Read to Me film review by UK film critic Chris Buick. Starring Christopher Sherwood, Rosie Steel, Nathalia Campbell-Smith, Tim Davenport, Jordan Louis directed by Dan Horrigan. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Read to Me Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Buick | Posted on: Jan 22, 2024 Directed by: Dan Horrigan Written by: Dan Horrigan Starring: Christopher Sherwood, Rosie Steel, Nathalia Campbell-Smith, Tim Davenport, Jordan Louis Dan Horrigan’s spellbinding short film Read to Me tells the romantic crime story of Rolan (Sherwood), a dyslexic inmate at Strangeways prison, who on his first day receives a letter he is unable to read, therefore, he turns to the prison psychologist to read it for him. But before the words are read aloud, Rolan, who despite his illiteracy is in fact blessed with a staggering verbal eloquence, poetically regales us with the tragic story of how his circumstance came to be, spinning us a beautiful tale full of love and sorrow. Rolan might not be able to read in the traditional sense, but his gift for interpreting tarot as he puts it more than makes up for this. It is during one of these readings at a local fair that Rolan reads for Zara (Steel), a young mother trapped in her own terrible situation that the now smitten Rolan knows he must free her from, thus falling into a life of crime and personal sacrifice in order to save her. Horrigan’s artful offering here is as much a piece of theatre as it is film, every bit as compelling visually as it is emotionally. Centred around a more-or-less extended monologue effortlessly delivered by Sherwood (more on him later) Read to Me isn’t a film filled with big drama or tension, but is still written with so much depth, elegance and emotion that in telling its well-rounded story, it draws you in almost completely, managing to be funny, sad and everything else in-between. Coupled with astonishing cinematography from Fraser Watson, Guy K Ward's tight editing and Mitch Snell’s stellar sound work, Read to Me , as mentioned before, is as much a piece of theatre as it is film, and perhaps even art. And all of these wonderful achievements both technically and narratively are anchored sensationally by what can only be described as an immense performance by Sherwood. All these other elements of the film simply seem to orbit and are kept aligned by the impeccable talent that Sherwood seems to effortlessly exude, a turn that manages to somehow make Rolan so much more than he simply might have been, a character to really connect with, like, pity, distrust, and fear all at once. The rest of the supporting cast understandably are left with little to do in comparison, and though each of them are very competent in their own right when they do get their moments to shine, such is the magnitude of what Sherwood achieves that their impact doesn’t have any chance of registering anywhere near as much. Read to Me is well worth a watch for Sherwood alone, but with a deftly told story and great technical prowess on display, there is so much to savour here. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Chris Buick Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Baked Beans film review by UK film critic James Learoyd. Starring Shelby Lattany, Kahmal Sealey directed by Remone Jones. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Baked Beans Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Jan 9, 2025 Directed by: Remone Jones Written by: Remone Jones Starring: Shelby Lattany, Kahmal Sealey What if you had to rush the consumption of your beans on toast? And what if your boyfriend seemingly forgot about your birthday? But most importantly, what if these two unrelated occurrences coincided with gastronomically disastrous results?! These are some of the amusing questions which Remone Jones’ new five-minute comedy Baked Beans poses to its audience. The film tells a simple story of one woman’s unfortunate encounter with circumstance. We begin with the appearance of the titular beans on toast – a meal which our protagonist Tameka slightly begrudges, because she should be doing something sweet with her boyfriend Liam on her birthday. But it’s not as simple as that – her boyfriend, in fact, has not failed to remember, and has something planned for the special day. The beans, however, pose an obstacle. It’s a tonne of fun and incredibly watchable; a well-formed comic piece. The performances featured in the short are absolutely terrific due to the confidence of the actors. For how heightened and humorous the movie is, the characters are completely believable. Oddly it’s through their big, expressive use of vocal expression that brings the performances both a hilarity and a realism – we believe in our protagonist’s annoyance in her boyfriend, and, in turn, her embarrassment come the film’s payoff. I’d also like to mention the authenticity of the opening conversation between our main character and her friend. The dialogue is funny in a satirical sort of way; you can feel that the scene is being used not only to convey information but to establish the silly but endearing tone. The cinematography is strong, and also demonstrates a similar sense of amusement. Specifically, the opening shot – that of a perspective shot from inside the can of beans – shows a high level of inventiveness. Then again, in terms of the negative, one might question the use of the widescreen format. When viewing the camerawork and direction, it almost feels as if the compositions might have been even more interesting were it to adopt a more conventional 1.85:1 format. This kind of visual style doesn’t require an extended frame, and prioritises clarity over complexity; so, the black bars are just cutting off visual information as opposed to adding to the aesthetic. For clarification, though, this is a really well thought-through movie in terms of its look, even if a couple of choices don’t entirely translate. The best thing about the audio and music is its consistency. An intelligent use of sound design comes towards the story’s end when the main character is given noise-cancelling earmuffs to wear by her boyfriend while he sets up the surprise. A wonderful attention to detail is how the sound itself becomes muffled as well, and then fades back to being clear and sharp when the earmuffs are removed. Not only does this place the audience in the sensory perspective of the individual, but it also leads into the final joke of the film which everything has led up to. Beans on Toast is based around joke structure and elegance, and having the viewer experience a pleasingly elaborate setup before the payoff. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Practice Squad: Go Hard or Go Back Home! film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Wesley Price, Edward Gant directed by Clark Birchmeier. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Practice Squad: Go Hard or Go Back Home! Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Apr 25, 2025 Directed by: Clark Birchmeier Written by: Phillip Buchanon Starring: Wesley Price, Edward Gant A short sports drama written by Phillip Buchanon, directed by Clark Birchmeier and starring Wesley Price and Edward Gant. First of all (with the intention of helping viewers have a better understanding regarding what this film is about), the author of this review would like to explain that a practice squad (as a title card states at the beginning of the film) is sometimes referred to as a practice roster and it consists of a group of players who are signed by a sports team but are not part of the main roster. They are active in professional gridiron football and can be released during the season. Concentrating now on the plot. The story focuses on Brandon (Price), an American football player, who is in the practice squad and trains hard, hoping that his opportunity will come. Supported and encouraged by his coach (Gant, who is the scriptwriter's brother) and his friends, Brandon is determined to succeed for his family. This six-minute short does not have much of a narrative, which is not a bad thing, as what it focuses on the efforts and struggles that the young protagonist goes through, training hard on the field, listening to his coach's advice, overcoming injury and pursuing his dream of becoming a sports star. Buchanon was a player for the National Football League and it was this project that led to the creation of N.I.L.ionaires , another short film about American Football that was reviewed by the writer of this review. N.I.L.ionaires was also written by Buchanon and directed by Birchmeier and has music by Brandon Crear. Price delivers a decent performance as a youngster who is facing challenges that professional athletes face. Determined, he carries on, confident that success will come. Gant is his coach who believes in him and motivates him. This short provides an insight into the world of professional athletes, revealing the struggles that they must deal with and the drive that they require in order to fulfil their ambitions. Additionally, this is a story about self-esteem, motivation, support, having dreams and pursuing them and overcoming obstacles. Buchanon has other sports stories in mind and intends to create a TV series in the future. Taking under consideration how inspiring this short film is, Buchanon's future projects are things to look forward to. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - Come Play UK Digital Release Date. Find out more at UK Film Review. Come Play UK Digital Release Date Chris Olson Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 11:19:53 AM GMT+1 COME PLAY ON DIGITAL DOWNLOAD 13 SEPTEMBER Written and Directed by JACOB CHASE Starring GILLIAN JACOBS (COMMUNITY, HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2, LOVE ), JOHN GALLAGHER JR. (UNDERWATER, 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE, SHORT TERM 12), AZHY ROBERTSON (MARRIAGE STORY ) Produced by AMBLIN PARTNERS (Girl On A Train, Captive State, 1917 ) 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. He has no idea that by reading the tale of Larry, a lonely monster, also desperate for friends, he is inviting him into his home. But what Larry really wants is something far more dangerous… Starring Gillian Jacobs, John Gallagher Jr. and Azhy Robertson, COME PLAY will be released in the UK on digital download from 13th September 2021 ‘COME PLAY’ IS RELEASED ON DIGITAL DOWNLOAD FROM 13th September 2021 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

An Imperfect Cadence film review by UK film critic William Hemingway. Starring Louisa Connolly-Burnham, Jennifer Preston directed by Nathan Haines. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS An Imperfect Cadence Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Apr 26, 2025 Directed by: Nathan Haines Written by: Nathan Haines Starring: Louisa Connolly-Burnham, Jennifer Preston A young, aspiring harpist gets tangled in the strings, as well as in her relationship with her mother, as the biggest audition of her life looms. Yvonne (Connolly-Burnham) is a session musician who is on the up-and-up. She has gained a mastery of the harp and is managing to impress those who are paying her to play, so much so that she has been offered an audition for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. At home, Yvonne’s mum, Maria (Preston), who is also a harpist, is just as excited as she is, except for the fact that her years of experience in the industry are telling her that they both need to keep their feet on the ground. This sort of tough love and hard-won appreciation from her mother is something that Yvonne has had to deal with her whole life, and it’s written all over her face. Still, she knows it’s time to get down to some hard graft, and so she sets about practising the prescribed compositions of Henriette Renié with all the vigour of a seasoned performer. However, in a nod to The Witches Of Eastwick (1987), Yvonne begins to practise so hard that she breaks a string and severely cuts her finger, introducing a thread where we find out that she has a pre-existing problem with her hands. This condition remains undisclosed throughout the entire film and is never mentioned outright. Instead, we watch as Yvonne continues to pop pills at regular intervals and we see that her hand gradually becomes more and more discoloured the longer that she plays. Maria, far from being Mother of the Year, then begins to get a twinkle in her eye and an idea pops into her brain which could help them both out as Yvonne struggles to get herself ready for the all-important audition. The relationship between mother and daughter then becomes the main driver of conflict, more so than the relationship between musician and instrument. The main themes then, in An Imperfect Cadence , are well handled by writer/director Nathan Haines. The double hander of the women’s relationship adding pressure to the life-changing audition works well, and the two themes intertwine seamlessly with each other. The acting from both leads adds to the realism of the story, with Louisa Connolly-Burnham and Jennifer Preston each naturally embodying their characters, keeping the everyday actions of living together as much in the foreground as the more performative aspects of what they are trying to achieve. With neither actress having previously played the harp before this film, the stand-in shots integrate perfectly into the scenes, and it’s impossible to tell that it’s not them creating the music we hear. However, there is at times a slight mismatch between the audio and the visual, where the ADR takes the audience out of a scene and causes a disconnect between the viewer and the film. This, along with a few continuity issues, such as a finger obviously not getting caught in a drawer as it’s played to be, and Maria somehow being trapped inside a locked house behind a Yale lock, along with the unexplained hand condition, detract somewhat from the overall enjoyment of the film. What Haines has managed to achieve with An Imperfect Cadence is truly impressive, with professionals from a large number of specialities being drafted in, across several locations, to contribute to the final product. His abilities as a director of people may well outshine his abilities as a director of film, however, and there are aspects of An Imperfect Cadence that just don’t come across that well. The story and the dialogue are very well fleshed out though, and they carry the themes throughout the film all the way to the denouement, which, in turn, may or may not appeal to the viewer with the ease of which it is achieved. There is plenty to recommend An Imperfect Cadence to the viewer for the fifteen minutes that it runs for, but at times it may be that Haines was more prescient than he knew when it came to naming his film, as the wrong notes are all too easy to pick out. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Hemingway Digital / DVD Release, Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Gran Turismo film review by UK film critic Brian Penn. Starring Orlando Bloom, David Harbour, Archie Madekwe directed by Neill Blomkamp. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Gran Turismo Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Brian Penn | Posted on: Aug 26, 2023 Directed by: Neill Blomkamp Written by: Jason Hall, Zach Baylin Starring: Orlando Bloom, David Harbour, Archie Madekwe The big screen is made for motor racing with its dazzling mix of sound and physical drama. Watching the action from left to right complements the intense relationship between driver and machine. Gran Turismo is based on a true story which should add to the lustre of this film directed by Neill Blomkamp. However, the end product is a mixed bag that often promises more than it delivers. The story kicks off in Cardiff as teenager Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) becomes increasingly hooked on the Gran Turismo race simulator. His despairing parents want him to pick up his studies at university but Jann dreams of being a racing driver for real; as a gamer he’s mastered every engine and racetrack. If only he could do it for real? The chance presents itself when he emerges as a top scoring gamer. He is invited to the GT Academy to train a professional driver. The Academy is the brainchild of marketing executive Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom). He convinces the Nissan Motorsport team that the best ‘sim racers’ can be turned into real drivers. Moore recruits frazzled ex-driver Jack Salter (David Harbour) as chief mechanic but can the theory ever work in practice? It’s blatantly obvious this film is a PlayStation co-production with its clinical representation of the game at regular intervals. When Jann is in race mode his mind drifts back to endless hours playing the game. Whilst these sequences are brilliantly constructed they’re not really needed. This might be an inevitable by-product of the film’s origins. But when Jann actually becomes a driver it should be more about him, the machine and his opponents. The real strength is that it plays into a fantasy that afflicts many children when they’re growing up. Gaming opens the door to a more glamourous existence for the players. Gran Turismo the film proves that dreams can turn into reality. The unique selling point is the truth of the story being told. However, they overplay their hand, especially in the closing captions where they proclaim that Jann Mardenborough has changed the face of motor sport forever. Whilst it’s true he broke new ground as an inexperienced driver Jann wasn’t that influential. He has raced at junior level e.g. GP2 and GP3 which puts him in Formula 3 territory. Exaggeration aside this remains a well-made, entertaining romp. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Brian Penn Theatrical Release < 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 >

And God Remembered Babylon film review by UK film critic William Hemingway. Starring Matthew Ewald, Adelai Lawrence, Jeff Johnson, Shannon DeSalvo directed by Matthew Ewald. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS And God Remembered Babylon Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Apr 14, 2022 Directed by: Matthew Ewald Written by: Matthew Ewald Starring: Matthew Ewald, Adelai Lawrence, Jeff Johnson, Shannon DeSalvo There's a long standing tradition in films of mixing supernatural horror with Nazis. Ever since Indiana Jones wrestled with Hitler's goons in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Hollywood has woken up to the infinite possibilities of the Nazis' leanings towards the occult. Since then there's been no shortage of B-movies giving us Nazi ghosts, Nazi Hell holes, Nazi demons, Nazi zombies, Nazi zombies on the moon.... Joining this tradition now, is Matthew Ewald, with his newest film-making venture, And God Remembered Babylon . Right from the off the symbolism is everywhere with Jesus on the Crucifix and the Star of David facing off against the Swastika. Ewald is Father Joel Barton, a soldier behind enemy lines, yet still very much a man on a mission from God. He talks of the horrors of war in a note for note recreation of Jim Caviezel's voice-over in The Thin Red Line and mentions a place the locals only talk about as 'The Black Barn'. In there lies the outpourings of the Nazis' evil and the consequences of their pact with the Devil. It is Father Barton's job to exorcise this enemy. By his own admission, Ewald has said that he got bored in lockdown and needed to do something. His creative juices were flowing and he felt a longing to make a film, no matter how limited its budget or where he had to scrounge materials from. The result is something that is fairly bare but which also comes with a real sense of urgency; something which helps ramp up the tension and the danger within the film's sequences. Ewald's flair for the theatrical also helps as his directorial style lays the imagery on thick, leaving the viewer in no doubt as to the forces in play. If at points the audience is aware that a lot of what's going on is Ewald and a few of his pals jumping around in the woods and hanging sticks up in their barn, everything does come satisfyingly into focus with the main showdown. This sequence in particular is very strong and lends a real sense of gravitas to the rest of the film, showing that while Ewald's production may well be B-movie his concept is definitely A-grade. Then, almost as if to test this, Ewald tries to extend his concept in a debatable future-world meta-narrative scene, complete with its own David Lynch character known only as The Authoritarian (Jeff Johnson). This scene doesn't add much to the film as a whole, and could easily have been left out, but it is interesting to see how far Ewald was willing to take his idea and how he underpinned his 'Demon Nazis in the barn' scenario. There are obvious issues with And God Remembered Babylon , not least the budget, the props and the acting, but it's hard not to feel excited and intrigued by Ewald's work. Obviously meant to be behind the camera or the typewriter, his determination of vision comes through quickly and clearly, with a lot of big ideas being squeezed into a short half-hour space. If this is what Ewald can achieve with no money and no industry around him it will be very interesting to see what he can do when he has access to both. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Hemingway Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Uncle Tommy film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Max Ainsworth, AJ Jones, Sarah-Louise Chadwick, Matthew Mora Hegarty directed by Jack McLoughlin. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Uncle Tommy Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Oct 2, 2026 Directed by: Jack McLoughlin Written by: Jack McLoughlin Starring: Max Ainsworth, AJ Jones, Sarah-Louise Chadwick, Matthew Mora Hegarty A short drama, written and directed by Jack McLoughlin and starring Max Ainsworth, AJ Jones, Sarah-Louise Chadwick and Matthew Mora Hegarty. Schoolboy Mikey (McLoughlin) is skipping school and when he arrives home, he is greeted by an unexpected visitor, that being his uncle (the titular Tommy, played by Jones), who has travelled here from his home abroad and entered the property via an unlocked door. After Tommy lies to a visiting, concerned teacher (Hegarty) that the youngster is not home, the two of them catch up and play some video games and discuss some of Mikey's issues. Then, Mikey's mum (Chadwick) arrives, resulting in further dramatic revelations. This ten-minute-long story begins lightheartedly, with Tommy and his nephew having a laugh and relaxing, before things move towards Mikey's lack of motivation and mental health and Tommy's unpleasant situation. Significant drama ensues, with close-ups being utilised to catch the characters' emotions. The screenplay explores the characters' relationship with each other and reveals their struggles. Ainsworth portrays a typical teenager: naive and irresponsible, who performs well as a student but cannot get himself to commit to academic achievements and keeps cutting class. Additionally, he is also struggling with his mental health. Chadwick plays Mikey's mother, a responsible, no-nonsense parent who is also willing to help. As for Tommy, he is a well-meaning guy who cares about those around him; unfortunately, though, he appears to be unable to pull himself together and constantly finds himself in trouble. Through a narrative that operates as a nephew-and-uncle, mother-and-son, and brother-and-sister story, this film looks into themes involving mental health, self-reflection, support, and family values. A short, moving drama that looks into a family's issues. It has its cheerful moments; however, it primarily aims to be serious with the heavy subjects that it brings to the surface. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

If Fire Knew That It Was Finally Ashes, It Would Not Dancing with Pride film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Alimorsali directed by Khashayar Sepehri. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS If Fire Knew That It Was Finally Ashes, It Would Not Dancing with Pride Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Aug 16, 2022 Directed by: Khashayar Sepehri Written by: Khashayar Sepehri Starring: Alimorsali A poor boy begs a man for help, who treats him with cruelty. This short film from Iran is one-minute-long, yet it contains a great deal of drama. A desperate-looking boy is walking in a busy street, trying to sell to people papers that predict the future. He encounters a man who has just gotten out of his car and is talking on his mobile phone. The child approaches him and asks for money and in response, the man verbally insults him and even gets physical. The man goes to his workplace and carries on with his day and when he sees the boy resting on his car, he goes to confront him, leading to devastating consequences. This drama explores themes that involve class conflict, social inequality, poverty, cruelty, indifference and selfishness. It is a hard-hitting look into a life of poverty, seen through the eyes of a vulnerable, unpriviledged child, who is forced to work in order to survive and faces lack of help. The viewer will most likely feel sorry for the boy as he tries to make some money, but to no avail and will probably feel contempt towards the man who treats him like dirt. In some ways, the boy could represent victims of unfairness and the man could represent the cause of that unfairness, as he comes across as a person with a complete lack of caring for the suffering of others. The film also seems to suggest that if someone chooses to be wicked, then they will get what is coming to them. Regarding the music, there is a melancholic piano score that accompanies the events quite effectively. This is a rather short film and it addresses some of the harshest realities of life and it does so with realism. It is a dramatic and moving story with a shocking ending and generally it offers a thoughtful experience. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Dark Side of Night film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Rene Ashton, Chris Cleveland, Megan McGillicuddy, George Nelson directed by Randal Lee Smith. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Dark Side of Night Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jul 17, 2026 Directed by: Randal Lee Smith Written by: Randal Lee Smith Starring: Rene Ashton, Chris Cleveland, Megan McGillicuddy, George Nelson Randal Lee Smith writes and directs this tense crime thriller which stars Rene Ashton, Chris Cleveland, Megan McGillicuddy and George Nelson. Richard (Cleveland) is a prosecutor in the United States and after winning his latest case, he decides to celebrate by taking his wife, Dawn (Ashton) and daughter, Iris (McGillicuddy) to a cabin in the mountains for the weekend. However, shortly after their arrival, two armed criminals appear, Porter (Nelson) and Garrett (Russell Rozotabi Prim) and invade the property, imprisoning the family. Iris and her parents fight back and after Richard gets shot. Now, Dawn and her daughter must run for their lives in the vast wilderness and evade their relentless pursuers. This feature could be described as an outdoor chase survival thriller and a family drama. Most of the screenplay follows Iris and Dawn as they navigate on foot through the wooded mountains, desperately trying to reach safety while the two intruders hunt them down. Plenty of life-threatening situations ensue, along with dramatic revelations and people get killed. Among all this, Dawn and her daughter find the opportunity to reconcile their differences. Initially, this appears to be a straightforward story about home invasion and murder, however, plot twists reveal that there is more than meets the eye regarding the outlaws's motives. The general impression is that this film intends to take itsef seriously. However, characters crack jokes during the most inappropriate of times (primarily during situations involving life and death) and that makes one wonder if this feature is also intended to be a dark comedy, which does not seem to be the case. The addition of the humour just makes the atmosphere awkward. Ashton is the one who delivers the most convincing performance, that being a wife and mother with a drinking problem who lives in an unhappy marriage and has disconnected from her daughter. As time passes, she rekindles their relationship and becomes a stronger person. McGillicuddy does a decent job in terms of depicting Iris as a rebellious youngster but fails to do the same when her character finds herself in situations involving mortal danger. Generally, Nelson and Prim do not show good acting, although they both succeed in making their characters interesting, with Porter being a bearded crook with asthma who is the one in charge of the invasion and Garrett being less clever and naive. Finally, Cleveland does well in portraying an ambitious and seasoned prosecutor and a family man. Analysing the themes now, this film has several. Firstly, it is about survival, betrayal, secrets and crime and it also includes the law industry and domestic violence. In terms of things involving family, mother-and-daughter issues are present, along with things about dysfunctional families. A chase thriller that manages to be a decent viewing thanks to the plentiful tension and character development. The weak points are the parts with the poor acting and a final act that feels overlong. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Play for Views film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Gnator8t4, Red Guy, Ellietendo, DJX5000, Mankalor directed by George Anderson. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Play for Views Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Mar 14, 2023 Directed by: George Anderson Written by: N/A Starring: Gnator8t4, Red Guy, Ellietendo, DJX5000, Mankalor An intriguing documentary about the world of gaming YouTube channels. This feature-length documentary explores the stories of five individuals who have managed to achieve significant success by setting up their own online gaming channels. These bright young people are: George (whose channel name is Gnator8t4), John (Red Guy), Ellie (Ellietendo), Derrick (DJX5000) and Kevin (Mankalor). Interviewed via webcams, they each talk about how they first got into gaming, what motivated them to begin making and uploading videos, where they are now and how they do their work. Separated into chapters, the film begins by introducing the interviewees, who come across as likeable and intelligent and enthusiastic about their achievements, which include creating their channels, reviewing games, livestreaming and coming up with their channel name. The interviews intertwine between them and there is plenty of footage of the YouTubers being filmed through the webcams as they speak. Apart from the interviewees, there are also many clips of a variety of well-known video games throughout, which are accompanied by the narrator's voice-over. There is also footage of well-known video game-related YouTube channels, including Angry Video Game Nerd and The Irate Gamer . All this has been edited very methodically by Anderson. The letters that make up the titles of the chapters and credits have been stylised in a way that resembles old-school game letters and it was a very clever choice as it matches the feature's themes. The film also gains from the rich collection of songs that constitute the soundtrack. This is an inspiring documentary that introduces the world to five individuals who have managed to turn their passion into a profession. The film reveals how one can become a gaming YouTuber and how far this industry has come. It is an entertaining and informative experience and it will most likely appeal not just to gaming fans, but also to those with the ambition to become a gaming influencer. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film, Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >