Movie Reviews — FilmSpeak

'The Monkey' Review: There’s More Than a Little Monkey Business Going On Here

There more than a little Monkey-business going on, as Director Osgood Perkins’ latest film, ‘The Monkey’ is certainly not on the level of his ‘Longlegs’, as the film struggles with tonal coherency.

'Goodrich' Review: Michael Keaton Shines In This Tried and True Dramedy

While ‘Goodrich’ is nothing completely unique, it flourishes due to the charisma and gravitas of Michael Keaton, resulting in a tried-and-true kind of family drama, amplified by scattered moments of genuine resonance along the way.

Drama, Movie ReviewArjun PersaudOctober 14, 2024Michael Keaton, comedy, Drama, Family Film, Mila Kunis, Feel-GoodComment

'Relay' Review: This Enigmatic Espionage Thriller Is Easy to Decipher [TIFF 2024]

Director David Mackenzie's latest. 'Relay' stars Riz Ahmed in a taut, yet entertaining espionage thriller. [TIFF 24]

Drama, Festival Review, Movie Review, Thriller, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 15, 2024Relay Movie, Relay 2024, Relay, Riz Ahmed, Lily James, Sam Worthington, David Mackenzie, Tiff 2024, tiffComment

'Conclave' Review: A Divinely Made Film That Dares To Blur The Lines Between Church And State [TIFF 24]

Director Edward Berger's 'Conclave' is the kind of film that is a treat, especially so in the current state of cinema. This mature, grounded, and gripping mid-budget thriller is definitely contemporary, but spiritually feels like something that could have excelled more. [TIFF 24]

Drama, Festival Review, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 13, 2024Tiff 2024, TIFF 2024, Edward Berger, Ralph Fiennes, stanley tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rosselini, Thriller, ReliComment

'Anora' Review: This Pulsating Palme d'Or Winner Is A Singular Marvel [TIFF 2024]

Sean Baker’s 'Anora' is his most explosive film yet. The Palme d'Or winner is part romance, part thriller, with momentum for days. [TIFF 24]

Drama, Festival Review, Movie Review, Thriller, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 10, 2024Tiff 2024, Palme D'Or, Sean Baker, Mikey Madison, Cannes, tiff, comedyComment

'Presence' Review: Soderbergh Goes Ghostly, With Just Enough Gusto [TIFF 2024]

Steven Soderbergh's latest experimental film, 'Presence' can’t escape feeling like a technical exercise, but is an entertaining one at that. [TIFF 24]

'Rumours' Review: An Audacious Political Comedy For Today's Climate(s) [TIFF 2024]

Cate Blanchet, Charles Dance and Alicia Vikander along with Winnipeg's finest directors revel in a satirical look at world leaders and the end of the world in 'Rumours' - a frill-free disaster-comedy. [TIFF 24]

'Rez Ball' Review: This Surefire Crowd-Pleaser Charts New Ground in the Sports Genre [TIFF 2024]

'Rez Ball' is a high-profile sports film which heightens the genre, finding great spirituality in its authentic connections to character and culture. [TIFF 24]

'The Royal Hotel' Review: A Tense Travel Thriller [TIFF 23]

If ‘The Royal Hotel’ is any indicator, Kitty Green will definitely be a voice to keep following within the thriller genre, fusing modern tensions and issues with the cinematic language of a thriller to provide a uniquely captivating viewing experience.

'La Chimera' Review: A Delightfully Whimsical Archaeological Adventure [TIFF 23]

To describe ’La Chimera’ without an excess of adjectives is no easy task. The plot is rather simplistic on paper, but an array of spirited performances, inspired direction, and dream-like cinematography makes ‘La Chimera’ a truly transportive viewing experience.

'Dumb Money' Review: This Financial Fiasco Drama Is Both Funny and Flimsy [TIFF 23]

‘Dumb Money’, as an adaptation, feels both timely, and too soon. Nonetheless, the film’s message is evergreen, and its ensemble is more than enough to carry a well-enough put together film to being a good time.

Comedy, Festival Review, Movie Review, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 8, 2023Dumb Money, Paul Dano, TIFF, TIFF 2023, Review of Dumb Money, Dumb Money Review, ReviewComment

'Rosaline' Review: This Spirited Shakespeare Re-Imagining Gives A New Meaning to 'Star-Crossed'

Rosaline, anchored by another star performance from Kaitlyn Dever, provides a cute, brisk, and spirited romantic comedy that makes the most of its fun premise and confines, and is sure to please Shakespeare fans and anyone looking for a laugh and a good time.

‘Werewolf by Night’ Review: A Howlin' Good Time That Should Set a Marvel Precedent

Werewolf by Night offers a howlin’ good time, and is sure to satisfy comic fans and horror fans alike, making a great case for further adventures into fear within the Marvel universe. As Marvel’s first film under the ‘Special Presentation’ banner, Werewolf should mark the first of many.

‘The Fabelmans’ Review: Spielberg’s Magic Touch Makes For Yet Another Masterpiece [TIFF 2022]

While this review certainly sings the praises of Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans ad nauseam, it’s very much a film that speaks for itself, and is just an incredible force of sincerity, love, and creativity that simply cannot be missed.

'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' Review: A Layered Mystery of Gonzo Proportions [TIFF 2022]

Writer-Director Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig return with another stellar murder mystery with Glass Onion. Like its predecessor, this film boasts many of the same successful feats which lead to Knives Out becoming a franchise - An all-star cast firing on all cylinders, sharp direction, plot twists galore, and a whole lot of fun.

'All Quiet on the Western Front' Review: A Familiar but Welcome War Drama [TIFF 2022]

While the prospect of yet another World War One movie may seem like a put-off to some at initial glance, All Quiet on the Western Front is able to bring an uniquely cinematic experience to the table.

‘Something You Said Last Night’ Review: A Beautifully Understated Vacation Story [TIFF 2022]

Something You Said Last Night is primed to be a gem ripe for discovery coming out of this year’s TIFF Festival, and will hopefully gain an audience and bestow its extremely resonant experience onto the larger film world.

'The Swimmers' Review: A Resounding Tale of Hardships and Hope [TIFF 2022]

The Swimmers is a distinctly unique celebration of triumph and success, with a rock-solid emotional core bound to evoke cries, cheers, laughs, and a feeling of hope when the credits start to roll.

Drama, Festival Review, Movie Review, TIFFArjun PersaudSeptember 12, 2022The Swimmers, Review of The Swimmers, TIFF 2022, Netflix, FestivalComment

‘The Woman King’ Review: A Knockout of Epic Proportions [TIFF 2022]

Anchored by its fantastic performances, razor-sharp direction, and exhilarating spectacle, The Woman King is a thoroughly exciting epic which packs several punches, and lands its blows, and is worthy of the biggest screen, and crowd, possible.