29 Jun 2022
The Survivor review – ambitious but scattered take on an extraordinary story
Barry Levinson's Holocaust boxer biopic is well made and tastefully told, but fails to carve out much of an identity of its own
Articles by Jack Blackwell
Favourite films: Apocalypse Now, The Social Network, No Country For Old Men
Favourite actors: Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalamet, Willem Dafoe
Favourite filmmakers: Paul Thomas Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan
29 Jun 2022
Nitram review – mass shooter drama fuelled by a righteous and analytical fury
Justin Kurzel's deeply upsetting film tackles the 1996 Port Arthur massacre with unimpeachable restraint and moral clarity
17 Jun 2022
Everything Went Fine review – French assisted-suicide dramedy avoids treacly cliches
Francois Ozon's latest is admirably clever and mature, but its emotional impact can feel rather subdued at times
17 Jun 2022
Spiderhead review – sleek but empty sci-fi bolstered by Chris Hemsworth
Joseph Kosinski's follow-up to Top Gun: Maverick lacks any of that film's flair or ambition, often fading away into background noise
13 Jun 2022
Swan Song review – a warmhearted but slight tribute to Udo Kier
The legendary character actor plays a retired gay icon in a gently melancholy film that is elevated by one genuinely sublime scene
22 May 2022
Emergency review – comedy turns to horror in this “one crazy night” caper
Systemic racism and white entitlement fuel Carey Williams's gripping dramedy about a Black friendship stretched to the limit
22 May 2022
Ahed’s Knee review – sublime style in service of a mostly frustrating story
With hard-to-like characters and limited emotional reward, this polemical Israeli satire often feels like being yelled at by a stranger
13 May 2022
The Quiet Girl review – gorgeous Irish-language debut sneaks up on you
Colm Bairean's small, gentle story of a magical childhood summer is a warm hug of a film laced with just the right amount of drama
13 May 2022
Firestarter review – passable but utterly uninspired Stephen King remake
Though it's blessed by an excellent score from John Carpenter, this superpowered-kid retread rarely rises above forgettable
08 May 2022
Wild Men review – messy but winning Nordic buddy comedy
Though it can hardly compete with The Northman, this Viking cosplay adventure boasts gorgeous scenery and charming turns
06 May 2022
Eleven Days in May review – a heartwrenching hymn to Gaza’s murdered children
Michael Winterbottom's horrifying yet empathetic documentary shows us the true face of Israeli violence in its occupied territories
02 May 2022
Downton Abbey: A New Era review – a predictable but sumptuous sequel
Julian Fellowes plays the expected hits in this soapy and sweet second movie spin-off, set on the stunning French Riviera