NEW Review

January 15th, 2025

Directed by Leigh Whannell

Starring Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, Matilda Firth, Sam Jaeger

“…Whannell's ability to craft a distinct visual and audio language for Wolf Man, establishing a tone that, along with The Invisible Man, could serve as the foundation for a potential franchise.

—Kevin Ward

NEW Review

January 6th, 2025

Directed by Michael Gracey

Starring Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Raechelle Banno, Damon Herriman, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvany

“The musical biopic has Evolved!”

—Kevin Ward

NEW Review

December 10th, 2024

Directed by James Mangold

Starring Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Nick Offerman, Boyd Holbrook, P.J. Byrne, Scoot McNairy

“Timothée Chalamet is, in a word….electric. ….Whether it resonates as profoundly as its subject's music will depend on what you, as a fan of art, are willing to embrace.

—Kevin Ward

NEW Review

November 27th, 2024

Directed by Tim Fehlbaum

Starring Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, Leonie Benesch

“…a biting critique of sensationalism in media, exposing a model where ratings, drama, and clicks often outweigh humanity and even truth. The moral dilemmas at play here are as timely as ever, prompting reflection on the media's role in shaping world events”

—Kevin Ward

NEW Review

November 19th, 2024

Directed by John M. Chu

Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang, Keala Settle, Peter Dinklage

“Grande marries technical precision with emotional depth from her playful "Popular" to the emotionally charged duets with Erivo, showcasing why her casting wasn't just a commercial move but an inspired one.

—Kevin Ward

NEW Review

November 11th, 2024

Directed by Ridley Scott

Starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi

“Scott's signature opulence and grandeur permeate every aspect of the film…Even the opening credits sequence, a rarity in modern blockbusters, feels like an operatic overture…[and] underscores Scott's commitment to delivering a true cinematic experience

—Kevin Ward

Recent Review

November 10th, 2024

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Starring Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Chris Messina, J.K. Simmons

…at times pushing too hard to steer us in a specific direction. Still, it's a film that invites introspection, urging viewers to reflect not only on the characters' choices but on their own capacity for fairness in the face of complexity.

—Kevin Ward

Recent Review

October 31st, 2024

Directed by Scott Beck, Bryan Woods

Starring Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East

religious horror, offering a twisted, dialogue-driven thriller that had me hanging on every word

—Kevin Ward

Recent Review

October 23rd, 2024

Directed by Kelly Marcel

Starring Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Stephen Graham

“…undeniably silly and unexpectedly charming. If you can embrace the lack of narrative coherence and revel in its wacky tone, it's a surprisingly satisfying experience with a core of genuine emotion.”

—Kevin Ward

Recent Review

October 16th, 2024

Directed by Parker Finn

Starring Naomi Scott, Kyle Gallner, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage

“The film asks a lot of Naomi Scott, singing, dancing, screaming, crying... facial acting. She admirably rises to the challenge, carrying the film on her shoulders.”

—Kevin Ward

Recent Review

October 15th, 2024

Directed by Edward Berger

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Lucian Msamati

“the film balances intrigue, tension, surprising humor, and a powerful message in its parting shot, solidifying it as one of the most memorable viewing experiences of the year. ”

—Kevin Ward

Recent Review

October 11th, 2024

Directed by Ali Abbasi

Starring Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, and Maria Bakalova

“...succeeds more as a character study than as a straightforward biopic. Its focus on the mentor-protégé relationship...shedding light on the culture that incubated the Trump we know today”

—Kevin Ward

VIFF Review

October 9th, 2024

Directed by Jason Reitman

Starring Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cooper Hoffman, Dylan O'Brien, Cory Michael Smith, Lamorne Morris, Willem Dafoe, Ella Hunt, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun...

“...vibrant cast, exhilarating 16mm aesthetic, and inventive direction…a love letter to the unpredictable, exhilarating spirit of live television.”

—Kevin Ward

VIFF Review

October 6th, 2024

Directed by Marielle Heller

Starring Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy

“a fresh, often uncomfortable perspective on the pressures women face to conform to idealized images of motherhood”

—Kevin Ward

VIFF Review

September 26th, 2024

Directed by Aaron Schimberg

Starring Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson

a sly, ironic exploration of the masks we wear and the facades we build, with stellar performances that challenge our perceptions of identity and transformation.”

—Kevin Ward

Recent Festival Coverage