Latest Movie Reviews | Little White Lies

Reviews

Cartoon character with a hat and oversized eyes pointing at a snail in the foreground.
Review

Memoir of a Snail – a stop-motion marvel with a dark heart

by David Jenkins

The life of a snail-fixated loner plays out as a series of disasters in this stridently emotional animated feature from Australian filmmaker, Adam Elliot.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A person in a black robe holding up a white sheet of paper against a dark background.
Review

The Seed of the Sacred Fig review – a melodrama of resistance

by Mark Asch

An Iranian judge appointed to Tehran’s Revolutionary Court grapples with dissent both at work and at home in Mohammad Rasoulof’s politically charged thriller.

5
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people, a man in glasses and a jumper, and a woman with blonde hair, standing in a room.
Review

Love Hurts review – no love, much hurts

by Marina Ashioti

Ke Huy Quan and Ariana Debose star in stunt performer Jonathan Eusebio’s Valentine’s Day-themed directorial debut.

2
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Cartoon character in yellow and blue outfit holding a microphone and wearing a crown, surrounded by a vibrant, colourful urban setting.
Review

Dog Man review – zippy, beautifully constructed family fun

by Callie Petch

DreamWorks’ second feature-length Dav Pilkey adaptation is a lot of bark and solid bite.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two men, one with a beard and hat, using a laser measurement tool to take a reading.
Review

The Fire Inside review – a sporting biog that lacks originality

by David Jenkins

Rachel Morrison directs a script by Barry Jenkins with this sadly-underwhelming underdog boxing biopic of Claressa ​“T‑Rex” Shields.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A man with a beard wearing a dark jacket, holding a firearm.
Review

Bring Them Down review – a chilling neo-western

by Hannah Strong

Tensions reach fever pitch in a rural Irish farming community in Christopher Andrews’ fierce feature debut.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Close-up of a woman with dark hair and pensive expression, set against a dark background.
Review

Companion review – no thrills, only spills in this AI apologia

by Hannah Strong

Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid star as a young couple whose weekend away uncovers difficult truths about their relationship in Drew Hancock’s sci-fi thriller.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Three anime characters with distinct facial features, hairstyles, and expressions, set against a blurred background.
Review

The Colours Within review – hits with the power of a dodgeball

by Josh Slater-Williams

Animé director Naoko Yamada returns with a wonderful coming-of-ager set in a Catholic girls’ boarding school.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two people, a man and a woman, conversing in an autumn park setting with colourful foliage.
Review

By the Stream review – burrows under your skin

by David Jenkins

Korean director Hong Sang-soo returns with this playful study of creation, performance and why films don’t need audiences to be successful.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Diverse group of people in 1970s attire gathered in a crowded indoor setting.
Review

Saturday Night review – unappealing nepo baby triumphalism

by Mark Asch

Jason Reitman pans back to 1975 and Lorne Michaels’ ambitious plans for a live broadcast sketch show in his fanfiction retelling of SNL’s inception.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect