2018

SADIE: A Coming-of-Age Drama Both Disturbing & Deeply Moving
SADIE: A Coming-of-Age Drama Both Disturbing & Deeply Moving

Disquieting and deeply moving, Sadie takes its story to extreme lengths while still feeling utterly grounded in the emotional reality of its characters.

BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE: Deconstruction that’s Stylish to a Fault
BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE: Deconstruction That’s Stylish To A Fault

On the performances alone, Bad Times at the El Royale is worth your time and money, lending itself to justifiable reasons to revisit for multiple viewings.

BLACK ’47: Surprisingly Enjoyable Historical Epic
BLACK ’47: Surprisingly Enjoyable Historical Epic

Black ’47 isn’t a perfect film – the shaky characterisation prevents the emotional undercurrents from truly picking up speed. Regardless, it’s a fantastically captivating historical epic.

MONROVIA, INDIANA: Humor And Absurdity From The Fly On The Wall
MONROVIA, INDIANA: Humor & Absurdity From The Fly On The Wall

The mild and moderately amusing take precedence over any grander scheme in Monrovia, Indiana, lacking a moment of discovery in the mundanity and never evoking superiority.

Film Fest 919: THE FAVOURITE: Absurdity & Empathy Go To War In Yorgos Lanthimos' Latest
Film Fest 919: THE FAVOURITE: Absurdity & Empathy Go To War In Yorgos Lanthimos’ Latest

Director Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest is his first truly empathetic character study, aided by three powerhouse performances from Colman, Weisz and Stone.

HELL FEST: Innovative Concept Gives Way To Familiar Slasher Tropes
HELL FEST: Innovative Concept Gives Way To Familiar Slasher Tropes

In an age where horror options are plentiful this time of year, Hell Fest’s derivative thrills almost feel insultingly disappointing.

LITTLE WOMEN: A Bland Adaptation of Not-So-Little Proportion
LITTLE WOMEN: A Bland Adaptation Of Not-So-Little Proportion

Little Women will cater to a specific demographic of viewers who are not picky when it comes to the movies they watch, passing off Lifetime and Hallmark movies as good times.

MONSTERS AND MEN: Frustrating But Subtle & Complex

Monsters and Men is beautifully directed, but it lacks focus, as its choppy and undeveloped structure soon distracts from the matter at hand.

FIRST MAN: Thrilling Space Adventure Is Out Of This World
FIRST MAN: Thrilling Space Adventure Is Out Of This World

There has never been a film that so thoroughly captures the excitement and danger of space travel as First Man, capturing that intoxicating mix of euphoria and terror of the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing.

QUINCY: The Quintessence Or Robot Portrait?

Considering Quincy Jones’ origins, his struggle, and his accomplishments, the Netflix documentary Quincy is a missed opportunity.

KATE NASH: UNDERESTIMATE THE GIRL: Yesterday Was Forever, But Tomorrow Looks Promising
KATE NASH: UNDERESTIMATE THE GIRL: Yesterday Was Forever, But Tomorrow Looks Promising

Kate Nash: Underestimate the Girl is an uplifting documentary that proves that even when your circumstances change for the worst, you can rise above them and come out renewed.

PRIVATE LIFE: A Bittersweet Portrait Of A Couple’s Pursuit Of Parenthood
PRIVATE LIFE: A Bittersweet Portrait Of A Couple’s Pursuit Of Parenthood

Private Life is a beautifully crafted study of two people who struggle to relinquish their desire to control and plan every element of their life.

RIDE: Respectable Film Drives Towards A Confused Conclusion
RIDE: Respectable Film Drives Towards A Confused Conclusion

Ride takes a simple premise and rides it to its logical conclusion, with enough charisma and style to remain interesting.

U - JULY 22: Frustrating Portrayal of a Harrowing Terrorist Atrocity
U – JULY 22: Frustrating Portrayal Of A Harrowing Terrorist Atrocity

For all its faults, U – July 22 attempts to throw the viewer into an unimaginable situation instead of passively retelling it is worth celebrating, even if it doesn’t fully achieve its immersive aim.

MANIAC: Cary Fukunaga's Focused Psychedelic Comeback Infiltrates Your Mind
MANIAC: Cary Fukunaga’s Focused Psychedelic Comeback Infiltrates Your Mind

Expelling all mental illness, Maniac blends all conceivable genres and tones, in an unmistakably difficult balancing act set in an unknown retrofuturist timeline.