Movie reviews of Joanna Orland

With Dragged Across Concrete, for all of its many many flaws, Zahler again succeeds in building tension through the tedium, justifying very unforgiving casting choices, being just ambiguous enough in his views, and delivering a finale that exceeds expectations.

The perfect level of camp meets high art, Greta is a self-aware humourous matriarchal take on the horror thriller genre. Isabelle Huppert is brilliant as always, and much of the film rests solely on her shoulders.

For a timely story, well-rounded characters and excellent performances, Ben Is Back ticks all of the boxes. While it may not linger with you long after viewing, the emotion of the moment is quite a powerful thing to observe.

Told confidently by director Sara Colangelo, the film balances empathy, sympathy, comedy and thriller to give us a completely new perspective on an old idea.

Never preachy, but always questioning, the film uniquely combines its perspectives from both the person attending the program and the parents who sent them there. An emotional and upsetting film, it’s too heart-wrenching to be a comfortable watch, but too important to not give your attention to.

It’s better than some other modern YA adaptations (The Golden Compass, the latter Hunger Games, Divergent) but does not reach its own potential, nevermind the heights of enduring series’ like Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings.

A powerful film with career-best performances, Disobedience affirmatively puts Sebastián Lelio on the map as a director who goes beyond cultural restraints to truly conquer universal themes and emotions.

Fiercely funny and surprisingly (somewhat) poignant, Tag may appear to be a generic run-of-the-mill modern comedy, but raises its game to win my laughs and affection.

Any flaw in the film’s ending is eclipsed by the film’s brilliant wit and performances. A black comedy for the ages, The Favourite will have little trouble winning your favour.

The first half is beautifully awkward, the second overshadowed by its wannabe cleverness; Papi Chulo is both a hit and a miss.

The chemistry between McCarthy and Grant is obvious, and some of the film’s best humour is in their scenes together, whether they’re playing with each other or prank calling those they can’t stand.

A master of cinematic martial arts, Yimou does create a visual and aural masterpiece with Shadow; if only there were less dialogue and more movement, this film would have been perfection.

May have deeper layers underneath its slow-burning surface, but taken at face value, the film succeeds as low key, highly engaging Sci-Fi.

All of this footage is used to great effect to make us realize we are living in the now – that terrible time is here and we cannot be complacent.

May not be a masterpiece, but as an inspiration to have hope during dark drug-fueled times, it’s a meaningful film for present day.

Unfortunately, the exploration of this grand idea in Vox Lux is too pretentious and emotionally flat to leave an impact.

Empowering and inspiring. The great performances and fabulous musical score really lift the film, making it a joy to watch.

Decent acting and directing carry it through...

There is a dark humour in watching these complex characters interact and a sense of futility that reigns throughout.

Political, clever, engaging and suspenseful, Lizzie retells the infamous story of the alleged axe murderer for the modern era.

Sorry to Bother You may shock, may repulse or may go down in history as a major cult classic along the lines of Being John Malkovich.

It’s hardly worth sitting through the rest for the payoff. What this film greatly needs is an edit.

Thunder Road will make you laugh, it will make you cry; often at the same time.

First Man may land on the moon, but struggles to travel further to satisfyingly explore the first man himself.