SUNDANCE 2020 - Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a quietly brutal film that is not determined to dramatize the act of abortion but instead tells a straightforward human story with a narrative constructed of human obstacles
Hammamet
Hammamet is a disappointing feature and, given the subject matter, a far more complex movie could have been developed
Šavovi (Stitches)
Though too methodical to truly enthral, Stitches is a well-acted and intriguing character study.
TRIBECA 2020 - Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles
Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles from documentary filmmaker, Laura Gabbert is a short yet sweet reminder that art does not have to be limited to a single mode of expression
Tezuka’s Barbara
Tezuka's Barbara is a headache for all the right reasons
The Main Event
The Main Event is not shy about proclaiming who it is aimed for: families that love to come together every Monday night for Monday Night RAW
Life: Untitled
Not only is director Kana Yamada one to watch but she puts directors — decades in the making — to shame, by showcasing such a standard of skill present in Life: Untitled
The Man Without a Shadow
Alireza Raissian's The Man Without a Shadow is a stoic and deliberately methodical thriller that explores gender dynamics in an Iranian household to an engaging degree
Narcissus and Goldmund
With the original text celebrating its 90th anniversary, it seems scarcely believable that this is the first adaptation of Hermann Hesse’s tale of friendship in the Middle Ages
Beastie Boys Story
Beastie Boys Story serves as a wistful memory of the simplicities and organic dialect of friendship
CINÉMA DU RÉEL 2020 - There Will Be No More Night
Eléonore Weber’s documentary, There Will Be No More Night, utterly mesmerizes the audience with its haunting imagery, given how every frame exudes an overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia
Les Perseides
Les Perseides, the feature-length directorial debut from duo Alberto Dexeus and Ànnia Gabarró, is a slow stoic ghost story of sorts that explores the trauma of generations
BERLINALE 2020 - Last and First Men
Johann Johannsson’s directorial debut Last and First Men showcases his newfound directorial talents as he brings forth a harrowing vision of the future that may be one of the most beautiful works of art of the last few decades
The Oath (Ghasam)
Mohsen Tanabandeh's The Oath is an intense, thematically weighted drama that explores the depths of morality with an expressive eye on the Iranian judicial system and women's rights
Sundance 2020 - To the Stars
To The Stars is a handsome coming-of-age drama that unfortunately succumbs to cliché and melodrama
SXSW 2020 - Arkansas
Clark Duke’s directorial debut Arkansas is an engaging and well-crafted feature with a decent screenplay, strong performances from a stellar cast list and a wonderfully effective and vibrant score
Ema
Ema is a dense cinematic experience defined by its strong visuals and, as such, it is a bit of an acquired taste — nevertheless, it ranks among the filmmaker’s strongest works
Blood Quantum
Naturally, when watching a zombie film called Blood Quantum, first and foremost the viewer expects to see gore, an expectation that is delivered on, in glorious droves
A Guide to Second Date Sex
A Guide to Second Date Sex feels like the result of everyone putting in the most minimal amount of effort and dedication in creating a solid feature
BERLINALE 2020 - The American Sector
The American Sector is the kind of cinema that can, in a way, delay the unstoppable, hopefully in the form of insightful, empathetic memory instead of a Thanksgiving punchline