'The Testament of Ann Lee' Review: A Religious Pilgrimage of Epic Proportions [TIFF 25]

Even for the areligious viewer, Amanda Seyfried’s Ann, her passion and her fervor are tremendously transfixing in Mona Fastvold’s ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’.

'Bad Apples' Review: Saoirse Ronan Shines In This Tonally Adept School Satire [TIFF 25]

The sardonic comedy ‘Bad Apples’ plants itself in utter absurdity, and yet, it may be an effective public service announcement for education reform.

‘The Secret Agent’ Review: Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Lesson in Film and Political History [TIFF 25]

Kleber Mendonça Filho gives us the most important political film of the year with ‘The Secret Agent’, a thriller fluent in both film and political history, with a captivating performance from Wagner Moura anchoring the picture.

'Orwell: 2+2=5' Review: Raoul Peck's Latest Has A Strong and Eerily Relevant Thesis [TIFF 25]

Frighteningly prescient, renowned documentarian Raoul Peck navigates through generations of fascism with the words of George Orwell.

Documentary, Festival Review, Movie Review, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 8, 2025Orwell 2+2=5, Orwell 2+2=5 Review, Movie Reviews, TIFF25, TIFFComment

‘Sirāt’ Review: Óliver Laxe’s Descent into Hell [TIFF 25]

Óliver Laxe crafts an unrelentingly cruel picture with the explosive ‘Sirāt’, questioning human morality at the center of his scorching, pulse-pounding thriller.

Festival Review, TIFF, DramaMaxance VincentSeptember 7, 2025Sirat, Oliver Laxe, Thriller, TIFF 2025, ReviewComment

'Tuner' Review: This New Thriller Reaches a High Pitch [TIFF 25]

Oscar-winning documentarian Daniel Roher makes his narrative debut directing ‘Tuner’ - a film with shades of Michael Mann and Nora Ephron.

'Hamlet' Review: This Visceral New Take on The Bard Proves Its Reason 'To Be' [TIFF 25]

Director Aneil Karia readapts Shakespeare’s masterpiece ‘Hamlet’ with Riz Ahmed and a distinctly digital and urban visual landscape.

Festival Review, Movie Review, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 5, 2025Hamlet, Movie Review of Hamlet, Hamlet (2025), Riz Ahmed, TIFF25, tiffComment

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.

‘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