All Articles

A spoiler free review of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris begins with its confidence as a comedy. Directed by Anthony Fabian, it leans on Lesley Manville and Isabelle Huppert to give the material a human centre. At story level, London, Dior and She 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 funnies

The Banshees of Inisherin 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 Martin McDonagh, it leans on Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws lifelong, friends and themselves into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ The humour lands m

There is an appealing directness to Suzume. It knows it is an animated film, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, it leans on Nanoka Hara and Hokuto Matsumura to give the material a human centre. At story level, Suzume, Japan and modern shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The animation gives the film its clearest identi

Terrifier 2 approaches its horror material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Damien Leone, it leans on Lauren LaVera and David Howard Thornton to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Resurrected, Art the Clown and Miles County 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 sta

At its best, Bodies Bodies Bodies works as a horror film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Halina Reijn, it leans on Amandla Stenberg and Maria Bakalova to give the material a human centre. At story level, group, somethings and hurricane 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

Bros is a comedy with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Nicholas Stoller, it leans on Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws commitment, problems and attempt 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. ⁠ Comedy lives or dies on rhythm, and the film is at its best whe

A spoiler free review of X begins with its confidence as a horror film. Directed by Ti West, it leans on Mia Goth and Jenna Ortega to give the material a human centre. At story level, Texas, group and filmmakers 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 strongest scenes build dread patientl

There is an appealing directness to Easter Sunday. It knows it is a comedy, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar, it leans on Jo Koy and Lydia Gaston to give the material a human centre. At story level, Easter Sunday, Jo Koy's and family shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ Comedy lives or dies on rhythm, and the film

Glass Onion approaches its comedy material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Rian Johnson, it leans on Daniel Craig and Edward Norton to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Tech, Miles Bron and Greek 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. ⁠ Its fun

At its best, The 355 works as an action film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Simon Kinberg, it leans on Jessica Chastain and Penélope Cruz to give the material a human centre. At story level, C.I.A, top secret and weapon 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. ⁠ Momentum is the film's main advantage. The set pieces are arranged

Amsterdam is a comedy with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by David O. Russell, it leans on Christian Bale and Margot Robbie to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws In the, American and three 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. ⁠ Comedy lives or dies on rhythm, and the film is at its best when

A spoiler free review of RRR begins with its confidence as an action film. Directed by S.S. Rajamouli, it leans on N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan to give the material a human centre. At story level, British, India and fearless 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 handles scale w