Movie Reviews — FilmSpeak

'The Royal Hotel' Review: A Tense Travel Thriller [TIFF 23]

If ‘The Royal Hotel’ is any indicator, Kitty Green will definitely be a voice to keep following within the thriller genre, fusing modern tensions and issues with the cinematic language of a thriller to provide a uniquely captivating viewing experience.

'NYAD' Review: A Predictable Yet Well Acted Biopic on Friendship and Overcoming Odds [TIFF 2023]

‘NYAD’ follows the typical beats that you would expect from a biopic, and some questionable narrative choices keep it from becoming a terrific film. Yet two strong performances makes the film worth a look, and it will serve as an inspiration to all of us who have a dream.

TIFF, DramaBrody SerravalliSeptember 14, 2023TIFF 2023, NYAD, Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, Review of NYADComment

'The Peasants' Review: A Heart-Breaking Painting Crafted in Rich Color [TIFF 2023]

‘The Peasants’ follows four seasons within a Polish village. Each frame is hand-painted, which creates a beautiful, gallery-like dimension to the work, allowing the viewer to feel they are witnessing a historical fable come to life.

'Rustin' Review: A Rousing Crowdpleaser About a Forgotten Civil Rights Figure [TIFF 2023]

Thanks to a fierce lead performance from Colman Domingo, ‘Rustin’ is a passionate and urgent biopic that is able to balance typical biopic cliches with strong entertainment.

TIFF, Review, Netflix, LGBTQ+, DramaBrody SerravalliSeptember 13, 2023TIFF 2023, Rustin, Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, George C. WolfeComment

'Perfect Days' Review: The Perfect Film [TIFF 2023]

Wim Wenders creates a poignant snapshot of beauty in the mundane in ‘Perfect Days’. Featuring a phenomenal performance by Kōji Yakusho, audiences are reminded to stop and smell the roses, no matter where you are and what you’re going through.

TIFF, Drama, Festival ReviewTayler WellsSeptember 13, 2023tiff movie review, tiff 2023, tiff, perfect days, perfect days review, wim wenders, koji yakushoComment

'Fallen Leaves' Review: Lonely Lovers in the Unforgiving World [TIFF 2023]

‘Fallen Leaves’ is tender and sweet, despite some dark themes that surround the main characters both personally and in the world around them. With an achingly short runtime of 81 minutes, this deadpan tragicomedy shouldn’t be missed.

'The Boy and the Heron' Review: An Epic Coming of Age Adventure Fuelled by a Mother-Son Bond [TIFF 2023]

For those avid Studio Ghibli lovers, ‘The Boy and the Heron’ may be a little more mature than expected, but completely needed. Everything in this story is meticulous and deliberate, maintaining a special creativity and adventure shining through every moment.

'Evil Does Not Exist' Review: A Hypnotic Lullaby on Humanity and Nature [TIFF 2023]

The first minutes of ‘Evil Does Not Exist’ is so careful, it could almost come across as boring, if it weren’t for its beauty. The film is a great reminder of deliberate pacing and storytelling, and one of the highlights of TIFF 23 so far.

TIFF, Drama, Festival ReviewTayler WellsSeptember 11, 2023evil does not exist, tiff, tiff 2023, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Drive My CarComment

'La Chimera' Review: A Delightfully Whimsical Archaeological Adventure [TIFF 23]

To describe ’La Chimera’ without an excess of adjectives is no easy task. The plot is rather simplistic on paper, but an array of spirited performances, inspired direction, and dream-like cinematography makes ‘La Chimera’ a truly transportive viewing experience.

'Dumb Money' Review: This Financial Fiasco Drama Is Both Funny and Flimsy [TIFF 23]

‘Dumb Money’, as an adaptation, feels both timely, and too soon. Nonetheless, the film’s message is evergreen, and its ensemble is more than enough to carry a well-enough put together film to being a good time.

Comedy, Festival Review, Movie Review, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 8, 2023Dumb Money, Paul Dano, TIFF, TIFF 2023, Review of Dumb Money, Dumb Money Review, ReviewComment

'Anatomy of a Fall' Review: A Mystery that Questions the Importance of Truth [TIFF 2023]

‘Anatomy of a Fall’ is a mystery-turned-courtroom drama layered with dysfunction and obsession. The film features a near perfect script with Sandra Hüller’s extraordinary acting at the centre.

TIFF, Festival Review, DramaTayler WellsSeptember 7, 2023anatomy of a fall, justine triet, tiff, tiff 2023, Palme D'OrComment

'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

'Empire of Light' Review: Sam Mendes' Ode to Cinema is an Insincere Drag [TIFF 2022]

Empire of Light is well acted, well shot, and of course competently constructed. However, it is a hollow film that has very little to actually say. It is consistently insincere in its presentation, and for that it ultimately ends up feeling rather dull.

Festival Review, Drama, TIFFFilm SpeakSeptember 17, 2022tiff movie review, TIFF 2022, SAM MENDES, Olivia Colman, Roger Deakins, FilmComment

‘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.

'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.

'Causeway' Review: Jennifer Lawrence Comes Home in Slow Burn Drama [TIFF 2022]

Causeway is an overarching human story that deal with its portrayal of pain, loss and acceptance with empathy. It may not handle all of its themes flawlessly but fantastic acting from Jennifer Lawrence and solid direction make this a drama worth watching.

Drama, TIFFJohn ShuttSeptember 16, 2022Causeway, Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry Comment

'The Greatest Beer Run Ever' Review: A Benign Buzzkill [TIFF 2022]

It’s almost ironic the way The Greatest Beer Run Ever wants to talk about the atrocities of war because it can’t decide what it wants to be itself. Marketed as a comedy and shot like a drama, the film is just a glimmer into comedy, drama and war.

'Women Talking' Review: Confronting The Patriarchy Both Then and Now [TIFF 2022]

Canadian director Sarah Polley brings her adaptation of Miriam Toews’ Women talking to TIFF, telling the story of resilience in the face of danger where a group of women must overcome the society around them.

'Aftersun' Review: A Tender Glimpse at a Father-Daughter Bond on Vacation [TIFF 2022]

Ultimately, Afterson was one of the best of the Toronto International Film Festival this year, with real performances and raw, honest filmmaking. Filmmaker Charlotte Wells is able to find her own style easily, regardless of this film being her debut feature.