Festival Review — Movie Reviews

Motor City Review: A Revenge Tale in Need of More Drive [TIFF 25]

Director Potsy Ponciroli brings us ‘Motor City’ into the Toronto International Film Festival and the film presents an interesting dynamic - There is almost zero dialogue. While Alan Ritchson, Ben Foster and Shailene Woodley give loud performances, it may not be enough to save this city without sound.

‘Fixed’ Review: Nothing Can Fix This Dated and Unfunny R-Rated Animated Film [Fantasia 2025]

While Genndy Tartakovsky has not lost a touch animating expressive characters and worlds, his latest offering, the R-rated ’Fixed’, is painfully unfunny and contains far too much dated humor.

Animation, Festival ReviewMaxance VincentAugust 12, 2025Fixed, Movie Reviews, Animation, Fantasia 2025, Genndy TartakovskyComment

‘Eddington’ Review: Ari Aster’s COVID Reckoning [Fantasia 2025]

FilmSpeak begins the Fantasia Festival looking at Ari Aster’s attempts to make sense out of a year (and decade) that doesn’t make sense with his latest dark comedy, ‘Eddington’.

Comedy, Festival ReviewMaxance VincentJuly 18, 2025Eddington, Movie Review, Ari Aster, Fantasia 2024Comment

‘Bird’ Review: Andrea Arnold’s Disappointing Shift Into Magical Realism [Festival du Nouveau Cinéma 2024]

Andrea Arnold turns her social realist lens into a magical one with ‘Bird’ and fails at drawing any meaningful arcs on its central characters despite a constantly assured stylistic touch.

Drama, Festival ReviewMaxance VincentOctober 26, 2024Bird, Movie Reviews, Festivals, Andrea Arnold, Drama Comments

‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ Review: Mohammad Rasoulof’s Act of Defiance [Festival du Nouveau Cinéma 2024]

Mohammad Rasoulof confronts and rejects state propaganda in his daring and courageous The Seed of the Sacred Fig and makes the most critical piece of political media of the decade so

Festival Review, DramaMaxance VincentOctober 19, 2024The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Movie Reviews, Festivals, Mohammad Rasoulof, DramaComment

‘Emilia Pérez’ Movie Review: An Oscar Contender, This Is Not [Festival du Nouveau Cinéma 2024]

Jacques Audiard attempts to depict the tragic story of its titular character in ‘Emilia Pérez’, but the narrative/aesthetic results are constantly baffling and, more offensively, deeply transphobic.

'Relay' Review: This Enigmatic Espionage Thriller Is Easy to Decipher [TIFF 2024]

Director David Mackenzie's latest. 'Relay' stars Riz Ahmed in a taut, yet entertaining espionage thriller. [TIFF 24]

Drama, Festival Review, Movie Review, Thriller, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 15, 2024Relay Movie, Relay 2024, Relay, Riz Ahmed, Lily James, Sam Worthington, David Mackenzie, Tiff 2024, tiffComment

‘Saturday Night’ Review: Reitman Resurrects the Rabble of 30-Rock Originators [TIFF 2024]

For 50 years Saturday Night Live has been the bedrock of late night comedy, but the story of its premiere night is apparently crazier than any sketch. Director Jason Reitman brings the rabble of 30-Rock originators back to life in 'Saturday Night'. [TIFF 24]

'Queer' Review: A Story Of Longing And Lost Love [TIFF 2024]

'Queer', The newest film from auteur Luca Guadagnino is sure to leave audiences entranced with its bold storytelling and impressive performances. [TIFF 24]

'Hard Truths' Review: Unadulterated Cynicism in the Eyes of Mike Leigh [TIFF 2024]

'Hard Truths' is a well-constructed film, heralded by a consistent performance from Jean-Baptiste. With interesting characterizations and a unique plot, this film will leave viewers questioning their own habits and grudges. [TIFF 24]

TIFF, Comedy, Drama, Festival ReviewTayler WellsSeptember 14, 2024Mike Leigh, Hard Truths, Hard Truths movie review, Tiff 2024, tiff, Marianne Jean-BaptisteComment

'Conclave' Review: A Divinely Made Film That Dares To Blur The Lines Between Church And State [TIFF 24]

Director Edward Berger's 'Conclave' is the kind of film that is a treat, especially so in the current state of cinema. This mature, grounded, and gripping mid-budget thriller is definitely contemporary, but spiritually feels like something that could have excelled more. [TIFF 24]

Drama, Festival Review, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 13, 2024Tiff 2024, TIFF 2024, Edward Berger, Ralph Fiennes, stanley tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rosselini, Thriller, ReliComment

'The Piano Lesson' Review: Latest August Wilson Adaptation is a Terrific and Haunting Family Affair [TIFF 2024]

Denzel Washington’s ambition to bring all ten of playwright August Wilson’s plays to the screen reaches its peak with 'The Piano Lesson' - a powerful drama with a hint of the supernatural. [TIFF 24]

'Anora' Review: This Pulsating Palme d'Or Winner Is A Singular Marvel [TIFF 2024]

Sean Baker’s 'Anora' is his most explosive film yet. The Palme d'Or winner is part romance, part thriller, with momentum for days. [TIFF 24]

Drama, Festival Review, Movie Review, Thriller, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 10, 2024Tiff 2024, Palme D'Or, Sean Baker, Mikey Madison, Cannes, tiff, comedyComment

‘The Life of Chuck’ Review: A Charming Cosmic Study of the Human Spirit [TIFF 2024]

Novelist Stephen King and director Mike Flanagan are both maestros of horror, but ‘The Life of Chuck’ shows the tremendous sensitivity both men have towards life, love and humanity. [TIFF 2024]

'Nightbitch' Review: Motherhood Can Be Ruff [TIFF 2024]

'Nightbitch' doesn’t quite meet the mark that was originally set by the novel on which it's based, but Amy Adams undeniably delivers a strong performance that will likely be all too relatable. [TIFF 24]

'Eden' Review: Solid Performances Elevate Ron Howard's Dark Drama [TIFF 2024]

Ron Howard’s latest feature, 'Eden' sees the Oscar winning director helm his darkest film in this star studded true story about island survival filled with tension, camp and lots of pretty faces. [TIFF 24]

TIFF, Drama, Festival ReviewJohn ShuttSeptember 9, 2024Eden, Ron Howard, Jude Law, Ana de ArmasComment

'The Last Showgirl' Review: Aging Femininity Under the Vegas Lights [TIFF 2024]

'The Last Showgirl' is a floating dream of colors and sequences framing interactions between troubled and frustrated characters. It gives the audience a well-paced glimpse into a unique perspective of age and beauty and the sacrifices made to achieve what may not be worth it at all. [TIFF 24]

'Oh, Canada' Review: Richard Gere Returns to Tip-Top Form in Paul Schrader's Latest [TIFF 2024]

Being one of Paul Schrader’s stronger films in recent years, 'Oh, Canada' is sure to satisfy fans of the filmmaker. Its themes of reflection and mortality, mixed with a strong performance from Gere combine to make this a worthy movie watching experience. [TIFF 24]

'Presence' Review: Soderbergh Goes Ghostly, With Just Enough Gusto [TIFF 2024]

Steven Soderbergh's latest experimental film, 'Presence' can’t escape feeling like a technical exercise, but is an entertaining one at that. [TIFF 24]

'Rumours' Review: An Audacious Political Comedy For Today's Climate(s) [TIFF 2024]

Cate Blanchet, Charles Dance and Alicia Vikander along with Winnipeg's finest directors revel in a satirical look at world leaders and the end of the world in 'Rumours' - a frill-free disaster-comedy. [TIFF 24]