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A spoiler free review of Rimini begins with its confidence as a comedy. Directed by Ulrich Seidl, it leans on Michael Thomas and Tessa Göttlicher to give the material a human centre. At story level, Richie Bravo, Italy and Lower Austria shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. Those ingredients give the film a useful foundation, but the lasting impression depends on how well it balances mood, character and momentum. ⁠ Its funniest mom

Next Exit does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a comedy shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Mali Elfman, it leans on Gavin Powers and Joe Powers to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws New York, San Francisco and unhappy into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ The humour lands most consistently throug

There is an appealing directness to Rounding. It knows it is a horror film, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Alex Thompson, it leans on Namir Smallwood and Sidney Flanigan to give the material a human centre. At story level, There, driven and medical shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The horror works best through atmosphere rathe

Tommy Guns approaches its war drama material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Carlos Conceição, it leans on João Arrais and Anabela Moreira to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Portuguese, Angola and Portuguese Officer. Meanwhile into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. The film's first job is to make that setup feel worth following, and it establishes the necess

At its best, Remember This works as a drama that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Derek Goldman and Jeff Hutchens, it leans on David Strathairn to give the material a human centre. At story level, A Holocaust, WWII and Jan Karski shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. The result has a recognisable personality from the opening stretch. ⁠ Its strongest quality is attention to character. Small decisions

Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen is a documentary with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Daniel Raim, it leans on Robert F. Boyle and Jeff Goldblum to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Fiddler, Roof and documentary into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. That is enough context to enter the film without spoiling the turns that give it shape. ⁠ The documentary is strongest when o

A spoiler free review of Therapy Dogs begins with its confidence as a comedy. Directed by Ethan Eng, it leans on Justin Morrice and Ethan Eng to give the material a human centre. At story level, chronicle, school and friends shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. Those ingredients give the film a useful foundation, but the lasting impression depends on how well it balances mood, character and momentum. ⁠ Its funniest moments come fr

What Comes Around does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a thriller shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Amy Redford, it leans on Summer Phoenix and Grace Van Dien to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Amy Redford, Nothing and immersive into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Suspense grows from the ga

There is an appealing directness to Hello, Bookstore. It knows it is a documentary, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by A.B. Zax, it leans on Matthew Tannenbaum and Shawnee Tannenbaum to give the material a human centre. At story level, In the, shadow and pandemic shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The documentary is strongest when o

Signs of Love approaches its romance material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Clarence Fuller, it leans on Rosanna Arquette and Dylan Penn to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws struggling, meets and well off into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. The film's first job is to make that setup feel worth following, and it establishes the necessary stakes efficiently

At its best, Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power works as a documentary that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Sam Pollard, it leans on Ella Baker and Stokely Carmichael to give the material a human centre. At story level, tells, story and courageous shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. The result has a recognisable personality from the opening stretch. ⁠ Its best passages

Love Life is a drama with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Kôji Fukada, it leans on Win Morisaki and Hirona Yamazaki to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Taeko, Jiro and Keita. A into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. That is enough context to enter the film without spoiling the turns that give it shape. ⁠ The drama is most convincing in its quieter moments, when the performers