The Starling – Film Review | TIFF ’21

The process of grieving is a thankful subject for a drama and for any actor to sink their teeth in. But does Theodore Melfi’s ‘The Starling’ have anything fresh to add? Lilly (Melissa McCarthy) and Jack (Chris O’Dowd) are set for a happy life when tragedy strikes. Reeling from the loss of their baby, both …

Reflection (Vidblysk) – Film Review | Venice 2021

Serhiy (Roman Lutskyi), a Ukrainian surgeon captured by Russian soldiers at the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war, is subjected to witnessing the inhumane treatments of fellow Ukrainian captives while serving as medic for the Russian military. Upon release, Serhiy must put together the pieces of his now shattered life and learn how to cope with …

Django & Django – Sergio Corbucci Unchained – Film Review | Venice 2021

Guided along by the narration of Quentin Tarantino, Django & Django explores Sergio Corbucci’s robust volume of work within the Italian Western sub-genre. Using his own work as an introductory framework, Tarantino introduces Corbucci, his more famous works, and the details that lead to their creation. While solid in its delivery of the information, Django …

Dusk Stone (Piedra Noche) – Film Review | Venice 2021

A year after the mysterious disappearance of their son, Greta (Mara Bestelli) and Bruno (Marcelo Subiotto) have resigned to selling their home in a rural coast town and leaving the past behind them. Joining them in preparation for the move is Greta’s childhood friend, Sina (Maricel Álvarez), an outsider from the city. Sina is the …

Erasing Frank – Film Review | Venice 2021

Gabor Fabricius’ debut feature follows punk rock singer Robert Frank (Benjamin Fuchs), who after getting arrested by the police for singing words that are too political, gets sent to the open ward of a psychiatric clinic. Angry at the state, he’ll stop at nothing to express his feelings, but freedom of speech doesn’t go without …

Bloody Oranges – Film Review | Cannes 2021

“The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters.” ― Antonio Gramsci Alex (Alexandre Steiger) is a lawyer looking to make his way up in the world when he starts working with the corrupt Financial Secretary of France, Stéphane (Christophe Paou), who is trying to change …

La Traviata, My Brothers and I – Film Review | Cannes

My Brothers and I beautifully explores the intricacies of what it means to be a family, growing up too soon, and learning to find yourself despite what others have planned for you. Director and screenplay writer Yohan Manca crafts a rich tale of the young Nour (Maël Rouin Berrandou), youngest of four brothers, and his …

Holy Frit – Film Review | Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2021

Relatively unknown artist Tim Carey puts his skills to the test when he and the team at The Judson Studios partake in creating the worlds largest stained glass window. Faced with the reality that they have no idea how to achieve such a feat, they enlist in the help of the one man who does …

Medusa – Film Review | Cannes 2021

Under cover of darkness, faces hidden by white masks and with God’s vengeful hand at their side, a group of psychotic sociopaths roam through the streets in search of loose women and beat them within an inch of their lives unless they agree into joining them as they travel to the kingdom of righteousness. Lead …

Olga – Film Review | Cannes 2021

Ukrainian gymnast Olga (Anastasia Budiashkina) finds herself exiled to Switzerland as she trains for the regional Olympics team while the 2013 Euromaidan revolts erupt in her country. Faced with the impossible choice to return home or continue competing, Olga must muster the strength needed to carry on fighting for her homeland, her family, and herself. …