2018

PETERLOO: An Essential Depiction of a Forgotten Tragedy
PETERLOO: An Essential Depiction Of A Forgotten Tragedy

Peterloo is a righteously angry film still mad at the widespread injustices that denied the less fortunate their basic human rights, almost two centuries later.

DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE: Bloated, Divisive, Yet Compelling
DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE: Bloated, Divisive, Yet Compelling

S. Craig Zahler’s loyal cult following will find much to love with Dragged Across Concrete, although first time viewers will find it a difficult watch.

POSSUM: A Niche British Nightmare

Possum is an impressively chilling debut from Holness and credit must go to the director for taking a risk on a darker affair.

THE SUPER: Messy Horror Film With All-Too-Brief Glimmers Of Fun
THE SUPER: Messy Horror Film With All-Too-Brief Glimmers Of Fun

The Super has the occasional moment of great horror filmmaking – but not enough to make it a super film.

WUNDERLAND: Trite War Film Is A Failure On Multiple Fronts
WUNDERLAND: Trite War Film Is A Failure On Multiple Fronts

Although Wunderland purports to be a sincere tribute to a real event, it never finds the time to say or suggest anything about war, courage, or death.

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.