Movie reviews of Filipe Freitas

Jude evokes the social realism of Jim Jarmusch and Jean-Luc Godard - creative in form, tenacious in the storytelling - and infuses a caustic humor that, cutting sharper than a knife, is often quite delicious. Review

The film, co-produced by Emma Stone, aims for the bizarre but ends up more mind-numbing and emotionally deserted than clever. Review

Radiating warmth and humor, the film’s main strength lies in two beautifully observed complementary performances, hitting the mark in its attempt to generate sympathy for the characters’ struggles. If the ending had been better imagined and less predictable, viewers would have an even stronger incentive to watch it. Review

With shades of David Cronenberg and David Lynch, the director of Nocturama and Coma gives us something special in a ferociously pleasurable film that deserves respect for its ambition. The Beast is what it wants to be: a slice of thought-provoking, nightmarish science fiction that rewards the viewer emotionally and visually. Review

The ensemble cast is solid, hitting the right emotional notes and building credibility with scenes that are Holland’s earnest attempts to bring to the world a harrowing chapter of her country’s history. Review

Retractable fangs fail to deliver a significant bite, resulting in an outrageously fascinating failure that could have been a laugh riot. Review

Determined to charm audiences, Showalter is ineptly uninspired. The film stumbles when it sacrifices specificity for generic sentiment, making it ultimately a waste of time. Review

Bouncing around to sometimes memorable effect, the film only soars intermittently, amassing tension ahead of a climax that might feel underwhelming. It’s consistently caustic and dynamic, although never outright challenging. Review

Sharply edited by filmmaker Stéphane Lafleur, the film, as dark as it is touching, is filled with surprising depth, sharp humor, and melancholy strangeness. Review

Hit Man is breezily acted, consistently funny, often charming, and noir enough to provide a great time in the theater. Review

With numerous redundant action scenes, flopped soundtrack choices, and sparse laughs, The Fall Guy feels as contrived and frivolous as the stunts it showcases, never deciding on whether to be a parody or an homage to the brave, always-invisible Hollywood stuntmen. Review

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes loses substance, relying on reheated formulas disguised as modernistic ideas throughout its quicksilver flow. Review

The Last Stop in Yuma County reminds us how gripping neo-noir thrillers can be when properly crafted, and Gallupi proves to be a bold young director to watch. Review

There's unquestionably an audience here, and the film isn't completely terrible. It is just rather monotonous as the flimsy story fails to support the dramatic weight envisioned by its creators. Review

You find yourself wanting to like what you see. Yet, Lost Soulz is more to be admired than enjoyed, with noticeable choppiness where fluidity was needed. Review

Shayda may feel a bit clunky in places but that can't stifle the sheer force of the emotion it evokes. Niasari's admirable feature debut serves as a tribute to her mother and all the courageous women of Iran. Review

Assuring that his fine narrative development leads to a positively simplistic resolution, Franco directs the film with both elemental allure and haunting familiarity. He skillfully shapes every aspect of this poignant exploration of healing love with an ultra-realistic vision and precise calibration, avoiding clichés or despair while maintaining authenticity. Review

While its major problem lies in the excess of disparate elements, scattered techniques, and tangled ideas, which oscillate between banality and provocation, Coma remains an open work of art with something to say about a very specific and significant time for humanity. Review

There’s a lot to drawn from Hamaguchi’s directorial sensitivity given that it’s rare to see a drama that makes such subtle sense of its subject matter. True to his style, he solidifies his position as one of the greatest filmmakers of our times. Review

Departing from his previous sci-fi works like Ex Machina and Annihilation, Garland injects furious nihilism in his staggeringly realistic depiction of a near-future setting that, as it should, leaves audiences feeling exhausted and wrung-out. Review

Despite the promising setup, Challengers fails to fully capitalize on its potential. I don’t see it as a very grown up movie, and was craving for more clever twists in the plot. These charming threesome never hit the ball with enough ability to make it over the net. Review

The doubts, confused feelings, and deep-seated disconnection that keep tormenting the lead character are valid, but Seagrass lacks groundbreaking originality, ultimately concluding on a disconsolately vague note after a powerful premise. Review

Even with some unnecessary lengths, La Chimera provides a singular experience in a kind-hearted fashion that allows the movie to resonate with more warmth than what was initially thought. O’Connor delivers an engrossing performance, complemented by Duarte and Rossellini, who are a pleasure to watch. Review

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell is a genre unto itself, demanding patience and introspection without veering into complete abstraction. Although strangely immersing, not everyone will be invested in the questions it poses. Review