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Jan 9, 2025 | 
loudandclearreviews.com | Hayley Croke
While Paul Mescal’s Gladiator II role seems to deviate from the character archetype that earned him critical acclaim, it fits into his portfolio of characters striving to evolve. Paul Mescal emerged into mainstream media in roles that presented deeply layered depictions of masculinity, creating nuanced conversations surrounding the archetype of modern young men.
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Nov 21, 2024 | 
loudandclearreviews.com | Cian McGrath |Akash Deshpande |Ben Sears |Hayley Croke
Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s Look Back, a tribute to art and friendship, is as heart-breaking as it is hopeful, boasting beautiful animation and a memorable story. Director: Kiyotaka OshiyamaWriters: Kiyotaka Oshiyama & Tatsuki FujimotoGenre: Anime, Animation, Coming of Age, DramaRun Time: 58′Japanese Release: June 28, 2024U.K. Release: November 7, 2024Where to Watch: on digital & VODBrevity is an underrated and often underutilized quality in filmmaking.
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Nov 21, 2024 | 
loudandclearreviews.com | Akash Deshpande |Ben Sears |Hayley Croke |William Stottor
The ending of Aftersun conveys Calum’s painful emotional state as he walks away from Sophie: here’s the last scene of the film explained!Aftersun is one of the most acclaimed films of this decade, which also earned an Oscar nod. Since it was a debut feature, it came as a pleasant surprise at the time of its release. Scottish filmmaker Charlotte Wells, who had written and directed three short films before she made the movie, decided to turn her personal story into her feature directorial debut.
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Nov 21, 2024 | 
loudandclearreviews.com | Ben Sears |Hayley Croke |William Stottor |Emma Vine
Sweethearts trots out the romantic comedy tropes playbook, but Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga carry those tropes with aplomb. Director: Jordan WeissWriters: Dan Brier & Jordan WeissGenre: Rom-ComRating: RRun Time: 98′U.S. Release: November 28, 2024U.K. Release: TBAWhere to Watch: Stream it on Max Sweethearts works just fine as a perfectly enjoyable rom-com that checks all of the boxes of the genre without much nuance or difficulty.
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Nov 20, 2024 | 
loudandclearreviews.com | Hayley Croke |William Stottor |Emma Vine |Cian McGrath
Luca Guadagnino has employed the talents of fashion industry powerhouse Jonathan Anderson as the costume designer for his 2024 films, Challengers and Queer. For the past several years, Luca Guadagnino has made his name as a director by being a disruptor of the film world. His films range from heartfelt and touching, like his 2017 hit Call Me By Your Name, to strange and challenging, like his 2018 adaptation of Suspiria.
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Nov 20, 2024 | 
loudandclearreviews.com | William Stottor |Emma Vine |Cian McGrath |Hayley Croke
Layla is an engrossing, lively feature debut by Amrou Al Kadhi, charting the story of a drag queen who searches for their identity amidst a whirlwind romance. Writer and Director: Amrou Al-KadhiGenre: Comedy, Drama, RomanceRun Time: 100′World Premiere: January 18, 2024 at the Sundance Film FestivalU.K. Release: November 22, 2024U.S. Release: TBAWhere to Watch: In UK cinemasLayla begins like a crackling lightning bolt.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
loudandclearreviews.com | Emma Vine |Cian McGrath |Hayley Croke |Sebastian Zavala
Though The Merry Gentlemen may be a clichéd Christmas rom-com, it’s a comforting, uplifting watch to indulge in this holiday season. Director: Peter SullivanGenre: Rom-Com, MusicalRun Time: 87′Global Release Date: November 20, 2024Where to Watch: Stream it on NetflixBehold! November has arrived! Tis the season when an abundance of Christmas originals are added to the Netflix library. Some may find such titles corny and clichéd, while others, like myself, can’t help but indulge in such films.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
loudandclearreviews.com | Cian McGrath |Hayley Croke |Sebastian Zavala |Ben Sears
The Contestant is a deeply angering but safe re-telling of a harrowing programme in Japanese television. Writer & Director: Clair TitleyGenre: Documentary, BiographicalRun Time: 90′U.S. Release: May 2, 2024 on Hulu and digital platformsU.K. Release: November 27-29, 2024 in cinemasGiven the popularity of reality TV and the widespread use of social media, it would appear that Peter Weir’s The Truman Show wasa highly unsuccessful warning about the dangers of forgoing one’s privacy.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
loudandclearreviews.com | Hayley Croke |Sebastian Zavala |Ben Sears |Keeley Brooks
Jon M. Chu reimagines the beloved Broadway play Wicked into a one-of-a-kind movie accentuated by show stopping performances from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Director: Jon M. ChuOriginal title: Wicked: Part IGenre: Musical, Fantasy, RomanceRun Time: 160′Release Date: November 22, 2024Where to Watch: Globally in theatersIn ruins lie a witch’s hat and a declaration of death.
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Oct 7, 2024 | 
loudandclearreviews.com | Daniel Allen |Joseph Tomastik |Hayley Croke
Adam Elliot’s Memoir of a Snail is a heartwarming stop motion film that breaks your soul into pieces before putting it back together again. Writer & Director: Adam ElliotGenre: AnimationRun Time: 94′BFI London Film Festival Screening: October 10-18, 2024U.S. Release Date: October 25, 2024 (limited)U.K. Release Date: TBAWhere to Watch: in select US theatersAdam Elliot is one of those filmmakers who has carved out a niche for themselves.
