Movie reviews of Filipe Freitas

Everything feels very human and surprisingly artistic in this simplistic depiction of ‘life’ before life. We shall all agree in the end that to live is a blessing, but can be painful too. Review

Purposely beyond the good taste, this is one of those cases where the satiric catharsis is too severe to be likable. Review

This flawed horror-movie pastiche with references to the zombie and giallo canons is no novelty but can still provide some fun for those in the right mood. Review

Despite the sweetness and affection demonstrated in the relationships, the film lacks twists and - just like the chatty robot - feels artificial. Review

The cast is faultless, with Thompson and Nagga at their best, while Hall reveals a surprising maturity behind the camera. The shots, consistently ravishing, are perfected with the beautiful tonal contrasts of Eduard Grau’s black-and-white photography. Review

Apart from scattered pointed commentary about how the Italian authorities deal with this kind of cases, or the silly dispute between the police forces and the Carabinieri, the film is marked by predictability and ennui, barely scratching the surface of other mystery-crime thrillers with a similar topic. Review

Maybe the most admirable aspect in this self-portrait of the young artist is that it doesn’t shy from feelings. Hogg’s meticulous direction manages to bring all the emotions, certainties and hesitations to the fore. Review

More showy than effective, The Harder They Fall dives into far-fetched shootouts before a dramatic finale with an added twist. Putting all things in perspective, it has nothing particularly engaging worth recommending. Review

This artful, well-acted alienation is both clean-cut and oblique, as well as frivolous and amusing in spots. A celebration of freedom after all, arranged with majestic settings and dazzlingly filmed with arresting cinematography by Claire Mathon. Review

This film is provocative for the strength of the script and its topics, not so much for how it was conducted, regardless the dedicated performances of the four leads. With that said, the finale is brutally relieving, but not without a shocking disclosure. Review

I was not blown away but was satisfied enough with the outcomes of a film made appealing by the charm of its story and the sensitive talents of its actors. Review

Even showing signs that he may one day make a rich film combining key ingredients from Yorgos Lanthimos and Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s universes, Jóhannsson wastes the chance of turning Lamb into something actually creepy or substantial. Review

Curiously, the antique visuals lead to a contemporary greatness, and Anderson’s filmmaking accuracy leads to a charming film that works pretty well in French and English. Review

There are lots of new wrinkles to ponder about scams and technology today but The Beta Test works better as a mystery than a mystery solve. When it works, it really works, and those strong moments overcome the so-so ones. Review

Anne at 13,000 Ft. is a smartly written, keenly observant, occasionally hilarious and ultimately moving indie drama that arrives with a refreshing energy, leaving a trail of realistic experiences behind. Review

Adapting Eric Jager’s 2004 book of the same name, this is a decently executed film that entertains without dazzle. Review

Pulsing with discomfort and mysticism, this tale poses moral and spiritual challenges, but can also be a bit ludicrous sometimes as with the cathartic street scene that precedes the finale. Review

It’s not a great documentary, yet fairly informative and entertaining... Review

But the film is far from perfect, displaying a few gaps in the plot, which occasionally and unnecessarily link to the previous Casino Royale (2006) and Spectre (2015) while struggling with an extended duration. Yet, this is still a likable spy-action fun with a few unusual twists that, carrying an extra emotional charge, makes it a singular chapter in the Bond adventures. Review

Aggrandized by Faison’s focused performance, this heart-rending drama film will keep you on the edge of your seat, even when the intended authenticity weakens. Review

The sensory visuals, well-tuned by the Spanish cinematographer Oscar Faura, compensate the soporific narration that nearly turns Fever Dream into a one-note psychological drama. Review

It’s all nuanced, carefully presented with duality - also an indispensable element in Bergman’s work - and it doesn’t really click at the first blush. However, after a while, this imaginative dance of characters and plot ambiguities produce the desired effect. Review

It’s well done, and the comparisons with Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and David Cronenberg’s disturbing oddities are understandable, even if the film doesn’t really reach those superior levels. It’s one of those examples where the message and the execution go hand-in-hand with appreciable results. Review

Lacking ambition, Bye Bye Morons may be digestible if you just want to rest your brain with a sloppy melodrama, but it will be a disaster if you expect a clever plot with excitement and twists. Review