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4/5
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Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
(2023)
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Peter Gray
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Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves is a supremely entertaining outing that balances its situational comedy and emotional outlay with a welcome confidence.
Posted Mar 20, 2023
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4/5
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All the World Is Sleeping
(2021)
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Peter Gray
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The film is proof that cycles can be overcome and that self-destruction doesn’t always have to result in fatal failure. A wake-up call to society.
Posted Mar 17, 2023
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3.5/5
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Shazam! Fury of the Gods
(2023)
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Peter Gray
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It’s a testament to returning director David F. Sandberg that he manages to present us with visual stimulants that still manage to surprise in a time when comic book proceedings feel entirely telegraphed.
Posted Mar 15, 2023
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4/5
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Bloody Hell
(2023)
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Peter Gray
|
Bloody Hell may be a deeply personal experience for [writer/director Molly] McGlynn herself, but her ability to project something so intimate and invite us in on a comparable level speaks to her strength as a storyteller.
Posted Mar 14, 2023
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4/5
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Cora Bora
(2023)
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Peter Gray
|
Stalter is continually in control of the comedic state necessary to push Cora Bora forward in a manner that blends its heightened temperament with her organic nature.
Posted Mar 13, 2023
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3/5
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Brooklyn 45
(2023)
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Peter Gray
|
A strong, talented cast and the individual hauntings of each character from a psychological point of view keep Brooklyn 45 an entertaining viewing; even if it doesn’t quite entirely deliver on its potential.
Posted Mar 13, 2023
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3.5/5
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Satan Wants You
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
What so easily could have been a subject dismissed, Adams and Horlor have touched on the terror of widespread information and the unsettling ease in both crediting and discrediting an accusatory recital.
Posted Mar 12, 2023
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4/5
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Late Night With the Devil
(2023)
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Peter Gray
|
Taking the “found footage” subsect of the horror genre and giving it a healthy twist as to not fall too heavily on expected tropes, Australian filmmaking duo Colin Cairnes and Cameron Cairnes have occasionally nasty, always unbridled fun.
Posted Mar 12, 2023
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4/5
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National Anthem
(2023)
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Peter Gray
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Celebrating a queer collective that have seldom seen a light shone on them, National Anthem does so with an organic sheen.
Posted Mar 11, 2023
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3.5/5
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Only The Good Survive
(2023)
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Peter Gray
|
At one point the question is even asked if the story being relayed is “a horror or a comedy?”, and writer/director Dutch Southern, in the most nonsensical, unpredictable fashion, makes sure to never directly answer if it’s either or both.
Posted Mar 11, 2023
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3.5/5
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Dreamer
(2023)
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Peter Gray
|
Sadly, but also quite truthfully, it’s a harsh drama that touches on the subjects of immigration, human trafficking, and one’s own determination in fighting for what’s right – even if that’s at the expense of your own existence.
Posted Mar 09, 2023
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4/5
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Till
(2022)
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Peter Gray
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It may not be an easy watch, but it’s essential; and, if nothing else, Deadwyler’s performance will floor you to where the story’s personal relevance won’t be of issue.
Posted Mar 09, 2023
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3/5
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To Leslie
(2022)
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Peter Gray
|
Another less pleasant filmic experience that revels in the ugliness and the flaws of human beings, To Leslie is worth a watch for Riseborough’s committed turn.
Posted Mar 09, 2023
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5/5
|
Scream VI
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
Where some sequels jump the shark or overstay their welcome, Scream VI drinks off its fresh blood and presents itself as if it’s just getting started, and I, for one, can’t be thankful enough.
Posted Mar 08, 2023
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3.5/5
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Champions
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
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Farrelly is confident in his direction of the genre, and in sticking to his sensibilities he’s created a warm, welcoming comedy that overcomes its predictable nature.
Posted Mar 08, 2023
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2/5
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The Donor Party
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
In trying to inject a serious discussion about sex and parenthood it feels disjointed and ultimately too soft for the rule-breaking comedy it so clearly wants to be.
Posted Mar 04, 2023
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4/5
|
Creed III
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
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The sense that [Michael B.] Jordan owns this character is palpable, and his directorial prowess only enhances his stronghold on the character.
Posted Mar 02, 2023
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3/5
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American Murderer
(2022)
|
Peter Gray
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The fact that this film’s ending is so open due to the real-life circumstances lends an eeriness to proceedings that so few true crime stories adhere to.
Posted Mar 02, 2023
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3.5/5
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Lonesome
(2022)
|
Peter Gray
|
A movie that revels in filth but is at its most uncomfortable when it simply lets its lead characters exist.
Posted Feb 23, 2023
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3.5/5
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Missing
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
A welcome twist on the found-footage genre subsect that practically ran itself into the ground through overexposure, Missing makes a classic narrative feel inviting and fresh.
Posted Feb 23, 2023
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1/5
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Fisherman's Friends: One and All
(2022)
|
Peter Gray
|
A boring, insultingly pedestrian film that isn’t even so bad it manages an entertaining personality of sorts, Fisherman’s Friends 2: One and All should be disbanded, unfollowed and put in the bargain bin.
Posted Feb 23, 2023
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3.5/5
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Daughter
(2022)
|
Peter Gray
|
The film’s dark, grainy aesthetic further speaks to Deshon’s comfort in expressing his horror temperament, revelling in a nature that’s more psychological than visually brutal.
Posted Feb 23, 2023
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3.5/5
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Cocaine Bear
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
They often say that truth can be stranger than fiction, and in the case of Cocaine Bear, the truth is wild, high, very bloody, darkly funny, and doesn’t play well with others.
Posted Feb 22, 2023
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3.5/5
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Women Talking
(2022)
|
Peter Gray
|
Heavy it may be to some, infuriating to others, but necessary to all – whether you want to hear about it or not – Women Talking is a divisive drama that should be respected for tackling its issues with a straightforwardness.
Posted Feb 16, 2023
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2.5/5
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Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
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Feels unsure of its own journey, losing its personality in a sea of overt CGI and poorly-executed humour that, sadly, cheapens whatever genuine wit Jeff Loveness‘s script manages to occasionally muster.
Posted Feb 14, 2023
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3.5/5
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Irreversible: Straight Cut
(2020)
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Peter Gray
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Irreversible: The Straight Cut has something of a reputation to contend with in that regard, and whilst it’s equally as devastating to watch, there are now different levels of complexity on hand with a story that no longer “ends” on a happier note;
Posted Feb 10, 2023
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3.5/5
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Somebody I Used To Know
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
As it walks on a path we expect it to, Franco and Brie are all too aware that a well-placed side step is all the film needs in order to overcome the predictive hurdle so many romantic comedies adhere to.
Posted Feb 09, 2023
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3/5
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Polite Society
(2023)
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Harris Dang
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Polite Society is a scrappy yet eager-to-please piece of work. While it suffers through some tired jokes and inconsistent pacing, the film has enough charm and spirited fun to be a big crowdpleaser.
Posted Feb 08, 2023
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4/5
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Fancy Dance
(2023)
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Harris Dang
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Fancy Dance is a bittersweet family drama about the strong bonds of filial love, enlivened by the compelling lead duo of Gladstone and Deroy-Olson. The subtle look to the trials of Indigenous women is felt, leading to a beautifully poignant conclusion.
Posted Feb 08, 2023
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5/5
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Fair Play
(2023)
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Harris Dang
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Fair Play is an intense, gripping thriller from Chloe Domont. The interplay between Dynevor and Ehrenreich is sharp, the tension rises to a full boil and the politics (both office and sexual) are driven to breaking point. A true winner.
Posted Feb 08, 2023
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4.5/5
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Shayda
(2023)
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Harris Dang
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Shayda is an eye-opener on the looming patriarchal shadow on Iranian women, a touching mother-daughter tale and another lead acting showcase for Zar Amir Ebrahimi.
Posted Feb 08, 2023
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2/5
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Run Rabbit Run
(2023)
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Harris Dang
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Sarah Snook and especially Lily LaTorre (who will go onto much better things) try their best to carry Run Rabbit Run on their shoulders. However, without any ingenuity in its horror elements and compelling drama in its story, it is unfortunately a bust.
Posted Feb 08, 2023
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3/5
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The Pod Generation
(2023)
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Harris Dang
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The Pod Generation is an amusing sci-fi piece on the nature of childbirth and parenting through the prism of overriding technology. While it presents many ideas that are prime for satire and drama, the execution is inconsistent and ultimately lacking.
Posted Feb 08, 2023
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4/5
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Magic Mike's Last Dance
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
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There’s still a sense of the youthful energy that has driven the previous films, but it’s dominated by a romantic ripeness that laces this “final tease” with a welcome decorousness.
Posted Feb 07, 2023
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4/5
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Knock at the Cabin
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
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Shot with a tight, almost claustrophobic lens at times, and indulging its genre thrills with a simplicity that proves less is often more when it comes to theatrical distraction, Knock at the Cabin grabs you in a vice-like grip and won’t let go.
Posted Feb 03, 2023
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3/5
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The Whale
(2022)
|
Peter Gray
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It’s an absolute triumph of a performance from [Brendan] Fraser, whose own humanity is what ultimately allows The Whale to not entirely sink in its surroundings.
Posted Feb 03, 2023
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3.5/5
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Little Dixie
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
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If you’re going to spend 100-or-so minutes with a film that entertains in spite of its familiarity, it might as well be with someone as reliable as [Frank] Grillo at the helm.
Posted Feb 03, 2023
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3.5/5
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Blood
(2022)
|
Peter Gray
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[Brad] Anderson’s investing thriller delights in its commentary on self-preservation and self-sacrifice, resulting in a far more intelligent effort than its horror packaging suggests.
Posted Jan 30, 2023
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5/5
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Talk to Me
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
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Danny & Michael Philippou announce their horror inclinations in a particularly bold fashion, doubling down on the cruelty that can be found within the genre.
Posted Jan 28, 2023
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3/5
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What's Love Got to Do with It?
(2022)
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Peter Gray
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What’s Love Got To Do With It? is a suitably winning product that – thankfully for the dreamers – answers its own question with enough charm and vigour.
Posted Jan 27, 2023
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4/5
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Tár
(2022)
|
Peter Gray
|
However one embraces or denies Tár as a whole, it’s a film that owns its coldness [...] and brutally thrives through the undeniably magnificent Blanchett.
Posted Jan 27, 2023
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4.5/5
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Infinity Pool
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
Plunges headfirst into psychosexual excess, serving us as an audience a gluttonous amount of privileged punishment as we bare witness to psychological breakdowns and breakthroughs.
Posted Jan 27, 2023
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2/5
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Cat Person
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
It’s uneven and a cautionary tale that deserves better, but at least it’s spearheaded by a duo of intriguing turns that do their best to maintain our interest when the story fails to do so.
Posted Jan 27, 2023
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2.5/5
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Maybe I Do
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
It’s always a treat to see such talent collectively riff off each other, but they deserve better than a script that’s formulaic to a disappointing fault.
Posted Jan 27, 2023
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4/5
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Other People's Children
(2022)
|
Peter Gray
|
There’s complexity within the rather simplistic narrative of Other People’s Children, Rebecca Zlotowski‘s affecting French drama about a certain definition of motherhood.
Posted Jan 27, 2023
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4/5
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Magazine Dreams
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
It’s already a brutal, tense experience – the draining anxiety present throughout is palpable – but what begins as a character study unravels in a manner that only increases our fearfulness as a helpless viewer.
Posted Jan 24, 2023
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3.5/5
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Mad Cats
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
Leaning bombastically far into literal chaos and absurdity, [Reiki] Tsuno’s Mad Cats is a high-art-meets-low-brow martial arts extravaganza that embraces melodramatic nonsense – and is all the better for it.
Posted Jan 23, 2023
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3.5/5
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Sometimes I Think About Dying
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
Manages an emotional resonance as it tackles social anxiety and the feeling of disconnection that can stem from such.
Posted Jan 22, 2023
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3.5/5
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Shotgun Wedding
(2023)
|
Peter Gray
|
If any audiences are concerned that Shotgun Wedding will play things a little safe and traditional, I can attest that a healthy dose of profanity, surprising bloodshed, and a scene-stealing Jennifer Coolidge will change your mind.
Posted Jan 19, 2023
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5/5
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Babylon
(2022)
|
Peter Gray
|
A spectacularly long, grossly indulgent, hilariously vile ode to cinema that stands as the filmmaker’s most ambitious and divisive project to date.
Posted Jan 18, 2023
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