‘Holy Spider’ Is Gripping & Intense – Capsule Review | TIFF 2022

Holy moly, Holy Spider is intense. Based on a true story, the crime drama follows the cat-and-mouse game between a journalist, Rahimi (Zahra Amir Ebrahimi), and a serial killer (Mehdi Bajestani) targeting vulnerable women. It hits close to home, highlighting how intense the hatred for women is in Iran. For decades the women of Iran […]

‘The Woman King’ is a Celebration of Black Women’s Humanity and Fierceness – Review | TIFF 2022

The Woman King is a rare occurrence in Hollywood. The modestly budgeted historical epic was developed by women, written by women, directed by a Black woman, and starred an ensemble of Black women. Without pulling any statistics, it is safe to say that Black-led cinema does not often get the chance to be blockbuster hits, […]

TIFF 2015: ‘Room’ Is A tense, gripping emotional roller-coaster

Based on Irish author Emma Donaghue’s best-selling novel of the same name (she also adapted the screenplay for the film), Room was by far my favourite film screened at TIFF this year. Coming off his independent film, Frank (which starred talented fellow Irishmen Michael Fassbender and Domhnall Gleeson), director Lenny Abrahamson was tasked with helping bring this iconic […]

TIFF 2015: ‘Spotlight’ Is A Difficult, But Necessary Must-Watch

Spotlight, directed by Thomas McCarthy, is the true story that depicts the investigative news team at the Boston Globe as it uncovers the systemic ‘sweeping under the rug’ of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church (specifically the Archdiocese of Boston). The screenwriting of McCarthy and Josh Singer is key. It easily balances the research and interview […]

TIFF 2015: Chaos Makes The World Turn In ‘High-Rise’

Ben Wheatley directs a star-studded cast featuring Jeremy Irons, Tom Hiddleston, Luke Evans, Sienna Miller and Elisabeth Moss in High-Rise. An adaptation of JG Ballard’s novel of the same name, the film takes place in 1975 London where young doctor Robert Laing (Tom Hiddleston) is intrigued by the lifestyle in a high-rise community that is away […]

‘Demolition’ Explores the Complexities of Grief – Review|TIFF 2015

Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild) tries to make it a perfect three-for-three in Gala Presentations at TIFF with the premiere of his latest film, Demolition – and I believe the Canadian director does just that. Known for bringing the best out of his actors, Vallée does no different with Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance as Davis Mitchell, who has […]

Natalie Portman Pours Her Soul Into ‘A Tale of Love and Darkness’ -Review | TIFF 2015

To kick off my attendance at TIFF, my opening night film was Natalie Portman’s feature directorial debut, based on Amos Oz’s autobiographical novel, A Tale of Love and Darkness. In its North American premiere, not only does the film serve as Portman’s directorial debut but the Oscar-winning actress also adapted the screenplay and stars in […]