Movie reviews of Filipe Freitas

Jessica Chastain presented charisma while the little girl Lilly, played by the young Isabelle Nélisse, was the scariest in her look and behavior. A rather uneven paranormal tale. Review

Rhino Season is tragic and evinces a deep sadness and pain... a tough reality for all the oppressed Iranian artists. Review

Alternating among humor, seriousness and some humiliation, Modest Reception simply shows us how unpredictably people behave when confronted with money. A radical experience with an unclear conclusion. Review

The Wise Kids chose a graceful approach to connect sexuality and faith issues in a sincere and intelligent way. Review

Stand Up Guys will not leave its mark but is perfectly appropriate for a relaxed watching, not requiring attention to details or complex analysis about its simple story. Review

Among joys, sorrows and some nostalgia, the film provided us with so much information that sometimes was difficult to absorb it completely. Yet, it never became boring in its quirky way and hasty rhythm. Review

Promised Land is torpid in its development and despite its good intentions, turned out completely unemotional. Van Sant needed some kind of trick to win us over, just as the gas company did in the film. Review

We can’t say this is a thrilling docudrama, but spreads charm with some tasteful details. Perhaps it would have benefited if shot on black-and-white. Review

Some good gags and body fights were not enough to make this film a gratifying choice. Review

If at least Yaron Zilberman had avoided this aspect, the film would become even more inviting. Fortunately, this predisposition for sadness didn’t remove the warmness and human side shown on every relationship and performance. Review

It tried to convey a natural and unpretentious posture but it wasn’t always successful in its intents. The plot goes round and round in circles, trying to wrap every scene in smoothness while continues to extend the inevitable conclusions. Just for enthusiasts of sweet romantic dramas. Review

After 20 minutes, the story degenerated into dull situations and predictable moves, never to recover again. Goronja, the bull, ended up being the most interesting protagonist in a colorless story that failed to engage. Review

Even if you like the ingredients, you can’t taste them properly. Wrong is messy and repetitive in its approach. Rather intriguing but hardly satisfactory. Review

The Paperboy was too ambitious and contrived, never reaching a sufficient level of stability. Review

The problem is that the movie embraces a satisfied conduct that makes us anticipate its overjoyed finale. Even the surprises did not work as surprises. Therefore, this is a movie to enjoy and relax, having Auteuil's performance as highlight. Review

5 Broken Cameras is a very personal work, covering the daily struggle of the villagers against illicit settlements, frequent abuse of power and sudden changes in law to address Israeli interests. Review

Southwest is pure art-house, which challenges, provokes and disorients until you become prisoner of your senses. Likely to be seen as a reliving of the past or mere hallucinations, my guess is: it will haunt you, no matter what… Review

I don’t find enough words to describe the phenomenal performances by Joaquin Phoenix, with his unforgettable laugh, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, in another masterpiece from ‘Master’ Anderson. Review

In its slow pace, Volcano has its moments and is worth watching. Review

Shadow Dancer is not mandatory, but deserves some attention as a solid, competent and adult movie. Review

This is a movie of troubles and a trouble of a movie. Both definitions fit well here. Easily forgettable, Not Fade Away would need something less recycled to stimulate the viewer. Review

The absence of music was not surprising, in a movie that doesn’t attain the immediate fascination of 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, yet still shows a powerful determination and credible performances during its 150 minutes. Review

Berberian Sound Studio, despite of its unique conception and all the technical wonders that puts out, lacks emotion, leaving us in a state of suspension. I ended with the sensation that all the tense moments were inconsequent, making this story an inconclusive bad dream. Review

Photography stood out, in a 145-minute high-budget production that would have gained with some trimming. Even flawed, Feng’s new historical film was far more interesting than The Flowers of War or The Children of Huang Shi. Review