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The Bacchus Lady – Review

This film was previously reviewed in October 2016 as part of our LFF coverage. Both frothy and melancholy, The Bacchus Lady dives into its unexpected tale of one of South Korea’s infamous "Bacchus ladies"...
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Raya and the Last Dragon – Review

As Disney bends another movie to its Disney+ Premier Access release strategy, the expected cinematic scope of Raya and the Last Dragon is curtailed by home viewing. The film hurtles in head-first with the...
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Godmothered – Review

In a year devoid of much magic, in marches Disney’s latest fairy tale fare, Godmothered, at the eleventh hour. It’s shining, shimmering – but a bit more sputtering than...
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Eternal Beauty – Review

Eternal Beauty is a touching, thought-provoking film about a woman, Jane (Sally Hawkins, on sparkling form), living with paranoid schizophrenia. Its triumph is its unswerving ability to present mental illness...
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Dream Horse – Review

Based on a true story, Dream Horse details the improbable racing career of a horse bred on an allotment in Wales by a syndicate of bored neighbours – led by cashier/bartender Jan (Toni Collette, trying her...
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Bombshell – Review

“Blood coming out of her… wherever” was, regrettably, an instantly recognisable moment from Trump’s presidential campaign. Megyn Kelly, the Fox anchor he was describing, takes centre stage in...
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1917 – Review

1917’s spirit is about showing strength in the face of adversity – but how that message is delivered removes any triteness. The film puts a personal face, in two young lance corporals, to warfare. 1917...
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Blinded by the Light – Review

Blinded by the Light presents a rich opportunity: acclaimed director Gurinder Chadha returns to cinemas with another tale of culture clash in the UK, this time touching on Thatcherism, racism, terrible New...
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The Lion King – Review

This is, simply, not a "live-action" remake of The Lion King – and that’s its saving grace. The photorealistic visuals are spectacular as Disney continues to set the agenda for what is possible in...
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Aladdin – Review

Shining, shimmering... but not so splendid. Aladdin’s first 30 minutes almost condemn it as the worst Disney live action remake (and there’s plenty of competition!). Terrible pace and a garbled storyline...
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All Is True – Review

If anyone had any doubt still that Kenneth Branagh loved Shakespeare, All Is True thoroughly dismisses it. An obvious passion project, it’s a joy to behold Branagh’s affection for Shakespeare – both man...
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The Lego Movie 2 – Review

... Is everything still awesome? The team behind The LEGO Movie 2 is well ahead of us on that joke, and many others too. This film is even more self-aware than its predecessor, referencing everything from...
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Colette – Review

This review was originally published as part of our London Film Festival coverage on 13/10/2018. If you’re not a fan of historical costume dramas, this won’t be the film to convert you – but don’t...