Movie Reviews — FilmSpeak

'Seven Veils' Review: An Operatic Odyssey

In this story of the past coming back to haunt an opera director during a production of ‘Salome’, director Atom Egoyan gives us ‘Seven Veils’, a film which is all that Egoyan fans could ask for.

Canadian FIlm, Drama, Movie Review, Musical, ThrillerKyle ClimansMarch 7, 2025Atom Egoyan, Amanda Seyfried, Vinessa AntoineComment

'Megalopolis' Review: Coppola Goes Out With a Bang and a Whimper at the Same Time

Shallow, bloated, and utterly pretentious, Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' is the biggest refutation of the auteur theory since 'Beau is Afraid'.

'The Mountain' Review: A Movie to Make You Laugh and Cry Alike [TIFF 2024]

Three misfit kids unite to complete the journey of a lifetime in 'The Mountain', a story which effortlessly balances whimsical wonder and relatable realism. [TIFF 24]

Coming of Age, Comedy, DramaKyle ClimansSeptember 14, 2024New Zealand, Taika WaititiComment

'Escape from the 21st Century' Review: A Wild Ride with a Purpose [TIFF 2024]

Juggling an abundance of style with a surprising amount of substance, 'Escape From the 21st Century' happily exchanges logic for a wild blend of action, hyperbole, pathos, and life-affirming passion. [TIFF 24]

Action, Comedy, Sci-FiKyle ClimansSeptember 12, 2024Yang Li, Leon Lee, Yang Song, Ruoyun Zhang, Elane ZhongComment

'The Crow' Review: It’s Ultimately For The Birds

Despite the actors' efforts to elevate the below-par material, 'The Crow' comes off like a goth-themed costume party, rather than paying appropriate tribute to a 90's cult-classic.

'Time II: Unfinished Business' Review: The Simple Triumph of Idealism and Faith

‘Time II: Unfinished Business’ is a documentary sequel created to tell the ongoing story of Robert and Fox Richardson. The heart of this documentary shows the humanity of those whom society labels as criminals, be it justified or not.

'Thelma' Review: The Mission Impossible Spinoff that We Desperately Needed

Thelma is a triumph which any filmmaker would be proud of, made all the more remarkable by the fact that this is director Josh Margolin’s feature film debut but also seeing June Squibb get a chance to play her first leading role at age 94.

Action Adventure, DramaKyle ClimansJune 25, 2024Clark Gregg, Richard Roundtree, June Squibb, Parker Posey, Malcolm McDowellComment

'The Image of You' Review: A Ridiculous Romp of a Thriller

‘The Image of You’ is one of those inexplicable films which becomes more tolerable - or at least, more entertaining - as it becomes more absurd. If you can endure the cringey first act, you’ll be rewarded with a film that is, if nothing else, fully aware of which audience expectations it will meet.

'The King Tide' Review: One of the Eeriest Films of the Year

‘The King Tide’ will get under your skin by showing the failings of human nature, and how quickly people will exploit, abuse, and conspire in order to preserve the status quo. It is a horrifying thriller which will remain with you long after the end credits have finished rolling.

'Hard Miles' Review: Biking Down a Well-Trodden Path

Fittingly, for a movie about a journey towards a well-known and even cliched destination, ‘Hard Miles’ follows the formula to the expected end. But just like with the Grand Canyon, just because the end is predictable doesn’t mean it’s without merit.

'Love Lies Bleeding' Review: A Hot Mess in All the Right Ways

‘Love Lies Bleeding’ knows exactly what it is doing, even if the audience won’t predict where the story goes. The filmmakers make bold swings, whether through the film’s story, its performances, or its imagery, which creates a film that could only be described as ‘fearless’.

'Drive-Away Dolls' Review: A Tender Sapphic Love Story Buried in Nonsense

‘Drive-Away Dolls’ if nothing else, is a mindless B movie through and through. That’s not a bad thing in and of itself, but it will surely polarize audiences. Yet, considering that the film was made in the 2020s, is set in the 90s, and boasts a style which evokes the 70s, it achieves a level of kitsch that is rarely reached.

'Killers of the Flower Moon' Review: If Nothing Else, It Means Well

It’s clear what director Martin Scorsese wanted to do with ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’. The film makes audiences privy to the cold-blooded conversations between the men who murdered dozens in the name of single-minded greed, which makes it an important story to tell.

'How the Gringo Stole Christmas' Review: Could Have Been Better, But Also Could Have Been Way Worse

“How the Gringo Stole Christmas” my have some bemoan the film for refusing to give up tired stereotypes, while others will enjoy the familiarity and appreciate the flashes of originality. It’s certainly worth giving a try if you fall in the latter category, especially around Christmas.

'The Holdovers' Review: An Extraordinary Film About Ordinary People

The concept is simple -‘The Holdovers’ takes three distinct characters and throws them together so they can learn from each other. There is no magical happy ending, no false note, or easy resolution either: the story is realistic and bittersweet from start to finish, which creates a strange and relatable realism with the story.

'Bones of Crows' Review: The Truth is More Horrifying Than Fiction

All in all, Bones of Crows is a challenging, harrowing portrayal of suffering, but the film does not wallow in that suffering either. The film might one day be considered a time capsule of how things used to be, and its very existence might one day serve as an example of how things eventually got better.

'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Review: Mostly Right, Mostly Enjoyable

One cannot deny that ‘Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret’ was made by talented people - both in front of and behind the camera - who were interested in telling a complex story without simple answers.

Comedy, Family, Movie ReviewKyle ClimansApril 28, 2023Are you there God It's Me Margaret, Movie Review, Rachel McAdams, Kathy BatesComment

'Beau is Afraid' Review: All Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing

Director Ari Aster has described ‘Beau is Afraid’ as a “nightmare” - and to give him credit, that is an apt description, but not in the way that he probably intended. The film feels exactly like one of those incoherent fever dreams which you only half-remember after it’s over, and quickly forget as you go about your day.

'Daughter' Review: Captivating in Every Sense of the Word

Daughter is certainly worth seeing if you’re a fan of thought-provoking thrillers. Your appreciation for subtlety and ambiguity will impact how much you like this film, but ultimately it is a captivating film in every respect.

'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' Review: A Warm-Hearted Romp About a Cold-Blooded Crooner

The filmmakers who made Lyle, Lyle Crocodile embrace all the silliness of the original story, without any shame or lack of conviction. Whatever you say about the film, you cannot deny that the passion is present.