film Reviews
Song Sung Blue
Song Sung Blue isn’t just a musical docudrama; it’s a profound exploration of human resilience, the power of shared dreams, and the bittersweet symphony of life.
Christmas Karma
Forget comfort and joy; the new classic Dickens adaptation, Christmas Karma, is about as welcome as a dead Santa Claus in your fireplace. This cynically modern retelling of A Christmas Carol is a sluggish, unconvincingly acted, and utterly joyless affair, easily claiming the title of the worst Christmas film since last year’s abysmal The Merry Gentlemen.
Not Without Hope
Joe Carnahan’s Not Without Hope attempts to bring to the screen the agonising true story of four friends — Nick Schuyler, Will Bleakley, Marquis Cooper, and Corey Smith — who faced a terrifying fight for survival after their fishing boat capsized 70 miles off the Florida coast.
Keeper
Osgood Perkins’ Keeper is a haunting exploration of relationships shadowed by the past and the supernatural, transforming a seemingly idyllic romantic getaway into a chilling nightmare.
The Running Man
The reimagining of Stephen King’s The Running Man is a pulse-pounding sci-fi action-thriller that transcends its predecessors and dives deep into the heart of societal concerns.
Predator: Badlands
Predator: Badlands, directed by Dan Trachtenberg(Prey), is not just a film; it’s an exhilarating cinematic experience that breathes new life into a beloved franchise, one that many of us have cherished since the 1980s.
Bugonia
In a landscape saturated with cinematic conventions, Yorgos Lanthimos emerges as a visionary once again with Bugonia. This darkly comedic and satirical thriller presents a brilliant yet absurd premise: two conspiracy-obsessed young men kidnap a high-powered CEO, believing her to be an alien intent on destroying Earth.
Black Phone 2
Scott Derrickson’s Black Phone 2 attempts to capture the haunting essence of its predecessor, but ultimately, it falls short of delivering the visceral fear that made the original such a standout horror film.
The Long Walk
Francis Lawrence’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk delves into a chilling vision of a future America transformed into a police state where hope is a scarce commodity and survival comes at a harrowing price.
Tron: Ares
Tron: Ares stands as a stellar and solid entry into the longstanding Tron franchise, brilliantly capturing both the spirit of the original 1982 film and the complexities of our modern digital age.
London Calling
London Calling arrives on screen as the latest entry in the action-comedy genre, but instead of dialling up the laughs or thrills, it leaves viewers yearning for an off-switch.
The Conjuring: Last Rites
The Conjuring 4: Last Rites marks the latest—and reportedly final—entry in the enduring Conjuring franchise. Directed with a steady hand and featuring the return of notorious paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film offers familiar thrills and notable chills, even as it treads well-worn ground.
Caught Stealing
Darren Aronofsky’s latest film, Caught Stealing, takes a sharp turn from his previous psychological and thematic explorations, delving into the gritty world of late 1990s New York with a blend of action, dark comedy, and tragic missteps.
Relay
Every now and then, a film comes along that quietly reshapes your expectations of its genre-Relay, the new action-thriller starring Riz Ahmed, Lily James, and Sam Worthington, is just that kind of surprise.
Nobody 2
Nobody 2 picks up where the original dark-action comedy left off, once again placing Bob Odenkirk’s Hutch Mansell in the thick of chaos.
Weapons
Following the remarkable success of Barbarian, director Zach Cregger returns to the horror genre with Weapons, an audacious psychological horror/mystery that cements his reputation as one of the most innovative filmmakers working today.
Dangerous Animals
In a genre often crowded with predictable scares, Dangerous Animals emerges from the depths as a truly original 2025 horror film, offering a chilling new spin that entwines psychological terror with the looming menace of nature.
Back Her Back
From the visionary minds of Danny and Michael Philippou—whose explosive debut, Talk To Me, electrified horror audiences with its raw supernatural energy—comes Bring Her Back, a film that signals not just the brothers’ continued fascination with the uncanny but also a daring leap into deeper, darker artistic territory.
Four Letters of Love
Some films arrive not so much with a flourish as with a gentle hush, a sense of wonder, and the rare power to make us believe again in the possibility of miracles painted onto the canvas of everyday life. Four Letters of Love is just such a film—a lyrical, luminous journey into the mystical realms of destiny and the enduring, mysterious force of love.
Superman
With James Gunn at the helm, the latest instalment of Superman arrives not as a reverent ode to what once was, but as a kinetic, playful, and unmistakably modern reimagining of the world’s most iconic superhero.
Jurassic World: Rebirth
Stepping boldly into the next chapter of dinosaur cinema, Jurassic World: Rebirth emerges as a dynamic and satisfying addition to the iconic franchise.
M3GAN 2.0
M3GAN 2.0 dives into the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence, crafting a gripping cyber thriller that blends entertainment with reflection.
Pearl
Ti West’s Pearl (2022) emerges as a spellbinding addition to modern gothic-horror cinema, intertwining 1920s B-movie grandeur with vibrant visual storytelling.
Final Destination: Bloodlines
Final Destination: Bloodlines emerges as one of the most compelling entries in the beloved franchise, elevating its signature blend of suspense, terror, and intrigue while weaving a deeply emotional narrative.
Sharp Corner
Sharp Corner, starring the incomparable Ben Foster, is a psychological drama that delves into the unsettling transformation of a family man as he becomes consumed by his fixation on saving lives.
28 Years Later
Danny Boyle’s latest entry into the zombie-horror subgenre, the sequel to his seminal work, 28 Days Later, is a visceral and harrowing cinematic experience that cements his mastery of dystopian storytelling.
Elio
Disney and Pixar Animation Studios have delivered another dazzling animated feature with Elio. This film invites audiences into an imaginative journey exploring themes of belonging, identity, and the power of human connection, making it a heartfelt adventure for all ages.
How To Train Your Dragon
The 2025 live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon is a breathtaking reimagining of the beloved animated classic.
The Phoenician Scheme
Wes Anderson’s latest live-action offering, The Phoenician Scheme, encapsulates everything we have come to adore about his filmmaking style: a dazzling tapestry of eccentricity, absurd humour, and bittersweet storytelling.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
With Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, director Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise deliver an audacious and emotionally charged conclusion, cementing the saga’s legacy in the annals of action cinema.
Die Kwiksilwers
Die Kwiksilwers, or The Quicksilvers, is a delightful blend of comedy and drama that will captivate audiences in cinemas across South Africa.
Drop
Drop is a decent addition to the hostage situation subgenre, solidly leveraging social media to weave a captivating narrative.
The Amateur
In a genre often dominated by seasoned agents and sleek espionage, The Amateur stands out as a refreshing and smart entry into the spy-thriller realm.
Blackberry
The film Blackberry is a definitive depiction of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone.
She Said
The 2022 film She Said is a powerful and unsettling drama that brings to light the systemic protection of sex offenders within Hollywood through the Pulitzer Prize-winning article that changed a system.
Black Bag
Steven Soderberg’s latest cinematic venture, Black Bag, with a screenplay by David Koepp, attempts to intertwine the suspense of a spy thriller with the intrigue of a whodunit story.
Anora
Anora is a gripping comedy-drama that starts with all the charm of a Cinderella story before plunging into the depths of a dark fable.
Sinners
Sinners is the sort of genre piece that sneaks up on you: it sounds familiar on paper-two brothers trying to escape their past, returning home to start again, yet what unfolds is a highly original vampire survivalist tale that feels both mythic and brutally grounded.
Novocaine
Novocaine, the latest action-comedy flick starring Jack Quaid(The Boys), emerges as an exhilarating experience that combines humour, heart, and a compelling exploration of resilience.
The Monkey
The Monkey, based on Stephen King’s chilling short story, is a masterful adaptation that brilliantly combines horror and comedy, creating a unique viewing experience that keeps audiences both laughing and on the edge of their seats.
Emilia Pérez
Forget everything you think you know about cinematic storytelling; Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez is a defiant, audacious, and utterly triumphant work that pulverises genre boundaries and redefines what a film can be.
Presence
Steven Soderbergh’s 2024 supernatural horror film Presence brings a novel viewpoint to the genre, but unfortunately, its execution leaves much to be desired.
The Brutalist
The Brutalist epitomizes a film that prioritizes style over substance, leaving audiences engulfed in a pretentious haze.
The Substance
Without question, the 2024 cinematic masterwork The Substance will go down in history as a watershed moment in contemporary filmmaking.
A Real Pain
Jesse Eisenberg explores the nuances of human relationships and emotions in his second feature film, A Real Pain, which is both moving and cerebral.
A Complete Unknown
In the 2024 biographical film A Complete Unknown, directed by James Mangold, the legendary life and music of Bob Dylan between the years 1961 and 1965 are brought to the screen with remarkable nuance and artistry.
The Apprentice
The Apprentice is a cinematic journey that plunges into the early years of Donald Trump, offering a unique and provocative perspective on his meteoric rise.
Wolf Man
Leigh Whannell, known for his masterful reimagining of horror in his critically acclaimed 2020 film The Invisible Man, returns to the director’s chair after a five-year hiatus with Wolf Man.
Nosferatu
The new reimagining of the classic tale Nosferatu serves as a dark, sensuous character study that deeply immerses viewers in a visually stunning and richly textured world. The film showcases an abundance of visual creativity, captivating sound design, and an unsettling mood that penetrates the audience’s subconscious.
Gladiator II
Set almost twenty years after the events of the first film, Gladiator II takes audiences on a cinematic trip that returns them to the majesty and savagery of ancient Rome, directed by the renowned Ridley Scott.
Flight Risk
Flight Risk presents itself as a one-location thriller, a subgenre that has the potential to combine claustrophobic tension with gripping drama.
Trap
No other Hollywood director has ever made me tolerate a plethora of films that openly mock audiences by assuming he knows better than them, and with Trap, M. Night Shyamalan has proved himself to be the most inadequate filmmaker to date and ensnares himself with a disappointing dud.
Megalopolis
Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis is a cinematic marvel that boldly ventures into the depths of societal and political critique.
Queer
Queer, directed by Luca Guadagnino, brilliantly transforms William S. Burroughs’ seminal work into an evocative visual odyssey.
Alien: Romulus
After a seven-year break, the latest Alien flick returns, and it ignites the brand’s ardent fanbase by conspicuously paying tribute to at least three distinct Alien films.
The Bikeriders
An outstanding exploration of the motorcycle culture, The Bikeriders offers engaging food for thought, thanks to solid performances and the gritty realism of writer-director Jeff Nichols’ staunch approach.
Twisters
Although Lee Isaac Chung’s Twisters, a standalone sequel to the second-biggest holiday hit of 1996, may be from a different century than Jan de Bont’s original, it shares the same formulaic narrative with a few kinks and encapsulates the same creative swirl.
A Quiet Place: Day One
A Quiet Place: Day One narrows the focus from the aliens and suspense of the first two films, to the touching story of two lost strangers who are dependent on each other for survival.
The Watchers
Ishana Shyamalan is unsuccessful at adopting a highly contemporary approach in the The Watchers, attempting to exploit the voyeurism of reality TV that has become popular in recent years.
Godzilla Minus One
Combining gigantic spectacle with emotional action, this first live-action Godzilla film from Japan since Shin Godzilla, Godzilla Minus One, sets it oceans apart from its predecessors.
The Fall Guy
If you’re looking for mind-blowing entertainment, The Fall Guy offers two hours of well-timed one-liners, two powerhouse movie stars (Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt) with undeniable chemistry, zany industry meta-sendups, and, of course, a ton of crazy stunts.
Ezra
In a culture that cherishes perfection, Tony Goldwyn’s Ezra, stands out as a moving testimonial to the power of love, acceptance, and the challenges of parenting.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
George Miller’s mad dash to cinematic Valhalla continues with another magnificent swerve, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which is immaculately made, retrospectively enriches and enhances the world of Mad Max: Fury Road—with greater emotional weight, if not quite matching it in propelling throttle.
Civil War
With the dystopian Civil War, writer-director Alex Garland explores what would happen if America is crushed and how combat reporters capture humanity’s worst nightmare.
Back To Black
Back to Black is a perceptive and compelling semi-bio-pic of Amy Winehouse’s life and strikes a satisfactory balance between light and dark, accentuating the drama and music.
September 5
September 5, the much-anticipated 2025 film, has undoubtedly set a new benchmark in the docudrama genre.
Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World attempts to follow the storied legacy of its predecessors but, unfortunately, falls short in several aspects.
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
A delightful and poignant continuation of the beloved Bridget Jones series, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, directed by Michale Morris, brings back the charm, humour, and heart that fans have come to adore while exploring new depths of emotion and maturity.
The First Omen
Absolutely, utterly, exquisitely revolting and tactfully interwoven with repugnance, mystery and suspense, this highly anticipated Holy horror is a worthy precursor to the original, The Omen (1976).
Monkey Man
Spiritualism, mythology, horror, vengeance, corruption, rivalry, and carnage are among the many themes explored in this high-stakes action thriller, with a story by Dev Patel with Paul Angunawela and John Collee as co-screenwriters.
Asphalt City
A web of personal interaction and moral reckoning against the backdrop of one tragic night, pulsating with suspense and emotion, Asphalt City, takes a piercingly honest look at the broken back of the American healthcare system, yet its tone quickly becomes a hard pill to swallow due to its gloomy nature.
Dune: Part Two
Visually thrilling and narratively epic, Dune: Part Two continues Denis Villeneuve’s engrossing adaptation of Frank Herbert’s celebrated, highly respected, sci-fi novel in spectacular form.
Frankie en Felipé
In this delightful, family-friendly, South African comedy, the one-liner, “Where is it lekker?” reappears as a catchphrase, reminding us that local is truly, “lekker”.
The Holdovers
Alexander Payne’s superb bitter-sweet comedy-drama aptly captures the high hopes and tragic disappointments of heartfelt characters who find themselves trapped in a New England boarding school in the 70s and deftly fosters the unlikely friendship that unfolds between an educator and his hostile pupil.
Bob Marley: One Love
Bob Marley: One Love, honourably follows the new biopic criteria that’s been set in films such as Capote and Lincoln, as it explores the life of the greatest reggae artist of all time.
Argylle
A rollocking, rollercoaster, Matthew Vaughn’s spy action comedy Argylle has more twists and turns than a pretzel.
Mean Girls
Mean Girls is an American musical teen comedy film, with a bold and modern musical makeover.
The Platform
The Platform is a cinematic subterranean surprise that deftly combines a gripping narrative with profound socio-political themes.
The Coffee Table
La Mesita del Comedor, or The Coffee Table, a 2022 Spanish horror film, is a cinematic delight that takes viewers on an unexpected journey from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
Society of the Snow
Society of the Snow, or La Sociedad de la Nieve, a new survival thriller by J. A. Bayona, is now available on Netflix. It is based on the horrific 1972 Andes aircraft tragedy in Uruguay.
Wonka
In his freshest musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s story, filmmaker Paul King and company create a mesmerising, splendorous world of magic and wonder through a finely moulded film.
The Killer
David Fincher is the director of this American science fiction action thriller while Andrew Kevin Walker (Se7en) is responsible for writing the screenplay, based on a graphic novel series that was produced by Luc Jacamon and is based on works by Alexis “Matz” Nolent.
Napoleon
The life of Napoleon Bonaparte is brought to the big screen in the 2023 biopic, which is directed by the legendary Ridley Scott. Josephine, who served as his lover, wife, and Empress, is central to the plot, which also includes his political and physical struggles.