to deliver us something more potently human. Keith Lamont Johnson stars as Bobby Clarke, a Tennessee detective investigating the recent disappearance of local woman Tamara. Once the latter’s body is discovered, Bobby is joined by a fellow detective from another agency Natalie Brim (Kate Mobley) in a race against time to locate Tamara’s children, who are also missing. Tone can be everything when it comes to crime dramas and Cubic Zirconia has that understated grit of a show like True Detective . Writer and director Jaron Lockridge knows how to create an engulfing atmosphere that audiences will effortlessly slip into whilst this intelligently plotted story unfolds. Whilst the sum of all parts may seem humble, the result is a fantastic example of movie-making that prioritises great storytelling and performances. Keith Lamont Johnson is simply sensational in the leading role. His character is given a brilliant backstory which emotionally connects us with where he’s at in the present day and Lamont Johnson handles this emotional depth with deft skill. His interaction with the supporting cast is great and his chemistry with Mobley fashions an engaging onscreen partnership for viewers to enjoy. Mobley herself gives a splendid turn as the tactful yet passionate partner to Bobby and has plenty of great scenes throughout the movie. Some of the set designs and location choices let the movie down a little - this could have been a budgetary restriction - such as a tub of ice cream that needed its name blurred out (likely for copyright reasons) and a few of the “press” scenes which looked a little flat with the characters standing against a wall and no pans around the room to see the journalists. That being said, they were necessary scenes to give the investigation weight and were only small moments that may jerk the audience out of the brilliant atmosphere that is curated by the filmmakers. The story has plenty of well-written characters and believable scenes, enhancing the credibility of this crime drama. Plaudits to Carter Nelms who plays Jeff, the father of the missing girls, whose anguished scenes and intense behaviour are mesmerising to watch. Fans of strong crime dramas will be in their element here and the movie has a wide general appeal for great storytelling, fantastic characters, and an engaging plot that builds wonderful momentum through each act. Give us a franchise of Bobby solving mysteries with Lamont Johnson in the role and Lockridge at the helm and we will be happy campers. Now watch our Video Film Review of Cubic Zirconia . Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Chris Olson Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Merah film review by UK film critic Swati Verma. Starring Dilakonkan Oleh, Charlene Jane, Herlea Titieanna directed by Wan Dinnie. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Merah Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Aug 27, 2021 Directed by: Wan Dinnie Written by: Wan Dinnie Starring: Dilakonkan Oleh, Charlene Jane, Herlea Titieanna The short film Merah has a black and white theme to it. The color pallet used in the cinematic piece helps highlight the "red" used to depict bullying. The red color holds connotations of evil and danger. The film deals with the issue of bullying. It has a strong messaging incorporated in the plot that can get the audience to act against bullying. It also showcases the need to protect and fight for the physical and mental well -being by standing up with honesty. The story is about a female student who is bullied at school by two girls. The lead character is left crying each time they harass her. The little girl finds peace and solace in the art of sketching. This time the girl she drew on paper comes out of it to help the central character stand up against the bullies. It pushes one of the bullies and slaps her for the wrongdoings against the lead. Both the trouble makers run away while they ask for forgiveness. The main character sees blood on her hand and realizes that she has slapped the girl. The girl who stood by her side all this long was just her imagination. The girl coming out of the drawing could signify the inner soul of the student. It wants her to be strong and fight against this societal evil that children of all ages are experiencing daily. No one from the cast and crew of this movie supports or promotes violence. The slap towards the close of the film indicates that the director wants to illustrate that the lead character did not have any option but to resort to the extreme step to teach bullies a lesson. The director Wan Dinnie uses visual storytelling in a segment when the young woman comes out of the drawing. He has used Rotoscope animation to make the sketch come to reality in the film. This skill is used in the script so that the viewers believe in the character for the running time of the film. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >