All Articles

A spoiler free review of In the Land of Saints and Sinners begins with its confidence as an action film. Directed by Robert Lorenz, it leans on Kerry Condon and Desmond Eastwood to give the material a human centre. At story level, IRA, Irish and disillusioned 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 momen

The Miracle Club 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 Thaddeus O'Sullivan, it leans on Maggie Smith and Laura Linney to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws There's, Ballygar and French into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ The humour lands most consisten

There is an appealing directness to Come Out in Jesus Name. 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 Ed Lamberg and Tim Romero, it leans on Greg Locke and Alexander Pagani to give the material a human centre. At story level, Following, America and Greg Locke shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The documentary

Problemista approaches its comedy material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Julio Torres, it leans on Julio Torres and Tilda Swinton to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Alejandro, El Salvador and NY. As 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, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar works as a comedy that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Luv Ranjan, it leans on Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor to give the material a human centre. At story level, Madness, ensues and player' 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. ⁠ The humour lands most consistently through character chemistry

Boy Kills World is an action film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Moritz Mohr, it leans on Bill Skarsgård and Jessica Rothe to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Boy, fever and dream 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 action is most convincing when movement serves the character

A spoiler free review of Ezra begins with its confidence as a comedy. Directed by Tony Goldwyn, it leans on Bobby Cannavale and Rose Byrne to give the material a human centre. At story level, He, stand up and comedy 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 from contra

The Taste of Things does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a romance shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Anh Hung Tran, it leans on Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Eugenie, Dodin and story into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Its most convincing scenes allo

There is an appealing directness to 2023 Oscar Nominated Short Films: Live Action. It knows it is a drama, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Its clearest asset is a commitment to tone and character rather than empty plot mechanics. At story level, Oscars, presentation and action shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The drama is most convincing i

The Long Game approaches its historical drama material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Julio Quintana, it leans on Jay Hernandez and Dennis Quaid to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Mexican American, South Texas and caddies 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

At its best, Strange Darling works as a horror film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by JT Mollner, it leans on Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner to give the material a human centre. At story level, Nothing, seems and twisted 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 th

Sing Sing is a drama with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Greg Kwedar, it leans on Colman Domingo and Clarence Maclin to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Divine G, Sing Sing and imprisoned 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