BFI Flare 2021, Film Reviews

REVIEW: Cowboys (BFI Flare 2021)

When it comes to trans visibility, mainstream entertainment narratives have a tendency to lean towards showcasing adults’ stories. This then leaves a gaping hole when it comes to stories of young people navigating their gender identity, unfortunately unconsciously feeding into this belief that children are…

4 min read
Interviews

INTERVIEW: Director and Star of ‘The Last Right’

The Last Right is an Irish comedy written and directed by Aoife Crehan, starring Michiel Huisman and Niamh Algar, as well as rising star Samuel Bottomley, as autistic teenager Louis. Bradford-born Samuel Bottomley appeared in Paddy Considine’s film Tyrannosaur (2011), Private Peaceful (2012), TV show…

15 min read
Film Reviews, SXSW 2021

REVIEW: Language Lessons (SXSW 2021)

For most of 2020, filmmakers have been bashing their heads against a wall trying to figure out how to make a movie in the midst of a global pandemic. Traditional sets require safety measures that are cost prohibitive for many independent film productions, so the…

4 min read
Comedy, Film Reviews

REVIEW: The Last Right (2019)

Ireland has a rich tradition of finding humour in both Catholicism and death – even better if it’s both. From the great playwrights Beckett, Behan, Synge, Friel and O’Casey, through to novelist/screenwriter Roddy Doyle (best-known for The Commitments) and onto the London-born McDonagh brothers taking…

5 min read
Columns, Reel Women

REEL WOMEN: April 2021 UK Releases

Welcome back to Reel Women, the monthly column that highlights new releases that are written and/or directed by women. This month we’re again looking at what’s being released online across various platforms that we can watch during lockdown. Hopefully, it’ll be the last month where…

7 min read
Film Reviews, Period

REVIEW: The World to Come (2021)

As someone who is generally not a fan of Westerns, there have been a few films within the last decade that have been set in 19th century American isolated frontiers that have caught my eye and I’ve ended up loving – and these are the…

5 min read
BFI Flare 2021, Film Reviews

REVIEW: My First Summer (BFI Flare 2021)

A hidden house in the woods, sparkly bracelets and coffee with marshmallows – what more could you ask for from a delicate coming-of-age story? My First Summer takes you to rural Australia merely days after tragedy has struck in a local stream, and follows the…

4 min read
Film Reviews, Historical, War

REVIEW: The Good Traitor (2021)

World War II is the source of countless fascinating dramatic stories. But it doesn’t necessarily follow that every true story from World War II needs to be made into a film. Diplomatic relations don’t always have a dramatic impact that sets the hearts and minds…

4 min read
Film Reviews, Thriller

REVIEW: Dark State (2021)

Cinema can be used effectively to educate audiences as to corruption within regimes or organisations. It can highlight and explain the intricacies and subterfuge involved in cover ups, crises and corruption. Hell, Michael Moore has built an entire career on it. From All The President’s…

4 min read
Drama, Film Reviews

REVIEW: The Fever (2021)

In 2020, Amazon deforestation in Brazil increased by almost 10%, the highest number in twelve years, with over 11,000 square metres gone. Since taking office at the beginning of 2019, president Jair Bolsonaro has consistently made a mockery of environmental enforcement laws, prioritising the interests…

4 min read
Film Reviews, Horror, Shudder

REVIEW: Slaxx (2021)

On concept alone, Slaxx seems absurd and daft. However, underneath the seams of this concept is a horrific story of the faults of ‘fast fashion’ and the harsh price of the fast-paced demand of the fashion industry. Although, the film may encourage debate about whether…

6 min read