GFF2023 Review: Lullaby
Film critic Calum Cooper reviews Alauda Ruiz de Azua’s feature debut Lullaby, which has been praised by Pedro Almodovar as the best debut in Spanish cinema for some time. Continue reading GFF2023 Review: Lullaby
Tag: Debut
LFF2022 Review: Causeway
Film critic Calum Cooper continues coverage of the London Film Festival by reviewing Lila Neugebauer’s moving feature debut, Causeway. Continue reading LFF2022 Review: Causeway
LFF2022 Review: Nanny
Film critic Calum Cooper continues coverage of the London Film Festival by reviewing the newest horror movie from first-time feature filmmaker Nikyatu Jusu. Continue reading LFF2022 Review: Nanny
Review: Acute Misfortune
Artist Adam Cullen (Daniel Henshall) says early in “Acute Misfortune” (2020) that he paints because it’s the only job in the world where “your employer wants you to die.” In other words, his work will increase in value upon his death which he takes as justification for his blatant desire for it to happen. The film documents what transpires when a young reporter attempts to put down in words the life of this anguished, talented Australian version of Jackson Pollack in all his rebellious, self -destructive fury. It is not an easy watch but the riveting performances of the two leads make it an emotional roller coaster of a biography that risks making its subject unlikable, even if he is inspiring. Continue reading Review: Acute Misfortune
Review: The Party’s Just Beginning
2019 has been an extraordinary and very successful year for Karen Gillan, this summer saw her star in one of the year’s biggest films “Avengers: End Game” and in a few short weeks she’ll be starring in the sequel to “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”, and she is also releasing her directorial debut film, “The Party’s Just Beginning” which Gillan also stars in. This is Karen Gillan as you’ve never seen her before, channeling her own inner “Fleabag” as the self-destructive Liusaidh who is struggling to cope with the loss of her best friend Alistair (Matthew Beard) who had been struggling with his own identity and sexuality. Continue reading Review: The Party’s Just Beginning
Review: Satanic Panic
By Tom Moore Although it boasts some creative practical effects and some fun performances, Chelsea Stardust’s feature directorial debut, “Satanic Panic” (2019), lacks the fun horror and comedy punches and comprehensive storytelling to be the great midnight movie it wants to be. The film follows Sam (Hayley Griffith), a plucky yet down on her luck pizza delivery girl as she’s flat broke. With the first … Continue reading Review: Satanic Panic
In Their Own League 