If the Shoe Fits film review by UK film critic Isaac Parkinson. Starring Matthew O'Hara, Barbara Spevack, Alastair Lawless directed by Barbara Spevack. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS If the Shoe Fits Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Isaac Parkinson | Posted on: Apr 4, 2022 Directed by: Barbara Spevack Written by: Barbara Spevack Starring: Matthew O'Hara, Barbara Spevack, Alastair Lawless Catapulting the gloomy present into a fairytale past, If the Shoes Fits looks at the stories of our childhood through a contemporary lens. The reclamation or revisionism of long-established texts is a constantly growing project, with quicker cycles of changing consensus, particularly when it comes to films. A film can be embraced and disavowed twice over, sometimes even before getting a wide release. Revisiting those which are particularly culturally entrenched to mine meaning and relevance is a vital task, and stories which have endured for their broad narrative constructs and archetypical characters can be seen as defining artefacts rich with evergreen impressions. For many of us, the texts which best fit this description are fairytales, introduced to us at a young age and replicated over and over again in different forms. Romantic comedies, adventure movies, coming-of-age dramas. All of these take the established conventions from fairytales and effect story from it, either conforming to tropes and signifiers, or actively subverting them. This re-examination can help us to find echoes of the past reverberating now, and similarly show us what has been lost, for better or worse. Most often, this manifests as easy takedowns of archaic work targeted for its outdated politics as a moral exercise. To secure a confidence in our own cultural progression, we reflect on how absurdly wrong artists of the past were, as though our own work won’t inevitably be treated the same way. If the Shoe Fits engages similarly with one of the most imitated and re-evaluated fairytales, Cinderella . Beginning in a familiarly dour present day, a wrong turn on the way home takes a man, Guy, through a transformative forest of mystical power. The twilight colours of the moody, gloomy countryside are replaced with a blue sky, vibrant greens and birdsong. The change is smooth and effects a shift in tone to a comically joyful environment. Cinderella appears, about to go missing and lead the prince to search the land for someone whose feet match the lone shoe she left behind. Guy’s interactions with her are charming, using “cinders” an an affectionate modern nickname. Most of his comments are more critical however, picking holes in her story. From a more realist perspective, he questions why the shoe would only fit her when there is nothing physically distinct about her feet. From this, she begins to consider why the size of her feet is the only important factor in the Prince’s affections toward her. What about her personality? Her values? Her kindness? Pointing to this superficial declaration of love does rightfully re-evaluate what factors we privilege in a person’s value, yet the very fact of the absurdity of a single physical element being used to determine true love should highlight its distinctly metaphorical position. The conversation goes round in circles on this point, its knowing meta-language becoming grating after a while with the Prince identifying how the shoe is merely a narrative contrivance. The odd class dynamic of their relationship is also interrogated, although only for the Prince to suggest that her beauty shines through the grime. The idea that she therefore has an inherent value in spite of her socio-economic background merely reinforces an antiquated structure which persists today while gesturing towards applying progressive politics to outdated ideas. Stories endure for a reason, particularly those which are malleable enough to withstand some light prods and playful criticism. I’m not sure what conclusion If the Shoe Fits comes to about the politics it so briefly engages with. Its ‘modern’ idea of class and romance plays semantics with tradition only briefly, before losing its teeth and only reaffirming its original sentiments. There is no doubt potential fun to be had with the anachronistic present pressured to educate the past, but without any real idea of what that should look like, If the Shoe Fits ends up without any real critical thought about where the stories of yesterday should be located today. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Isaac Parkinson Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - Shudder Announces Summer of Chills Lineup. Find out more at UK Film Review. Shudder Announces Summer of Chills Lineup Chris Olson Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 3:00:25 PM GMT+1 SHUDDER Announces "SUMMER OF CHILLS" | Original and Exclusive films for June, July, August 2021 Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streamer for horror, thriller and the supernatural, announced today its “Summer of Chills” UK and Irish slate of 13 new original and exclusive films for June, July and August, including the anticipated debut of landmark horror director George A. Romero’s legendary “lost” film The Amusement Park on 8 June . The robust summer lineup kicks off with Caveat , an eerie, slow-building, cat-and-mouse thriller, and continues with such marquee films as sci-fi thriller Possessor starring Andrea Riseborough; The Boy Behind the Door , Justin Powell and David Charbonier’s directorial debut; Jakob’s Wife , starring horror icon Barbara Crampton; Cody Calahan’s comedy horror Vicious Fun ; and Kandisha , the long-awaited new supernatural shocker from the French directing duo of Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, best known for their influential debut feature, Inside , as well as their more recent films Livid and Among the Living , among others. "Shudder's ‘Summer of Chills’ offers something for everyone with a fantastic line-up of new premieres every week, on top of the best library of curated streaming horror films anywhere,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s General Manager. “We're especially excited to have the premiere of legendary director George A. Romero's lost film The Amusement Park, a must-see piece of cinema history exclusively on Shudder.” “SHUDDER’S “SUMMER OF CHILLS” FULL SLATE IS INCLUDED BELOW (IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER): CAVEAT – Premieres 3 June ** A Shudder Original Film Lone drifter Isaac accepts a job to look after his landlord's niece, Olga, for a few days in an isolated house on a remote island. It seems like easy money, but there’s a catch: he must wear a leather harness and chain that restricts his movements to certain rooms. Once Olga's uncle, Barrett leaves the two of them alone, a game of cat and mouse ensues as Olga displays increasingly erratic behaviour as a trapped Isaac makes a series of horrific discoveries in the house. Directed by Damien Mc Carthy. Starring Jonathan French, Leila Sykes and Ben Caplan. THE AMUSEMENT PARK – Premieres 8 June ** A Shudder Exclusive Film Recently discovered and restored 46 years after its completion by the George A. Romero Foundation and produced by Suzanne Desrocher-Romero, The Amusement Park stars Martin’ s Lincoln Maazel as an elderly man who finds himself disoriented and increasingly isolated as the pains, tragedies and humiliations of aging in America are manifested through roller coasters and chaotic crowds. Commissioned by the Lutheran Society, the film is perhaps Romero’s wildest and most imaginative movie, an allegory about the nightmarish realities of growing older, and is an alluring snapshot of the filmmaker's early artistic capacity and style and would go on to inform his ensuing filmography. The “lost” film was restored in 4k by IndieCollect in New York City. POSSESSOR – Premieres 10 June ** A Shudder Exclusive Film From the visionary mind of Brandon Cronenberg (Antiviral ), Possessor is a game-changing sci-fi thriller about elite, corporate assassin Tasya Vos. Using brain-implant technology, Vos takes control of other people’s bodies to execute high profile targets. As she sinks deeper into her latest assignment, Vos becomes trapped inside a mind that threatens to obliterate her. Written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg. Starring Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, Rossif Sutherland, Tuppence Middleton, Sean Bean and Jennifer Jason Leigh. SUPERDEEP – Premieres 17 June ** A Shudder Original Film The Kola Superdeep borehole is the largest Russian secret facility. In 1984, at the depth of more than 7 miles below the surface, unexplained sounds were recorded, resembling the screams and moans of numerous people. Since these events, the object has been closed. A small research team of scientists and military personnel go down below the surface to find the secret hidden these many decades. What they discover will pose the greatest threat humanity has ever faced. Directed by Arseniy Sukhin. Starring Milena Radulovic, Sergey Ivanyuk, Nikolay Kovbas, Kirill Kovbas and Nikita Dyuvbanov. AN UNQUIET GRAVE – Premieres 24 June ** A Shudder Original Film A year after losing his wife in a car crash, Jamie convinces her sister, Ava, to return with him to the site of the accident and help him perform a strange ritual. But as the night wears on, it becomes clear that he has darker intentions. An Unquiet Grave is an exploration of grief, and the harm we cause when we don’t take responsibility for our own healing. Directed by Terrence Krey. Starring Jacon A. Ware and Christine Nyland who also co-wrote the film. VICIOUS FUN – Premieres 29 June ** A Shudder Original Film Joel, a caustic 1980’s film critic for a national horror magazine, finds himself unwittingly trapped in a self-help group for serial killers. With no other choice, Joel attempts to blend in with his homicidal surroundings or risk becoming the next victim. Directed by Cody Calahan. Starring Evan Marsh, Amber Goldfarb, Ari Millen, Julian Richings, Robert Maillet, Sean Baek, David Koechner, Alexa Rose Steele, Mark Gibson, Kristopher Brown and John Fray. SON – Premieres 8 July ** A Shudder Original Film After a mysterious group breaks into Laura’s home and attempts to abduct her eight-year-old son, David, the two of them flee town in search of safety. But soon after the failed kidnapping, David becomes extremely ill, suffering from increasing psychosis and convulsions. Following her maternal instincts, Laura commits unspeakable acts to keep him alive, but soon she must decide how far she is willing to go to save her son. Directed by Ivan Kavanagh. Starring Andi Matichak, Emile Hirsch and Luke David Blumm. THE TOLL – Premieres 15 July ** A Shudder Exclusive Film When a young woman and her rideshare driver break down on a dark forest road, each sees the other as a threat. When strange phenomena begin occurring around them, they gradually realize they've become trapped in the world of a terrifying supernatural being: The Toll Man. Directed by Michael Nader. Starring Jordan Hayes, Max Topplin, James McGowan and Rosemary Dunsmore. KANDISHA – Premieres 22 July ** A Shudder Original Film It is summer break and best friends Amélie, Bintou and Morjana hang together with other neighborhood teens. Nightly, they have fun sharing scary stories and urban legends. But when Amélie is assaulted by her ex, she remembers the story of Kandisha, a powerful and vengeful demon. Afraid and upset, Amélie summons her. The next day, her ex is found dead. The legend is true and now Kandisha is on a killing spree and it’s up to the three girls to break the curse. Directed by Inside and Livid duo Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo. Starring Mathilde Lamusse, Samarcande Saadi and Suzy Bemba. THE BOY BEHIND THE DOOR – Premieres 29 July ** A Shudder Original Film A night of unimaginable terror awaits twelve-year-old Bobby and his best friend, Kevin, when they are abducted on their way home from school. Managing to escape his confines, Bobby navigates the dark halls, praying his presence goes unnoticed as he avoids his captor at every turn. Even worse is the arrival of another stranger, whose mysterious arrangement with the kidnapper may spell certain doom for Kevin. With no means of calling for help and miles of dark country in every direction, Bobby embarks on a rescue mission, determined to get himself and Kevin out alive… or die trying. Directed by Justin Powell and David Charbonier, who also directed this year’s The Djinn . Starring Lonnie Chavis (This Is Us ), Ezra Dewey (The Djinn ), Kristin Bauer van Straten (True Blood ), Scott Michael Foster (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ) and Micah Hauptman (Rust Creek ). TEDDY – Premieres 5 August ** A Shudder Original Film Twentysomething Teddy lives in a foster home and works as a temp in a massage parlor. Rebecca, his girlfriend, will soon graduate. A scorching hot summer begins. But Teddy is scratched by a beast in the woods: the wolf that local angry farmers have been hunting for months. As weeks go by, animal impulses soon start to overcome the young man. Directed by Ludovic Boukherma and Zoran Boukherma. Starring Anthony Bajon (The Prayer ), Ludovic Torrent, Christine Gautier, Noémie Lvovsky, Guillaume Mattera, Jean-Paul Fabre, Alexis Orlandini, Gérard Pau and Jean-Michel Ricart. BLEED WITH ME – Premieres 10 August ** A Shudder Original Film Rowan, a vulnerable outsider, is thrilled when the seemingly perfect Emily invites her on a winter getaway to an isolated cabin in the woods. Trust soon turns to paranoia when Rowan wakes up with mysterious incisions on her arm. Haunted by dream-like visions, Rowan starts to suspect that her friend is drugging her and stealing her blood. She’s paralyzed by the fear of losing Emily, but she must fight back before she loses her mind. Bleed With Me is a psychological horror that juxtaposes tenderness and violence in an investigation of female intimacy and dangerous codependency. Directed by Amelia Moses. Starring Lee Marshall, Lauren Beatty and Aris Tyros. JAKOB’S WIFE – Premieres 19 August ** A Shudder Exclusive Film Anne is in her late 50s and feels like her life and marriage have been shrinking over the past thirty years. Through a chance encounter with a stranger, she discovers a new sense of power and an appetite to live bigger and bolder than before. However, these changes come with a toll on her marriage and a heavy body count. Directed by Travis Stevens (Girl on the Third Floor ). Starring horror icons Barbara Crampton (You’re Next ), Larry Fessenden (The Dead Don’t Die ), Nyisha Bell, Mark Kelly, Sarah Lind, Robert Rusler, Bonnie Aarons and Phil Brooks (aka CM Punk). 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

Vivo follows a one-of-kind kinkajou (aka a rainforest “honey bear,” voiced by Miranda), who spends his days playing music to the crowds in a lively square with his beloved owner Andrés (Buena Vista Social Club’s Juan de Marcos).. Brand new film trailers. Vivo Official Trailer Vivo Official Netflix Film Trailer Released From Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation — the studio that brought you Oscar winner Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and this year's critically acclaimed blockbuster The Mitchells vs. The Machines — comes Vivo , an animated musical adventure featuring all-new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of Hamilton and In the Heights . Vivo follows a one-of-kind kinkajou (aka a rainforest “honey bear,” voiced by Miranda), who spends his days playing music to the crowds in a lively square with his beloved owner Andrés (Buena Vista Social Club’s Juan de Marcos). Though they may not speak the same language, Vivo and Andrés are the perfect duo through their common love of music. But when tragedy strikes shortly after Andrés receives a letter from the famous Marta Sandoval (three-time Grammy-winning Latin pop legend Gloria Estefan), inviting her old partner to her farewell concert with the hope of reconnecting, it’s up to Vivo to deliver a message that Andrés never could: A love letter to Marta, written long ago, in the form of a song. Yet in order to get to Marta, who lives a world apart, Vivo will need the help of Gabi (newcomer Ynairaly Simo) – an energetic tween who bounces to the beat of her own offbeat drum to fulfill his owner’s wishes. Also featuring the voices of Zoe Saldaña (Guardians of the Galaxy ) as Gabi’s mother, Rosa; Michael Rooker as a villainous Everglades python, Lutador; Brian Tyree Henry and Nicole Byer as a pair of star-crossed spoonbills; and Katie Lowes, Olivia Trujillo, and Lidya Jewett as a trio of well-meaning but overzealous scout troops, VIVO is an exhilarating story about gathering your courage, finding family in unlikely friends, and the belief that music can open you to new worlds. The film is directed by Oscar nominee Kirk DeMicco (The Croods ), co-directed by Brandon Jeffords (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2) , written by Quiara Alegria Hudes (In the Heights ), produced by Lisa Stewart (Monsters vs. Aliens ), Michelle Wong (Hotel Transylvania 2 ) and Oscar winner Rich Moore (Zootopia ), with visual consultation by Oscar winning cinematographer Roger Deakins (Blade Runner 2049 ). Serving as the film’s composer and executive music producer is Tony and Grammy award-winner Alex Lacamoire (The Greatest Showman ), and the film is executive produced by Miranda, Golden Globe winner Laurence Mark (Dreamgirls ), and Louis Koo Tin Lok (The Mitchells vs. The Machines ). Vivi is in select UK cinemas on 30th July and on Netflix on 6th August. Paper Tiger The Paper Tiger trailer suggests a searing, deeply moving examination of ambition, guilt, and the toxic pursuit of the American Dream. Ink The newly dropped trailer for Ink confirms those expectations, delivering a relentless, kinetic glimpse into Fleet Street's most disruptive era. The Social Reckoning Seeing the first teaser trailer drop for its spiritual companion piece, The Social Reckoning, sent an absolute chill down my spine. Focker-in-Law If the film can sustain the frantic, competitive energy displayed in this preview, Focker-In-Law might just be the rarest of cinematic beasts: a comedy sequel that actually manages to justify its own existence. We are officially on high alert. Heart of the Beast Heart of the Beast looks like a gripping, tear-jerking cinematic triumph that will resonate with action fans and animal lovers alike. We will definitely be front and centre with our popcorn when this one hits the big screen! Klara and the Sun Klara and the Sun looks like a heart-wrenching, beautifully acted triumph that will linger in the mind long after the curtains close. Power Ballad What has us incredibly excited about Power Ballad is the dynamic friction between its two leads. Paul Rudd seems perfectly cast as the rugged, everyday musician who just wanted a shot at the big time, acknowledging with a heavy heart that having his name on a song of that magnitude would have completely changed his life. The Debut UK Film Review hasn't yet seen the final curtain rise on this one, but if the film matches the sheer dramatic potency of its trailer, The Debut is set to be a staggering, must-see cinematic triumph. One Night Only One Night Only looks to be a sharp, subversively funny, and emotionally resonant look at how we connect when time is running out. It takes a wild, satirical premise and uses it to explore a timeless question: Who would you choose if you only had one night? Supergirl As we look toward the 2026 release, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow stands as a testament to the new direction of DC Studios. Masters of the Universe With the arrival of the first trailer for the 2026 reboot of Masters of the Universe, the cinematic landscape prepares for a collision of sword, sorcery, and surprisingly, suburban Earth. Wild Foxes Dune: Part Three Picking up roughly seventeen years after the seismic events of Part Two, the trailer immediately signals a shift in tone. While the first film was an act of world-building and the second a visceral war epic, Dune: Part Three—an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah—looks to be a far more claustrophobic and tense affair. In The Grey Scary Movie 6 The horror-comedy world is officially being turned upside down as the first trailer for Scary Movie 6 has finally arrived, marking a monumental return for the franchise that defined a generation of parody cinema. Empire of Lies Empire of Lies arrives in UK cinemas and on digital platforms on 27th March. Undertone Undertone is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on Friday, March 13th, 2025. If the trailer is anything to go by, we suggest you keep the lights on and perhaps think twice before pressing play on your next favourite podcast. The Moment The Land of Sometimes Twins Alfie and Elise find a magical Wish Watch on Christmas Eve and are swept by the Wish Collector into the musical Land of Sometimes, where they learn that wishes have consequences. Avengers: Doomsday Fans are elated at the release of the first teaser trailer for Avengers: Doomsday. Set for a theatrical release on 18th December 2026, find out more here.

Starring Jodie Comer, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck, The Last Duel is a Ridley Scott film (penned by Damon, Affleck and Nicole Holofcener) due to come to cinemas October 15, 2021.. Brand new film trailers. The Last Duel Official Trailer The Last Duel Official Trailer from 20th Century Studios Starring Jodie Comer, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck, The Last Duel is a Ridley Scott film (penned by Damon, Affleck and Nicole Holofcener) due to come to cinemas October 15, 2021. Set during the time of King Charles VI, the film also includes the acting talents of stars like Adam Driver, Zeljko Ivanek, and Harriet Walter. Ridley Scott, who worked with Matt Damon on The Martian, has a catalogue of impressive period films, not to mention a sequel to Gladiator in the works. If The Last Duel Official Trailer is anything to go by, film fans will be in for a treat this October. Paper Tiger The Paper Tiger trailer suggests a searing, deeply moving examination of ambition, guilt, and the toxic pursuit of the American Dream. Ink The newly dropped trailer for Ink confirms those expectations, delivering a relentless, kinetic glimpse into Fleet Street's most disruptive era. The Social Reckoning Seeing the first teaser trailer drop for its spiritual companion piece, The Social Reckoning, sent an absolute chill down my spine. Focker-in-Law If the film can sustain the frantic, competitive energy displayed in this preview, Focker-In-Law might just be the rarest of cinematic beasts: a comedy sequel that actually manages to justify its own existence. We are officially on high alert. Heart of the Beast Heart of the Beast looks like a gripping, tear-jerking cinematic triumph that will resonate with action fans and animal lovers alike. We will definitely be front and centre with our popcorn when this one hits the big screen! Klara and the Sun Klara and the Sun looks like a heart-wrenching, beautifully acted triumph that will linger in the mind long after the curtains close. Power Ballad What has us incredibly excited about Power Ballad is the dynamic friction between its two leads. Paul Rudd seems perfectly cast as the rugged, everyday musician who just wanted a shot at the big time, acknowledging with a heavy heart that having his name on a song of that magnitude would have completely changed his life. The Debut UK Film Review hasn't yet seen the final curtain rise on this one, but if the film matches the sheer dramatic potency of its trailer, The Debut is set to be a staggering, must-see cinematic triumph. One Night Only One Night Only looks to be a sharp, subversively funny, and emotionally resonant look at how we connect when time is running out. It takes a wild, satirical premise and uses it to explore a timeless question: Who would you choose if you only had one night? Supergirl As we look toward the 2026 release, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow stands as a testament to the new direction of DC Studios. Masters of the Universe With the arrival of the first trailer for the 2026 reboot of Masters of the Universe, the cinematic landscape prepares for a collision of sword, sorcery, and surprisingly, suburban Earth. Wild Foxes Dune: Part Three Picking up roughly seventeen years after the seismic events of Part Two, the trailer immediately signals a shift in tone. While the first film was an act of world-building and the second a visceral war epic, Dune: Part Three—an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah—looks to be a far more claustrophobic and tense affair. In The Grey Scary Movie 6 The horror-comedy world is officially being turned upside down as the first trailer for Scary Movie 6 has finally arrived, marking a monumental return for the franchise that defined a generation of parody cinema. Empire of Lies Empire of Lies arrives in UK cinemas and on digital platforms on 27th March. Undertone Undertone is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on Friday, March 13th, 2025. If the trailer is anything to go by, we suggest you keep the lights on and perhaps think twice before pressing play on your next favourite podcast. The Moment The Land of Sometimes Twins Alfie and Elise find a magical Wish Watch on Christmas Eve and are swept by the Wish Collector into the musical Land of Sometimes, where they learn that wishes have consequences. Avengers: Doomsday Fans are elated at the release of the first teaser trailer for Avengers: Doomsday. Set for a theatrical release on 18th December 2026, find out more here.

Mirror Mirror film review by UK film critic Isaac Parkinson. Starring David Brown-King directed by Harmeet Singh Grewal. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Mirror Mirror Film Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Critic: Isaac Parkinson | Posted on: May 23, 2022 Directed by: Harmeet Singh Grewal Written by: Harmeet Singh Grewal Starring: David Brown-King Mental health on screen is a challenging topic, and honest depictions are hard to come by. Often grounded attempts at realism for those suffering is seen as gratuitously indulging in psychological pain, while more heightened genre pieces are accused of not taking their topic seriously enough. Dissociative Identity Disorder in particular is often used as a device. A functional shortcut to drama which psychological thrillers use as an automatic route to a disturbed state of mental unrest. It’s frequently crude and only furthers a stigma that those diagnosed with DID are dangerous and unstable. Split comes to mind as a recent example of a film which took an extreme approach to realising a character of multiple personalities. While there were thoughtful criticisms of this depiction, the film was at least consistent in its ideas and seemed largely uninterested in engaging in a grounded or educational discussion on mental health. Mirror Mirror is in many ways opposite — desperate to be involved in the discussion despite having no new ideas to contribute. A man, Anthony, speaks secretively on the phone, evidently afraid of someone overhearing. On the other end of the phone is someone he seems hopeful will save him. The initial foreboding mystery is nicely accompanied by crisp black and white colour. The image is ultra-clear, its high-definition providing a strong contrast to the muted tones. As Anthony enters the bathroom, we see a sheet covering the mirror. He seems fearful of its presence, and what he will see if he looks back. This is quickly revealed as the alternate personality of ‘Tony,’ more unhinged and aggressive than the Anthony we first met. The internal conflict between clashing identities is a heavily overplayed trope, which necessitates often comical over-acting. The dual-role is particularly challenging here, given that he has to switch mid-sentence and without any cuts to allow reconfiguring. Brown-King’s performance is impressive in that he is able to still construct this conflict believably, but a shot-reverse-shot structure would be more effective to build their internal dialogue. Their argument moves in gratuitously sadistic circles and never seems to want to arrive at a point of any kind, but rather just flagrantly exhibit its own tired ideas of mental illness. This comes to the natural conclusion of suicide, appearing to delight in the image of suffering and eventual death. Furthering a sense that there is no escape for someone struggling mentally, this is a predictable ending which is sad to see repeated so many times. The film ends with a disclaimer about DID, although it appears to not be taken from any verified medical source. It then suggests that its intent was to “provide insight” into DID and encourages anyone suffering to get treatment, although again no source to such treatment or further reading is provided. It feels dishonest to me to suggest the goal of this film was to help show “how our understanding of this mental disorder can help save someone’s live.” Aside from the typo which could be avoided by simply citing a reputable source, the idea of understanding any mental disorder remains impossible with texts such as this, only furthering a dramatic stigma surrounding those suffering. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Isaac Parkinson Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Everything Everywhere All at Once film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis directed by Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Everything Everywhere All at Once Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Apr 7, 2022 Directed by: Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert Written by: Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis The Daniels do not make ordinary films. In fact, they tend to make extraordinary films. While their charming 2016 fantasy Swiss Army Man slipped toward sentimentality, Daniel Scheinert’s remarkable 2019 solo follow up The Death of Dick Long did not. Nope. Co-director Dan Kwan and his brand of sweet-natured lunacy are back for the duo’s big, big new effort Everything Everywhere All at Once. The result is an endlessly engaging, funny, tender, surprising, touching maelstrom of activity and emotion. Michelle Yeoh is Evelyn Wang, and today is not her day. She has to meet an IRS auditor (Jamie Lee Curtis, priceless) about the lien on the coin laundromat she owns with her “silly husband” (Ke Huy Quan, nice to see you!). Meanwhile, she’s planning a big party for her judgmental curmudgeon of a father (James Hong, amazing). Instead of helping, her daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu) is clearly planning to come out of the closet. Today, of all days. And then the multiverse shows up. This is a hard movie not to love. The Daniels find the absurd in the ordinary, wring emotion from the most mundane moments, and manage to create something adorable even when really large items are entering or hanging from — I don’t even know how to end that sentence. On an unrelated note (I swear to God, it’s unrelated), what they do with hotdogs is inspired. At the heart of the insanity lurks a spot-on depiction of a midlife crisis, and Michelle Yeoh’s depiction of that crisis is revelatory. The formidable veteran brings physical prowess and nuanced drama to the screen, as you might expect. She’s also really funny, but that wouldn’t be nearly enough to hold this manic experience together. Yeoh convinces while Evelyn arcs as no character has arced before. Curtis, Hong, Hsu and Quan all provide excellent support in role after role after role. The real stars are the Daniels, though, who borrow and recast and repurpose without even once delivering something derivative. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - Mira Sorvina and Sean Astin star in Hero Mode. Find out more at UK Film Review. Mira Sorvina and Sean Astin star in Hero Mode Chris Olson Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 3:25:12 PM GMT+1 Jump into Hero Mode, the fun-filled gamer comedy that will keep the whole family (especially the bored teens) entertained. This comedy adventure sees a coding wiz help save his Mum’s struggling firm with a gamechanger of a video game… Starring Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite, Modern Family ) and Sean Astin (Lord Of The Rings, Stranger Things ) and inspired by retro video games favourites, A. J. Tesler’s (Campaign Trail, Magnolia’s Hope ) new feature takes us on a thrilling ride into to the world of gaming and shows that dreams can come true for those future games designers. Teenage genius Troy Mayfield (Chris Carpenter – As Far As The Eye Can See, Amanda And Jack Go Glamping ) has been coding since he could talk, and all he wants to do is design his own smash-hit video game. When he’s suspended from school for doing a good deed, his mother – and CEO of Playfield Video Games (Sorvino ) – allows him to join the game design team. But being a prodigy who knows it all has its downsides, and Troy must learn that teamwork and listening to those around him are keys to success he had never considered before. With Playfield Games facing financial difficulty and their lead designer Jimmy (Astin ), refusing to cooperate, it’s down to Troy to create the world’s greatest video game to premiere at PixelCon, and he has just 30 days to do it before the company goes under… Will Troy and the team be able to move past their differences and work together to save Playfield Games? The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. Read Now Another Round UK DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced Following its acclaimed cinema release, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating Oscar winner, ANOTHER ROUND, starring Mads Mikkelsen, on early EST 24th September 2021 and DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 27th September 2021. Read Now Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow DVD and Blu-Ray UK Release Date Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow To Land Early On Digital (August 10th) and 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD September 13th. Read Now My Little Sister Gets October UK Release Date My Little Sister is due for a cinema release in the UK, on Friday 8th October 2021. Read Now Grimmfest Reveals Line-Up for 2021 Film Festival After a year of “home invasions” in the form of virtual screenings and online events, this October sees Grimmfest returning to the cinema at last. Read Now Helen Mirren Narrates Powerful Documentary Escape From Extinction Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents Escape From Extinction, a powerful feature documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, coming to selected cinemas from 17th September celebrating ‘Great Big Green Week’ (18-26 September). Read Now Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Following critical acclaim and standout performances, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of the heartbreaking British love story SUPERNOVA, arriving on EST 24th September 2021 and DVD and Blu-ray on 27th September 2021. Read Now The Djinn UK Release Date The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Read Now Come Play UK Digital Release Date Jacob Chase’s directorial debut feature COME PLAY tells the story of Oliver, a solitary autistic boy who comes across a creepy children’s story on his new tablet. Read Now 15m Giant Starfish in Leicester Square Ahead of UK Release of The Suicide Squad British actor Peter Capaldi (BBC’s Doctor Who, World War Z) ‒ who stars in THE SUICIDE SQUAD alongside Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena as genius scientist ‘Thinker’, was bravely photographed with the imposing creature Starro in London’s Leicester Square earlier today in celebration of the film’s UK release this coming Friday. Read Now West Side Story In Cinemas December 2021 From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, the 2021 remake of West Side Story will be coming to cinemas in December 2021. Read Now The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films. Read Now Rise of the Footsoldier Origins UK Cinema Release The eagerly-awaited RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS, starring legendary leading man Vinnie Jones, is showing exclusively in cinemas from September 3, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. Read Now Random Acts of Violence UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Date Jay Baruchel writes, directs and stars in his horror debut Random Acts of Violence, which makes its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder, following its success on the streaming service. Read Now Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 Read Now A New World Order Premieres in UK 23 August Black Mirror meets A Quiet Place in gripping sci-fi thriller A New World Order from director Daniel Raboldt in his feature debut, which gets its UK premiere on DVD and digital 23 August 2021 from Reel 2 Reel Films. Read Now

The Derelict film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Joel Suraci directed by Dante D'Anthony. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Derelict Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: May 15, 2022 Directed by: Dante D'Anthony Written by: Dante D'Anthony Starring: Joel Suraci An animated science fiction story. Based on the story The Derelict from the book Renegades of Ophelia's World: The Pandoran Age Chronicles 5 by Dante D'Anthony, this interesting short film takes the viewer on a journey through space. The duration is approximately twenty minutes and the narrative involves a smuggler who is forced to disappear after a deal goes wrong. The audience follows him as he travels through space in a spaceship, eventually ending up in a bar. Two thirds into the film, the narrative switches to another story, with a different protagonist. The mise-en-scene contains many elements that are often present in science fiction movies that take place in space. There are spaceships, extraordinary buildings, unknown planets, stars, robots, terrifying-looking creatures and strange clothing. Quite a lot of the action takes place inside the cockpit of spaceships, which is pretty cool. The computer animation looks good and manages to create a fantastical world. Regarding the story, it does not stand out much and the adventurous scenes are limited. The biggest strength here are the environments and the characters, as it is amusing sitting back and admiring the look of the spaceships, planets and unearthly beings. The fact that at one point the film's narrative changes plot and main character seems awkward and unexpected. The music is entertaining and includes opera, which makes the scenes feel more wonderous. Joel Suraci provides the voice-over and the result is effective. This short film is intended to be part of the full-length movie The Magnificent Warriors of Dimension War One , which should be exciting, considering the creativity that was put into this project. Looking at The Derelict on its own, it deserves attention from fans of the sci-fi genre. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film, Animation < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Watch The World Cruzer at the 2022 UK Film Review Festival. See the UKFRF 2022 lineup and buy your festival pass. The World Cruzer Listen to our review on the film podcast What our film review said: READ FULL REVIEW This rather intriguing and genuine documentary from Germany makes the audience feel like they are traveling around the globe, arriving at any part of it in the blink of an eye, and seeing the beauty of it and mankind's progress. The people who view this film will see a lot of things, as it contains a rich collection of images that seem to show what life is like on Earth. Proudly supporting MediCinema for our 2022 film festival.

Aaram Viral film review by UK film critic Swati Verma. Starring Gopinath Rajkumar directed by Jairam Mouri. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Aaram Viral Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Apr 19, 2023 Directed by: Jairam Mouri Written by: Jairam Mouri Starring: Gopinath Rajkumar The writer-director Jairam Mouri strongly believes that the art of filmmaking is like an expensive form of therapy for him and he wants to address many issues that were part of Indian society long back with the help of the intricate script and a male protagonist (Gopinath Rajkumar). The plot of the short film-Aaram Viral revolves around the people living in a small village who are still in grip of a social evil like untouchability and the effects of the same in every sphere of their lives. The film opens with a radio message on untouchability, Aaram Viral wants to quickly establish the subject matter so that it can emotionally appeal to its target audience. The camera pans into a classroom set up to showcase the caste divide with the seating arrangements as well as conversations to add elements of realism and relatability to the narrative. The black, white, and brown with a hint of blue and green colour tones provide a sense of nostalgia and want the audience to experience the struggles of times when discrimination was prevalent due to the existence of the caste system. The filmmaker has incorporated references to great political leaders like BR Ambedkar, and many flashbacks as well as dream sequences assist in building up the essence and give it the necessary detailing to maintain continuity as well as ensure the smooth flow of the storyline. The set design, camera angles, lighting, dialogues, music, costume, hair, makeup, and props complement the simple way of storytelling. In terms of performance, the leading actors and supporting cast understand the nuances of what Jairam Mouri wants to extract from them to make the finished product appealing in the eyes of the viewers. The actors chosen by the casting team fit the part as the audience can correlate all three the essence, the mood and the screenplay to enjoy the film. Aaram Viral talks about the importance of education to claim all the well-deserved rights of the citizen of India. The short film reiterates the mission of the film that efforts should be made continuously till every human being is free of the tag of untouchable on account of his birth because everyone deserves equal opportunities to contribute to the development of their motherland. The dramatic piece also discusses education the matter of making right decisions if one wants to be a part of the change and work towards improvising the quality of life for self as well as the family. The movie restates that the existence of the caste system was considered a requirement during ancient times and protesting against the same is needed at present to provide the dignity to live life on their terms. The cinematic piece also tells us that despite the difference in caste, colour, and creed we should always be ready to stand together as a unit in case of emergencies. To conclude I would like to say Aaram Viral sheds light on several integral issues within Indian society that it does not want to express the same to outsiders. The inclusion of the subtitles is of utmost priority if the makers want to reach a wider set of audience. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Rivals of Amziah King film review by UK film critic George Wolf. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Angelina LookingGlass, Kurt Russell directed by Andrew Patterson. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Rivals of Amziah King Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: Aug 13, 2026 Directed by: Andrew Patterson Written by: Andrew Patterson Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Angelina LookingGlass, Kurt Russell Back in 2019, Andrew Patterson’s debut feature The Vast of Night was a welcome surprise. Meticulously crafted with a detailed throwback vibe and some snappy dialog, it got me excited for what Patterson had in store. We finally get his second feature with The Rivals of Amziah King , and once again, I am charmed. His timeline shifts to present day, and the setting moves from New Mexico to Oklahoma for an adventure filled with rousing roots music, the basics of beekeeping, a Southern Gothic mystery and one clever plan for revenge. Matthew McConaughey is electric as Amziah King, a rural beekeeper, musician and all around character who’s asked to help find the rightful owner of twenty barrels full of stolen honey. But after some absurdist violence, a reconnection with his former foster daughter Kateri (Angelina LookingGlass in a captivating debut) and a memorable pot luck/jam session, King finds his own bee colony has been lifted. Kateri’s affection for King as a father figure has never wavered over their years apart, and she commits herself to payback for the guilty party. And she’s pretty sure the trail will lead right to local tycoon Dob McCoy (Kurt Russell). Patterson has a delightfully unique brand of storytelling, one that retains a youthful innocence no matter what adult themes are being juggled. His wordplay is fresh and often deadpan funny, and his camera can oscillate between fluidity and bits of slo-motion for effect. Two films in, it’s clear Patterson is a skilled world-builder. And here, that world is a small Oklahoma community with many interconnected parts and memorable personalities. The parallels that Patterson draws with bee colonies are clear but not force-fed, and his wonderfully eclectic ensemble makes it a kick to follow them around. Patterson seems to be enjoying the bigger canvas for his second film, with a few strands of excess and a 130-minute run time that does get a tad bloated when we reach some odes to Huck Finn in Act III. But it always feels in service of a big swing and a committed vision, and that will always bee easy to forgive. Yes, bee. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic George Wolf Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Morris Men film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Ross O'Hennessy, Eloise Lovell Anderson, Jamie Chambers, Jon Campling, Shahid Hussain directed by Gregg Masuak. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Morris Men Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Oct 2, 2024 Directed by: Gregg Masuak Written by: DB Morgan Starring: Ross O'Hennessy, Eloise Lovell Anderson, Jamie Chambers, Jon Campling, Shahid Hussain In a seaside town, a secret organisation goes up against a gang of criminals. The general concept of this low-budget crime action feature is good guys versus bad guys. A British coastal town is being ravaged by crime with gang violence and drugs being everywhere and the main person responsible for this is crime boss Frankie (O'Hennessy). In the same town there are the Morris Men, a large number of people who primarily engage in dancing activities. However, there is another side to them, as they are actually an organisation of vigilantes and they aim to bring order to the area. As these two groups clash with each other, murders and hand-to-hand combat will ensue. There are some interesting characters in this story. First, there is Frankie, the ruthless gangster and the main antagonist. Then, there is Sally (Anderson) a tough young woman and a member of the Morris Men and she is very committed to the goals of the organisation. Her reunion with Tommy (Chambers), her old flame, creates a romantic subplot. Tommy has returned to the town after spending time in the army and ends up joining the unique group. He is the central male character, a man who is suffering from his experiences in warfare. Then, there are the Morris Men in general (who in contrast to their organisation's name, have women members). Their appearance consists of wearing black clothing, including hats and having face paint. Their activities (apart from fighting crime) involve martial arts training (mostly with sticks), dancing and playing music, particularly drums and bagpipes. Their leader is Bagman (Campling), a middle-aged man with long hair and a beard. Arguably, what stands out the most are the fight scenes and there are plenty of them, plenty of times seeing either Sally or Tommy punching, kicking or utilising sticks to fight bad guys and plenty of time watching them train. Although the fight scenes are not very realistic, they are entertaining. The low production value is evident, with poor quality regarding the image. The camerawork appears amateur and clumsy and so does the editing which often involves dissolve techniques. The acting though is pretty decent. The soundtrack is interesting and includes a variety of songs from the heavy metal, pop and electronic genre. A low-budget action film with plenty of fighting and some romance. This is a story about redemption and courage. The low production value does bring it down, nevertheless the intriguing plot and the fight scenes are enough to make this an enjoyable viewing. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >