2015

The Answer: A Refreshing, Engaging twist to Men's Film
THE ANSWER: A Refreshing, Engaging Twist To Men’s Film

The Answer isn’t a film about toxic masculinity – it challenges the masculine status quo and offers a refreshing look into the men grappling against it.

MADE IN JAPAN: A Hit in America (Again)?
MADE IN JAPAN: A Hit in America (Again)?

You don’t have to be Japanese or a country and western music aficionado to cheer on Tomiko Fujiyama, the subject of documentary Made in Japan.

Urban and The Shed Crew: Another Win for Female Filmmakers
URBAN AND THE SHED CREW: Another Win For Female Filmmakers

With 30% of British children living in poverty, director Candida Brady’s film couldn’t be timelier, depicting the harsh realities of young Britons’ lives with an unapologetic sincerity.

QUEEN OF THE DESERT: The World Owes Another Film To Gertrude Bell
QUEEN OF THE DESERT: The World Owes Another Film To Gertrude Bell

With its shallowness of character and its failed continuity of plot, Queen of the Desert is a film made as if to remind us of why we call films ‘pictures’, since the only good thing about the film is its mise-en-scenes.

PAPERBACK: A Poorly Made Film Filled with Unlikable Characters
PAPERBACK: Poorly Made & Filled With Unlikable Characters

Paperback is a romantic comedy, which isn’t terribly funny or romantic, falling flat because it is trying to make you root for the terrible parts of its main character.

EKAJ: A Young Story That Needs to Grow
EKAJ: A Young Story That Needs to Grow

Ekaj captures the reality of LBGTQ youth that find themselves discarded by life. When their…

HELL HOUSE LLC: DIRECTOR'S CUT: Breaking The Found-Footage Curse
HELL HOUSE LLC: DIRECTOR’S CUT: Breaking The Found-Footage Curse

Despite belonging in the overdone sub-genre of found footage, Hell House LLC manages to just stand out amongst the masses.

EGG: An Absurdist Take On The Ordinary

Alice Trueman’s Egg is a beautifully shot and scored comedy, mixing both the relatable and the absurd in a uniquely engaging way.

IN THE SHADOW OF WOMEN: Stylish But Slight
IN THE SHADOW OF WOMEN: Stylish But Slight

In the Shadow of Women is alluring in its presentation, but ultimately doesn’t have much to say about infidelity and relationships.

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON: Recreating The History & Grit Of West Coast Hip Hop
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON: Recreating The History & Grit Of West Coast Hip Hop

Straight Outta Compton brilliantly displays the legendary gangster rap group N.W.A., and masterfully captures their world.

HAPPY HOUR: Modern Leisure
HAPPY HOUR: Leaves No Stone Unturned

Happy Hour excels in every way a narrative film can, leaving no stone unturned in its examination of different aspects of social life.

THE FENCER: To Sir, With Sabers
THE FENCER: To Sir, With Sabers

There isn’t a single original narrative element in this inspirational drama- but the insight into post-WWII Estonian life is fascinating.

LOVE AT FIRST CHILD: Sparklingly Generic
LOVE AT FIRST CHILD: Sparklingly Generic

Love at First Child offers nothing new in the romantic comedy genre, but some laughs and chemistry between the leads make it a pleasant watch.

A MAN CALLED OVE: An Unexpected Gem
A MAN CALLED OVE: An Unexpected Gem

We have the Academy to thank for bringing this warmly humorous Swedish gem to our attention – it’s one of the year’s most likeable films.

COUNTING FOR THUNDER: A Missed Opportunity
COUNTING FOR THUNDER: A Missed Opportunity

Partly autobiographical, Counting for Thunder is a film that sometimes works, but mostly fails in its attempt to blend both drama and comedy.