In Review
Welcome to In Review! Check out the latest reviews across film, TV, theatre and so much more…
Film Review - Disney’s Strange World
Offering a slice of pulpy, moralistic sci-fi that feels like a throwback to before 2D animation had died, Strange World is good, lighthearted fun, gesturing gently at the hard-headed nature of father-son relationships.
Film Review - The Menu
Combining bitter comedy with the sensibilities of an A24 horror film, The Menu marks a cool addition to the genre and establishes itself as one of the most exciting blockbusters of this year.
Film Review - Bones and All
Playing like an emotional middle ground between Badlands and the Twilight saga, Luca Guadagnino's new Timothee Chalamet-starrer Bones and All is a romantic cannibal road movie, presenting a tale of both the impossibility and inevitability of love; how even in the bleakest of circumstances, when we least expect, or even want it, romance can blossom like a weed in the desert.
Film Review - Terrifier 2
Halloween may have come and gone, but I have one last spooky movie to talk about - director/special effects extraordinaire Damien Leone's 138-minute splatterfest epic Terrifier 2, a film that came with reports of people fainting and vomiting due to its incredibly vile and gratuitous violence.
Film Review - Bros
In an earnest love note to the LGBTQIA+, Bros ushers in an ambitious standard for bigscreen queerdom with some grounded perspectives, sweetspot cultural references and an all queer cast and crew.
Film Review - Armageddon Time
At its most essential, the film is a story of a young Jewish boy who befriends a Black boy, and the confusing strata of privilege and injustices that come to define his place in late-20th-Century America.
Film Review - The Woman King
The real achievement of this ripping action flick, bless its existence, is its characters and themes: there’s a full meal here, and all of it is delicious.
Film Review - Black Adam
Who are we, the audience, to deny the wishes of such a charismatic hunk of a star, with such incredible eyebrow posture? Grab your tickets folks, 'cos the Dwayne train is about to leave the station.
Film Review - Barbarian
Barbarian is a wild ride full of twists and turns, sure to light a fire under the butt of hardened horror fans and would-be screenwriters alike.
Film Review - Entergalactic
While the plot is largely predictable, following the tropes and clichés of dozens of films before it, Cudi’s presence firmly sells this product as something of his own.
Film Review - AVATAR (Rerelease)
Whether The Way of Water sinks or swims come its release in December, I remain an apologist for the original Avatar.
Film Review - Amsterdam
A star-studded cast, 1920s decor, bursts of comedy, and a film noir-inspired story come together to make David O. Russell’s new film an enjoyable romp that should be seen on the big screen.
Film Review - Don’t Worry Darling
It is practically impossible to disentangle Olivia Wilde’s mystery thriller Don’t Worry Darling from its accompanying, and rather shocking tidal wave of controversy and exposures.
Film Review - See How They Run
Like any great whodunnit, See How They Run is about the investigation rather than the reveal. And with two loveable investigators, a bunch of effortless jokes, and some engaging visual storytelling, it makes for a killer night at the theatre.
Film Review - Fall
Director Scott Mann creates some dizzying heights, but fails to lay the groundwork necessary for its committed actresses to really plant their feet on, resulting in a flick that's fun to gawk at for a while, but ultimately tires itself out trying to keep pace.
Film Review - The Retaliators
If you like nu-metal rock and are inclined towards brutal on-screen kills, you should grab some popcorn and a pop-top because this flick might just be up your alley.
Film Review - Orphan: First Kill
While its visual and budgetary limitations may mean I can't exactly say Orphan: First Kill is a must-see on the big screen, it is well worth checking out for anyone who even mildly enjoyed the first movie.
MIFF 2022 Film Review - Bodies Bodies Bodies
Bodies Bodies Bodies should be referred to as the golden standard for films in the future wanting to strike the perfect balance of social commentary and top tier comedy.
MIFF 2022 Film Review - Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon
Nobody seems to know who Mona is, why she has these powers, or where she came from.