The King
It is not perfect, but its flaws do little to detract from the compelling story at the forefront
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot
Jay & Silent Bob Reboot is Smith revisiting and relishing the 90’s and early-00’s when he was on top of his game and from a character and dialogue perspective, it all works well
Eli
There is so much here that turns the brain to mush just thinking about the decisions and trajectory this feature takes, not only contextually but more so in the films literal creation and development
Queen & Slim
Melina Matsoukas’s Queen & Slim is a stunning feature film debut from the mind of writer Lena Waithe, telling a challenging and controversial love story framed within the backdrop of the United States at the height of its modern racial divide
Knives Out
Johnson puts all his efforts to craft a new wave of genre and succeeds in a film that has superb tonal balance, pacing and performances with an equally as delightful screenplay
Holiday in the Wild
Holiday in the Wild is yet another NETFLIX film to cater to people’s desire for cheesy yet delightful Christmas films
21 Bridges
A Frankenstein’s monster of various cop movie cliches thrown together with no rhyme or reason
Monos
Think Apocalypse Now meets Lord of the Flies but there is still so much more weight, layers and terror that will leave the viewer truly short of breath
Klaus
Every frame is so gorgeously rendered it will have people begging for studios to make films like this again
The Knight Before Christmas
Despite its flaws, the film excels in catering to its target audience. It is meant to be cheesy and is quite a fun, brainless watch
Hatsukoi (First Love)
Even among its bare repetitiveness, First Love is a genuine crowd-pleaser, whether the viewer is familiar with the works of Takashi Miike or not, they will be fully satisfied with their viewing experience
American Son
A stagnant and flat racial drama that is heightened beyond belief and results in one of the most frustrating portraits of a one-note society
Black and Blue
Tone-deaf might be an understatement to describe Deon Taylor's Black & Blue, a film released in perhaps some of the most traumatising times for minorities during this current hectic and traumatising social climate
The Report
The Report is a solid political thriller with an interesting plot and some excellent performances with minor faults in some over-indulgent exposition and long sections of heavy dialogue partnered with slow-burn pacing.
The Garden Left Behind
This is a feature with heart and bravado that does tremendous justice to the story of Tina and others like her: people who are underrepresented in mainstream media but now know that their journey does not have to be travelled alone.
Suzi Q
The self-titled documentary Suzi Q is one for much adulation and disappointment in the same breath
Rise of the Footsoldier 4: Marbella
To take these exaggerated characters of dire personality seriously would be no different than believing in Santa Claus at sixty; it is time to grow up
Frozen II
The animation is vividly beautiful and though it has its missteps, it thankfully is one of Disney’s best sequels and will be enjoyed by all ages
Where'd You Go, Bernadette
A dumbfounded and hollow drama that fills itself with heart and tenderness that is tonally misjudged and excessively flat
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
If there is one film this year that is going to leave one audience member feeling a sense of emotional captivation and the other devoid of emotional response, it is A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood