Nagahisa...understands and embraces the complexity of early adolescence, when kids are finding their own way,

~ Jennie Kermode -

Nagahisa...understands and embraces the complexity of early adolescence, when kids are finding their own way,

~ Jennie Kermode -

What really matters is the positive energy - from the scripting to the lively colour scheme, there's a sense of maximum fun being had by all concerned at all times.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

What really matters is the positive energy - from the scripting to the lively colour scheme, there's a sense of maximum fun being had by all concerned at all times.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Director Martha Stephens uses a palette full of soft browns and pastels designed to evoke nostalgia but shows us plenty of cruelty just under the surface.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Director Martha Stephens uses a palette full of soft browns and pastels designed to evoke nostalgia but shows us plenty of cruelty just under the surface.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Blair's sharp injection of pace helps to zip past any cliches so fast that you don't have much time to register them.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Blair's sharp injection of pace helps to zip past any cliches so fast that you don't have much time to register them.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Longstanding fans will enjoy her extensive contributions, as considered and witty as ever.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Longstanding fans will enjoy her extensive contributions, as considered and witty as ever.

~ Jennie Kermode -

We are never allowed to lose sight of the fact that, whilst a little tiger may regard humans as playmates, a big one will regard them as a delicious meaty snacks.

~ Jennie Kermode -

We are never allowed to lose sight of the fact that, whilst a little tiger may regard humans as playmates, a big one will regard them as a delicious meaty snacks.

~ Jennie Kermode -

As an atmospheric snapshot, it's sure to raise a smile.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

As an atmospheric snapshot, it's sure to raise a smile.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

In terms of mood, directors Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage do a lot with a little, allowing the plot to coil round the characters.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

In terms of mood, directors Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage do a lot with a little, allowing the plot to coil round the characters.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Though the story is a small one, the emotional charge crackles with strength.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Though the story is a small one, the emotional charge crackles with strength.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Over the course of 95 minutes, we'll come to learn that the writer was, in some ways, a canary in the coal mine of today's rise in extreme right-wing views and the way many who espouse them have latched on to populist agendas in modern politics.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Over the course of 95 minutes, we'll come to learn that the writer was, in some ways, a canary in the coal mine of today's rise in extreme right-wing views and the way many who espouse them have latched on to populist agendas in modern politics.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The costumes in The Souvenir speak volumes about female and male desire and the search for identity that garments can encompass.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

The costumes in The Souvenir speak volumes about female and male desire and the search for identity that garments can encompass.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

This is a treat of a film.

~ Andrew Robertson -

This is a treat of a film.

~ Andrew Robertson -

Longinotto has always had a knack for getting interviewees to open up in such a way that even they can seem surprised at what they end up saying.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Longinotto has always had a knack for getting interviewees to open up in such a way that even they can seem surprised at what they end up saying.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Tightly structured and well-shot

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Tightly structured and well-shot

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Moody images don't make for high drama and even at a trim 87 minutes, the story feels stretched.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Moody images don't make for high drama and even at a trim 87 minutes, the story feels stretched.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The problem with The Report is that despite this ongoing relevance, its powerful subject matter, the capable cast and an impressive script, it never builds up the impetus it ought to have.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The problem with The Report is that despite this ongoing relevance, its powerful subject matter, the capable cast and an impressive script, it never builds up the impetus it ought to have.

~ Jennie Kermode -

This is an actors' movie through and through, with all of them pulling off the key emotional scenes magnificently.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

This is an actors' movie through and through, with all of them pulling off the key emotional scenes magnificently.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Everything about Batra's film is constructed around longing.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Everything about Batra's film is constructed around longing.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Wang and Zhang are to be commended for fitting as much in as they do, even if it does mean the film roams about rather than having a single focus.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Wang and Zhang are to be commended for fitting as much in as they do, even if it does mean the film roams about rather than having a single focus.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There’s a refreshing straight-forwardness to Gavin Hood’s Official Secrets.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

There’s a refreshing straight-forwardness to Gavin Hood’s Official Secrets.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

A film that looks back, that gazes also into you.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A film that looks back, that gazes also into you.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Kier, Goldblum, and Lavant are never less than fantastic in their portrayal of modes of crazed, unreliably self-assured masculinity.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Kier, Goldblum, and Lavant are never less than fantastic in their portrayal of modes of crazed, unreliably self-assured masculinity.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

The film is refreshing in its willingness to countenance multiple viewpoints and look at what's right for individuals rather than taking sides in one of the more heated debates within the Deaf community.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The film is refreshing in its willingness to countenance multiple viewpoints and look at what's right for individuals rather than taking sides in one of the more heated debates within the Deaf community.

~ Jennie Kermode -

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 -

Unlike a more conventional refugee documentary - shot by an outsider parachuting in - this is an intimate and ongoing study in which the family have complete agency, lending the film an additional ring of truth.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Unlike a more conventional refugee documentary - shot by an outsider parachuting in - this is an intimate and ongoing study in which the family have complete agency, lending the film an additional ring of truth.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

By keeping the camera in the back of the ambulance largely at a level above that of the various patients, Lorentzen ensures the film never becomes voyeuristic.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

By keeping the camera in the back of the ambulance largely at a level above that of the various patients, Lorentzen ensures the film never becomes voyeuristic.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There are some good stories - various myths around the filming of Alien are punctured, but one of the film's central theses is a mythological one.

~ Andrew Robertson -

There are some good stories - various myths around the filming of Alien are punctured, but one of the film's central theses is a mythological one.

~ Andrew Robertson -

There's a genuine beauty here - this is as much a love letter to love as it is the story of a complicated relationship and the branches (Broomfield included) that sprang from it.

~ Andrew Robertson -

There's a genuine beauty here - this is as much a love letter to love as it is the story of a complicated relationship and the branches (Broomfield included) that sprang from it.

~ Andrew Robertson -

Alex Holmes' documentary is brilliant.

~ Andrew Robertson -

Alex Holmes' documentary is brilliant.

~ Andrew Robertson -

There's a rare intelligence to this film, which explores issues around race, wealth, class, gender and what it means to be a real American in a nuanced, multifaceted way.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There's a rare intelligence to this film, which explores issues around race, wealth, class, gender and what it means to be a real American in a nuanced, multifaceted way.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The inevitable sadness is balanced by so much joy and energy that it's a delight to watch.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The inevitable sadness is balanced by so much joy and energy that it's a delight to watch.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The Lodge hinges on a powerhouse performance from Keough, who inhabits the troubled Grace so completely that we can stay with her even as her ability to distinguish what's real and what isn't breaks down.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The Lodge hinges on a powerhouse performance from Keough, who inhabits the troubled Grace so completely that we can stay with her even as her ability to distinguish what's real and what isn't breaks down.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Memo to filmmakers: If you’re looking for a failsafe plan to make a delightful film, try showcasing the breadth of Emma Thompson’s talents.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

Memo to filmmakers: If you’re looking for a failsafe plan to make a delightful film, try showcasing the breadth of Emma Thompson’s talents.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

We don't see the much of the immediate aftermath of death here, but instead are treated to the way grief can linger, catching anger and guilt in its wake

~ Amber Wilkinson -

We don't see the much of the immediate aftermath of death here, but instead are treated to the way grief can linger, catching anger and guilt in its wake

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The documentary is clearly on the side of candidates, which is fine, but it could also benefit from a bit more scepticism and empathy for its auxiliary subjects.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

The documentary is clearly on the side of candidates, which is fine, but it could also benefit from a bit more scepticism and empathy for its auxiliary subjects.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

There's layer upon layer of clever artifice here, yet the result is something that feels fresh and sexy.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There's layer upon layer of clever artifice here, yet the result is something that feels fresh and sexy.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There’s plenty of judgement to be passed, especially by cranky old writers like myself, but Mandelup does an admirable job of presenting her subjects on their own terms.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

There’s plenty of judgement to be passed, especially by cranky old writers like myself, but Mandelup does an admirable job of presenting her subjects on their own terms.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

The film’s visuals are at their best when contrasting truth and lies.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

The film’s visuals are at their best when contrasting truth and lies.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

By being specific, the filmmakers put relatable "faces" to the bigger picture, showing rather than telling us exactly how the system 'works' for those who become trapped in it.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

By being specific, the filmmakers put relatable "faces" to the bigger picture, showing rather than telling us exactly how the system 'works' for those who become trapped in it.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

This is a highly personal work that opens the door on some dark truths of Hollywood and fame, but it also doesn’t quite know what to do to elevate itself beyond a peep show into human misery.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

This is a highly personal work that opens the door on some dark truths of Hollywood and fame, but it also doesn’t quite know what to do to elevate itself beyond a peep show into human misery.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

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 film works wonderfully as an introduction to this important fashion designer for those who never heard of him or connected his name to Seventies minimalist style.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

The film works wonderfully as an introduction to this important fashion designer for those who never heard of him or connected his name to Seventies minimalist style.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

At times this documentary risks becoming too obvious; at others, Lane's sharp eye for the mistakes people make in assuming things to be obvious is what makes it work.

~ Jennie Kermode -

At times this documentary risks becoming too obvious; at others, Lane's sharp eye for the mistakes people make in assuming things to be obvious is what makes it work.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A bravura piece of work.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A bravura piece of work.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Disabled people just haven't had this kind of representation.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Disabled people just haven't had this kind of representation.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Wang proves adept at slowly and gently building up the onion layers of this family as more and more of them come into each other’s orbit.

~ Owen Van Spall -

Wang proves adept at slowly and gently building up the onion layers of this family as more and more of them come into each other’s orbit.

~ Owen Van Spall -

By avoiding serial cliches, director Joe Berlinger touches on a different level of revelation.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

By avoiding serial cliches, director Joe Berlinger touches on a different level of revelation.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

There's a lot of ground to cover, but Costa keeps a strong grip on the material

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There's a lot of ground to cover, but Costa keeps a strong grip on the material

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Sometimes a film is interesting despite its director.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Sometimes a film is interesting despite its director.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Ever cursed to wear a half-sealed translucent franju-esque mask that makes her scars even more visible, Jade is a single mother and an acid attack survivor.

~ Georgiana Musat -

Ever cursed to wear a half-sealed translucent franju-esque mask that makes her scars even more visible, Jade is a single mother and an acid attack survivor.

~ Georgiana Musat -

Rarely becoming laugh-out-loud funny to compensate for any sophistication in the conceit, Corporate Animals is at its best when it takes the ludicrous scenario into the craziest, ickiest areas.

~ Owen Van Spall -

Rarely becoming laugh-out-loud funny to compensate for any sophistication in the conceit, Corporate Animals is at its best when it takes the ludicrous scenario into the craziest, ickiest areas.

~ Owen Van Spall -

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 -

The problem - and it's a massive, elephant in the room style problem - is that it is very hard to tell whether this is a woke film trapped in a judgemental body or vice-versa.

~ Jane Fae -

The problem - and it's a massive, elephant in the room style problem - is that it is very hard to tell whether this is a woke film trapped in a judgemental body or vice-versa.

~ Jane Fae -

Whilst one cannot imagine that the film provides quite the propaganda he might have hoped for, understanding the subtlety of what Klayman has created requires a type of empathy that it's not clear he possesses.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Whilst one cannot imagine that the film provides quite the propaganda he might have hoped for, understanding the subtlety of what Klayman has created requires a type of empathy that it's not clear he possesses.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The film has a personal touch and an honesty that surpasses clever writing and naturalistic acting.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

The film has a personal touch and an honesty that surpasses clever writing and naturalistic acting.

~ Angus Wolfe Murray -

Although the film is nowhere near as terrifying as it's made out to be, its shunning of shock tactics in favour of distant sound effects and creepy environments creates a psychological terror which is far more disturbing.

~ Trinity -

Although the film is nowhere near as terrifying as it's made out to be, its shunning of shock tactics in favour of distant sound effects and creepy environments creates a psychological terror which is far more disturbing.

~ Trinity -

The rituals set in motion at the start, also tune us into the wavelength of portent, so that a heron's feet on a rug or the sound of locusts carry at least as much threat as the site of a loaded gun.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The rituals set in motion at the start, also tune us into the wavelength of portent, so that a heron's feet on a rug or the sound of locusts carry at least as much threat as the site of a loaded gun.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The real joy in the film lies in watching what started out as barren land gradually bloom over the years.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The real joy in the film lies in watching what started out as barren land gradually bloom over the years.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Despite knowing, thanks to the consumption of a dozen or so books, how things would play out...I still found myself tensing up when we see the Eagle lunar lander begin its descent

~ Owen Van Spall -

Despite knowing, thanks to the consumption of a dozen or so books, how things would play out...I still found myself tensing up when we see the Eagle lunar lander begin its descent

~ Owen Van Spall -

Having delivered shock and awe in the first half on the film, Baichwal turns in the second half to projects that are small but growing fast, new approaches to old ways of doing things.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Having delivered shock and awe in the first half on the film, Baichwal turns in the second half to projects that are small but growing fast, new approaches to old ways of doing things.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Michod has created a deeply pessimistic but fascinating world lit by excellent cinematography and set to a moody score.

~ Owen Van Spall -

Michod has created a deeply pessimistic but fascinating world lit by excellent cinematography and set to a moody score.

~ Owen Van Spall -

This consideration of multiple lives, rather than one constructed arc serves to underline the sense that each person is only a small cog turning in the bigger wheel of the machine.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

This consideration of multiple lives, rather than one constructed arc serves to underline the sense that each person is only a small cog turning in the bigger wheel of the machine.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It’s all watchable enough if lacking real dramatic tension.

~ Richard Mowe -

It’s all watchable enough if lacking real dramatic tension.

~ Richard Mowe -

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 -

Ernst invites viewers to engage with a cis character whom many will find easier to relate to and, through this, shows them what the world really looks like the other way round.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Ernst invites viewers to engage with a cis character whom many will find easier to relate to and, through this, shows them what the world really looks like the other way round.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There is no effort to sanitise characters' lives in order to get a message across, and as a result the film never feels preachy.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There is no effort to sanitise characters' lives in order to get a message across, and as a result the film never feels preachy.

~ Jennie Kermode -

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 -