Good Boy: a film of love, death, grief and deep devotion capable of self-sacrifice
Ben Leonberg, “Good Boy” (2025) For his first film as a director, Ben Leonberg chose an unusual lead actor: his own pet dog, a Nova Scotia…
North American Films
Reviews of films made in Canada and United States including all films made by Hollywood.
British Films, North American Films
28 Years Later: post-apocalyptic horror flick disintegrates with improbable plot and flat characters
Danny Boyle, “28 Years Later” (2025) A much-anticipated entry in the series of films that began 20 years ago with “28 Days Later”, this film of…
Logan’s Run: a flawed film with intriguing questions about the social contract
Michael Anderson, “Logan’s Run” (1976) Admittedly this film has not aged well over the past half-century: its sets look bad; its music soundtrack turns tired and…
Mickey 17: a mishmash of ideas and themes needing proper attention and treatment
Bong Joonho, “Mickey 17” (2025) Based on the science fiction novel “Mickey 7” by Edward Ashton, “Mickey 17” takes that novel’s premise – a space colonist…
The Last Showgirl: psychological study of a woman in existential pain, in a trash culture
Gia Coppola, “The Last Showgirl” (2024) Running to 90 minutes, this psychological drama about an ageing showgirl packs in much nuance and conflict, more so than…
Companion: a tale of self-discovery, transformation and freedom in harrowing circumstances of abuse and manipulation
Drew Hancock, “Companion” (2015) A low-budget sci-fi thriller film with a young cast and a deceptively simple, straightforward plot becomes a magnet for commentary on aspects…
Creature from the Black Lagoon: a straightforward plot lends itself to many interpretations
Jack Arnold, “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954) For a film of its vintage, made over 70 years ago with a straightforward story and an unremarkable…
Italian and Italian-language Films, North American Films
Conclave: political ambition and questions of faith collide with a thin plot filled with bizarre twists
Edward Berger, “Conclave” (2024) Who’d have thought that a film about a group of Roman Catholic cardinals electing a new Pope could turn out to be…
Nosferatu (dir. R Eggers): lavish remake in need of better script with sympathetic characters
Robert Eggers, “Nosferatu” (2024) Incredibly the years 2023 and 2024 saw two remakes of F W Murnau’s famous horror silent film “Nosferatu – Eine Symphonie des…
North American Films, Russian and Soviet Films
Anora: Cinderella tale skewers class system and trash culture in neocapitalist society
Sean Baker, “Anora” (2024) Presenting as a comedy variation on the Cinderella story, “Anora” deftly skewers Western neo-capitalism, the class system and trashy culture that are…