Category: Mini Review
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Mini Review: Bugonia
The tension, the acting, the zaniness – #Bugonia is Lanthimos as you would expect. The real strength of the film is the performances, & Jerskin Fendrix’s pitch perfect score, while the social commentary is apt but depressingly on the nose. So good luck babe to us all indeed.
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Mini Review: Nouvelle Vague
I’m curious if those going into Richard Linklater’s #NouvelleVague without any prior knowledge of French New Wave will get anything out of this pseudo-documentary behind the scenes view of the making of Breathless. But for me at least, I had a good time. In theatres this weekend.
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Mini Review: It Was Just An Accident
Jafar Panahi’s #ItWasJustAnAccident is a thrill ride, both physically & emotionally, with a razor sharp script that truly elucidates the mindsets of the survivors of immense brutality. The more humorous interludes add to the intensity of weightier moments. A fantastic film.
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Mini Review: Blue Moon
Linklater continues his streak of romantic & culturally reverent films in #BlueMoon, which serves as a love letter to Lorenz Hart & classic musical theatre. I’ll admit it took a while to find my rhythm with the film. But I can’t deny, Hawke’s performance is truly transformative.
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Mini Review: The Friend
#TheFriend truly draws you in with its cute Great Dane, but offers a surprisingly tender look at loss & grief. Naomi Watts really is the emotional heart of the film, while the supporting cast is vast but largely under-utilized. Overall its an effective piece. #2025FilmCatchUp
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Mini Review: Companion
I had no expectations going into #CompanionMovie & I will admit, I had a great time! The concept is original & the horror sci-fi thriller comedy genre-bending well executed. And while it’s not perfect, it never lingers, keeping up the pace to its satisfying end. #2025FilmCatchUp
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Mini Review: One of Them Days
Probably slept on this one for too long, but could Keke & SZA be the best comedy duo of the year? While #OneOfThemDays script doesn’t do much to spice up the genre, Palmer & SZA add all the flavour necessary to make this one sizzle. #2025FilmCatchUp
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Mini Review: Love Me
Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun are both excellent in #LoveMe, with a chemistry that transcends even their robotic forms as a satellite and a buoy. As a film its refreshingly original in its ideas and style, even when its script is a little lacking. #2025FilmCatchUp
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Mini Review: Ballad of a Small Player
Edward Berger’s #BalladOfASmallPlayer is a stylish & kinetic look at gambling addiction & a window into the glitzy world of Macau. As a portrait of a struggling gambler it’s well executed. And Colin Farrell is all in. But it doesn’t quite transcend it’s premise further than that.
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Mini Review: Frankenstein
Guillermo Del Toro’s #Frankenstein is truly a match made in heaven, giving the monster that much needed dose of humanity. That said, the conclusion doesn’t quite land for me, and the monster design is a bit of a miss, but you can’t deny the technical prowess of this team.
Year in Cinema 