Movie Reviews — FilmSpeak

'Hellraiser' Review: How David Bruckner Redefines the Clive Barker Classic

David Bruckner’s Hellraiser is a perfect tribute to the Clive Barker original. It proves Bruckner can most certainly work within the landscape of a higher budget without losing any of his charm and trademarks to his filmmaking which makes him so unique and exciting.

'Smile' Review: A Frightening and Thematically-Rich Jump Fest

Smile is a supernatural psychological horror film from Paramount that offers crafty scares, suspenseful atmosphere, and a relevant message that is largely held back by a derivative plot, a so-so script, and a tiring runtime.

Review, Horror, Movie ReviewBryce BaileySeptember 29, 2022Smile, Horror, Paramount, Smile Movie ReviewComment

'Hocus Pocus 2' Review: A Campy, Nostalgic Treat That's Worth The Wait

After years of patiently waiting, fans of the 1993 cult classic have finally received a sequel worth waiting for in Hocus Pocus 2 - a follow-up that not only retains the magic of its predecessor, but ushers in an exciting new era.

'Dozens of Norths' Review: An Award-winning Ambiguous Art Show [OIAF 2022]

Countless frames within Dozens of Norths are breathtaking and could easily be imagined as separate art pieces hung up in a gallery. The viewer loses themselves in certain moments when the film pauses on a particularly emotional scene – it’s so far removed from what has become mainstream with animation in the most positive way.

'Bandit' Review: A Paint-By-Number Caper Using Only Primary Colors

Bandit is as simple and bland as its title. The plot is so recycled that the film production probably had a negative carbon footprint. The worst part is it didn’t have to be this boring, and it didn’t have to waste the cast which it had, and yet the only thing this Bandit stole was the time it took to watch the film.

'The Menu' Review: A Biting Satirical Thriller That Will Give Audiences Something to Taco 'Bout [TIFF 2022]

Regardless of your taste in film, the eclectic ensemble of The Menu gives you something you can sink your teeth into. The script, while perhaps nothing new in terms of premise or political commentary has enough twists and turns and an overall foreboding gloom that makes the film a delicious addition to the thriller genre.

Festival Review, Movie Review, Thriller, TIFFMichael Winn JohnsonSeptember 18, 2022The Menu (2022), Movie Review, Review of The Menu, TIFF 2022Comment

'No Bears' Review: Jafar Panahi Continues to Blur the Lines Between Fiction and Reality [TIFF 2022]

Jafar Panahi’s latest feature, No Bears, is one that continues to blur the line between fiction and reality. It is a subtle yet powerful and reflective work that should not be ignored.

TIFF, Review, Movie ReviewFilm SpeakSeptember 17, 2022iran, TIFF 2022, toronto international film festival, drama, jafar panahiComment

‘The Fabelmans’ Review: Spielberg’s Magic Touch Makes For Yet Another Masterpiece [TIFF 2022]

While this review certainly sings the praises of Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans ad nauseam, it’s very much a film that speaks for itself, and is just an incredible force of sincerity, love, and creativity that simply cannot be missed.

'Pearl' Review: She’s Back and Better Than Ever!

Pearl never takes itself too seriously, and just has a fun time with itself and with the audience. The racy content in X isn’t forgotten here, and despite it being 1918, pornography finds a way to impact the titular character just as it did in the first film.

Horror, Movie ReviewTayler WellsSeptember 16, 2022Pearl, Pearl Review, X, Ti West, Mia GothComment

'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' Review: A Layered Mystery of Gonzo Proportions [TIFF 2022]

Writer-Director Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig return with another stellar murder mystery with Glass Onion. Like its predecessor, this film boasts many of the same successful feats which lead to Knives Out becoming a franchise - An all-star cast firing on all cylinders, sharp direction, plot twists galore, and a whole lot of fun.

'All Quiet on the Western Front' Review: A Familiar but Welcome War Drama [TIFF 2022]

While the prospect of yet another World War One movie may seem like a put-off to some at initial glance, All Quiet on the Western Front is able to bring an uniquely cinematic experience to the table.

‘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.

‘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.

‘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

'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.

'Barbarian' Review: A Savage Surprise Sam Raimi Would Be Proud Of

In addition to being funny and horror done right, Barbarian is extremely smart. Where most horror movies like to put monsters on full display, this film is more interested in exploring where those monsters come from.

‘Me Time’ Review: Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg Nearly Save Netflix’s Latest Almost-Movie

While Mark Wahlberg and Kevin Hart infuse some much-needed comedic levity in Me Time, its uninspired and unfunny plot makes the case that most Netflix movies aren’t meant to be actively watched.

Comedy, Movie Review, NetflixMaxance VincentAugust 27, 2022Me Time, John Hamburg, Netflix, Movie Review, ComedyComment

'Three Thousand Years of Longing' Review: Your Wish is George Miller's Command

Occasionally, it needs to be restated that Happy Feet, Babe, Lorenzo’s Oil, and the Mad Max series were all directed by the same man. Director George Miller’s resume is astonishing, but while we praise his vision and command of imagery as a director, we cannot ignore he is a truly gifted storyteller. He proves it again with Three Thousand Years of Longing.