In Review
Welcome to In Review! Check out the latest reviews across film, TV, theatre and so much more…
Italian Film Fest 2024 Review - The Beautiful Summer
If you like pretty Italian towns then you might find some enjoyment, but if you're looking for a compelling film I suggest you look elsewhere.
MIFF 2024 Film Review - Janet Planet
Through the Summer of 1991 in rural Massachusetts, the unapologetic yet awkward 11-year-old Lacy (newcomer Zoe Ziegler) is entrenched in the captivating orbit of her mother Janet (Julianne Nicholson).
Film Review - Strange Darling
Emerging from the festival circuit in all its adrenalised glory, Strange Darling is a nightmarishly visceral masterclass in subversion which keeps you on your toes from the get-go.
Film Review - Tótem
The second feature from Mexican director Lily Avilles, Tótem, is an incredibly assured and mature film that depicts the emotional intimacy and fragility of an extended family dealing with loss.
Scandinavian Film Fest 2024 Review - The Riot
The events that took place in the Stuljema mines in 1907 are as inspiring as they are fascinating; they deserve a great film adaptation, The Riot is not this.
Film Review - The Convert
The Convert wasn’t perfect but its visuals and depiction of the way of life for people in Aotearoa at the time will continue to leave its mark on me.
Film Review - Kill
If you like the Violence! Blood! and Guts! of a John Wick clone then your desires will be met in spades here.
Film Review - The Promised Land
The Promised Land sheds light on a dark but important part of Denmark’s history. It is a superbly made film that is boasted by powerful performances and the strength of Mikkelsen’s screen presence.
German Film Fest 2024 Review - Not a Word
While the 87-minute-long film at times moves at a glacial pace, the stunning cinematography by Claire Mathon (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) and the eerie strings of Mahler's Symphony No. 5 fuel the rising tension and keep the audience engaged.
Fantastic Film Fest 2024 Review - The Deep Dark
The Deep Dark just doesn’t quite dig deep enough, uncovering a hole that's barely big enough to bury itself in.
Film Review - The Teachers’ Lounge
This is ultimately a film about power and rebellion, and it is within the interplay of the two subjects that it shines.
Film Review - Boy Kills World
Just a month after the release of Dev Patel’s Monkey Man we get yet another thrilling directorial debut entering into the action subgenre - putting emphasis on crazy fight choreography - in Moritz Mohr’s brand new sci-fi bonanza Boy Kills World.
Film Review - The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan
There is a glimmer of hope with the upcoming Australian release of its sequel in June, The Three Musketeers: Milady, which may shed some light on the lacklustre narrative decisions in Part One, but as it stands D’Artagnan’s best is too fleeting, and settles itself far into the saturated market of generic blockbusters.
Film Review - Monster
Monster confronts viewers with an ambiguous ending, leaving us to decipher the truth of who really is the eponymous monster, but perhaps the objective truth is there are monsters in each and every one of us.
Fantastic Film Fest 2024 Review - The Vourdalak
If decapitated heads, Tumblr-edit-worthy quotations about the human condition, traditional Slavic folklore, and harrowing cinematography are your thing, then look no further than Le Vourdoulak.
Film Review - The Taste of Things
The Taste of Things serves up a complicated feast for the eyes, intrinsically tying its romanticisation of cooking as a love language to the identities and passions of its two leads.
Film Review - Spy x Family Code: White
Making sure to cater to both returning fans and new fans alike Code: White is by no means a perfect movie, but for what it is, it remains exemplary of good old fashion family fun.
Film Review - Fremont
Fremont isn’t a thrilling film, and perhaps one that requires an eager mood, but you could scarcely imagine leaving the cinema without a sense of distinct peace.
Fantastic Film Fest 2024 Review - Divinity
In Divinity, writer-director Eddie Alcazar seems to have crafted a readymade cult object. A film completely furnished with textual references, grotesque violence, hyper-stylised visuals, and mixed media experimentation, seemingly destined to attract a small coterie of like-minded fans and repeat viewers. The only issue is that I can’t imagine anyone sitting through this twice.