Movie Reviews — FilmSpeak

'The Son' Review: Like Father, Not So Much Like Son [TIFF 2022]

If the cast of The Son wasn’t star-studded, it would absolutely be ignored by pundits and audiences alike. This is a disappointing second film from director Florian Zeller, and movie-watchers may be hesitant to trust future projects from him after this sophomore effort.

‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ Review: Only Martin McDonagh Can Make a Madcap Modern Fable Seem So True [TIFF 2022]

Martin McDonagh has crafted a modern day allegory in Banshees of Inisherin - a cinematic yarn that the small town elder tells kids as they ride their bikes through the midtown square. It serves as a lesson about love and loss, and more importantly, the reality of what those mean to those of us who wear our hearts on our sleeve.

‘My Policeman’ Review: Unless You’re a Styles Fan, This Won’t Be Your Policeman [TIFF 2022]

My Policeman, despite what it may hint at, fails to deliver a romance that meets its own storytelling ambition. It tragically leans on a misguided narrative instead of fleshing out the central love story the audience is meant to celebrate, and even the popularity of Harry Styles will not enough to draw in an audience.

'Raymond and Ray' Review: A Heartfelt and Often Funny Two-Handed Drama [TIFF 2022]

Thanks to the terrific lead performances from Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor, a solid supporting cast and a sharp screenplay, director Rodrigo Garcia is able to inject humanity into ‘Raymond and Ray’ making it extremely relatable to viewers.

‘Something You Said Last Night’ Review: A Beautifully Understated Vacation Story [TIFF 2022]

Something You Said Last Night is primed to be a gem ripe for discovery coming out of this year’s TIFF Festival, and will hopefully gain an audience and bestow its extremely resonant experience onto the larger film world.

'Decision to Leave' Review: The Master is Back and More Romantic Than Ever [TIFF 2022]

Complete with terrific performances, flawless editing, bewitching cinematography, and a story that will keep you hooked until you wake up the next morning Decision to Leave is everything audiences would expect from director Park Chan-wook.

Festival Review, TIFFTayler WellsSeptember 12, 2022Decision to Leave, Decision to Leave Review, Park Chan-wook, TIFF, TIFF 2022, Tang Wei, Park Hae-ilComment

‘Le Coyote’ Review: No Sophomore Slump for Director Katherine Jerkovic [TIFF 2022]

Le Coyote does not make any large pronouncements on life, and the high stakes revolve only around a single family’s attempt to heal itself. It is a slice of life which countless people endure on a daily basis, and the film’s strengths come from its authenticity and unruffled style, making it one of the most poignant and emotionally genuine films of the year.

'The Swimmers' Review: A Resounding Tale of Hardships and Hope [TIFF 2022]

The Swimmers is a distinctly unique celebration of triumph and success, with a rock-solid emotional core bound to evoke cries, cheers, laughs, and a feeling of hope when the credits start to roll.

Drama, Festival Review, Movie Review, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 12, 2022The Swimmers, Review of The Swimmers, TIFF 2022, Netflix, FestivalComment

'Sidney' Review: A Touching Farewell to a Hero of Hollywood [TIFF 2022]

Sidney, produced by Oprah Winfrey, is clearly meant as a loving tribute to Poitier. Some might accuse this project of wearing rose-coloured glasses, but Winfrey probably didn’t make this film for people who might think that way as her love and admiration for Poitier is impossible to doubt.

Biopic, Documentary, Festival Review, TIFFKyle ClimansSeptember 11, 2022Sidney Movie, Movie Review, TIFF 2022, Sidney Poitier, Oprah, Review of SidneyComment

'Biosphere' Review: An Ambitious Tale Of Two Best Friends [TIFF 2022]

Whether you want to laugh or you want to see a sincere story about gender, sexuality, a little bit of magic, and male friendship, actor Marc Duplass’ creation, Biosphere, will help you find a way.

‘The Woman King’ Review: A Knockout of Epic Proportions [TIFF 2022]

Anchored by its fantastic performances, razor-sharp direction, and exhilarating spectacle, The Woman King is a thoroughly exciting epic which packs several punches, and lands its blows, and is worthy of the biggest screen, and crowd, possible.

'Triangle of Sadness' Review: A Reminder to Eat the Rich and Laugh While You Do It [TIFF 2022]

Sometimes Triangle of Sadness can be messy, but that seems to almost be the point. It’s a film that shows we’re all human beings - competitive, selfish, and gross, but more entertainingly, it is director Ruben Östlund at his craziest, his most explicit, his most in-your-face, and audiences are going to love it.

'Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song' Review: It Will Mean Exactly as Much as it Means to You

The impact which the late Leonard Cohen left upon the arts is impossible to doubt. Yet even in Cohen’s impressive catalog, there is no song which left such an impression as the song “Hallelujah.” Its journey is explored and covered in the documentary Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song.

'The Lost City' Review: A Goofy Adventure-Comedy That Falls Just Above Mediocrity [SXSW 2022]

The Lost City has blockbuster comedy written all over it; a simple to follow adventure story, the stars are all names that will draw a crowd, and the setting is scenic and pleasing to the eye. On paper, it should work. In practice, it feels soulless and robotic.

'Spin Me Round' Review: A Great Cast In A Lukewarm Quirk-Fest [SXSW 2022]

One of the bigger draws at this years’ SXSW, Spin Me Round features Alison Brie leading an all-star comedic cast in a part mystery, part rom-com,, part Italian misadventure. However, by the time the aptly titled Spin me Round stops spinning, audiences aren’t quite sure what movie they just watched.

'The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent' Review: Nicolas Cage Unlocks The ‘Cage’ In This Self-Aware Comedy [SXSW 2022]

In The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent, a film that could only star the mythical-acting-unicorn that is Nicolas Cage, we are treated to a buddy comedy that serves as an incredible homage to the forty years of excellence that is the career of Nic Cage. Continue for our full, Non-Spoiler review.

'I Love My Dad' Review: A Twisted But Strangely Endearing Indie Comedy [SXSW 2022]

You could not ask for a better fit than writer/director James Morosini’s perverse comedy I Love My Dad and the SXSW festival. It takes bravery to tell this abnormal tale of catfish courtship, but director James Morosini shows no fear in sharing his true story, and the comedy is one of the highlights of the festival this year.

'Sissy' Review: Nothing Timid About This Topical Aussie Indie [SXSW 2022]

One of the most enjoyable aspects of attending a festival like SXSW, is you often find diamonds in the rough; opportunities given to talented filmmakers waiting to be discovered., especially within the genres of horror or science fiction.. Sissy, is just such a gem.

'The Harder They Fall' Review: An Unrelentingly Stylish Reimagining of the Western

A film that prides itself on being the first Black-Western, ‘The Harder They Fall’ is a viciously brutal and wildly captivating adventure from start to finish, boasting incredible performances from the whole ensemble that bring their characters to life in the most entertaining of ways.

'Snakehead' Review: A Stylish, Lurid Crime Story About Illegal Immigration to America [TIFF 21]

Snakehead, the feature film debut of Evan Jackson Leung is a worthwhile watch. The film’s highly stylized cinematography, its thoughtful examination of an under-explored subject, and the two female lead characters are all dynamic enough to carry the film through any shortcomings it might have.