In Review
Welcome to In Review! Check out the latest reviews across film, TV, theatre and so much moreβ¦
Film Reviews
Sundays resists descending into a heated philosophical debate over the existence of God or the legitimacy of religious devotion. Instead, it focuses on the consequences of Ainaraβs holy decision and the chaos it unleashes.
Sadly, Klara and the Sun is not a return to form for Waititi. It is fun and entertaining, with a truly wonderful turn from Ortega, but fails to reach both the comedic and emotional heights of the directorβs greatest hits.
Russoβs film meets all the requirements of a fable, short and sharp? Check. Talking animals? Check. A lesson to be learnt? Check. Itβs a wonderfully funny tale, one that Iβll keep coming back to for its critique, and one that will make me scrutinise the local pubgoing couples a bit harsher in my stares.
Clayface is by no means a bad movie. While it has a solid premise, the quality is as fluid and shapeshifting as the eponymous character.
This forces Brian Duffield to ponder the question every man must ask once in his life: βHow do I film a guy inside a whale?β
40 years ago, the release of Street Fighter made waves across video games and mainstream media, leaving a huge impact on anything it touched. 24 hours ago, Street Fighter (2026) premiered and Iβm struggling to think of anything that made it unique.
Too much is done to didactically modernise the two and hammer home the central conflict of the novel: when should we be respectful and reserved and when should we be brash and honest?
Be sure to see Forgotten Island while itβs still in theatres. It is genuinely well-crafted, humorous, mature, and it speaks deeply into the human soul and what it means to have a friend.
La Bola Negra is undeniably a sweeping and decadent feat of filmmaking. Itβs also the kind of politically complacent Oscar bait that should have been left in the past.
The question hanging over Sorkinβs head is whether he can steer his bastardised ship home to even an ounce of the filmmaking glory that Fincher achieved in 2010. As soon as the first intertitle ββPrologue: White Girl Wastedβ β flashes up onscreen, itβs clear that he absolutely canβt.
The film is a political satire that plays on numerous different current affairs like the climate, the threats of nuclear war, and the rich businessmen who have swooned the heart of our politicians. But believe me, even by those descriptions, it is still somehow not what you think it is.
While this is certainly no Gone Girl, Verity is highly watchable, and is best consumed by suspending reality and not taking it too seriously.
While Heart of the Beast is not without its flaws, its heartfelt central relationship, beautiful cinematography, and emotional conclusion make it an enjoyable survival drama.
Once the film's title card comes along, thereβs no turning back, and what follows is a fast paced, anxiety filled, jumpscare packed journey with an incredible end.
The Weight is a film that may not linger for an exceptionally long time due to a conventional script. However, thanks to well crafted tension and thrills, it makes for a very entertaining watch for the majority of its runtime.
28 years after the release of the cult classic original, Practical Magic 2 returns to give the audience the magical hijinks theyβve been waiting for β without any meaningful substance.
Na Hong-Jinβs first film in a decade is a three hour long sci-fi epic that is anything but.
After three years in legal limbo after being written off for tax purposes by Warner Brothers, Coyote Vs Acme is finally being released to the masses, and itβs worth the wait.
MΔrama is an instant modern horror classic, a masterpiece of indigenous storytelling, and deserves as much praise and recognition as other recent horror movies from this part of the world such as Talk to Me, Bring Her Back and Leviticus.
Joko Anwar continues to be a prolific filmmaker across all genres, and while he doesnβt always stick the landing, with Ghost in the Cell he has made a huge hit. It is a great ensemble piece filled with action, genuine comedy, incredible gore effects, and a meaningful commentary on corruption and empathy.
Features
With the severe lack of funding for the arts in general, it is no wonder why many feel that simply getting a foot in the door for their locally-made films is no longer a viable possibility as it was some decades ago. This is a problem that the Young Australian Film Festival (YAFF) aims to solve: to platform and empower the next generation of young voices in film.
French Girls isnβt a documentary, but it feels like one. If youβve spent any time in a dilapidated sharehouse, engaged in small talk with cool fashion types, had a lazy boyfriend that you saw potential in despite never really proving himself, or friends who couldnβt be happy for you once you achieved success β then this film feels oddly cathartic.
To an outside observer, this tidal wave of rage directed at only one major production company for adopting AI tools may seem bizarre. What makes this deal different is that A24 isnβt your typical Hollywood studio β or at least, it would like you to think that.
Cochrane has created something very affirming with The Language of Light. Tracking an artist's progression in this documentarian manner works wonders in seeing the motivation and often radical protest that goes into art.
Despite the Thylacineβs officially declared status as extinct, sightings and alleged evidence of surviving examples persist. Neil Waters, through his 'Thylacine Awareness Group of Australia', has been on a mission to prove to the world that the Thylacine survives. I spoke with Jonathon Buckland, who has directed the feature-length documentary Eyes Like Diamonds, all about Neilβs efforts.
Fantastic Film Festival Australia (FFFA) is back for its 2025 programming, and cinephiles with a taste for the experimental, esoteric, and independent, brace yourselves!
Much like Godzillaβs messy and complicated birth as a concept and popular culture figure, I too feel as though Iβve come out of this experience a strange creature. Itβs something I wonβt soon forget.
Fans of bizarre, esoteric and extreme films, who live around Melbourne and Sydney can rejoice, because it's that time of year - Fantastic Film Festival Australia is back once again.
Melbourne International Film Festival has officially wrapped up, having boasted its 71st edition. After weeks of browsing through the program, swapping sessions, making and re-making calendars, and watching screeners, Eli Robinson would like to think he has a decent handle on some pretty cool short films.
Fantastic Film Festival Australia is back in town, promising cinema without restraints.
Come one, come all! Readers rejoice for it is time to kill two birds with one stone as we rest our weary heads atop the mountains of education and entertainment. If you donβt know what you want to watch at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival yet, please allow me to fill up your whole month with my personal 15 picks for knowledge worth gaining.
Wanting to dip your toes into arthouse cinema, or are you a seasoned veteran looking for something that's out of this world bonkers? Look no further, because from April 21st until May 6th, Fantastic Film Festival Australia is back in town, and it's as bold and beautiful as ever.
When I considered writing a review for Tiger King, I thought, you beauty, another opportunity to laugh at Americans. I never expected Iβd end up writing this review through a feminist lensβ¦
In Reviewβs Youssef Saudie chats with DJ Jazzy Jeff at his one-night show at the Night Cat in Melbourne.
letβs delve into the renowned Disney Castle and examine these βlive-actionβ remake films and whether they do in fact, breathe new life after all.
Letβs turn back time and examine the winners, complexions and perplexions of the 2019 ceremony and filming yearβ¦
By Nick Angus. Four films made, four stars bornβ¦
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