Category: Mini Review
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Mini Review: Living in Two Worlds
Mipo O’s #LivingInTwoWorlds is an excellent showcase of lived experience, that of being raised by deaf parents in Japan, who’s strength is in its authenticity even if it’s not always pleasant. As a coming of age piece it’s one of the best I’ve seen of late. Seen @JCCC_Toronto.
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Mini Review: Last Mile
Ayuko Tsukaharas #LastMile, as a social commentary, is a bit too on the nose. But it certainly is effective as a fast paced thriller/mystery, even though it gets a bit bogged down by its many characters & subplots. Overall, a thoroughly entertaining experience! Seen @JCCC_Toronto
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Mini Review: How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
While the live-action #HowToTrainYourDragon remains absolutely unnecessary, it is as genuinely good and chill inducing as the original, which deserves more love than it often gets. Here’s to hoping (likely in vain) for live-action quality over quantity moving forward.
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Mini Review: Materialists
Celine Song’s #Materialists will be subversive for anyone expecting a light rom-com – it maintains the glossy appeal but trades the laughs for Song’s signature insightful & incisive dialogue, this time centred in the world of modern high-end dating. A fantastic follow-up feature.
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Mini Review: The Life of Chuck
It’s finally here! Mike Flanagan’s @lifeofchuckfilm has stuck with me since seeing it at #TIFF24, & remains so poignant, filled with moments of weightiness & pure joy. Beautiful visuals. Fantastic performances. Incredible music from The Newton Brothers. A must watch this weekend!
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Mini Review: The Phoenician Scheme
Wes Anderson’s latest #ThePhoenicianScheme is yet another addition to his signature silly, specific & stylized collection. The little bit of warmth is a welcomed addition for me, as is the inclusion of Michael Cera & Mia Threapleton. But otherwise what you see is what you get. https://x.com/yearincinema/status/1931073695730319737
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Mini Review: Karate Kid: Legends
Yes it’s incredibly formulaic & yes we really didn’t need a whole storyline about Joshua Jackson boxing. But I’ll admit I genuinely enjoyed #KarateKidLegends. I’m a big fan of Ben Wang & his effortlessly meek charm. Mix in some believable action & we got some solid wholesome fun.
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Mini Review: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
While I’m unlikely the target audience, I can appreciate a solid rom-com, and #JaneAustenWreckedMyLife is certainly a good one. Camille Rutherford is a delight as our imperfect & vulnerable lead in what is a refreshingly modern & grounded homage to Jane Austen’s romance tropes.
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Mini Review: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
The truly impossible mission is constantly attempting to up the ante in stunts & action. And that’s exactly where #MissionImpossibleTheFinalReckoning succeeds. But while it’s ending is indeed a satisfying one, it’s unfortunately bogged down by a bit too many flashbacks & tie-ins.
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Mini Review: Lilo and Stitch (2025)
Disney’s latest #LiloandStitch is certainly one of the better live-action remakes, adding some minor updates while still capturing the same emotion of the original. That said, it’s not much of an upgrade either. But based on that huge opening night crowd, get ready for more!
Year in Cinema 