Movie News

Review: This week’s releases centre on new beginnings with mixed results Special

This week’s releases include a director’s sophomore horror picture that exceeds his breakout debut; a redeeming third season; another scary sequel; new toy misadventures; a short-lived comedy series; and a movie that deliberately skews reality.

Review: ‘Abominable’ is the animated adventure of a lifetime Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Abominable’ is the heart-warming tale of a trio of kids who discover the world beyond their familiar streets while trying to help a rare animal get back home to its family on the highest peak on Earth.

Review: The bad guys get organized in this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include a Russian spy trying to regain control; a world in which a historical band never existed; a documentary about another famous performer; reboots of a couple of classic franchises; and the latest chapter in a search for power.

Review: ‘Ad Astra’ doesn’t have the right stuff Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Ad Astra’ takes the action into space when a potentially maniacal astronaut threatens to destroy the universe and his son is recruited to stop him.

Review: Women are at the heart of this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include a failed attempt to adapt a great storyline; a classic sleeper children’s horror fantasy; an intimate portrait of a young wife; amateur teenage detectives looking for the truth between rumours; and a knockout performance.

Review: This week’s releases features men just trying to stay ahead Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include a new take on an old classic; the next chapter in an elite killer’s saga; a tough year for a group of soldiers; another tale of a famous vampire; and an intimate discussion about the essence of performance.

Review: TIFF 2019: ‘Kuessipan’ is about the strength of female friendship Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Kuessipan’ is the story of two young women whose lifelong friendship is tested by new relationships and diverging futures.

Review: TIFF 2019: ‘Judy’ is a tale of joy and tears on- and off-screen Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Judy’ is an intimate portrayal of Judy Garland’s final year as she experiences both success and disaster on stage in London.

Review: TIFF 2019: ‘How to Build a Girl’ has fun finding her way Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘How to Build a Girl’ is an amusing coming-of-age story in which a teenage girl finds her voice via scathing music reviews.

Review: TIFF 2019: ‘The Platform’ is a feast of deprivation Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘The Platform’ unfolds in a vertically-stacked prison in which food only reaches the top tiers, creating a vicious atmosphere that infects its inmates.

Review: TIFF 2019: ‘The Obituary of Tunde Johnson’ is a unique commentary Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘The Obituary of Tunde Johnson’ is a powerful exploration of the deaths of unarmed black people at the hands of American police officers.

Review: TIFF 2019: ‘Synchronic’ features a drug that redefines escape Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Synchronic’ is a bizarre sci fi picture about a designer drug that’s main side effects include time travel and possible historical death.

Review: TIFF 2019: ‘Jungleland’ is neither road trip nor boxing movie Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Jungleland’ is a story about two brothers bound by loyalty, even though they’ve both be better off if they spent some time apart.

Review: TIFF 2019: ‘Spider’ shows you can never really escape the past Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Spider’ is a complex story in which the past and present collide when a couple’s former ally returns and threatens to reveal the skeletons in their closets.

Review: People’s true selves are revealed in this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include a superhero horror story; a buddy comedy about two girls making up for lost time; a new chapter in defending Earth against aliens; a courtroom dramedy; and a documentary that sheds light on a historical injustice.

Review: The tides are changing in this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include a classic study of familial relationships; a new motorcycle narrative; a musical story for a music man; the king of giants; a fresh pet adventure; and a princess determined to realize her dreams.

Review: ‘Ready or Not’ is a bloody good time Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Ready or Not’ demonstrates why playing games with weapons is dangerous, while amusing audiences with its unexpected sense of humour.

Review: This week’s releases begin by making a claim Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include a tale of growing up; the second chapter of a divine TV series; the last season for an original cast member; a classic romcom based on a classic book; and the real story behind a woman’s claim to the throne.

Review: ‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette’ rides on a stellar performance Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette’ features a standout performance by Cate Blanchett as she plays a woman with a unique and sometimes contrary view of the world, answering what turns out to be a metaphorical question.

Review: Even the best laid plans go awry in this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include the culmination of more than a decade of movies; a one-of-a-kind look inside the ISS; a story of forbidden love punishable by angry mobs; a Toho classic; and a drama featuring comedic actors.

Review: ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ is limited by age, not scares Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ integrates tales from the young adult book into a chilling, overarching ghost story that is still aimed at adolescent audiences.

Review: Mysteries and mistakes abound in this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include a tragic true story; an unsolved mystery in another world; a look at less famous collaborators; a documentary that gives an underappreciated show its dues; and an impressive debut performance.

Review: ‘Luce’ defies expectations, but what’s going on behind that smile Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Luce’ is a thought-provoking psychological drama that follows a young man whose found creative and potentially destructive ways to manage his stress.

Review: ‘Hobbs & Shaw’ is pumped to reinvigorate the franchise Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw’ is a franchise spin-off that enhances the comedy and incorporates more physical action on top of the usual vehicular stunts.

Review: Some mistakes are worse than others in this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include a futuristic female warrior; a presidential candidate who finds herself on the campaign trail; a comedic castaway tale; the next chapter in a trouble detective’s life; and some great martial arts standoffs.

Review: No one can outrun their pasts in this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include an amusing new Laika picture; a new take on Big Red; a German trilogy questioning its post-war recovery; and a raw portrayal of a profound singer.

Review: The West is fading in ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ Special

By Sarah Gopaul

‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ is Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film, though it is also the most unlike his previous pictures.

Review: Not everyone’s dreams can become reality in this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include a lighthearted superhero movie; a miniseries about a man who can’t escape himself; a standard coming-of-age escalated by its soundtrack; a special release of a classic adaptation; and an unexpectedly hilarious animation.

Review: It’s difficult to let go in this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include the complete BFF antics of a couple of young New Yorkers; a new take on a suburban horror story; a unique approach to refugee life; a giallo mystery; and the anniversary of fictional baseball legends.

Review: Hardships lead to new beginnings in this week’s releases Special

By Sarah Gopaul

This week’s releases include a new picture from out-of-the-box thinkers; a mother who will stop at nothing to save her daughter; a beautiful relationship that transcends species; an animated ghost story; and a friendship that can survive anything.