war

THE YELLOW BIRDS: A Film At War With Itself

It’s received a fair amount of negative response for its allegiance to the cinematic canon, but The Yellow Birds is more than the sum of other films’ parts and makes for a worthwhile adventure.

SGT. STUBBY: Dog Of War’s Sweet Animated Tail
SGT. STUBBY: Dog Of War’s Sweet Animated Tail

There are those that may find Sgt. Stubby a little too twee for their tastes and it may not appeal to those who are not won over by doggy antics, but for those that are susceptible to a four legged friend, you will find Stubby a real heart-warmer.

SFIFF Review: LES GARDIENNES: Patience Is A Virtue With This Molasses-Paced Chef D'Oeuvre
LES GARDIENNES: Patience Is A Virtue With This Molasses-Paced Chef D’Oeuvre

Les Gardiennes is another gracefully-directed film by Beauvois, and it gifts the audience with another perfect arrangement from Legrand, three gripping performances from Smet, Bay, and Bry, and plenty of eye-catching imagery to make up for its lagging pace.

MOHAWK: A Low Budget But Still Impressive Action Horror
MOHAWK: A Low Budget But Still Impressive Action Horror

Disguised simply as a small-scale action horror film, Mohawk becomes a good focal point for something much larger than itself, which enables its flaws to be more readily overlooked. 

OPERATION RED SEA: The Definition Of 'Action-Packed'
OPERATION RED SEA: The Definition Of ‘Action-Packed’

Dante Lam’s latest military rollercoaster ride, Operation Red Sea, is an unrelenting vehicle of authentic action entertainment, an extensive series of well-executed, thrilling combat sequences.

SEE YOU UP THERE: Post-War Problems
SEE YOU UP THERE: Post-War Problems

Despite some real imaginative sequences, which are illuminated by excellent production design and great costume choices, See You Up There’s lacklustre style isn’t consistent, never quite reaching the heights that the absurd tale requires.

JOURNEY'S END: A Hard-Hitting Tribute To Heroes
JOURNEY’S END: A Hard-Hitting Tribute To Heroes

Powered by memorable performances and Saul Dibb’s sobering deconstruction of the individuals who fought for their country, the engrossing Journey’s End is a hard-nosed, hard-hitting centennial tribute to Britain’s heroes.

Satire for Jocks: The Anti-Fascism of STARSHIP TROOPERS
Satire For Jocks: The Anti-Fascism Of STARSHIP TROOPERS

While over looked and low-browed by critics when first released, Sean Fallon takes a look at why Starship Troopers is a trenchant, satirical commentary on fascism, the military-industrial complex, and our love of violence, masquerading as a dumb actioner.

12 STRONG: True Story Of Green Berets On Horseback Lacks Horsepower
12 STRONG: True Story Of Green Berets On Horseback Lacks Horsepower

12 Strong feels on a par with the cringeworthy, overly patriotic action films made during the significant wars of America’s past, with nothing to say about the nature of war itself.

FEAR US WOMEN: Empowering, Sobering, & Entrancingly Spectacular
FEAR US WOMEN: Empowering, Sobering, & Entrancingly Spectacular

Fear Us Women takes us on a journey alongside the all-female Kurdish armed forces fighting ISIS, and it’s a gut-wrenching first-hand account.

BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY: Overdue Recognition For The Brains Behind The Beauty
BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY: Overdue Recognition For The Brains Behind The Beauty

With Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, Alexandra Dean shows who Lamarr truly was: a genius inventor who was denied recognition most of her life.

WAR DOGS: Of Men, By Men, For Men
WAR DOGS: Of Men, By Men, For Men

War Dogs is a hyper-masculine film that, offensively but not surprisingly, uses its main female character simply as a plot device.

LAST FLAG FLYING: Momentarily Enjoyable, But Ultimately Forgettable
LAST FLAG FLYING: Momentarily Enjoyable, But Ultimately Forgettable

Last Flag Flying is an experience that likely won’t stay with you for long, but it is pleasant enough viewing to recommend a watch.

INSYRIATED: The Horrors Of War, At Home
INSYRIATED: The Horrors Of War, At Home

Whilst much of the conversation in the Western world is about the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Europe, Insyriated reminds us of those who can’t even leave their own homes.

THE APOLOGY: An Emotional, Gut-Wrenching Glimpse Into The Atrocities of War
THE APOLOGY: An Emotional, Gut-Wrenching Glimpse Into The Atrocities of War

The documentary The Apology tells the story of three Asian women whose lives have been turned upside down by the trauma of sexual slavery.