Movie reviews of Filipe Freitas

Feminists may find it brave, but the brainless hunt depicted in Black Rock was incapable to catch, provoke, or intimidate, becoming a total waste of time. Review

This is a powerful example of non-manipulative cinema, where every character strives to be as close as possible of an intimate reality without forcing the situations. And they do that with amazing distinctiveness. Review

With a finger pointed to social-economical issues, I can say that this is a sort of chaotic mess that works fine, capturing all the heat and colors of a city that never stops. Review

Domestic showed dispersion on its characters’ delineation, leaving me in a state of apathy most of the time. This tale of life and death is nothing but a Noah’s ark condemned to sink. Review

A direct and delicate approach was assumed, in a mildly entertaining film that despite clear in its message, seemed too distant to involve. Review

The excruciating final moments crushed my heart, though, despite the uneasiness you might feel, the idea of a calm and comfortable departure is rewarding. Review

Spring Breakers has not much to offer beyond cheap madness and a stylish presentation of the underworld of crime that rarely reached satisfactory levels. Review

The performances were determinant to catch our attention, in a film that could have been better polished in terms of screenwriting, including a less obtuse conclusion in one of the stories. Nevertheless, that fact didn’t remove its strong message, which endures in our minds after watching it. Review

From a sci-fi perspective, we cannot demand much more. I just would have made some slight adjustments on some deviations of the plot, those involving internal confrontations among the crew. Review

The acting by Roxana Blanco and Carlos Vallarino are worth mentioning, while the direction is aesthetically valuable with precise close-ups that easily bring out the weight of the circumstances. Review

This story of complicity, intimate secrets, opportunism, and forbidden desires, deserves to be seen, defying ethics and morals. Review

The competent direction and convincing performances were the positive aspects of 90 Minutes, a depressing and feeble analysis of three disturbing minds. Review

Inside is a poignant and devastating character-study, brightly directed by Demirkubuz, and performed with heart and passion by Engin Gunaydin. Review

This clerical-narcotraffic interaction achieved its purposes, not with distinctiveness but in a satisfactory way, making us realize how wounded these souls become by witnessing so much misery. Review

The chaotic Iron Man 3 is minimally amusing and doesn't add practically anything relevant to its prior sagas. Review

Although not totally unpredictable or balanced, and far from the supremacy of other times, we can still sense Gavras’ joy in denouncing the hypocrisy of capitalist domains. Review

Among pale colors and destroyed landscapes, Zaytoun gives a completely different perspective of the conflict, gathering all the conditions to affect us in a positive way, but its urge in sensitize our hearts led to a sensation of falseness. Review

Immutable in pace and mood, the film never loses significance but also does not enrapture us with intense emotions. Review

A sturdy direction and appreciable production design helped making Cantet’s seventh film a watchable-yet-non-rigorous slice of armed revolution. Review

Not so anarchic as its obnoxious main character, Martin Lund’s second feature film has exposed promising situations but not always concluded them in the most satisfying way. Review

Everybody In Our Family never discards its frantic rhythm, being filled with poignant humor and extremely entertaining situations; some of them are stupid and exaggerated, but entertaining anyway. Impeccable direction and acting, in one of the craziest movies of the year. Review

Among imperfections and inaccuracies, this indie film ended up being enjoyable, thanks to the performances and to a very funny ending, which represented a cool down in the suffocating heat of Florida. Review

At the same time that the film tries to avoid sentimental manipulation, it leaves a sensation of familiarity, with its faith issues, and shattered American dreams. The ending keeps up the intensity: sadness, depth, but also beauty. Review

Presenting a strong conception and execution, After Lucia exposes the horrors of bullying, the inconvenience of technology, and the blindness of revenge, all in the same package. Review