Reviews

Polite Society (2023) GFF Review - "Truly, a star has been born in Priya Kansara" in Nida Manzoor's unique British coming-of-age film 'Polite Society', a film with all the makings of a smash hit. Review by Mark Carnochan.
An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It (2022) Short Film Review - 'An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It', the stop motion film nominated for Animated Feature at the Oscars 2023, is enchanting, unmissable. Review by Joseph Wade.
Scream VI (2023) Review - 'Scream VI', the latest instalment in the 'Scream' franchise, is one hell of a cinematic horror ride, though it lacks the new direction it promised. Review by Kieran Judge.
Living (2022) Review - Bill Nighy is utterly astonishing in 'Living' (2022), Kazuo Ishiguro's adaptation of Akira Kurosawa's 1952 film 'Ikiru' about old age and illness. Review by Kieran Judge.
My Year of Dicks (2022) Short Film Review - 'My Year of Dicks', the short film created by Pamela Ribon and nominated in the Oscars Animated Short category, is punk and loving, a great film. Review by Joseph Wade.
The Martha Mitchell Effect (2022) Short Film Review - Have you ever heard of the Martha Mitchell Effect? You probably should have. Diane Alvergue and Debra McClutchy tell the story behind the term. Review by Joseph Wade.
The Quiet Girl (2022) Review - Soft Colm Bairéad drama 'The Quiet Girl' (Irish: 'An Cailín Ciúin') is the first Irish film to ever be nominated for International Feature Film at the Oscars. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Triangle of Sadness (2022) Review - Ruben Östlund film 'Triangle of Sadness' makes up for lacking commentary with absurdist comedy. Nominee for Best Picture at the Oscars 2023. Review by Emi Grant.
God’s Creatures (2022) GFF Review - Emily Watson and Paul Mescal lead 'God's Creatures', the latest high quality film to come from Ireland. "Rich with subtext and brilliant performances." Review by Mark Carnochan.
Girl (2023) GFF Review - 'Girl', the debut feature from Adura Onashile and 2023 Glasgow Film Festival opening night gala, features a charming performance from Le'Shantey Bonsu but is generally disappointing. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Haulout (2022) Short Film Review - 'Haulout', the short film about a unique natural event, must be seen as the extraordinary documentary of the Oscars' Documentary Short Subject category in 2023. Review by Joseph Wade.
Call Me Chihiro (2023) Review - Rikiya Imaizumi's Netflix Original 'Call Me Chihiro' (2023), is a quiet look at a lonely life that lacks the warmth and satisfaction you may expect. Review by Martha Lane.
Stranger at the Gate (2022) Short Film Review - Nominated for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 95th Academy Awards, Oscars 2023, Stranger at the Gate "encourages love in the face of fear". Review by Joseph Wade.
Cocaine Bear (2023) Review - 'Cocaine Bear', from director Elizabeth Banks, isn't mesmerizing cinema, but it was never expected to be; it is amusing and well made. Review by Jacob Davis.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (2022) Short Film Review - Tom Hollander, Idris Elba and Gabriel Byrne lead the all-star Oscars Animated Short nominee 'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse' from Charlie Mackesy. Review by Joseph Wade.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2022) Review - Dean Fleischer Camp and Jenny Slate enchant with their lovable stop-motion animation 'Marcel the Shell with Shoes On', one of the most human experiences of recent times. Review by John McDonald.
Joyland (2022) Review - Controversial Pakistan film 'Joyland', from debut writer-director Saim Sadiq, starring Ali Junejo and Alina Khan, will leave you with a new perspective on life. Review by Rob Jones.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) Review - Marvel Studios' 2023 'Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania' shows some imaginative flourishes, Jonathan Majors proving himself a charismatic villain. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
‘Army of Darkness’ at 30 – Review - 'Evil Dead' trilogy conclusion 'Army of Darkness' turns 30, and it's more ridiculous than ever before. From the mind of Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell. Review by Kae M.
Brian and Charles (2022) Review - If you like deadpan delivery and surreal asides, you'll have a great time with British mockumentary 'Brian and Charles' (2022), from David Earl and Chris Hayward. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Sea Beast (2022) Review - The Sea Beast, the classic combination of adventure, humour, a smart-alec kid, a reluctant adult, animal sidekick and a heart-warming lesson to learn. Review by Martha Lane.
Women Talking (2022) Review - Sarah Polley's Oscar-nominated 'Women Talking' (2022) starring Rooney Mara, Claire Foy and Jessie Buckley, is an empathetic conversation about sexual assault and community. Review by Emi Grant.
Tuesday (2015) Short Film Review - 'Tuesday' (2015), the debut short film from 'Aftersun' writer-director Charlotte Wells, "feels like a small peak through the looking glass" at the much-celebrated filmmaker's traits. Review by Joseph Wade.
Knock at the Cabin (2023) Review - M Night Shyamalan asks apocalypse-sized questions in his newest campy and philosophical film Knock at the Cabin (2022) starring Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff. Review by Emi Grant.
The Whale (2022) Review - Darren Aronofsky adapts Samuel D. Hunter's stage play in an attempt to speak to the truths in each of us, Brendan Fraser a charismatic and empathetic lead. Review by Katie Doyle.
Infinity Pool (2023) Review - Brandon Cronenberg film 'Infinity Pool' (2023) is bolstered by strong performances from Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth. It will surprise and disturb you. Review by Emi Grant.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022) Review - The dance numbers are a fantastic spectacle and the songs are catchy and funny in 'Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical' (2022), the live-action adaptation starring Emma Thompson. Review by Martha Lane.
The Fabelmans (2022) Review - Steven Spielberg declares through rose-tinted spectacles and Americana-drenched nostalgia that art matters in his semi-autobiographical 2022 film 'The Fabelmans'. Review by Joseph Wade.
Babylon (2022) Review - Babylon (2022), the latest from La La Land's Damien Chazelle, is a reflective piece on cinema's celebrated silent era and the myth of Hollywood's studio system. Review by Joseph Wade.
Tár (2022) Review - There is a European sensibility to Todd Field's mature and considered take on cancel culture, Tár (2022), featuring a spectacular performance from Cate Blanchett. Review by Joseph Wade.
Empire of Light (2022) Review - Sam Mendes' follows up his award winning '1917' with the oblique and tripe 'Empire of Light' (2022/23) starring Olivia Colman, a film that isn't really for anyone. Review by Joseph Wade.
White Noise (2022) Review - Noah Baumbach, the filmmaker behind 'Marriage Story', adapts Don DeLillo's "White Noise" into a timely and darkly funny Netflix Original film starring Adam Driver. Review by Emi Grant.
Enys Men (2022) Review - Mark Jenkin follows his critically acclaimed feature debut 'Bait' with new colour horror film 'Enys Men' (2022), an example of his filmmaking prowess. Review by Mark Carnochan.
M3GAN (2023) Review - Aleka Cooper and James Wan follow 2021's horror hit 'Malignant' with 'M3GAN', the latest Frankenstein-esque tale of technology gone bad. Allison Williams stars. Review by Kieran Judge.
10 Highest-Scoring Films 2022 – The Film Magazine - The 2022 movies that have earned the highest-scoring reviews from The Film Magazine's team of film writers and established contributors.
‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ at 15 – Review - Fifteen years on from Tim Burton's film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street', the tale still makes for a powerful film. Review by Emily Nighman.
‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ at 85 – Review - At 85-years-old, how do the outdated views of Walt Disney Animation's debut feature film 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' hold up? Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) Review - James Cameron's sequel thirteen years in the making, 'Avatar: The Way of Water' (2022), looks "absolutely gorgeous" but lacks the originality of the first 'Avatar'. Review by Kieran Judge.
Cost of Living (2022) Short Film Review - Cinema and Social Justice Project short film 'Cost of Living' (2022) is an emotive contextualisation of our contemporary struggle through archive footage. Review by Joseph Wade.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022) Review - 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' (2022) is a vivid and hard-hitting reimagining of a classic story, presented in stop-motion animation for Netflix. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ at 30 – Review - Even under the thumb of Disney rule and the passing of its creator, The Muppets produced a Christmas classic in 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' (1992). Review by Katie Doyle.
The Polar Express (2004) Review - Is Robert Zemeckis's 2004 'The Polar Express', starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Sabara, an uncanny valley nightmare or a Christmas classic? Review by Emily Nighman.
Violent Night (2022) Review - To David Harbour's rendition of Santa Claus in the delightfully subversive 'Violent Night' (2022), Christmas is about "getting violently drunk and kicking ass". Review by Emi Grant.
‘Juno’ at 15 – Review - 'Juno' (2007), from writer Diablo Cody and starring Elliot Page, remains funny 15 years on, the hamburger phone and more just as iconic. Review by Martha Lane.
Falling for Christmas (2022) Review - "Anyone feeling especially nostalgic for 2009 will have a field day" with Netflix's "time machine flick" 'Falling for Christmas' (2022), starring Lindsay Lohan. Review by Emi Grant.
‘Aladdin’ at 30 – Review - Walt Disney Animation classic 'Aladdin' (1992) is thirty, and despite problematic representation remains a much-enjoyed Renaissance offering. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Menu (2022) Review - Mark Mylod feature 'The Menu' (2022), starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes, "is a gory, grimy look at capitalism", but we've seen it all before. Review by Emi Grant.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) Review - Ryan Coogler's 'Black Panther' Marvel sequel 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' makes a heartfelt connection and delivers memorable action. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
My Policeman (2022) Review - Harry Styles is at the head of an ensemble cast for Michael Grandage's understated LGBTQ+ romantic drama 'My Policeman' (2022). Review by Emi Grant.
The Son (2022) Review - 'The Son' (2022), starring Hugh Jackman and Laura Dern, sees sophomore director Florian Zeller attempting to recapture the magic of his debut 'The Father'. Review by Jake Gill.