In the Shadows film review by UK film critic Sam Quarton. Starring Jack Sambrook directed by Jack Sambrook. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS In the Shadows Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Sam Quarton | Posted on: Dec 14, 2021 Directed by: Jack Sambrook Written by: Jack Sambrook Starring: Jack Sambrook A masked stranger struggles to escape a malevolent forest shrouded in darkness. Minimalism is the order of the day for Jack Sambrook’s experimental film: a shoestring budget short about a faceless person – though wearing a paper mask drawn with dispirited countenance – attempting to escape an evil forest before its insidious voice consumes them. But don’t be fooled; minimalism does not mean simple here. In just under 5 minutes, Sambrook harnesses the power of this natural environment to make a powerful analogy about the inescapable character of mental suffering, transforming the cliched “spooky” forest into a battleground for internal conflict. “You’re nothing, you’re nothing!”, the forest cries – one whisper amongst a thousand others. Its poisonous tone intoxicated on a desire for human misery. This is the opening line to Sambrook’s deeply stifling In the Shadows, a film that recalls Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist the way flora is anthropomorphized into a living, breathing organism fuelled by its malign motives. Dizzying, warping camera work – executed deftly by James Walker – echoes Sam Raimi’s Evil dead, giving diabolical shape and life to this unseen antagonist. But most impressive here is Sambrook’s talent for worldbuilding: each constituent of this malevolent woodland moves like a hivemind; a homogenised mass of wickedness hellbent on draining the vigour from its helpless victim. Though underexposed and clamouring for more light, these dark set pieces contribute an urgency to escape. In the Shadows is not merely a visual triumph, however; the film is underscored by a nauseatingly dissonant sound design evoking terror in a similar way to infrasound – the so-called fear frequency that renders humans a shivering wreck. A glitchy electronic score throbs in terror as the masked stranger trudges over fallen branches; leaves crackle like burning flesh; a viscous stream of consciousness screams: “you should die!” – the sum of these parts adds up to an insane pell-mell of horrifying discordance. This is accomplished DIY filmmaking: that cinematic school of thought which taps into the human urge to create; to elicit emotion in a way that illuminates the world around us – in this case, one shrouded in darkness. For all its dramatic invention, the film is adept at showing – rather than telling – the experience of mental anguish in raw, visceral form: echoes of grief, loss and sorrow symbolised within the voice of the villainous holt – and its representation as an interminably pursuant antagonist – offer a visual explanation of what it might feel like to suffer under the inescapable dictates of the psyche. Sambrook approaches this subject with an apt combination of colour and care. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Sam Quarton Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Once Upon a Superhero film review by UK film critic Callum Ewing. Starring Adam Marcinowski , Yvette Monreal , Ron Bush directed by John M Kline. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Once Upon a Superhero Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Callum Ewing | Posted on: Jul 13, 2026 Directed by: John M Kline Written by: John M Kline Starring: Adam Marcinowski , Yvette Monreal , Ron Bush Once Upon a Superhero is an ambitious and experimental film that has a fascinating take on superhero mythology that for the first half of the runtime manages to blend drama, humour and style together. However, the second half of the film could lead to viewers becoming frustrated. The biggest strength this film possesses is how unique of a concept the central plot is. What if a supposed superhero lost his powers after being exiled? How would he go about getting them back, and how much do people believe his story? When this film was released in 2018, the superhero genre was at the peak of its powers, and Once Upon a Superhero offered a fresh interpretation of the genre. The main character we follow is dubbed Solar Flare, and it is left up to interpretation whether he is truly an exiled god-like superhero or a lone wanderer who wants to believe he is a superhero, as it is better than his current reality. We follow Solar Flare through locations such as Hollywood Boulevard, where he encounters the drugs, sex and violence that define the city's darker side. Through these activities he meets a wide range of characters, with each one helping examine the psyche of Solar Flare. The film's main theme and message, loneliness and isolation leading to endless wandering and unfulfilled hope, work whether we choose to see the film through the lens of an exiled superhero or an unloved human. Adam Marcinowski does a great job portraying both sides of Solar Flare – the stoic fish-out-of-water superhero and the vulnerable homeless nomad. His interactions with the side characters bring out some good emotional and humorous scenes, particularly with the character of Captain Boulevard, played by Jason R. Hughes. One montage with Captain Boulevard was very well done and impactful. However, I found most of the side characters to be lightweight on depth and disappeared from the story without making that much of a notable impact. From a production standpoint this film really works for me. The director John M. Kline had a clear visual style that he wanted to execute with dazzling visuals and impressive production design, considering the budget. The animated superhero sequences, used to suggest Solar Flare’s alleged backstory, add energy and momentum to the film. This sense of creativity also comes through in the sharp transitions, crisp shots and split-screen effects. The convincing superhero costume deserves praise, and the synth-like score complements the film’s atmosphere well. However, my main criticism of the film is that it is far too long, and the unique concept wears off. There are too many scenes of Solar Flare constantly wandering with the story not progressing to any endpoint. I understand that these repeated wandering sequences are meant to reflect how lost Solar Flare feels, but across a 112-minute runtime, they become tiresome and frustrating. Some of these scenes are purposefully disorienting, which is effective at first but again can be overdone the more the film goes on. For me the pacing drags down the enjoyment of this film, as the first half was really engaging, but the film becomes less coherent the longer it goes on. The film would have benefited from 20 to 30 minutes cut from the film. The film's ending will be divisive, and the audience will question whether the emotional payoff warrants the run time. To some, the ending would be in line with the tone of the film, and ultimately Solar Flare’s ending makes sense for where the character was heading. Others would say that a more complex and emotionally rewarding ending could have been conceived, one that would leave the film ending on a high note. Overall, Once Upon a Superhero is an ambitious and creatively interesting film that starts off strong with its unique premise but ultimately drifts towards its conclusion. A strong lead performance and thoughtful themes carry the film strongly for the first half of the runtime, coupled with its strong directorial vision and production design. However, its ponderous pacing, uneven script and lack of emotional depth in the side characters mean the film loses momentum the longer it goes on, leading to what could be an unsatisfying conclusion. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Callum Ewing Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Camp film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Zola Grimmer, Alice Wordsworth, Cherry Moore directed by Avalon Fast. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Camp Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Jun 25, 2026 Directed by: Avalon Fast Written by: Avalon Fast Starring: Zola Grimmer, Alice Wordsworth, Cherry Moore A sapphic coming-of-age summer camp horror, those words are not untrue. They are inaccurate. Whatever expectations you may have coming into writer/director Avalon Fast’s Camp, they’re wrong. Which is not necessarily bad. Prizing atmosphere over genre, Fast’s loose narrative and structure benefit the floating grief that keeps Emily (Zola Grimmer) only partly present in any situation. It’s rooted in an adolescent tragedy and exacerbated by an incident in her early twenties. She’s disconnected, vacant, and her concerned father suggests she take a counselor position at a summer camp for troubled kids. But Fast clarifies from Camp ’s opening sequence that this is not going to be a slasher. Even when Emily falls in with a close-knit group of likewise disaffected young women—her own coven, if you will—the filmmaker shrugs off any comfortable comparison. The Craft ? Practical Magic ? No, grief, guilt, shame, and the disconcertingly untethered existence of modern young adulthood don’t fit so neatly into a single box. Fast wanderingly explores ideas connected with nature and female camaraderie, with acceptance and rejection, with the search for peace. But a typical witch film this is not. In a little attic space above a cabin in a Christian Youth Camp, five damaged young women cling to each other. They bond, drink, hallucinate, cast spells, make sacrifices, and feel comfort. But unlike The Craft , which condemned a dark use of the feminine power of nature, Camp is nonjudgmental. Instead, Fast is interested in these broken young women and their hazy search for something to make them feel whole. The pace is slow, the imagery hypnotic, occasionally surreal. The film aches. It mourns. It embraces a vivid if ill-defined reality in which there is no clear path to happiness or wholeness. Self-discovery is the key, and Emily’s is all melancholy magic. Cinematographer Eily Sprugman captures Emily’s heady freedom and earthy nightmare with gorgeous color. Fast’s languid pace, though sometimes tiresome, mainly delivers a groggy magic that feels like a dark dream. Grimmer’s naturalistic performance grounds the wonder with honesty and heartbreak. There’s a real sadness at the heart of Camp that, along with an intriguingly messy morality, will keep you thinking about it long after it’s over. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release, Digital / DVD Release, LGBTQ+, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

For the Disappeared you film review by UK film critic . Starring NA directed by Ranga Bandaranayke. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS For the Disappeared you Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Aug 3, 2022 Directed by: Ranga Bandaranayke Written by: Chamara Prasanna Kodithuwakku Starring: NA The director Ranga Bandaranayke along with the writer Chamara Prasanna Kodithuwakku spread awareness about the sudden disappearance of the people in Srilanka belonging to the minority category since the 1980's. The plot of the experimental short film revolves around the various incidents of the mysterious disappearance and the long-term effects that the island country has to bear because of the horrific past. The cinematographer J Susewhewa Amila Sampath opens with a long shot of the solar system along with the commentary in the background to establish the subject matter of the cinematic piece and keep the audience hooked to the content so that this issue reaches the wider audience. The black and white colour palette, sound effects, costume, makeup, and camera angles utilized in the cinematic piece highlights the grave nature of the events which also provides a sense of realism to the viewers so that they can relate to it and help in contributing for a better future for the country. The long shot of people showcasing their day-to-day life and a few interviews give the details of civilization barbarism that was taking place in Srilanka, therefore, increasing the degree of emotional connect with the documentary as the creative piece moved towards its Climax. In terms of performance, social workers like Basil Fernando (Chairman- Asian Human Rights Commission), Samanmali Hettiarachchi (Director-DabinuCollective), Brito Fernando (Chairman- Families of the disappeared), and Professor Chandraguptha Thenuwara along with several others who remain unnamed continuously worked to get justice for the victims and their families and also shed light on how people fight back as the society to eradicate social evils like disappearance, detentions, and killings that were taking place openly. These welfare workers gather the courage to raise their voices for equality of all the Srilankan citizens and also protect the future generations. The short film- For the disappeared you educates its audience about the existence of humans with the reference to the solar system. The documentary reiterates how valuable one is for their family. The cinematic piece talks about the importance of working in the economically greedy world to safeguard and minimize the suffering of loved ones. The movie states that people should not lose hope in life and continue to resist all the struggles and emerge victorious. This film enlightens the viewers regarding all the rights are given by the constitution and that no one can be punished for demanding the same. For the disappeared you talks about the need for Srilanka to remember the appalling past and ensure it does not happen ever again. As an ardent viewer of Short films I loved the fact that the director Ranga Bandaranayke stayed true to the traditional values and culture of his motherland. I also liked his dedication to the art of filmmaking to highlight even the dark underlying issues that need to be addressed at an urgent basis. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - Minari gets UK & Irish release date. Find out more at UK Film Review. Minari gets UK & Irish release date Chris Olson Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 10:10:02 AM GMT Nominated for Best Director, Film Film Not in the English Language, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Score and Best Casting at the BAFTAs WINNER of Best Foreign Language Film at Golden Globes WINNER of Best Foreign Language Film and Best Young Performer at Critics’ Choice Awards WINNER of the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at 2020 Sundance Film Festival Nominated for Best Ensemble, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress at SAG Awards Nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film at DGA Awards Altitude will release Lee Isaac Chung’s award-winning film MINARI starring Steven Yeun (Burning, Sorry To Bother You, The Walking Dead) on-demand and virtual cinemas in the UK and Ireland from 2 April, in drive-in cinemas from 12 April and cinemas as they reopen. The film has been nominated for six BAFTA Awards, including Best Director, Best Film in a Foreign Language, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor, following its recent wins at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards. The film had its World Premiere at 2020 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award and has garnered critical acclaim and praise from audiences for its vivid and transformative storytelling. A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, MINARI follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, MINARI shows the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home. With arresting performances from Steven Yeun, BAFTA-nominee Yuh-jung Youn (Sense8), Han Ye-ri (My Unfamiliar Family), and now BAFTA-nominated newcomer Alan S Kim, MINARI is intimate, beautifully composed and empathetic cinema of the highest order. WATCH MINARI AT HOME FROM 2 APRIL. TO LEARN MORE VISIT MINARI.FILM 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

Pronouns in Bio film review by UK film critic Joe Beck . Starring Frankie Shaftain-Fenner directed by Frankie Shaftain-Fenner. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Pronouns in Bio Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Feb 23, 2022 Directed by: Frankie Shaftain-Fenner Written by: Frankie Shaftain-Fenner Starring: Frankie Shaftain-Fenner In today’s world few things are as essential to people as social media. Be it Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook; whatever. Last May, Instagram introduced a feature which gave people the option to put their pronouns in their bio. He/Him, She/Her, They/Them - chances are you’ll have seen them. ‘Pronouns in Bio’ stresses the importance of these, and tells the story of transgender woman Frankie Shaftain-Fenner. Firstly, there are very few transgender filmmakers in Hollywood - the Wachowskis are the only two which spring to mind - so it is excellent to see more trans filmmakers such as Shaftain-Fenner emerging in the business. What’s also important is that her story is told through her own eyes - early on Frankie touches on the idea of male gaze in film and television, no doubt this a story which needed to be told by a transgender woman. ‘Pronouns of Bio’ is a biographical documentary, which documents Frankie over a six month period, as she details her journey, from coming to terms with the fact that she was transgender to the struggles of getting hormones from the NHS. The strength of ‘Pronouns of Bio’ is Frankie herself, who brings so much empathy and humanity to herself, whilst never shying away from the rough parts of her past. The manner in which she tells her story is so empowering and it truly feels as though you’re going on that journey with her. More than that, it is incredibly informative - there are so many things about the process of transition which I never about until watching ‘Pronouns in Bio’. The film tackles issues with Frankie’s mental health, her isolation from friends and loved ones and her experiences of transphobia. Whilst most of the detailing takes place in her own home, with journal video logs - there are also some extremely well-shot montages and sequences. In particular, there’s a sequence in which Frankie is walking through a forest and picks up some oestrogen gel. In addition to being impeccably shot, it is a fun, inventive way of telling us that she’s started taking oestrogen. There’s a strong influence from the likes of Bo Burnham in the film, with frequent musical interludes and throwaway dark humour. The songs never fail to hit a beat, and further demonstrate Shaftain-Fenner’s talents, telling their own story whilst also moving the overarching story forward. The song ‘6 Weeks’ is especially relatable and rings true even for myself as a heterosexual man. On the other hand, the humour doesn’t always land - some of the jokes are funny, yes, but a lot of them don’t work and even come across as trying too hard. Overall, ‘Pronouns in Bio’ is a wonderfully informative film from Frankie Shaftain-Fenner, one that tells an important story of what it is like to be a transgender person in the UK. The camerawork is at times impressive, though the video journal pieces are more educational and heartfelt, and the use of songs are excellent. Despite many jokes not hitting the mark, that doesn’t take away from the intimate and deeply pers Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Joe Beck Documentary, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Secrets of the Krays will premiere on BritBox on 13th May, 2021.. Brand new film trailers. Secrets of the Krays Trailer SECRETS OF THE KRAYS Launching this Thursday on Britbox An in-depth look at the most famous gangsters in British history; Secrets of the Krays will feature revelatory interviews with those who knew the Krays best, including former gang members, relatives and family friends, as well as celebrity photographer and friend David Bailey, the Krays’ lawyers, and police officers involved in bringing them to justice. Many have never spoken before – including Micky Fawcett who was a key member of “The Firm” from its early days. The documentary will also unveil never-before-seen artefacts, including Reggie’s personal scrapbook documenting the brothers’ crimes, Reggie’s personal photographs, audio recordings from prison, a poem from Ronnie to Reggie, and two unpublished manuscripts from former gang members – as well MI5 files on the Krays. Secrets of the Krays, Britbox UK’s first original factual commission, is being produced as a three part documentary series by ITN Productions. It is being Executive Produced by Ian Rumsey and Nathaniel Lippiett. Secrets of the Krays will premiere on BritBox on 13th May, 2021 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.

Watch Another Day at the 2022 UK Film Review Festival. See the UKFRF 2022 lineup and buy your festival pass. Another Day Listen to our review on the film podcast What our film review said: READ FULL REVIEW The film is bookended by a second montage. During the finale, there is a heart-fluttering visual expression that is a little clunky in execution but expresses the sentiment of the short as succinctly as the opening. This kind of experimentation is what makes watching short films exciting. The kind of risks that pay off. Proudly supporting MediCinema for our 2022 film festival.

Film news - New UK Release Date for The Courier. Find out more at UK Film Review. New UK Release Date for The Courier Chris Olson Friday, June 25, 2021 at 6:09:59 PM GMT+1 IN UK CINEMAS 13th August 2021 THE COURIER is a true-life spy thriller, the story of an unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. At the behest of the UK's MI6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan), he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis. Only in Cinemas August 13 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

Lazy Guy film review by UK film critic William Hemingway. Starring Savo Scepanovic, Milica Scepanovic, Tatijana Marinovic directed by Aleksa Stefan Radunovic. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Lazy Guy Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Sep 20, 2022 Directed by: Aleksa Stefan Radunovic Written by: Aleksa Stefan Radunovic Starring: Savo Scepanovic, Milica Scepanovic, Tatijana Marinovic Lazy Guy by writer/director Aleksa Stefan Radunovic takes us to the streets of Podgorica in Montenegro where, like most of the rest of the world, the cost of living is making things extremely difficult for a lot of people. Prices keep going up but jobs are becoming increasingly more difficult to find and people are being pushed into ever more extreme circumstances. Here we follow Milos (Savo Scepanovic), who is our eponymous Lazy Guy , labelled such by his estranged wife Jelena (Milica Scepanovic) and her family who just see him as a good-for-nothing layabout who only likes to drink and smoke with his friends instead of being a responsible adult with a proper job and prospects for his future. At a meeting with the social worker, who supervises parental visits between Milos, Jelena and their young son Sasa, Jelena tells him that he won't be allowed to see his son anymore because he hasn't been keeping up with child support payments, due to him being a lazy bum who doesn't have a job. Finally, this pushes Milos to get up off his mother's sofa and start looking for a way to make his own money. However, things aren't as easy as all that for Milos as at every turn he is pipped to the post by tens, dozens or scores of other people who are in the same position as him. Even the job that Milos is most qualified for and for which he interviews brilliantly, is handed to someone else, because as usual it's not what you know, it's who you know that counts. Things tend to go from bad to worse as Milos tries to get a foothold in the job market and the way Jelena keeps badgering him for money as well as other things, while constantly telling him how useless he is, really isn't helping either. Milos just can't seem to get a break. Radunovic paints a pretty bleak picture with this film while trying to get to the heart of just what makes a 'Lazy Guy ' in modern day Montenegro. It's not just Milos who's suffering and it's not just the lack of work that's the problem. Issues relating to smoking, drinking, gambling, ill health and a blame culture all rear their ugly heads and what is striking is that throughout not a single mention is made about state sponsored help. There is a small smattering of Krzysztof Kieslowski that can be determined from the direction and cinematography here, with most things seeming bleak and grey in the concrete jungle of Podgorica. Dekalog (1988) comes most to mind with a window into the soul of people trying to eke out a living in desperate circumstances, but really what Lazy Guy is most reminiscent of is a Montenegrin I, Daniel Blake (2016) – taking a pointed view of one man's struggle to stay afloat on a tide of national indifference. Most things work well in the film with the images and sound being captured and put together really well. The story builds at a good rate and everything seems believable in a world that most of us will have never seen before but which feels familiar nonetheless. The main actors all do a fantastic job, although some of the bit parts seem to have gone to amateurs, and a couple of unresolved threads such as Milos' father and the turnaround in the relationship with Jelena, detract a little from the overall feel of the film but not enough to limit the viewer's enjoyment. Lazy Guy is a well made film which strikes a good balance between hope and despair and which displays all the ugly glory of finding a foundation from which to build. Well worth eighty minutes of your time. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Hemingway Indie Feature 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 >

Goodbye, Petrushka film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Lizzie Kehoe, Thomas Vieljeux, Casey Landman, Bartek Szymanski, Cat Grey directed by Nicola Rose. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Goodbye, Petrushka Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Mar 3, 2024 Directed by: Nicola Rose Written by: Nicola Rose Starring: Lizzie Kehoe, Thomas Vieljeux, Casey Landman, Bartek Szymanski, Cat Grey An American student goes to Paris in order to pursue a project involving puppets and skating and ends up dealing with numerous complications. Claire (Kehoe) is a film student in New York City and she has a passion for puppetry and is quite fond of Paris. Unfortunately, her ideas are not accepted by her tutor and fellow students and she decides that the time has finally come to go to Paris and work at the Puppetry Arts Institute of Paris. So she does just that, accompanied by Julia (Landman), her awkward best friend. In France, she gets into contact with Thibaut (Vieljeux), a former figure skating champion who she recently met by chance back in the U.S. and convinces him to work on a project she has in mind that will involve combining her puppetry skills and his skating experience and the Petrushka ballet by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. This comedy drama plot combines chasing dreams, self-discovery and romance. Poor Claire has to deal with quite a lot in Paris: being a foreigner, she struggles to fit in due to language barrier and she works as an au pair for a French family who does not approve of her. In addition to all this, she discovers that Thibaut (who is she quite fond of) has a partner (Grey) and he has lost his passion for skating because he believes that he is now past his prime and now works at a bank. Disappointed, Claire begins a relationship with Rafal (Szymanski), a student at the Institute, while Thibeut reconsiders his life's choices. The screenplay includes awkward moments and the well-written dialogue deserves praise. The rapport that develops between Claire and Thibaut is the main center of the narrative, exploring how these two individuals are affecting each other. Claire is a friendly person who wants to pursue her goals and faces all sorts of problems will trying to do so. Thibaut has abandoned his passion and lives a life that he does not really want. That contradiction creates the main conflict of the story: two people come together and one wants to make their dreams a reality while the other is done with that and the viewer will most likely sympathise with the two main leads. Landman's character is quite intriguing: a childish young woman who is a germophobe, believes in other-worldly beings and is filled with mostly silly advice. The rich soundtrack is one of the best aspects of this feature as it contains wonderful pieces by artists such as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Frederic Chopin which fit very effectively in the film, creating pleasant experiences. The lovely animation sequences are another big plus, which are based on Stravinsky's ballet mentioned above. Filled with beautiful colours, they take the viewer on a short but magical journey. It is worth mentioning that as puppetry plays a significant part in this film, there are plenty of those to be seen, some of which look good, others not so good. This is a funny and emotional story that significantly focuses on self-discovery and the pursuit of dreams. It is a heart-warming film with two likeable leads, splendid music and it touches on the joys of the worlds of puppetry and ice skating. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >