CarolineStafford
Birdeater Review
It is rare that a film is as simultaneously familiar yet frighteningly disturbing as Birdeater, and the unique combination makes for a disconcerting ride that is not quickly forgotten. Directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir have created a narrative that echoes an experience that many Australians have experienced – a classic bush trip with mates to celebrate the end of school, a significant birth...
The Exorcism Review
Well, talk about facing your demons – in The Exorcism Russell Crowe takes this to a whole new level. Directed by Joshua John Miller, The Exorcism is yet another take on a classic of the horror genre, but this time with a little bit of a twist. While it’s not the most original of exorcism themed films, it does become uniquely meta. The story centers on Tony (played by Russell Crowe) a recove...
The Garfield Movie Review
If anyone could resurrect Garfield from it’s previously dismal incarnations it would be Mark Dindal, director of cult classic The Emperor’s New Groove. Harking back to slapstick humour with strangely sophisticated punchlines, reminiscent of your favourite Looney Tune classics – The Garfield Movie is looking better than it’s 2004 iteration – but is it really one to watch? Starring as t...
IF Review
Have you or someone you love had an imaginary friend? Did you ever wish they were still around? IF (Imaginary Friends for those not in the know) explores how life is from the other side, how our imaginary pals feel when we grow up and move on. The first family film from director and actor John Krasinski, is a sharp departure from his previous works (A Quiet Place Part I and II) and is beautifully...
Love Lies Bleeding Review
Love Lies Bleeding is a movie that we’ve all seen before – a drama that’s sexy, gorey, dark and so incredibly visceral that you feel like you need a shower afterwards – but far bigger, better and gayer. Dramatic and psychotic at times, director Rose Glass hasn’t journeyed far from her breakout horror Saint Maud, giving 80s gym culture a dark twist. The story is centered around the see...
Madame Web Review
What started with a unique premise and intricate storyline, Madame Web quickly became more tangled up than, well, a fly in a spider’s web. In an effort to tap into the Spider-Man hype, (delicately without ever mentioning everyone’s favourite web-slinger overtly), director S.J. Clarkson took a former side character from the comic pages and gave her the full-fledged superhero movie treatment, which ...
How to Have Sex Review
How to Have Sex is definitely not the how-to guide that its title suggests – instead it’s a haunting coming of age story that is all too familiar for many women. Directed by Molly Manning Walker, How to Have Sex premiered at Cannes and won Un Certain Regard, and went on to tour more festivals across New Zealand, Australia and Canada, all to high acclaim. The story traces the dream party hol...
Mean Girls Review
It’s not just déjà vu with fabulous musical flair – Mean Girls is back, but maybe not with as much of a vengeance as its predecessor. Directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr have brought the broadway show based on the cult classic back to the silver screen once again. While it does retain much of the campy and fun hallmarks of the original, perhaps with the latest iteration we have foun...
Anyone But You Review
If you, when sitting down to view Anyone But You, were also dreading another shaky Shakespere inspired rom-com, you might find yourself in for an unexpected surprise. Not exactly known for his romantic comedies, Will Gluck (director of Peter Rabbit) delivers a crowd-pleasing rom-com that harks back to the hey-day of the genre. Starring the both very hot right now Sydney Sweeney (best known for E...
Bottoms Review
Have you ever been sitting in a cinema when you get the feeling that you’re watching a cult film in the making? Welcome to Bottoms, from director Emma Seligman and co-writer Rachel Sennott. Look, it’s not going to be for everyone, the vibe is kind of … absurdist gay Mean Girls meets slasher fic? And is firmly rooted in Gen Z comedy. However, don’t be quick to judge this bloody high school romp ...
The Old Oak Review
Set in a small north-eastern English town still living in the shadows of the UK miners’ strike, a new form of solidarity and brotherhood emerges as Ken Loach weaves a heart-warming story of a group of Syrian refugees trying to make a new life for themselves – but who is in more strife – the refugees or the forgotten townspeople? This unassuming film begins with a poignant metaphor as ...
Circus of the Scars Review
Hasn’t everyone dreamt of running away to the circus at one point in their lives? Well, if you’re headed to Circus of the Scars it might turn into a nightmare, but at least it’ll be fun. Circus of The Scars is a documentary following the unique phenomenon of 1990s grunge rock circus sideshow acts from the Pacific Northwest, chiefly the Jim Rose Circus. Primarily comprised of rough-cut archival fo...