Movie reviews of Filipe Freitas

By swinging between melodrama and heaviness, the film made a bit difficult for me to connect with a story that, being interesting, could have worked better. The performance of Ben Foster is convincing, but this well-intended biopic borders on the watchable. Review

The multiverse is packed with uninteresting characters, strained parallel realities, a bunch of foolish situations, and long action sequences that fail to thrill… There is only the mess, without the fun. And we are bored! Review

The production values are outstanding, starting with the first-class cinematography by Matthew Chuang and ending with the outstanding score by Mark Bradshaw. The fascinating You Won’t Be Alone grabbed me and didn't let go until the very last minute. It’s absorbing, enigmatic and satisfying in ways that are out of the ordinary. Review

The idea is not bad, but Schoenbrun lacks cinematic arguments, approaching the topic with a minimalistic style in need of a stronger grip and more captivating scenarios. Review

The apprehension and heaviness in Bad Roads may put you off, but it won’t leave you indifferent. Review

This is a very conventional cat-and-mouse thriller that doesn't go anywhere. Now and then, the mischievous eloquence of its characters can still feed a few smiles among the long list of regrets, but this Ambulance quickly got its engine flooded and conked out. Review

Tom Gormican’s sophomore feature reveals audacity in its conception and releases a certain energy, but sins by letting things down gradually. Review

The rapture of The Good Boss is fed by Bardem’s charisma, the smart and humorous lines, and the fluidity of the story. What we have here is playful cinema at its breeziest, one that combines incisive social commentary and a fierce, funny sneer. Review

This brooding, monstrously barbarous thriller doesn't languish in the graphic, but makes sure to expose it to view, scene after scene. With a devilishly intelligent move toward the end, the film shows the evil that contaminates the hearts of these criminals. Review

Too many elements get lost in the sauce because it’s easier to denounce than construct something clear. Despite the prevailing dark tones, the awarded cinematography of Vladislav Opelyants revealed distinctness. Review

It’s a visceral experience that, unabashedly, takes the podium for this particular topic, alongside European contemporary classics such as Vera Drake and 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. Review

Moved by genuine love and monumental compassion, Great Freedom becomes an accomplished picture as a result, succeeding beyond all possible sentimental trappings that are common to the genre. Review

The film is remarkably interpreted by Bogdan, and well seconded by Boris Isakovic, who manages to get on our nerves while impersonating the condescending head of the local social service department. Review

Denoting a certain grim integrity, the film has its visual beauty exceeded only by the gruesomeness of the violence. As for the rest, there’s a scarce amount of cleverness here. Review

Endorsing the patterns of several classics but endowing them with unbridled new audacity, this shocker also provides substantial gore. Review

If you’re into unpretentious, funny films that offer multiple scenarios as a 70-minute escapist entertainment, then the cinematic ingredients of Sexual Drive should be enough for you to have a good time. Review

Co-written and directed by Roshan Sethi, and produced by the Duplass Brothers, the film is somewhat predictable but to the point, incorporating a few zany situations that really made me laugh. Review

Unfolding with the enthrallment of some classics - directors Kon Ichikawa and Masaki Kobayashi are probably influences - the film is a seamless, nearly absurd, and pity-free account of a particular war episode that is, nevertheless, quite touching. Review

This bittersweet picture is as odd as it is mesmerizing. Even if over-ambitious at times, it still unveils disenchantment, disgrace, survival, and avidity with a personal touch. Review

About halfway, an unexpected occurrence creates the erroneous sensation that the film would turn for the better. The proceedings remained dull just the same, whereas the final twist, more than predictable, is dispassionate. Windfall is a huge misfire. Review

Having the sci-fi aspect blending with faster-than-Bruce-Lee kung fu scenes, the creators pile a few too many additional oddities into the mix, but the film supports its wild premise with a skillful direction and fine responses from the stellar ensemble cast. Review

Although I wish that very last section wouldn’t exist, the film’s controlled cynicism quietly penetrated my mind, leaving a good mark. Rylance is excellent, and Flynn makes for a truly insidious villain. Review

I cannot say it's not well-intentioned and kind in nature, I just wasn’t particularly stricken by its attempting spells, which felt more conventional than magical. Review

Although just fraught enough to make us keep watching, the film manages to keep these deceptive plates spinning for longer than most, but ultimately lacks ambition. Review