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Reviews

Man in yellow top mid-golf swing on lawn with green shed, hedge boundary, and garden borders in background.

The Golden Spurtle review – very sweet, not very salty

by David Jenkins

The World Porridge-making Championships are the subject of Constantine Costi’s wholesome doc.

Rock band performing on stage with blue stage lighting, smoke effects, and geometric backdrop. Musicians with guitars and keyboards visible.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues review – depressing sequel to a comic masterwork

by David Jenkins

The iconic Brit metal trio come out of retirement for one final star-studded gig. Frankly, they shouldn’t have bothered.

Two men in military uniforms against black background, one blonde looking left, one Black looking right, both wearing brown jackets.

The Long Walk review – more televised deathsports in a grim future

by David Jenkins

The director of The Hunger Games pivots towards gnarly allegory in this violent Stephen King adaptation about a hike to the death.

Two people wearing sunglasses sitting together outdoors with mountains and blue sky in background, woman in red bikini, man in white shirt.

Islands review – if Challengers were a European noir

by Emily Maskell

Jan-Olé Gerster combines Hitchcockian thrills with a seductive European sensibility against an all-inclusive Canary Islands resort in his English language debut.

Man in dark suit holding helmet in upscale restaurant with warm lighting and other diners in background.

On Swift Horses review – no wheel reinvention to be found

by Patrick Sproull

Daniel Minahan’s adaptation of Shannon Pufahl’s novel wins points for its thoughtful perspective on its queer characters, but doesn’t do enough with its enticing, Proulx-ish premise.

Woman with blonde bob haircut in dark top stands between two children - blonde girl in white top and boy with dark hair in blue shirt, outdoors with green foliage behind.

The Courageous review – a strikingly realistic portrait of motherhood in crisis

by Nathan Lewis

Ophélia Kolb gives a fine performance as a rebellious single mother in Jasmin Gordon’s poignant debut feature.

Man in white shirt and braces standing over person in black clothing with red stains, pink and beige interior with framed pictures.

Afternoons of Solitude review – astonishing, intoxicating cinema

by David Jenkins

Albert Serra captures the ritualistic violence and resplendent beauty of bullfighting in his magnetic, complex documentary about matador Andrés Roca Rey.

A woman in a long, red floral dress stands in front of a building with a "Gym's" sign. A car is visible in the background.

Honey Don’t! review – silly and very, very slight

by David Jenkins

The second instalment of Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s lesbian genre film trilogy manages to just about snag a passing grade.

Person riding white horse through snow-covered field with evergreen forest and bare trees in background under cloudy sky.

Mother Vera review – complex and highly affecting

by Nathan Lewis

Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson’s arresting portrait of a former drug addict turned Orthodox nun with a deep love for horses.

Firefighter in protective gear walks through smoky doorway with bright sunlight streaming from behind, creating dramatic silhouette effect.

The Toxic Avenger review – an infuriatingly unfunny remake

by Anton Bitel

Macon Blair’s remake of Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman’s 1984 outlandish superhero cult film is a colossal misfire.