All Articles

A spoiler free review of BlackBerry begins with its confidence as a comedy. Directed by Matt Johnson, it leans on Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton to give the material a human centre. At story level, story, meteoric and catastrophic 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

Polite Society 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 Nida Manzoor, it leans on Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Ria Khan, Lena and believes 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 through

There is an appealing directness to Route 60: The Biblical Highway. 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 Matthew Crouch, it leans on David M. Friedman and Mike Pompeo to give the material a human centre. At story level, Carving, Promised Land and Biblical shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The documentary

The Retirement Plan approaches its comedy material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Tim Brown, it leans on Nicolas Cage and Ashley Greene to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws When Ashley, Sarah and Matt 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. ⁠ I

At its best, Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms works as an action film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Wuershan, it leans on Huang Bo and Kris Phillips to give the material a human centre. At story level, magnificent, eastern and fantasy 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

City of Dreams is a thriller with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Mohit Ramchandani, it leans on Jason Patric and Paulina Gaitan to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Inspired, City of Dreams and Mexican 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 thriller elements work through controlled in

A spoiler free review of The Marsh King's Daughter begins with its confidence as a thriller. Directed by Neil Burger, it leans on Daisy Ridley and Ben Mendelsohn to give the material a human centre. At story level, woman, seeks and revenge 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 is s

Jules 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 Marc Turtletaub, it leans on Ben Kingsley and Harriet Sansom Harris to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Milton, Pennsylvania and UFO 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 th

There is an appealing directness to Lee. It knows it is a biographical drama, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Ellen Kuras, it leans on Kate Winslet and Andy Samberg to give the material a human centre. At story level, American, Lee Miller and Vogue shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The biographical material works best when it av

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey approaches its horror material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Rhys Frake Waterfield, it leans on Nikolai Leon and Maria Taylor to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws After Christopher Robin, Pooh and Piglet 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

At its best, Fear works as a horror film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Deon Taylor, it leans on Joseph Sikora and Andrew Bachelor to give the material a human centre. At story level, needed, getaway and celebration 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 a

A Good Person is a drama with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Zach Braff, it leans on Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Follows Allison, whose and falls 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