Oliver Stone directs like a grasshopper on amphetamines.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

What marks out Uzumasa Limelight... is its willingness to combine withering criticism of the laziness and corruption in much modern filmmaking with graciousness in the face of change.

~ Jennie Kermode -

One of the most strikingly original Japanese horror movies of its era.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Packed with information throughout.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The film's aware that it's an improbable story, so it does everything in its power to couch it as being based on a true story, but for all that it's ironically unconvincing.

~ Andrew Robertson -

Grisi has a background in photography and though the images are moving here, there's often a stillness to them and they are no less perfectly composed.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There is a suprise twist at the end, which is always nice, and the actors are made to work for their salaries.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

You'll have the melancholy sensation that you're watching something which is disappearing even as you see it.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Us is a deeply subversive film

~ Anton Bitel -

Besri, who has a background in maths and physics, constructs his film like a careful equation

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It is hokum, pure and not-so-simple, executed with youthful zest.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

The underside of Glasgow life is captured with merciless accuracy.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Edited, directed and shot by Andy Fetscher (Bukarest Fleisch), Urban Explorer offers a cruel lesson in the ugliest aspects of Germany's recent history.

~ Anton Bitel -

Brilliantly made.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Godber's script is as predictable as sleet on a waterlogged pitch.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

A quick script and sharp performances all round help deliver an enjoyable, if ultimately sentimental commentary of the times.

~ Paul Griffiths -

The acting is either terrible or terrific and the social set pieces, like the Princess's dinner party, seem positively absurd.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

It is at times meandering and not a little mawkish, but its vivid primary colours conceal a great deal of shaded nuance.

~ Anton Bitel -

What could be silly in other hands, such as gnomic suggestions that "the river gose in circles here, generates a strange unease here, as Olte explores the psychological tricks a mind can play on itself.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The subject of understanding and mystery prove a sticking point, with the film remaining so wilfully opaque that it is more frustrating than rewarding by the end credits.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Acting of this calibre can change the world, if only for a moment.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

I went with the expectation that I'd see some good old-fashioned cyberpunk-inflected kicky-punch and was not disappointed.

~ Andrew Robertson -

Inspires a feeling of awe.

~ Josh Morrall -

Like so many anthology films, it suffers from the fact that the sections are uneven, with the middle segment soaring high above the two bookend stories.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Despite its narrative issues, this film has some well structured dialogue and a touching relationship at its centre.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The excellent supporting cast – with Lopez impressive as ever – elevate the material,

~ Jennie Kermode -

By the time Frank and Chris are taking on the train - complete with running, dangling and some large chunks of that back story you had rather hoped they'd forgotten about - the tension begins to hum.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

In keeping with its subject, Unschooled is loosely structured, throwing a lot of things into the mix.

~ Jennie Kermode -

That the biggest surprise of the film is not a plot point at all but the appearance of someone famous in a cameo role, speaks volumes.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

This is a film that spends much of its time on observation and analysis of the known facts, chronicling a piece of history rather than using it as a prompt to search for solutions.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It may waver, but it knows where it is going, and in the journey has something to say.

~ Andrew Robertson -

The situation is ripe with ridiculousness, but Aljem shows a lot of restraint.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Such a handsomely shot, gloriously stylised piece of work that it can stand alongside the best of the genre proper.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A classic example of a workmanlike piece given enough polish to make it stand out.

~ Owen Van Spall -

The Unjust is an intense ride, a little one-note, but is very slickly made.

~ Owen Van Spall -

Multiverses have become a box office staple lately, courtesy of Marvel and the like, but they are rarely as elegantly mounted as this retro and twisty little mystery from Timm Kröger.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Day not only captures the vocals perfectly, which is no mean feat considering the smoke in Holiday's voice, but gives a feel for the star, retaining a sense of steely resolve in the face of alcoholism, heroin addiction and her often violent relationships

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Maintains a fierce and continuous tension... like mainlining adrenaline.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

The love story would have a lot more impact if it were more sparingly told.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A quirky yet moving character piece full of absurdist comedy, with an optimistic streak which is rare in cinema today.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There will be someone, many, out there who will love it.

~ Andrew Robertson -

As a two hander, the film eases gently towards acceptance, even affection, until a melodramatic ending blows it to smithereens.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

The photography is sumptuous, the settings perfect, the foreplay sensual.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

An odd film which seems as likely to find admirers as it is to find detractors.

~ Robert Munro -

Overall, the story is slight, but Lee Eun-ah's atmospheric cinematography enables Unearth to punch above its weight.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It is no doubt well intentioned but it lacks intellectual rigour and shows no awareness of the vast body of work already done in this area.

~ Jennie Kermode -

When Petzold shows the broken mending again, the magic of cinema becomes the subject

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

The extensive interview material gives the film a dry, journalistic tone, but it doesn't want tor emotional impact.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It's a sense of humour failure that finally sinks the movie.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

The tone is deliberately odd blending the naturalism of the day-to-day emotions of relationships and grief, with the altogether more heightened tensions of a revenge thriller, while still keeping a cheeky eye on the absurdity of a mooning garden gnome.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Jarring and unsettling at times, this is a cut above most film debuts, for director and star.

~ Paul Griffiths -

There are just too many movie references and homage to the likes of David Lynch in this noirish thriller to make it anything other than an over-derivative exercise in style over substance.

~ Richard Mowe -

A study in grief, using magic realism, seems metaphorically top heavy.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

The stories that bloom here are rooted in the real, jacketed in the bruised flesh of familiar harms.

~ Andrew Robertson -

Arida wants us to see - and just as importantly, hear - the world as Alain does, to go beyond character study into character immersion

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A sensitive and insightful tale with a lot of emotional resonance.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Absense of personality leaves Beckinsale's character in a limbo, where sex appeal is not the same as charisma.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Particularly inspiring here are the collaborations between women, whether composers, musicians, engineers or a blend of these.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Palacio also understands the resonance of small objects for those who have nothing and uses this to heighten the impact of their situation on us.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The dystopian stories in Spanish director Chino Moya's feature debut nest within one another like a series of Russian dolls - dolls that have been carved by someone with a soft-spot for JG Ballard.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Kaskas makes the step up from short films to her first feature with ease.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The backgrounds are beautiful, showing off the Korean countryside at its finest, but it's the story that really drives the film.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The problem lies in the staging and the plotting, both of which make the film feel like a solid TV show rather than a feature film.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Adam Sandler has always been a contender. Sexy and fun for some. Sandpaper for others.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Young takes his time, exploring the history of relevant publications and Hamilton's role in their growth.

~ Sergiu Inizian -

Despite its dense plot, the story is as predictable as the route back to Creekville and it is testimony to Bettany and Lillis that Ball gets as much mileage out of it as he does.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

An elegant tribute to lives that would otherwise have been forgotten.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Uncharted doesn't break new ground, and doesn't retread familiar territory in a fun way. It's diverting enough, but its crosses and double crosses are all pretty well signposted

~ Andrew Robertson -

Matching the subtlety of the story and the assurance of the camerawork, the acting shines.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

As the story ball is passed from one set of characters to the next, you sense the dexterity without being distracted by it, while the messages about being a team player and winning by fair means not foul underpins the action without getting in the way.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Their stories complement each other, driving home the message that social justice is not a performative media statement, but a matter of courage in the face of existential threat.

~ Nikola Jovic -

The film delivers well on action, and Barker knows how to shoot fights which are both fun to watch and capable of advancing our understanding of the characters.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A natural crowd pleaser.

~ Jennie Kermode -

What makes the film stand out, apart from the fact that it is a musical, is its reluctance to go all the way with the melodrama.

~ Nicola Osborne -

For long time fans of Firth, this is a wonderful collection of some of his best material.

~ Luke Shaw -

As we wander through the labyrinth we are drawn further and further into its trap, made ever more keenly aware of our own hunger for knowledge, for understanding.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The whole film looks rushed, the intention being to get the audience through the rollercoaster fast enough so they do not notice the peeling paint and loose wires of this particular ride.

~ Stephen McMorland -

Ultrasound is a slippery little puzzle of a film. It's cleverly put together and really quite neatly tied together, though not every viewer will successfully unravel it or, for that matter, make it to the end.

~ Jennie Kermode -

For a feelgood movie, the hives are stacked against it.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Yerzhanov explores the pernicious tenacity of the status quo, with Azhar already groomed to be happy with her lot and others all too willing to fall in line

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The acting depicts fear and determination - no shades of emotion, no humour.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

To watch Utopias in 2016 is to experience a sense of déjà vu - it shows the NHS and whole concept of the welfare state under attack while the Labour Party flounders through factionalism and an inability to articulate a vision of the future.

~ Rebecca Naughten -

It's a powerful subject. The film, unfortunately, doesn't always give it its due.

~ Jennie Kermode -

An impressive array of commentators, peaceniks, politicians and writers... without exception, make valuable contributions.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Singer and McQuarrie expertly sustain a rich and tantalising conceit, keeping the reader guessing to a superb climax – and beyond.

~ Jeff Robson -

Shutaro challenges us to stay with this quietly brutish character.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Takes a while to settle down into a comfortable, consistent tone, however, it's wonderfully unpredictable.

~ James Benefield -

Chang’s sensitive observational style allows the contrast between the unreality of the ship and the crushing hardship of the lives of Yu Shui’s family to develop naturally.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

While Up There is jam-packed with dry Scottish humour and absurd situations brought on by the dead's physical handicap, the film never fails to engage with its audience on a more philosophical level.

~ Lindis Kipp -

As the kids, Zamand Taha and Sarwar Fazil are good, but their charm and cheeky grins aren't enough to save Up &Away.

~ Andrew Robertson -

An ambitious premise that only just falls short of genius.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The characters have no backbone, the story little credibility or substance.

~ Monica Wolfe Murray -

Peerless as TV drama.

~ Tim Bryant -

Each episode feels self-contained, allowing the viewer to dip in and out without having to watch in sequence.

~ Sarah Artt -

The Upsetter is must see film for fans of Dub and Reggae who want to learn about the roots of the music as told by one of its forefathers.

~ George Williamson -

Although the crowd scenes and military violence are depressingly familiar, Snowdon also finds individual faces to outline the strength of sentiment across many of the countries.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Fragmentary, allusive in style, and slipping fluidly from impressionistic flashbacks to scrambled dreams, Uprise is not so much a narrative as a series of suggestions for a number of possible narratives.

~ Anton Bitel -

Although, occasionally resorting to stereotypes and cliche to find a laugh, by and large Iglesias script is intelligent and witty.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Unfolding without tension or logic, Untraceable doesn’t miss a derivative beat.

~ The Exile -

The film lacks heart, although covers the ground adequately.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The film's scope is quite narrow but what it does, it does well.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Unspoken is saved from the one star zone by a dedicated performance from Ferland, who brings depth and emotional resonance to her character in spite of everything.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Sallitt brings an unusually stringent intellectual level to proceedings that marks his film out from the largely immature field of its peers.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Hyde, in her first major film role, imbues Gemma with a self assurance that makes her an appealing protagonist and keeps the film from becoming morbid.

~ Jennie Kermode -

This isn't just a film to inform those who are lucky enough to know very little about ME, it also serves as a love letter of understanding for those who have it and a call to arms for everyone.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

An object lesson in less is more, it makes an absolute virtue of its small cast and diminutive budget.

~ Paul Griffiths -

Strives for profundity but instead grates irritatingly.

~ George Williamson -

A striking and inventive piece of work that many more experienced directors would give their right arms for.

~ Jeff Robson -

Unusually powerful, due to Besson's ability to interweave shockingly brutal violence with intimate human storylines.

~ Nick Jones -

Whether the story is true or not does have a bearing on how good you think it is.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Ultimately, the Unknown Known is what you don't know you know. This film is a reminder.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

A smart, twisty little thriller of the sort which don't come along very often.

~ Jennie Kermode -

An accomplished feature about sin and redemption.

~ Ben Sillis -

The tensions are taut and the feelings genuine

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

A lighthearted, slightly flimsy little film, which is funny and nicely executed.

~ David Stanners -

For me the film promised to truly shock and yet I felt somehow cheated as it unravelled.

~ Caro Ness -

Uniform is a brave and conscientious attempt to depict the lives of ordinary residents of modern provincial China, and address some of the social issues of the moment.

~ Emma Slawinski -

Perfectly paced and beautifully shot, this manages to be both a successful piece of revisionism and a classic Western at the same time.

~ Jeff Robson -

Huston wanted to make a film about racism, and succeeded.

~ Andrew Robertson -

The premise, rich in possibility, is enhanced by haunting cinematography, eerie music and a colour palette which sees initially subdued tones fade almost into black and white.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Unearthed doesn't have any real bite and could quite happily be re-interred.

~ Tony Sullivan -

Bittersweet has rarely felt so life-affirming.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A film that seeks to challenge and alienate its audience from the get-go, knowing full well that it won't win all of them back.

~ Max Crawford -

The sleeping and waking worlds begin to tumble together, with cinematographer Kit Fraser using his camera to add to the unsettling atmosphere, spinning the image at key moments or rocking it to ratchet tension.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The writers have put together a funny, frequently surreal and occasionally touching script.

~ Emma Slawinski -

This film is not a hectoring polemic, rather a passionate plea for understanding and empathy.

~ Jeff Robson -

Stephen Hopkins can't leave the arty flashbacks alone, destroying any semblance of tension.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Kevin Allen succeeds, brilliantly, in creating something new, fresh and thoroughly engaging.

~ Jane Fae -

Hossain allows Roya to embrace her freedom, showing intimate details of an affair that is allowed to have a much more positive impact on her life than is more often the case on film.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Offers far more visually than it does narratively.

~ Leanne McGrath -

Delivers in spades what the first film only hinted at.

~ Chris -

This is a delicate examination of attitudes and social mores, touching on issues of self-hate and betrayal.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Emphasising texture over tension, Undertow plays like a mud-splattered Hansel and Gretel.

~ The Exile -

Director Caleb Lindsay tries in vain to create something out of nothing...His attempts only cheapen already empty scenes.

~ Josh Morrall -

Just how much pleasure can be gained from watching unpleasant characters beat on each other? Answer: Not much.

~ Daniel Hooper -

What appears to be the black version of Austin Powers, except without the charm, fun or decent one-liners.

~ Lottie Oaktrees -

There are fights between players, season-threatening injuries, bashful romance and inspirational team talks, but none of it feels false.

~ Robert Munro -

This is piffle on a stick, which starts out as a darkly comic left field oddity, with interesting characters and a possibly intriguing plotline.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

This role is something quite new for Bosworth, and she handles it with considerable aplomb

~ Jennie Kermode -

Higgins film is at its best in the early stages, when brooding threat is mixed with Owen's general sense of confusion.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The kind of debut feature that encourages you to believe that cinema does have a future.

~ Keith Hennessey Brown -

The surface detail may be uncanny, but there’s a truly different film under the skin here.

~ Luke Shaw -

The end result is part buddy trail-trip mosey and part factual gallop.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A tacky and disappointing rip-off.

~ Merlin Harries -

The script is bland and unimaginative, giving the actors little room to give personality to their characters.

~ Donald Munro -

Fans of Halston's work will enjoy occasional snippets of insight from wiser interviewees and will enjoy the vast number of spectacular dresses on display, but there are no major revelations.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Despite being a real endurance test, Ultimate Zombie Feast isn't a total write off.

~ Neil Mitchell -

There's an intriguing storyline, plenty of action and characterisation to spare, well-conveyed by a cast mostly unknown to me.

~ Martin Gray -

Visually exciting, vocally powerful and moving.

~ Natasha Footman -

The roughness feels good.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

If you are a fan, or enjoy new cinematic encounters, this is an intermittently awesome experience.

~ Paul Griffiths -

The delight of the drama stems from the well crafted characters, while its heft hinges on toxicity that may not be immediately obvious.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The script is lean, the sword edges keen and the characters mean.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

An extraordinarily thorough film.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It’s the acting that carries it, and naturally Farahani, one of the finest talents of her generation, does not disappoint.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Subtle observations about the racism that underpins this superficially idyllic society pepper a film which repeatedly forces its hero to question his assumptions.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The film concludes with what is probably the most influential special effect in the history of cinema.

~ Donald Munro -

Bethmann understands the situation well, but her closeness to the teenager and the personal character that the film takes on as a result is something else.

~ Jennie Kermode -

So carefully balanced is this that the film could almost have emerged as a romcom, and it’s that possibility, that clash between the absurdity that cinema has taught us to expect and the bitterness of real life, that makes it so effective.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Through the lens of the men’s romance, Onir takes in a good deal more, exploring the complex realities behind assumptions of prejudice and the myriad factors that go into making each of us who we are.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Throughout the film there is a sense of play, and even as the story evolves to take on darker material, something of that lightness, that happy-go-lucky quality remains.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The film hinges on amazing vocal work by Lalama.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There’s a genuine unpredictability to Honey Bunch, both structurally and thematically.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Where the episodes work is when they have a driving, kinetic energy about them. When they don't it's repetitious loop.

~ Donald Munro -

The film, directed by feature debutant Shaun Dozier, retains the density of dialogue you might expect from a stage play but, by leaning into the theatrical nature of the proceedings, Dozier is in some ways able to make this into a virtue.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A very effective piece of low budget storytelling.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Coogan is well cast in this tricky role, moving easily from humour to heartbreak..

~ Jennie Kermode -

Manizha Bakhtari may not be a household name but after watching Natalie Halla’s documentary you’re likely to think she ought to be.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Sung’s own camera plays tricks, placing objects too close in the foreground so that parts of an image are out of focus, like an incomplete memory.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The concept, narrative, dialogue, cinematography and action sequences are elements of Scanners that can't be faulted.

~ Donald Munro -

The film hangs on Pemberton’s performance, and he imbues Doug with a sweetness that makes us feel for him despite his deeply misguided actions.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The delight of the drama stems from the well crafted characters, while its heft hinges on toxicity that may not be immediately obvious.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A very effective piece of low budget storytelling.

~ Jennie Kermode -

An extraordinarily thorough film.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Writer/director Sandhya Suri - who has a documentary background - is keen to show that everyone plays their part in the prejudices and corruption of the legal system.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Once again, Guiraudie proves himself the master of setting up a mystery by the means of perfect script economy that functions strictly on “need to know” basis.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

The director shows how it’s not just Julie’s tennis skills that have been groomed by the coach but large aspects of her life.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Cat’s viewpoint predominates, and Zilbalodis has an acute understanding of how the world looks from its point of view, of what catches its attention and how its body follows instinctively.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It’s ironic that a film about a family who have built a perfect facsimile of a life for themselves should feel so overly constructed itself

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Lin and Sun studiously maintain the enigma around Shuo so that we are left guessing as to whether he’s just a disadvantaged teen trying to make his way in the world or a cuckoo in the nest.

~ Amber Wilkinson -