Movie Reviews — FilmSpeak

'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]

'The Substance' Review: Identity, Fame, and a Ton of Blood [TIFF 2024]

An electric body horror that would wake up any viewer, no matter the time of day - 'The Substance' is a must see for horror fans everywhere. Beyond being thematically rich, this film is a thrilling watch, technically strong and heralded by utterly convincing performances. [TIFF 24]

Horror, TIFFTayler WellsSeptember 10, 2024tiff movie review, Tiff 2024, The Substance, Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid, Coralie FargeatComment

'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]

'Wildcat' Review: A Well-Intended Bio Pic That Keeps Us at Arm's Length [TIFF 2023]

While the subject is naturally interesting and there seems to be potential for an immersive film, Ethan Hawke’s ‘Wildcat’ does not persuade the viewer to explore the story for any amount of time after the screen fades to black.

'Dream Scenario' Review: The Birth of a New Nick Cage Classic [TIFF 2023]

Kristoffer Borgli’s ‘Dream Scenario’ is without a doubt one of the best films at the 2023 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. The script and direction are perfectly woven together and a fully locked in Nick Cage absolutely brings this film together and makes it an incredible experience.

'Fair Play' Review: Buy Into This Psychosexual Corporate Thrill Ride [TIFF 2023]

‘First Play’ serves more as a thriller than a drama though and takes a certain level of comfortability with serious topics to be able to watch. Hopefully, with it’s success on the platform, Netflix will go back to giving more artists a creative domain to showcase their newest works.

'Gonzo Girl' Review: A Drug-Fuelled Explosion of Toxic Masculinity and Wannabe Relevance [TIFF 2023]

Willem Dafoe becomes an erratic, unpredictable, drug-fuelled personality, partnering with Camila Morrone as she delves into this chaotic world as Patricia Arquette’s directorial debut, ‘Gonzo Girl’ discusses toxic masculinity in a unique setting.

'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