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A spoiler free review of All That Breathes begins with its confidence as a documentary. Directed by Shaunak Sen, it leans on Salik Rehman and Mohammad Saud to give the material a human centre. At story level, Amidst the, Delhi's and Black Kite 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. ⁠ What work

I Love My Dad 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 James Morosini, it leans on Patton Oswalt and James Morosini to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws hopelessly, estranged and father into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ The humour lands most consistent

There is an appealing directness to The Lost Weekend: A Love Story. 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 Eve Brandstein and Richard Kaufman, it leans on May Pang and John Lennon to give the material a human centre. At story level, The Lost Weekend: A, Love Story and John Lennon shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to re

Carmen approaches its music material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Benjamin Millepied, it leans on Marina de Tavira and Marina Tamayo to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Benjamin Millepied's, CARMEN and complete 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 eff

At its best, Bunker works as a horror film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Adrian Langley, it leans on Eddie Ramos and Patrick Moltane to give the material a human centre. At story level, Trapped, World War I and bunker 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 most effective weapon is anticipation. The film understands that

My Old School is a documentary with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Jono McLeod, it leans on Alan Cumming and Brandon Lee to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Brandon Lee, Bearsden Academy and Glasgow 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 observation is a

A spoiler free review of L'immensità begins with its confidence as a drama. Directed by Emanuele Crialese, it leans on Penélope Cruz and Luana Giuliani to give the material a human centre. At story level, Clara, Rome and story 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. ⁠ The film works when it tru

Sick of Myself does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a horror film shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, it leans on Kristine Kujath Thorp and Eirik Sæther to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Increasingly, Signe and Oslo's into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Its most effective

There is an appealing directness to Blue Jean. It knows it is a historical drama, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Georgia Oakley, it leans on Rosy McEwen and Kerrie Hayes to give the material a human centre. At story level, closeted, teacher and pushed shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The period detail establishes a convincing

Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale approaches its documentary material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Aaron Schillinger, it leans on Martha Reeves to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Detroit's, Boblo Boat and doctor 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 e

At its best, Squaring the Circle: The Story of Hipgnosis works as a documentary that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Anton Corbijn, it leans on Paul McCartney and Robert Plant to give the material a human centre. At story level, Hipgnosis, story and album 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 come from clear acc

Cat Daddies is a documentary with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Mye Hoang, it leans on Nathan Kehn and Jeff Judkins to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Man, found and friend 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 observation is allowed to breathe and th