Western documentary regulars may feel as though they are in familiar territory at the start of the film, which begins by focusing on Syria - but soon the violence considered will come a lot closer to home.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Western documentary regulars may feel as though they are in familiar territory at the start of the film, which begins by focusing on Syria - but soon the violence considered will come a lot closer to home.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A White, White Day mingles some very dark dramatic moments with the comedy of the absurd.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A White, White Day mingles some very dark dramatic moments with the comedy of the absurd.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The whistling language is fun - and, if anything, disappointingly underused - but it's the language of cinema that Porumboiu is really interested in.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The whistling language is fun - and, if anything, disappointingly underused - but it's the language of cinema that Porumboiu is really interested in.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

This is one of the most beautiful animated films of the year.

~ Jennie Kermode -

This is one of the most beautiful animated films of the year.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Patterson handles the acceleration and deceleration throughout with aplomb, notching things up or down at just the right moments and using inventive camerawork and sound design that encourages you to lean in and listen during the film's quieter moments.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Patterson handles the acceleration and deceleration throughout with aplomb, notching things up or down at just the right moments and using inventive camerawork and sound design that encourages you to lean in and listen during the film's quieter moments.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A charming and playful consideration of her career.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A charming and playful consideration of her career.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Two of Us jolts the senses - you can smell when the hot pan stays on the stove too long and want to interfere.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Two of Us jolts the senses - you can smell when the hot pan stays on the stove too long and want to interfere.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Rodrigo Bellott, who adapted the film from his own play, employs multiple layers of fiction to explore themes around loss, rejection, redemption and that deep human longing to understand what's going on inside the minds of those we love.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Rodrigo Bellott, who adapted the film from his own play, employs multiple layers of fiction to explore themes around loss, rejection, redemption and that deep human longing to understand what's going on inside the minds of those we love.

~ Jennie Kermode -

In less sensitive hands than Kore-eda's, it could have come across as cloyingly introverted but instead there is wit and warmth in the observed relationship between the two women.

~ Richard Mowe -

In less sensitive hands than Kore-eda's, it could have come across as cloyingly introverted but instead there is wit and warmth in the observed relationship between the two women.

~ Richard Mowe -

Zoabi uses farcical comedy as his warm-hearted messenger, presenting his argument with a disarming hug and a surprising dash of romance.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Zoabi uses farcical comedy as his warm-hearted messenger, presenting his argument with a disarming hug and a surprising dash of romance.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

This isn't an easy watch but it's a compelling one.

~ Jennie Kermode -

This isn't an easy watch but it's a compelling one.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Synchronic is science fiction thinking about itself.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Synchronic is science fiction thinking about itself.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Visually arresting and emotionally engaging.

~ Richard Mowe -

Visually arresting and emotionally engaging.

~ Richard Mowe -

This small, heartbreaking story illuminates much bigger issues.

~ Jennie Kermode -

This small, heartbreaking story illuminates much bigger issues.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Sequin in A Blue Room is a reminder of Nineties angst media and queer celebration, within the dark corners of adolescence.

~ Stephanie Brown -

Sequin in A Blue Room is a reminder of Nineties angst media and queer celebration, within the dark corners of adolescence.

~ Stephanie Brown -

Varón brings depth to a character who could easily have been annoying.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Varón brings depth to a character who could easily have been annoying.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It's difficult to express just what a bold piece of work this film is.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It's difficult to express just what a bold piece of work this film is.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There's little actual sport here, with more extensive focus on the half time entertainment, but that won't stop ice hockey fans from enjoying this ripping yarn.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There's little actual sport here, with more extensive focus on the half time entertainment, but that won't stop ice hockey fans from enjoying this ripping yarn.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The narrative manages to balance the personal with the wider world of space exploration while dealing with the issues of domesticity and family demands and the conflicts of pursuing a demanding work arc.

~ Richard Mowe -

The narrative manages to balance the personal with the wider world of space exploration while dealing with the issues of domesticity and family demands and the conflicts of pursuing a demanding work arc.

~ Richard Mowe -

What could have been a traditionally lavish costume drama has been pared down to highlight the erotic tension and sensuality

~ Richard Mowe -

What could have been a traditionally lavish costume drama has been pared down to highlight the erotic tension and sensuality

~ Richard Mowe -

The film generates a feel-good vibe even if beneath the pleasant froth lies a rather predictable polemic against the patriarchy.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The film generates a feel-good vibe even if beneath the pleasant froth lies a rather predictable polemic against the patriarchy.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Tim Mielants's quirky comedy is shot through with melancholy and holds a deep affection for its earnest hero even when he seems to be the butt of everybody's jokes.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Tim Mielants's quirky comedy is shot through with melancholy and holds a deep affection for its earnest hero even when he seems to be the butt of everybody's jokes.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Bong Joon Ho's tale of two families explores the wealth gap in South Korean society with wit, insight and a pitch black sense of humour.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Bong Joon Ho's tale of two families explores the wealth gap in South Korean society with wit, insight and a pitch black sense of humour.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Engages with an energetic and angry vitality as well as authenticity.

~ Richard Mowe -

Engages with an energetic and angry vitality as well as authenticity.

~ Richard Mowe -

The tone is both bitter and sweet.

~ Richard Mowe -

The tone is both bitter and sweet.

~ Richard Mowe -

Smutný gives us faces that will stories even when they're still, the weight of long experience etched into every line.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Smutný gives us faces that will stories even when they're still, the weight of long experience etched into every line.

~ Jennie Kermode -

This documentary is a treasure trove full of interesting bits and pieces many of which could easily provide enough material for a film in their own right.

~ Jennie Kermode -

This documentary is a treasure trove full of interesting bits and pieces many of which could easily provide enough material for a film in their own right.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Ogrodnik - so impressive in 2017's Silent Night - is magnetic.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Ogrodnik - so impressive in 2017's Silent Night - is magnetic.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Edward Norton has taken risks all down the line and proves himself capable of unquestionable courage in storytelling.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Edward Norton has taken risks all down the line and proves himself capable of unquestionable courage in storytelling.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Landes' film has the queasy, uneasy feel of a nightmare - and that's before magic mushrooms are involved.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Landes' film has the queasy, uneasy feel of a nightmare - and that's before magic mushrooms are involved.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Ly wanted the people who have lived in these schemes to have the chance to tell their own stories, which gives Les Misérables an unerring sense of authenticity.

~ Richard Mowe -

Ly wanted the people who have lived in these schemes to have the chance to tell their own stories, which gives Les Misérables an unerring sense of authenticity.

~ Richard Mowe -

Luca Marinelli is excellent in the lead, balancing intensity with intelligence, convincing at every stage of Martin's journey.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Luca Marinelli is excellent in the lead, balancing intensity with intelligence, convincing at every stage of Martin's journey.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The film is at its best when it is portraying conflicted emotions - as old love underlies fresh acrimony.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The film is at its best when it is portraying conflicted emotions - as old love underlies fresh acrimony.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Set against a perpetually snowy background the film paces itself perfectly with a gathering sense of an impending implosion.

~ Richard Mowe -

Set against a perpetually snowy background the film paces itself perfectly with a gathering sense of an impending implosion.

~ Richard Mowe -

Only really comes alive in the last ten minutes.

~ Richard Mowe -

Only really comes alive in the last ten minutes.

~ Richard Mowe -

Greenfield keeps tight control, allowing Marcos to say what she wants, while busily illustrating the opposing perspective.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Greenfield keeps tight control, allowing Marcos to say what she wants, while busily illustrating the opposing perspective.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

As Jojo, Davis delivers one of the finest performances of the year.

~ Jennie Kermode -

As Jojo, Davis delivers one of the finest performances of the year.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There's an avoidance of the cheap voyeurism that usually goes with this sort of territory.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There's an avoidance of the cheap voyeurism that usually goes with this sort of territory.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The directors let the humanism shine out without resorting to sentimentality, capturing moments of joy, such as the pleasure of shared, sticky honey with the same lack of artifice as moments of pain or grief.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The directors let the humanism shine out without resorting to sentimentality, capturing moments of joy, such as the pleasure of shared, sticky honey with the same lack of artifice as moments of pain or grief.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The performance Erivo delivers is the film's greatest asset and makes her a serious contender this awards season, but though she dominates the film, she's not all there is to appreciate here.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The performance Erivo delivers is the film's greatest asset and makes her a serious contender this awards season, but though she dominates the film, she's not all there is to appreciate here.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Ideas take precedence over completed works both the for the artist himself and for those viewers who choose to engage, to make an emotional connection with those subtleties of colour.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Ideas take precedence over completed works both the for the artist himself and for those viewers who choose to engage, to make an emotional connection with those subtleties of colour.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Sometimes a film is interesting despite its director.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Sometimes a film is interesting despite its director.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There are themes around punishment and forgiveness running throughout this film but they're rarely simple.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There are themes around punishment and forgiveness running throughout this film but they're rarely simple.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Despite the raw power of its performances, the film suffers from an impulse to spell out some of its points.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

Despite the raw power of its performances, the film suffers from an impulse to spell out some of its points.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

Barnett excels at capturing nuances of expression and action.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Barnett excels at capturing nuances of expression and action.

~ Jennie Kermode -

This is a quiet movie, which never loses its focus on its central character study, while allowing points about economic and social inequalities to sound out loud and clear.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

This is a quiet movie, which never loses its focus on its central character study, while allowing points about economic and social inequalities to sound out loud and clear.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Sure, the familiar kids are here - the athlete bro, the gay guys, the class clown - but the film holds up assumptions to the light, highlighting why it's dangerous to make them and showing empathy for all concerned.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Sure, the familiar kids are here - the athlete bro, the gay guys, the class clown - but the film holds up assumptions to the light, highlighting why it's dangerous to make them and showing empathy for all concerned.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Bombshell is a finely crafted film which benefits from one of the best acting ensembles of the year.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Bombshell is a finely crafted film which benefits from one of the best acting ensembles of the year.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The evocation of 1945 Leningrad is brilliantly captured with crumbling buildings and over-crowed trams but too often the dramatic set pieces fail to register

~ Richard Mowe -

The evocation of 1945 Leningrad is brilliantly captured with crumbling buildings and over-crowed trams but too often the dramatic set pieces fail to register

~ Richard Mowe -

Creates a unique and eerily grounded suspense that transcends genre.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Creates a unique and eerily grounded suspense that transcends genre.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

The difficult reality of life in Senegal dances with something much more otherworldly in Mati Diop's debut film.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The difficult reality of life in Senegal dances with something much more otherworldly in Mati Diop's debut film.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A passionate energy courses beneath the surface of Levan Akin's tale of love and repression

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A passionate energy courses beneath the surface of Levan Akin's tale of love and repression

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The very nature of Tsemel's passion for her projects makes this a compelling watch

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The very nature of Tsemel's passion for her projects makes this a compelling watch

~ Amber Wilkinson -

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 -

The characters work well...but there’s never quite enough energy to events.

~ 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 -