2010s

22 JULY: Exploring Life After Tragedy In Norway
22 JULY: Exploring Life After Tragedy In Norway

22 July begins as an urgent and devastating film, before suddenly turning into a never-ending slog, destined to leave viewers wondering where things went wrong.

THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE: A Mean Spirited Reimagining of a Literary Classic
THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE: A Mean Spirited Reimagining Of A Literary Classic

After failing to get the film out of production hell for so many years, it’s no surprise The Man Who Killed Don Quixote feels world weary and cynical.

THE HATE U GIVE: An Honest Portrait of how Anger Begets More Anger
THE HATE U GIVE: An Honest Portrait Of How Anger Begets More Anger

The Hate U Give is an important film; it understands the suffering poor communities go through, and how economic circumstances can enflame racial tensions.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: Fearless Freddie Gets A Bland Makeover
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: Fearless Freddie Gets A Bland Makeover

Bohemian Rhapsody provides casual fans with some raucous concert re-enactments, but those seeking insight into the band’s and particularly Mercury’s history should look elsewhere.

AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS: “Worship Me” Sounds A Lot Like “All Hail The New Flesh”

While the film possesses a level of craft and passion that cannot be ignored, Await Further Instructions is missing something vital: originality.

Film Fest 919: VOX LUX: Disturbing, Dazzling Tale Of A Pop Star’s Rise

Vox Lux is a weighty experience guaranteed to take a toll on viewers, both from its philosophical musings and its uncompromising look at 21st century violence.

APOSTLE: Extreme, Gruesome Cult Tale Is Slightly Uneven

If it’s undeniably riddled with imperfections, Apostle is still a worthy new venture from an abundantly talented filmmaker.

MARIO: A Powerful Kick to the Heart
MARIO: A Powerful Kick To The Heart

Mario tackles the stigma of being a gay man in professional soccer with remarkable realism and heart, with what could have been excessively melodramatic or exploitative.

THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD: A Colossal Achievement Of Preserving History Through Film
THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD: A Colossal Achievement Of Preserving History Through Film

They Shall Not Grow Old is a major monument for our memory of the British soldiers who fought in WW1 and an enormous step forward in depicting history through cinema.

HALLOWEEN: A Missed Opportunity 40 Years In The Making
HALLOWEEN: A Missed Opportunity 40 Years In The Making

Halloween ends strongly, which always helps, but the picture lacks imagination in too many other areas to have any lasting impact.

THE NIGHT COMES FOR US: An Action Movie Classic Is Born
THE NIGHT COMES FOR US: An Action Movie Classic Is Born

If you’re a fan or a newbie or just someone looking for a bloodbath of an action movie, move The Night Comes for Us to the very, very top of your list.

STOLEN DAUGHTERS: KIDNAPPED BY BOKO HARAM: A Worldwide Cry for Women's Rights
STOLEN DAUGHTERS: KIDNAPPED BY BOKO HARAM: A Worldwide Cry For Women’s Rights

Stolen Daughters: Kidnapped By Boko Haram, directed and co-produced by Gemma Atwal, explores the history if abducted girls and the continued presence of Boko Haram in Nigeria.

NIGERIAN PRINCE: A Somewhat Standard Thriller Lifted By Its Novel Setting
NIGERIAN PRINCE: A Somewhat Standard Thriller Lifted By Its Novel Setting

What makes Nigerian Prince stand apart from the cavalcade of other crime thrillers cribbed straight out of the Guy Ritchie handbook is its Nigerian setting.

WHAT THEY HAD: A Resounding Family Drama
WHAT THEY HAD: A Resounding Family Drama

What They Had is an honest snapshot of a family during crisis, in all its inevitably chaotic shades – it’s exactly what you’d hope a movie about Alzheimer’s would be.

TWO FOR JOY: A Mesmerising and Devastating Depiction of Grief
TWO FOR JOY: A Mesmerising & Devastating Depiction Of Grief

Two for Joy is desperate and demanding, but it offers something which is rarely allowed in films which depict poverty. – it offers hope.