Movie reviews of Filipe Freitas

There’s heart in this fierce and serious tale, but it’s also true that most of its episodes lack the drama that would turn it into the epic envisioned by Guerra... Review

The script already wobbles along the way, and completely crumbles in the last chapters, becoming embarrassingly ludicrous in its pseudo madness and bromidic conclusion. Review

In the Heights feels hysterically lively but provides less funny moments than expected, playing more crowd-pleasing than magical. On top of this, I found the musical scenes a bit tiresome and showy. Review

Paper Spiders rubs the mainstream melodrama, escaping its own grimness through hope while operating solely on a restrained emotional level. Shampanier’s ambitious project was partially saved by the two leads, who do all the heavy lifting. Review

Although with the computer-generated images falling into occasional excesses, Gillespie succeeded in turning this film into a wonderful entertainment-escape, the most fun installment in the franchise. Review

It’s a potent snapshot of a marriage in one of its most emotionally conflicting stages. Review

Even the final twist feels calculated and overcooked, making The Real Thing a frivolous, wishy-washy cinematic experience. Review

Shot with a poetic glow that easily conjures up the timeless feel of European classics (from Truffaut to Godard), this brave little film makes a clear statement without forcing sentiments to arise. Review

It only pays off intermittently with some humorous insubordinations and the vision of furious, silly men hurt in their egos, but other scenes are unnecessarily spoiled by a clumsy playfulness or, like during its final stage, with a disordered arrangement that is anything but convincing. Review

This is the type of vampire flick that works more at the psychological level and doesn’t need to show any fang to involve us in its bizarre, chilly atmosphere. Review

Although categorically artsy and observant in its details, the film is ridiculously long for what it intends to say, flirting with boredom. Review

Put me a bit off, but there was this mental labyrinth against the clock and a super claustrophobic environment making me relatively tuned. Both the scenarios and the special effects are accomplished in a modest sci-fi flick. Review

The long duration of the film and a somewhat soulless approach gives this lesson in life an extra bitterness. Review

The Paper Tigers won’t make the day of Bruce Lee’s fans but, if nothing else, has its heart in the right place. Review

Keeping the tension at a fever pitch, Roehler, who worked from a script by Klaus Richter (their second collaboration), mounted it with some decadently fascinating moments. Review

What went wrong with this adaptation? It simply collapses under the weight of its tonally one-note developments and clunky narrative. Review

Solidly structured and incisive in its observations, the film never leaves you in doubt, showing that the truth is way too hard to digest. Review

Mong-hong also takes charge of the cinematography, taking an impressive stance on the visuals, but he could have taken A Sun to another realm by simplifying a few aspects. Review

In addition to a synthetic central character, the weak intrigue and rigid dynamics place the film between a poorly investigative case and a phony state of paranoia. The flaws are significative throughout, ultimately leading to a more ridiculous than revelatory closure. Review

The apt performance by Castro and the breathtaking cinematography by José Ángel Alayón help us conquer the languorous pace of the story. Review

Identifying Features is a harrowing tale of loss, anguish and disenchantment whose brutally cold conclusions left me stunned. Review

As my interest kept declining, The Man Who Sold His Skin showed to have a lot more in mind than what it could handle. This once promising satire, made imperfect by a weak twist, misses the killing blow. Review

The film’s extraordinary qualities - including a ferocious performance by Sukowa - outweighs any quibbles in a story that fluidly toggles affection and tension. There’s no artsy nonsense here nor dull moments, but rather an afflictive desperation and yearning that rings true. Review

It’s all bloated spectacle in the end, a long and boring trail of deaths presented with a deceptive slickness, where Statham doesn’t even bother to bring a sense of grief to his miserable existence. Review