Beyond the dark loneliness of grief, is the soft light of a shared mourning.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Beyond the dark loneliness of grief, is the soft light of a shared mourning.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The character could have proved irksome in less talented hands than Jaoui who invests her character with self-deprecating humour and a sense of resilience.

~ Richard Mowe -

The character could have proved irksome in less talented hands than Jaoui who invests her character with self-deprecating humour and a sense of resilience.

~ Richard Mowe -

The heat is omnipresent, rippling through the air, distorting what we see, distorting time and identity.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The heat is omnipresent, rippling through the air, distorting what we see, distorting time and identity.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Brutal, bloody and enriched with a specific dark humour.

~ Marija Lukarevska -

Brutal, bloody and enriched with a specific dark humour.

~ Marija Lukarevska -

Through it all is a common thread of authenticity and of women opening up about things and feelings they are rarely asked to scrutinise.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Through it all is a common thread of authenticity and of women opening up about things and feelings they are rarely asked to scrutinise.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There is a feeling of being in a constant movement, with cars and buildings whizzing by as Souleymane is rushing through the city, either riding his bike, or running from one type of public transport to the next.

~ Nikola Jovic -

There is a feeling of being in a constant movement, with cars and buildings whizzing by as Souleymane is rushing through the city, either riding his bike, or running from one type of public transport to the next.

~ Nikola Jovic -

Every frame feels like the product of conscious decision-making, with nothing merely carrying us from one point to another.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Every frame feels like the product of conscious decision-making, with nothing merely carrying us from one point to another.

~ Jennie Kermode -

This playfully filmed coming-of-age narrative never loses its empathetic eye.

~ Sergiu Inizian -

This playfully filmed coming-of-age narrative never loses its empathetic eye.

~ Sergiu Inizian -

Bojanov draws not only a sensitive portrait of the bond between the two women but also exposes the dyn.amics of a deeply conservative and religious society

~ Richard Mowe -

Bojanov draws not only a sensitive portrait of the bond between the two women but also exposes the dyn.amics of a deeply conservative and religious society

~ Richard Mowe -

Grittily compelling

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Grittily compelling

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Working out where the play-acting stops and the “real” action begins is enough to keep you on the edge of interest.

~ Richard Mowe -

Working out where the play-acting stops and the “real” action begins is enough to keep you on the edge of interest.

~ Richard Mowe -

A film that probes at ideas of masculinity and the fluidity that the smoke sauna environment might bring to that, the emphasis is on the physical expression of feelings rather than them being vocalised.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A film that probes at ideas of masculinity and the fluidity that the smoke sauna environment might bring to that, the emphasis is on the physical expression of feelings rather than them being vocalised.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

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 -

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 -

The writing is sharp and succinct.

~ Richard Mowe -

The writing is sharp and succinct.

~ Richard Mowe -

Like fellow Frenchman Quentin Dupieux, Meurisse has an enjoyably devil-may-care attitude for the most part although he feels almost like Dupieux’s evil twin as he begins to stray, first, into Farrelly Brothers’ territory, and then something altogether more violent.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Like fellow Frenchman Quentin Dupieux, Meurisse has an enjoyably devil-may-care attitude for the most part although he feels almost like Dupieux’s evil twin as he begins to stray, first, into Farrelly Brothers’ territory, and then something altogether more violent.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Nyoni expertly controls her narrative so that it glides effortlessly between the reality of the funeral preparations to the more surreal psychological trauma Shula is working through.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Nyoni expertly controls her narrative so that it glides effortlessly between the reality of the funeral preparations to the more surreal psychological trauma Shula is working through.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Simply put, the viewer is constantly tempted to attribute the character’s old man’s ramblings both to the author of the source novel and to the filmmaker adapting it.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

Simply put, the viewer is constantly tempted to attribute the character’s old man’s ramblings both to the author of the source novel and to the filmmaker adapting it.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

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 -

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 -

It is described simply as “A Fable”, but there is nothing simple about this over-ambitious allegorical sprawl.

~ Richard Mowe -

It is described simply as “A Fable”, but there is nothing simple about this over-ambitious allegorical sprawl.

~ Richard Mowe -

The two siblings bond and the disparate threads of their relationship prove immensely touching as they ruminate on the lost years and chances.

~ Richard Mowe -

The two siblings bond and the disparate threads of their relationship prove immensely touching as they ruminate on the lost years and chances.

~ Richard Mowe -

Slijepcevic is a documentarian by trade and he maintains a strong sense of realism.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Slijepcevic is a documentarian by trade and he maintains a strong sense of realism.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The plotting takes precedence over characterisation, which saps the film of tension, while its melodramatic developments feel out of keeping with the cooler noir vibe.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The plotting takes precedence over characterisation, which saps the film of tension, while its melodramatic developments feel out of keeping with the cooler noir vibe.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Between fragments of formal experimentation, the relationship between the two siblings and their father's struggle with melancholia deliver a muddled but tender summer chronicle.

~ Sergiu Inizian -

Between fragments of formal experimentation, the relationship between the two siblings and their father's struggle with melancholia deliver a muddled but tender summer chronicle.

~ Sergiu Inizian -

The entire cast, especially Stone, who has admitted that Lanthimos is a muse, enter into the grand guignol spirit of the proceedings with gusto.

~ Richard Mowe -

The entire cast, especially Stone, who has admitted that Lanthimos is a muse, enter into the grand guignol spirit of the proceedings with gusto.

~ Richard Mowe -

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 -

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 -

Loznitsa’s approach is quietly observational, capturing the quotidian goings on as they continue beneath the shadow of war.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Loznitsa’s approach is quietly observational, capturing the quotidian goings on as they continue beneath the shadow of war.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It has all the hallmarks of a production destined for a television mini-series with apparently three other chapters promised by Costner.

~ Richard Mowe -

It has all the hallmarks of a production destined for a television mini-series with apparently three other chapters promised by Costner.

~ Richard Mowe -

The action is pacy but that doesn’t mean Courvoisier skims the surface.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The action is pacy but that doesn’t mean Courvoisier skims the surface.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Illusions are everywhere in this film.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Illusions are everywhere in this film.

~ Jennie Kermode -

You've seen it all before, but that's its strength. That cranked footage, those desperate eyes, the obscuring sand.

~ Andrew Robertson -

You've seen it all before, but that's its strength. That cranked footage, those desperate eyes, the obscuring sand.

~ Andrew Robertson -

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 -

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 -

Audiard has assembled a remarkable team of actors

~ Richard Mowe -

Audiard has assembled a remarkable team of actors

~ Richard Mowe -

Dosch uses the true story to make wider observations about the often fraught relationships between humans and animals.

~ Richard Mowe -

Dosch uses the true story to make wider observations about the often fraught relationships between humans and animals.

~ Richard Mowe -

Perhaps the most impressive version to date.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Perhaps the most impressive version to date.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The camera drifts through it at a leisurely pace, back and forth, up and down, taking in different details one might when wandering around drunk or half asleep. From these, story and meaning gradually coalesce.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The camera drifts through it at a leisurely pace, back and forth, up and down, taking in different details one might when wandering around drunk or half asleep. From these, story and meaning gradually coalesce.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Chevrollier captures the amplified mood of teenagehood.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Chevrollier captures the amplified mood of teenagehood.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Visually, Guan never puts a frame wrong, whether he’s setting up a physical comedy set-piece, idly incorporating a solar eclipse or letting the dogs steal a scene.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Visually, Guan never puts a frame wrong, whether he’s setting up a physical comedy set-piece, idly incorporating a solar eclipse or letting the dogs steal a scene.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Amid all the deprivation Arnold, as is her style, uncovers elements that lift the action out of the ordinary and into the realms of fantasy and magical realism.

~ Richard Mowe -

Amid all the deprivation Arnold, as is her style, uncovers elements that lift the action out of the ordinary and into the realms of fantasy and magical realism.

~ Richard Mowe -

Less concerned with scrutinising the playground than the dangerous games adults can play with one another.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Less concerned with scrutinising the playground than the dangerous games adults can play with one another.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It finds room for those who despise weakness, and are weaker for it, and is stronger because of it.

~ Andrew Robertson -

It finds room for those who despise weakness, and are weaker for it, and is stronger because of it.

~ Andrew Robertson -

What isn't untrue is that Anora is brilliant.

~ Andrew Robertson -

What isn't untrue is that Anora is brilliant.

~ Andrew Robertson -

Emma Benestan’s poetic take on gender, power and corporeality is a deeply animal experience.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Emma Benestan’s poetic take on gender, power and corporeality is a deeply animal experience.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It’s fitting for a film set in the “City of Dreams” and that is concerned with life’s illusions and how we navigate them as it is about the here and now.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It’s fitting for a film set in the “City of Dreams” and that is concerned with life’s illusions and how we navigate them as it is about the here and now.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

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 screenplay written by the filmmaker and Andrea Piva is a proper masterwork, from the basic plotting to the intelligent, insightful dialogue.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

From the start, there is something different about this film.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Despite the anger at the unfairness of what has gone before, this is ultimately a warm-hearted, life-affirming film.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It is a ride, okay, and it is a bit nauseating and therefore not sterile.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

It’s also striking to think that when Leila is looking forward into the future, she is already, in some senses, looking at our recent past, which only reinforces the sense of the cyclical and ongoing nature of her themes.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Thorne still comes across as being at the stage where many aspects of her work are experimental. She’s yet to settle into her style.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A very effective piece of low budget storytelling.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Having set up all the elements of a thriller, the film proceeds to untangle them in a refreshingly different and mature way.

~ Jennie Kermode -

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 -

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 -