Money Shot: The Pornhub Story (2023)
76%RT Audience Score: 68%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Money Shot: The Pornhub Story is a documentary that delves into the controversial world of the adult entertainment industry, specifically focusing on the ethical and moral challenges that it faces today. Director Suzanne Hillinger handles the subject matter with nuance and care, offering an accurate and illuminating view of the industry’s offenses driven by capitalism while never losing sight of the workers whose safety and success should be the profession’s number one priority. The film also addresses the importance of monitoring the use of adult entertainment websites by kids and teens, making it a thought-provoking and timely piece. However, the biggest failure of the documentary is its lack of voices from Pornhub, big or small, which leaves the audience with unanswered questions. Overall, Money Shot is a powerful and well-made documentary that is unlikely to fade away as long as modern technology and prurient interests continue to exist.
Money Shot: The Pornhub Story is a documentary that takes a deep dive into the world of adult entertainment websites and the controversies surrounding them. While some critics praise the film for its thoughtful and nuanced approach, others criticize it for not including voices from Pornhub itself. Regardless of your opinion, one thing is clear: this film is not for the faint of heart. With titillation and radicalization at the forefront, Money Shot is sure to leave you feeling both informed and a little bit dirty.
Production Company(ies)
B Story, Netflix
Distributor
Netflix
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Netflix)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
NR
Year of Release
2023
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 33m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Mar 15, 2023
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, adult entertainment, pornography, internet, controversy, non-consensual material, trafficking, anti-trafficking organizations, censorship, consensual porn, TVMA, English, Suzanne Hillinger, Netflix, director, critic reviews, Katie Rife, Noel Murray, Camilla Long, Nick Allen, Natalia Winkelman, Benji Wilson, Anna Iovine, Sabrina McFarland, Pablo O Scholz, Juan Pablo Russo, Graeme Tuckett, Rohan Naahar, audience reviews, box office performance, budget, producer, MPAA rating, writer, actor, genre
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $5,000,000
Production budget ranking: 1,817
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,692,500
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Director(s)
Suzanne Hillinger
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (24) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (19) | Rotten (5)
It’s titillation with a side of radicalization.
March 22, 2023
Katie Rife
Polygon
TOP CRITIC
A thoughtful look at a controversy unlikely to fade away, so long as modern technology and prurient interests continue to exist.
March 21, 2023
Noel Murray
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
A powerful and well-made documentary…
March 21, 2023
Camilla Long
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A pornucopia of issues handled with care by director Suzanne Hillinger.
March 17, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Nick Allen
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
Here is a documentary that casts a clear eye on the offenses of an industry driven by capitalism while never losing sight of the workers whose safety and success should be that profession’s number one priority.
March 16, 2023
Natalia Winkelman
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
It was the least exciting but the most important truth to come out of Money Shot: until there’s legislation and the threat of sentencing for executives, no one gives a toss.
March 14, 2023 | Rating: 4/5
Benji Wilson
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Money Shot handles Pornhub and the adult industry with nuance and care. Let’s hope the rest of the internet takes notes.
March 22, 2023
Anna Iovine
Mashable
This documentary addresses the importance of monitoring the use of adult entertainment websites by kids and teens.
March 21, 2023 | Rating: 4/5
Sabrina McFarland
Common Sense Media
Polemical, Money Shot will not leave anyone benumbed. [Full review in Spanish]
March 21, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Pablo O. Scholz
Clarín
… Offers an accurate and illuminating view of the ethical and moral challenges facing the porn industry today. [Full review in Spanish]
March 20, 2023 | Rating: 6/10
Juan Pablo Russo
EscribiendoCine
Hillinger is a documentary veteran and she brings sharp instincts to Moneyshot. There are no bombshells here, but the truth is told. Recommended.
March 20, 2023
Graeme Tuckett
Stuff.co.nz
Confoundingly, Money Shot doesn’t feature voices from Pornhub — big or small. And this is its biggest failure.
March 19, 2023
Rohan Naahar
The Indian Express…
Plot
Money Shot: The Pornhub Story is a documentary that explores the controversies surrounding the popular adult entertainment platform, including allegations of non-consensual material and trafficking on the site.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Wolf Hudson is listed as a star in the film, playing himself as a porn performer.
Suzanne-Hillinger.jpg
76%
Chile ’76 (2023)
76%RT Audience Score: 60%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Manuela Martelli’s “Chile ’76” is a tour de force of political commentary and psychological drama, with Aline Küppenheim delivering a stunning performance as the conflicted heroine. While some critics may find fault with the film’s subtlety, Martelli’s deliberate approach to storytelling allows for a nuanced exploration of the sociopolitical climate of 1970s Chile. The film’s attention to detail in recreating the era is remarkable, and Martelli’s skillful direction infuses even the most mundane interactions with a palpable sense of tension. “Chile ’76” is a must-see for fans of political thrillers and character studies alike.
“Chile ’76” is a gripping thriller that takes you on a journey through the sociopolitical ills of South America during one of its darkest periods. Aline Küppenheim delivers a powerful performance as the torn heroine, showcasing the difficulty of being heroic in such a tumultuous time. While some critics found the film to be too subtle, others praised its ability to merge the personal and political in a masterful way. Overall, “Chile ’76” is a well-observed and tense political thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Plus, who doesn’t love a good old-school thriller atmosphere?
Production Company(ies)
Foreign Language
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2023
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 35m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Drama/Mystery & thriller
Keyword(s)
Chile ’76, drama, mystery, thriller, Spanish, Manuela Martelli, directed by Manuela Martelli, written by Manuela Martelli, Alejandra Moffat, produced by Omar Zúñiga Hidalgo, Dominga Sotomayor, Alejandra García, Andrés Wood, starring Aline Küppenheim, Nicolás Sepúlveda, Hugo Medina, Alejandro Goic, reviewed by Carlos Aguilar, Glenn Kenny, Anthony Lane, Kyle Smith, David Ehrlich, Teo Bugbee, Dennis Schwartz, Sumner Forbes, Michael Ward, Alan Zilberman, Filipe Freitas, MPAA rating, box office gross, Kino Lorber, Cinestación, Wood Producciones, Magma Cine, Carmen, Elias, Father Sanchez, Miguel, beach house, renovation, winter vacation, family priest, young man, Pinochet’s society, historical noir, psychological thriller, sociopolitical ills, torn character, heroine, radicalization, authoritarianism, feminine political thriller, suspense, old-school thriller atmosphere.
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,500,000
Production budget ranking: 1,767
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,038,750
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Nicolás Sepúlveda – Elias
Hugo Medina – Father Sanchez
Alejandro Goic – Miguel
Manuela Martelli – Director, Screenwriter
Director(s)
NA
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (41) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (3)
A gripping psychological thriller written and directed by Manuela Martelli, distills the sociopolitical ills of the South American country during one of its bleakest periods into a blistering radiograph of a torn character.
May 19, 2023
Carlos Aguilar
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
There’s subtlety, and then there’s deliberate evasion. In pursuing the former, “Chile ‘76” only achieves the latter.
May 5, 2023 | Rating: 2/4
Glenn Kenny
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
It’s a hell of a performance from Küppenheim as the heroine, precisely because she demonstrates how hard it is to be heroic.
May 5, 2023
Anthony Lane
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
The devastating opening of Chile ’76 isn’t quite matched by anything that follows it in the film, but Aline Küppenheim gives a powerful performance.
May 5, 2023
Kyle Smith
Wall Street Journal
TOP CRITIC
An intimate psychosocial character study that unfolds at a national scale. This isn’t a story about one affluent woman’s gradual radicalization against authoritarianism, it’s a story about the illusion of not taking sides.
May 4, 2023 | Rating: B
David Ehrlich
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
Martelli’s film demonstrates remarkable skill in reconstructing he time period, giving consideration both to recreating the appearance of the era and its emotional tenor.
May 4, 2023
Teo Bugbee
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
A well-observed tense feminine political thriller.
May 17, 2023 | Rating: B
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
[Aline] Küppenheim is more than up to the task of carrying the film.
May 15, 2023 | Rating: 7.5/10
Sumner Forbes
Film Threat
Küppenheim is terrific in holding the film together.
May 13, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/5
Michael Ward
Should I See It
Opaque and respectable to a fault, this is the kind of film that confuses obscurity with significance. It is one thing to keep the audience at a distance, while it is quite another to avoid any possibility of engagement.
May 9, 2023 | Rating: 2.5/5
Alan Zilberman
Spectrum Culture
Preferring the cold approach, the sharply observed Chile ’76 carries off a readable merge between the personal and the political.
May 7, 2023 | Rating: 3/5
Filipe Freitas
Always Good Movies
Martelli’s ability to infuse mostly ordinary interactions with an air of suspense becomes a masterclass in the development of an old-school thriller atmosphere.
May 5, 2023
Sarah Williams
In Review Online…
Plot
In Chile ’76, a woman named Carmen takes in a young man sheltered by a family priest, leading her to confront the sociopolitical ills of her country during one of its bleakest periods.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t have anything goofy or funny or odd to say about the film Signed in.
NA.jpg
76%
The Swimmers (2022)
76%RT Audience Score: 70%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Sally El Hosaini’s The Swimmers is a cinematic masterpiece that tells the true story of Yusra and Sara Mardini’s fight for survival and their journey to achieve the impossible. The film is a poignant reminder that not all heroes wear capes, some wear swimming caps, and that it is a human right to live safely, no matter where you come from. The Swimmers is a long but engaging drama that tackles an important and prescient subject, especially considering the ever-increasing numbers of asylum seekers crossing seas in dangerous circumstances. The film’s harrowing and powerful story will leave you inspired and moved, and if you watch The Swimmers and are not jarred into taking action, you might want to check your pulse.
The Swimmers is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and feel inspired all at once. It tells the true story of Yusra and Sara Mardini, two sisters who fought to survive and achieve their dreams. While some critics found the film to be a bit too formulaic, others praised its powerful message and emotional impact. Regardless of what you think of the movie, one thing is clear: it’s a must-watch for anyone who cares about human rights and the plight of refugees around the world. So grab some popcorn, get comfortable, and prepare to be moved by this incredible story of courage and resilience.
Production Company(ies)
Foreign Language, Inspirational, Netflix, Sister, Topical, Working Title
Distributor
Netflix
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Netflix), Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
London, England, United Kingdom; Turkey; Belgium; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; Berlin, Germany; Greece; Syrian Arab Republic; London M25 Loop, England, United Kingdom
MPAA / Certificate
PG-13
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:2h 14m
-
Language(s):English, Arabic
-
Country of origin:United States, United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 2022 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 23, 2022
Genre(s)
Drama/Biography
Keyword(s)
starring Nathalie Issa, Manal Issa, Matthias Schweighöfer, Ahmed Malek, James Krishna Floyd, Nahel Tzegai, directed by Sally El Hosaini, written by Jack Thorne, Sally El Hosaini, drama, biography, sports, PG-13, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Monica Castillo, Ben Kenigsberg, Shubhra Gupta, Hanna Flint, Lou Thomas, Wendy Ide, Christopher Llewellyn Reed, Marshall Shaffer, Ross Bonaime, Romey Norton, Mark Dujsik, Alex Maidy, Yusra Mardini, Sarah Mardini, refugees, champion swimming skills, war-torn Syria, 2016 Rio Olympics, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Tim Cole, Ali Jaafar, Dolby Digital, Netflix, thematic material, language, some violence, sexual assault
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $10,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $10,000,000
Production budget ranking: 1,618
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $5,385,000
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Manal Issa – Sarah Mardini
Matthias Schweighöfer – Self
Ahmed Malek – Self
James Krishna Floyd – Self
Nahel Tzegai – Self
Director – Sally El Hosaini
Producers – Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Tim Cole, Ali Jaafar
Writers – Jack Thorne, Sally El Hosaini
Director(s)
Sally El Hosaini
Writer(s)
Jack Thorne, Sally El Hosaini
Producer(s)
Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Tim Cole, Ali Jaafar
Film Festivals
Berlin, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (37) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (8)
Based on the true story of Yusra and Sara Mardini, Sally El Hosaini’s The Swimmers is a touching portrait of their fight to survive and achieve the impossible.
November 24, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Monica Castillo
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
“The Swimmers” tells this story as an inspirational (but rarely sugarcoated) crowd-pleaser. Within those terms, it hits its marks.
November 23, 2022
Ben Kenigsberg
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
You are able to ignore the film’s occasional flat, underlined patches because of its harrowing, powerful story.
November 22, 2022
Shubhra Gupta
The Indian Express
TOP CRITIC
Not all heroes wear capes, some wear swimming caps – and The Swimmers is an empowering reminder that it is a human right to live safely, no matter where you come from.
November 16, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Hanna Flint
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
A long, sometimes broad film, but one that tackles an important and prescient subject, especially considering the ever-increasing numbers of asylum seekers crossing seas in dangerous circumstances.
November 13, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Lou Thomas
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
This is fiercely powerful film-making that is slightly undermined by the banality of the by-numbers feelgood ending.
November 12, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It’s an engaging drama filled with as much joy as heartbreak and pain.
November 24, 2022
Christopher Llewellyn Reed
Hammer to Nail
The film slowly goes from being something quite special to something quite ordinary.
November 23, 2022
Marshall Shaffer
Decider
But The Swimmers only occasionally gives this story the power that it needs, instead, falling into easy tropes and an unfocused narrative.
November 23, 2022 | Rating: C
Ross Bonaime
Collider
Netflix is becoming a streaming service for untold, unbelievable stories and this film is certainly a must-watch.
November 23, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Romey Norton
Ready Steady Cut
The emotional highpoint of The Swimmers arrives relatively early. After it does, there’s little that seems as consequential…
November 23, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/4
Mark Dujsik
Mark Reviews Movies
Filmed in the actual locations Yusra and Sara traversed, this is an inspiring film that deserves to be watched by as many people as possible. If you watch The Swimmers and are not jarred into taking action, I would be very surprised.
November 22, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Alex Maidy
JoBlo’s Movie Network…
Plot
The true story of sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled war-torn Syria to seek a new life in Europe and earn the chance to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Accompanied by their cousin, they escape first to Lebanon, then Turkey, where they board a small boat teeming with fellow refugees to cross a frequently lethal stretch of the Mediterranean sea.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Matthias Schweighöfer plays the character Sven in The Swimmers.
Sally-El-Hosaini.jpg
76%
Murina (2022)
76%RT Audience Score: 61%
Awards & Nominations: NA
A coming-of-age story with a uniquely sunny noir spin, Murina deftly explores dark themes against a deceptively idyllic setting.
Murina is like a coming-of-age story, but with a twist of sunny noir. It’s like a dark chocolate bar with a sprinkle of rainbow sprinkles on top. The movie takes you on a journey through some heavy themes, but it’s all set against a backdrop that looks like it came straight out of a postcard. It’s like a beautiful painting with a hidden message. The way the story unfolds is so smooth, you won’t even realize you’re being taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Murina is definitely a movie that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.
Production Company(ies)
Endeavor Content, Foreign Language, RT Features, Sikelia Productions
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Croatia
MPAA / Certificate
NR
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 34m
-
Language(s):English, Croatian
-
Country of origin:United States, Brazil, Croatia, Slovenia
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 8, 2022 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 13, 2022
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Murina, drama, Croatian, coming-of-age, noir, dark themes, idyllic setting, Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic, directed by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic, Zdenka Gold, Danijel Pek, Martin Scorsese, Rodrigo Teixeira, produced by, Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic, Frank Graziano, written by, Gracija Filipovic, starring Gracija Filipovic, Danica Curcic, Leon Lucev, Cliff Curtis, Jonas Smulders, Niksa Butijer, box office, $55.8K, Kino Lorber, MPAA rating, R, reviewed by, Scott Tobias, Ty Burr, David Sims, Peter Rainer, Dmitry Samarov, Sheri Linden, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Alex Heeney, Manuela Lazic, Caitlyn Downs, Laura Clifford, Jordan Ruimy
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend: $60
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $60
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,845
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Danica Curcic – Nela
Leon Lucev – Ante
Cliff Curtis – Javier
Jonas Smulders – David
Niksa Butijer – Pavo
Director – Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic
Producers – Zdenka Gold, Danijel Pek, Martin Scorsese, Rodrigo Teixeira
Writers – Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic, Frank Graziano
Director(s)
Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic
Writer(s)
Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic, Frank Graziano
Producer(s)
Zdenka Gold, Danijel Pek, Martin Scorsese, Rodrigo Teixeira
Film Festivals
Cannes, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (76) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (69) | Rotten (7)
Murina has an erotic charge similar to The Postman Always Rings Twice, the classic noir about a torrid affair between a charismatic outsider and the younger wife of a domineering man.
October 3, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Scott Tobias
The Reveal
TOP CRITIC
Filipović is a real discovery: A rebel in a dazzling white swimsuit that’s like a middle finger raised to the patriarchy.
September 23, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Ty Burr
Ty Burr’s Watch List
TOP CRITIC
Murina has a terrific keep-you-guessing plot, and Filipović’s performance firmly establishes her as a talent to watch.
August 3, 2022
David Sims
The Atlantic
TOP CRITIC
Wonderful scenery, some good performances, very moody and not quite as predictable as one would think when it starts out.
July 22, 2022
Peter Rainer
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
Despite all the beautiful water, sun, and half-naked bodies, what I was left with as the credits rolled was a mere trace memory of stylish vacuity.
July 21, 2022
Dmitry Samarov
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
A gripping power struggle, from first moment to last.
July 15, 2022
Sheri Linden
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
An intense and well-acted psychodrama about misogyny.
September 21, 2022 | Rating: 4.5/5
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality & Practice
Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic’s debut film, Murina, is a gorgeous, thoughtful exploration of teenage girlhood, abuse, and finding your own way out of oppression.
September 21, 2022
Alex Heeney
Seventh Row
Croatian filmmaker Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović expertly breaks down the forced servitude and the brutal familial mechanisms of a certain kind of Balkan machismo.
September 16, 2022
Manuela Lazic
Hyperallergic
An excellent central performance and composed, unhurried handling make Murina a film to get lost in.
September 10, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Caitlyn Downs
ScaredSheepless.com
Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic’s Camera d’or winning feature debut recharges the coming-of-age story with multi-generational sexual heat and a constant threat of danger in a sun-splashed, Adriatic setting.
August 28, 2022 | Rating: B+
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews
e coming-of-age tropes used here (blossoming sexuality, overprotective fathers, desire for freedom) can be traced back to countless better movies.
July 30, 2022 | Rating: C+
Jordan Ruimy
World of Reel…
Plot
On a remote island along Croatia’s Adriatic coast, 17-year-old Julija spends her days diving for eel with her domineering father Ante and watching other teens party on a nearby yacht. Julija bristles at Ante’s heavy handed cruelty and resents her mother Nela’s passivity. She longs for independence but is unsure how to achieve it, until the arrival of the rich and mysterious Javier seems to offer a way out. Javier is considering buying Ante’s land to build a resort, which would allow the family to escape their island isolation for the city. Once Ante’s employer and Nela’s lover, Javier flirts shamelessly with Nela and Julija, setting off a subtle battle of hypermasculine one-upmanship that pushes Ante to humiliate and control Julija even more. Flattered by Javier’s praise and stories of traveling the world, Julija sees him as the solution to all her problems. But does his affection portend freedom, or something more sinister?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
In the Goofs section, Fresh Kernels notes that Cliff Curtis’ character Javier is supposed to be Latino in the film Murina, but in scenes where he is shirtless or wearing shorts, you can see his Maori tribe tattoos.
Antoneta-Alamat-Kusijanovic.jpg
76%
See For Me (2022)
76%RT Audience Score: 65%
Awards & Nominations: 1 nomination
A home invasion thriller with a nifty twist, See for Me is further elevated by Skyler Davenport’s magnetic lead performance.
See for Me” is the perfect movie for anyone who loves a good thriller with a twist. The lead performances are strong, and the suspenseful sequences will keep you on the edge of your seat. Plus, who doesn’t love a movie that uses technology in a cool way? It’s like “Home Alone” meets “Black Mirror.” So grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and get ready for a wild ride. Just don’t forget to lock your doors afterwards.
Production Company(ies)
Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions,
Distributor
IFC Midnight
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 33m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:Canada
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 7, 2022 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 7, 2022
Genre(s)
Mystery & Thriller
Keyword(s)
starring Skyler Davenport, Laura Vandervoort, Kim Coates, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Emily Piggford, George Tchortov, directed by Randall Okita, written by Adam Yorke, Tommy Gushue, Mystery & Thriller, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Sara Michelle Fetters, Jude Dry, Tasha Robinson, Tim Cogshell, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, Peter Sobczynski, Milagros Amondaray, Louisa Moore, Ezequiel Boetti, Emilie Black, Joe Lipsett, produced by Matt Code, Kristy Neville, MPAA rating, home invasion, See For Me app, volunteer, first person shooter games, blind protagonist, hidden safe, thieves, invasion, defense, survival, thriller, suspense, twists, turns, remote house, technology, committed performance, third act, entertainment, late-night fare, familiar movies, worthwhile, audience reviews, critic reviews, Fresh Kernels
Worldwide gross: $270,807
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $270,807
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,876
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 29,532
US/Canada gross: $51,218
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $51,218
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,752
US/Canada opening weekend: $23,070
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $23,070
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,461
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Laura Vandervoort – Debra
Kim Coates – Rico
Jessica Parker Kennedy – Kelly
Emily Piggford – Deputy Brooks
George Tchortov – Otis
Director(s)
Randall Okita
Writer(s)
Adam Yorke, Tommy Gushue
Producer(s)
Matt Code, Kristy Neville
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (80) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (64) | Rotten (16)
See for Me works. It’s an entertaining little thriller featuring two strong lead performances and chilling sequences overflowing in suspense.
January 13, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
TOP CRITIC
“See for Me” wastes no frame in its brisk 92 minute running time, it’s a tightly-wound thriller propelled by enough turns that you won’t want to miss a beat.
January 10, 2022 | Rating: B+
Jude Dry
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
The two women and their unusual partnership are enough to make See For Me an agreeable evening’s diversion, good for a few shocks and surprises.
January 8, 2022
Tasha Robinson
Polygon
TOP CRITIC
This is a great idea used to make an insanely pedestrian thriller.
January 7, 2022
Tim Cogshell
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
Before long, anyone who’s seen far too many thrillers will begin composing a mental list of missed opportunities.
January 7, 2022 | Rating: C+
Ignatiy Vishnevetsky
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
A movie that never quite manages to live up to its intriguing concept, thanks mostly to a couple of key creative decisions that undercut any chance for real emotional involvement.
January 7, 2022 | Rating: 2/4
Peter Sobczynski
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
Fires all its rounds in the first half hour… [Full review in Spanish]
May 18, 2022 | Rating: 2/5
Milagros Amondaray
La Nación (Argentina)
A surprisingly fun and satisfying home invasion thriller, with a twist.
May 17, 2022
Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots
A welcome twist to the classic home invasion subgenre. [Full review in Spanish]
May 16, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Ezequiel Boetti
Otroscines.com
See for Me is a great thriller taking place in a beautiful remote house that shows what can be done in the dark, with a blind lead, using technology the right way.
April 6, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Emilie Black
Cinema Crazed
A lean and taunt thriller that succeeds primarily because of the well laid geography of the house and newcomer Skyler Davenport’s committed performance. The film just needs a stronger third act to really sell it.
March 9, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Joe Lipsett
Horror Queers Podcast
Watchable late-night fare that, yes, looks perhaps too familiar to the movies that inspired it but remains a worthwhile entertainment nonetheless.
February 25, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review…
Plot
Sophie, a young blind woman, must use a new app called “See For Me” to connect with a volunteer across the country in order to survive a home invasion by thieves seeking a hidden safe in a secluded mansion where she is house-sitting.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Newcomer Skyler Davenport delivers a magnetic lead performance in See for Me.
Randall-Okita.jpg
76%
Hunt (2022)
76%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: NA
Although it frequently forsakes action in favor of a needlessly knotty narrative, Hunt has enough thrills to satisfy more forgiving espionage fans.
If you’re into spy stuff, Hunt is worth checking out. Sure, it can get a bit confusing with all the twists and turns, but it’s still a good time. Don’t expect non-stop action, but there are enough thrills to keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s not perfect, but if you’re willing to forgive a few flaws, you’ll have a blast.
Production Company(ies)
Amazon Studios, DUST, Intrepid Pictures, MGM Studios, Prime Video, Tyler Perry Studios, VOD
Distributor
Magnet Releasing
Release Type
Streaming
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital, Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 11m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 2, 2022 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 2, 2022
Genre(s)
Drama/Action
Keyword(s)
Hunt, Drama, Action, Mystery & Thriller, Korean, Lee Jung-jae, Han Jae-duk, Jung Woo-sung, Lee Jung-jae, Park Pyong-ho, Kim Jung-do, Jeon Hye-jin, Heo Sung-tae, Go Yoon-jung, Kim Jong-soo, Magnet Releasing, 2022, 2h 11m, box office, budget, reviewed by Noel Murray, Brian Tallerico, Robert Daniels, Richard Whittaker, Martin Tsai, Philip De Semlyen, Ferdosa Abdi, Todd Jorgenson, Chase Hutchinson, Cody Dericks, Anne Brodie, starring Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung, directed by Lee Jung-jae, written by Lee Jung-jae, produced by Han Jae-duk, Lee Jung-jae, MPAA rating, espionage, North Korea, South Korea, spy, assassination, national security, top secret intel, investigation, mole, thriller, action-packed, twists, turns, suspenseful, tense, cautionary tale
Worldwide gross: $33,811,307
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $36,200,543
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,479
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 3,947,715
US/Canada gross: $25,994
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $27,831
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,778
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Jung Woo-sung – Kim Jung-do
Jeon Hye-jin – unknown role
Heo Sung-tae – unknown role
Go Yoon-jung – unknown role
Kim Jong-soo – unknown role
Director(s)
Lee Jung-jae
Writer(s)
Lee Jung-jae
Producer(s)
Han Jae-duk, Lee Jung-jae
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (42) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (16)
“Hunt” works fine as a slam-bang action movie; but at heart it’s more of a cautionary tale.
December 2, 2022
Noel Murray
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
Hunt has some excellent bang-bang escapism, but it’s ultimately too shallow to recommend.
December 2, 2022 | Rating: 2/4
Brian Tallerico
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
A dense narrative bursting with elaborate red herrings proves an unmanageable mess as the film wears on.
December 2, 2022
Robert Daniels
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Hunt is an ugly morality play, briskly told and given chilling, crackling energy by Lee and Jung.
December 1, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Richard Whittaker
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Right off the bat, the film aspires to a level of sophistication on par with Decision To Leave. Although it doesn’t fully live up to that comparison, it’s exciting to see a filmmaking novice stretch like this.
November 30, 2022 | Rating: B
Martin Tsai
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
Hunt is a film stuck entirely in fifth, racing from one sudden shootout to another at the expense of the labyrinthine plot.
November 9, 2022 | Rating: 2/5
Philip De Semlyen
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
The script fails to stand on its own, so it is up to Lee Jung-jae to craft a compelling narrative through his directing and performance. December 3, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/5
Ferdosa Abdi
Screen Rant
All of the twists and third-act revelations generate surface tension to offset a lack of meaningful depth or intrigue.
December 2, 2022
Todd Jorgenson
Cinemalogue
Though Hunt won’t become a paragon of action cinema, the moments where it lets loose still pack plenty of potent hits.
December 2, 2022 | Rating: B-
Chase Hutchinson
Collider
The jolts of energy are occasionally enough to stimulate the audience to remain captivated, but it’s hard not to want to give up entirely at a certain point.
December 2, 2022 | Rating: 5/10
Cody Dericks
Next Best Picture
Espionage battles play out in nerve-shredding, surprising scenarios, and the shock value of endless twists is extraordinarily high. Steel yourselves for a bumpy ride.
December 2, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Anne Brodie
What She Said
A convoluted, dull and exhausting spy thriller with an intriguing premise, but lackluster execution. If it were part of a double feature, HEAT would be the A-movie and HUNT would be the vastly inferior B-movie.
December 1, 2022
Avi Offer
NYC Movie Guru…
Plot
When a North Korean spy infiltrates the South Korean intelligence agency, two chiefs must race against time to uncover the mole and prevent an assassination plot against the president in the action-packed thriller, Hunt.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels does not provide any information about goofs for the film “Hunt” (2022) under its Goofs section.
Lee-Jung-jae.jpg
76%
When You Finish Saving the World (2022)
76%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: 1 nomination
When You Finish Saving the World, directed by Jesse Eisenberg, is a film that attempts to explore the complexities of familial relationships through a biting satire. While some critics found the film to be hollow and frustratingly surface-level, others praised Eisenberg’s poignant and drily comedic approach to the characters and writing. The film moves between drama and comedy, never taking its characters too seriously but also never ridiculing them. Overall, When You Finish Saving the World is a well-acted and witty portrayal of a tricky mother-son dynamic that leaves audiences with plenty to ponder.
When You Finish Saving the World is like that one family dinner where everyone is trying to be witty and sarcastic, but it just ends up being awkward and uncomfortable. Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial debut tries to be a biting satire, but falls short with its shallow engagement on important topics. However, the nervous energy Eisenberg brings out in his characters is palpable, and the performances by Finn Wolfhard and Julianne Moore are effortlessly convincing. Overall, it’s a fine film that could have been better if the characters stepped outside themselves and stopped taking themselves so seriously.
Production Company(ies)
Film Nation Entertainment, Nostromo Pictures, Temple Hill Entertainment,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Julianne Moore, Finn Wolfhard, Billy Bryk, Alisha Boe, Jay O Sanders, Eleonore Hendricks, directed by Jesse Eisenberg, written by Jesse Eisenberg, produced by Ali Herting, Dave McCary, Emma Stone, comedy, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Peter Bradshaw, Dwight Brown, Drew Gregory, Esther Zuckerman, Brian Tallerico, Caroline Siede, Ema Sasic, Jaime Pena, John Bleasdale, Andrew Kendall, Mary Siroky, Murjani Rawls, MPAA rating, mother-son relationship, sociopolitical points, women’s shelter, political student, teenage love, family drama, biting satire, Sundance, directorial debut, 21st century comedy of manners
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Finn Wolfhard – Ziggy
Billy Bryk – Kyle
Alisha Boe – self
Jay O. Sanders – self
Eleonore Hendricks – self
Director – Jesse Eisenberg
Producers – Ali Herting, Dave McCary, Emma Stone
Writer – Jesse Eisenberg
Director(s)
Jesse Eisenberg
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Ali Herting, Dave McCary, Emma Stone
Film Festivals
Sundance, Cannes
Awards & Nominations
1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (88) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (58) | Rotten (30)
A well acted, ironic yet sentimental portrayal of a tricky mother-son dynamic
May 18, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Family drama takes a turn left in this biting satire.
February 11, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Dwight Brown
National Newspaper Publishers Association
TOP CRITIC
Inexplicably written and directed by 38-year-old year actor Jesse Eisenberg and not a 70-year-old professor trying his hand at playwrighting, one of Sundance’s buzziest titles is also one of its worst.
January 28, 2022
Drew Gregory
Autostraddle
TOP CRITIC
You can feel the nervous, motor-mouthed energy Jesse Eisenberg brings out of his best performances in his directorial debut, When You Finish Saving the World.
January 28, 2022
Esther Zuckerman
Thrillist
TOP CRITIC
A hollow film about people fundamentally misunderstanding the dynamics of the relationships they so desperately want to work.
January 27, 2022
Brian Tallerico
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
It takes a minute to get onboard with the rigid, robotic way in which the characters in this world interact, but once you do, a multitude of pleasures await [in Eisenberg’s] poignant, drily comedic 21st century comedy of manners.
January 23, 2022
Caroline Siede
Fox 10 Phoenix
TOP CRITIC
While (Jesse Eisenberg) nails the characters and writing in some areas, he misses the mark on the emotional aspects.
June 27, 2022 | Rating: 6/10
Ema Sasic
Next Best Picture
Moves between drama and comedy, understanding its characters without ever taking them too seriously, but also never ridiculing them.
[Full review in Spanish]
May 19, 2022
Jaime Pena
Caimán Cuadernos de Cine
When You Finish Saving the World is fine. It’s well made, witty, and Wolfhard and Moore are effortlessly convincing in their roles.
May 18, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
John Bleasdale
CineVue
Perhaps the shallowness of the film might be read as a meta-commentary on the characters own emptiness, but Eisenbergs film is too empty to register beyond being frustratingly surface-level with its engagement on any topic of important.
March 25, 2022
Andrew Kendall
Stabroek News
For as many questions as it raises, though, its a shame the movie itself isnt quite sure how it wants them to be answered.
March 22, 2022
Mary Siroky
Consequence
When Youre Finished Saving the World is a study of a house divided that doesnt have to be if each character stepped outside themselves.
March 21, 2022
Murjani Rawls
Substream Magazine…
Plot
A mother and her teenage son struggle to connect with each other and seek out relationships with others, leading to unexpected consequences in When You Finish Saving the World.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Finn Wolfhard, known for his role in Stranger Things, stars in When You Finish Saving the World.
Jesse-Eisenberg.jpg
76%
Limbo (2021)
76%RT Audience Score: 56%
Awards & Nominations: 14 wins & 19 nominations total
A profoundly uplifting portrait of the refugee experience, Limbo is distinguished by its offbeat tone — and overall impressive work from debuting director Ben Sharrock.
Limbo is a film that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. It’s like a rollercoaster ride of emotions that you won’t forget anytime soon. The humor is subtle, but it’s there, and it’s what makes the movie so relatable. The performances are top-notch, and the cinematography is breathtaking. If you’re looking for a movie that will make you think and feel, Limbo is the one for you. Just make sure you have some tissues handy!
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Focus Features
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
North Uist, Western Isles, Scotland, UK
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language
Year of Release
2021
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 43m
-
Language(s):English, Arabic
-
Country of origin:United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 30, 2021 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 29, 2021
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
Limbo, R-rated, Comedy/Drama, 1h 43m, directed by Ben Sharrock, written by Ben Sharrock, produced by Irune Gurtubai and Angus Lamont, starring Amir El-Masry, Vikash Bhai, Ola Orebiyi, Kwabena Ansah, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Kais Nashif, refugee experience, BAFTA nominated, Syrian civil war, NGO, asylum claims, Scottish island, grandfather’s oud, comedy, drama, poignant, wry, offbeat tone, uplifting, critic reviews, Fresh Kernels, box office performance, budget, MPAA rating, actor names, director names, writer names, producer names
Worldwide gross: $930,097
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,011,580
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,597
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 110,314
US/Canada gross: $224,405
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $244,064
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,506
US/Canada opening weekend: $84,710
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $92,131
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,961
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Vikash Bhai – Farhad
Ola Orebiyi – Wasef
Kwabena Ansah – Abedi
Sidse Babett Knudsen – Helga
Kais Nashif – Nabil
Ben Sharrock – Director/Writer
Irune Gurtubai – Producer
Angus Lamont – Producer
Director(s)
Ben Sharrock
Writer(s)
Ben Sharrock
Producer(s)
Irune Gurtubai, Angus Lamont
Film Festivals
Cannes, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
14 wins & 19 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (122) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (113) | Rotten (9)
Look beyond your limited worldview, Limbo says, and see the bigger, more beautiful, and more complicated picture.
November 2, 2021
Rebecca Harrison
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
For a film that is so infused with sadness… Limbo is remarkably funny – a gentle, empathic kind of humour that is derived from the men’s bleak existences, without mocking them.
July 31, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A wonderful comedy that savours its remote environment while keeping its subjects at the centre of the story.
July 30, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Donald Clarke
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
Sharrock has adopted a Keatonesque deadpan aesthetic that feels arrived at via a few different places.
July 29, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A film as sweet as it is sad, as pertinent as it is absurd, Limbo is an experience where not much seems to happen but where little things mean the world.
July 28, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Alex Godfrey
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Desperate, but also wryly comic, as if writer-director Ben Sharrock sees them as stuck in a real-life Waiting For Godot, stranded in a starkly beautiful no-man’s-land, hoping against hope that it will prove more hospitable than the ones they left behind.
May 14, 2021
Bob Mondello
NPR
TOP CRITIC
In a movie that’s witty and perceptive, affectionate and poignant, and unwavering and clear-eyed, the tonal seesaw that Sharrock rides and perfects is just that: perfection.
June 25, 2022
Sarah Ward
Concrete Playground
The feature is simultaneously a tremendously fun experience while also being harrowing and haunting in the best of ways. Relevant and important, Limbo demands to be seen and is absolutely worth seeking out!
February 15, 2022 | Rating: A
Carson Timar
ButteredPopcorn
Elegant simplicity itself, where droll deadpan humour, terrific performances and a humanistic vision combine to deliver a powerful refugee drama that is one of the best
January 21, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Jane Freebury
Jane Freebury
While Limbo is well-made, well-written and well-acted, it won’t appeal to everyone, as it is slow-paced and deadpan. I thought it was great.
August 6, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Aine O’Connor
Sunday Independent (Ireland)
Throughout it all, the British Egyptian El-Masry is a marvel, never once overplaying his hand or italicising the role for effect.
August 2, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Matt Wolf
The Arts Desk
Sharrock touches upon a fundamental aspect of the Middle Eastern relationship to Europe and the West: the emotional agony of the wait; the realisation that one’s destiny is not in one’s hands.
July 31, 2021
Joseph Fahim
Middle East Eye…
Plot
Limbo is a wry and poignant observation of the refugee experience, set on a fictional remote Scottish island where a group of new arrivals await the results of their asylum claims. It centers on Omar (Amir El-Masry), a young Syrian musician who is burdened by his grandfather’s oud, the king of Arabic music instruments, which he has carried all the way from his homeland.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film in the Fresh Kernels summary.
Ben-Sharrock.jpg
76%
Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)
76%RT Audience Score: 53%
Awards & Nominations: 29 wins & 120 nominations
Powerfully acted and directed, Never Rarely Sometimes Always reaffirms writer-director Eliza Hittman as a filmmaker of uncommon sensitivity and grace
Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between. It’s like watching a coming-of-age film, but with a twist. The story is about a young woman who takes control of her own body and future, and the journey she takes to get there. The acting is so believable that you’ll feel like you’re right there with the characters, experiencing everything they are. It’s a must-watch for anyone who wants to see a film that’s both enlightening and entertaining.
Production Company(ies)
Jolly Film Constantin Film Ocean Films,
Distributor
Focus Features
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Pennsylvania, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for disturbing/mature thematic content, language, some sexual references and teen drinking
Year of Release
2020
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 41m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States, United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 13, 2020 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 3, 2020
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Sidney Flanigan, Talia Ryder, Ryan Eggold, Théodore Pellerin, Sharon Van Etten, Drew Seltzer, directed by Eliza Hittman, written by Eliza Hittman, produced by Lia Buman, Rose Garnett, Tim Headington, Sara Murphy, Alex Orlovsky, Elika Portnoy, Adele Romanski, drama, PG-13, box office gross $16.3K, reviewed by Noëlle D Lilley, Dwight Brown, Robbie Collin, Kimber Myers, Shubhra Gupta, Brian Eggert, Gayle Sequeira, Jason Adams, Anwen Crawford, Fernanda Solórzano, Witney Seibold, unintended pregnancy, abortion
Worldwide gross: $299,588
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $341,879
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,825
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 37,282
US/Canada gross: $16,565
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $18,903
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,802
US/Canada opening weekend: $16,285
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $18,584
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,537
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Théodore Pellerin – Jasper
Sharon Van Etten – Autumn’s mother
Sidney Flanigan – Autumn
Talia Ryder – Skylar
Drew Seltzer – Manager Rick
Director(s)
Eliza Hittman
Writer(s)
Eliza Hittman
Producer(s)
Lia Buman, Rose Garnett, Tim Headington, Sara Murphy, Alex Orlovsky, Elika Portnoy, Adele Romanski
Film Festivals
Sundance, Berlin
Awards & Nominations
29 wins & 120 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (238) | Top Critics (60) | Fresh (235) | Rotten (3)
Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a slow-moving film, but these young women will stay with you long after the film ends.
January 26, 2021
Noëlle D. Lilley
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
An enlightening script, expert ensemble acting and the most revealing film ever made about a young woman’s right to choose.
December 18, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
Dwight Brown
National Newspaper Publishers Association
TOP CRITIC
As funny and tender as it is troubling…
November 26, 2020 | Rating: 5/5
Robbie Collin
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
At once as intimate as a sigh and as urgent as a klaxon, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is an essential film about abortion that arrives at a critical time.
November 16, 2020 | Rating: A
Kimber Myers
Crooked Marquee
TOP CRITIC
In the refusal to spell out or resolve too much, something lingers.
October 28, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
First-timer Sidney Flanigan is so believable as Autumn, that you never stop feeling protective of her…
July 2, 2020
Shubhra Gupta
The Indian Express
TOP CRITIC
Hittman has made a coming-of-age film about a teenager who resolves to take charge of her own body and future.
February 20, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
The film feels observed rather than staged, a documentation of reality rather than its cinematic adaptation.
January 19, 2022
Gayle Sequeira
Film Companion
This film feels like living a life. A whole life and at the time a sharp slice of one that’s not yours but is, all of a sudden
January 10, 2022
Jason Adams
My New Plaid Pants
Eliza Hittman’s drama is marked by the emotional solidarity of its teen protagonists…
November 17, 2021
Anwen Crawford
The Monthly (Australia)
The effect is cumulative… this other plot that unfolds in scenes and in isolated moments [Full review in Spanish]
October 29, 2021
Fernanda Solórzano
Letras Libres
A distressingly relevant film about women’s healthcare, and a humane, difficult road trip about friendship.
September 13, 2021
Witney Seibold
Critically Acclaimed Podcast…
Plot
Faced with an unintended pregnancy and a lack of local support, Autumn and her cousin, Skylar, travel across state lines to New York City on a fraught journey of friendship, bravery and compassion.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The performances by Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder are described as “raw” and “fantastic” by a reviewer.
Eliza-Hittman.jpg
76%
Elegy (2008)
76%RT Audience Score: 66%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
5 wins & 33 nominations total
Elegy, directed by Isabel Coixet, is a film that delicately balances the themes of lust, mortality, and the human psyche. While some critics have criticized Coixet’s softening of Roth’s misanthropic depiction of Kepesh, I found the film to be a rare treat – a serious work that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Ben Kingsley’s fierce and impeccable craft brings David’s tortured psyche to life, while Penelope Cruz shines in a role that could have easily been a lame male fantasy. Smart and devastatingly sad, Elegy is a finely crafted and intelligently written work that will leave you pondering the many ways we try to protect ourselves from the inevitable certainty of death.
Elegy is a film that takes itself seriously, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun with it. With Ben Kingsley’s impeccable acting and Penelope Cruz’s outstanding performance, it’s a shame that the rest of the film falls a bit flat. But hey, at least we get to see Kingsley’s tortured, preening, desperate psyche, right? And who doesn’t love a good male fantasy? Overall, Elegy is a smart and devastatingly sad film that reminds us of the many ways we try to protect ourselves from the inevitable certainty of death. But if you’re looking for a pick-me-up, this might not be the movie for you.
Production Company(ies)
Screen Gems Jerry Bruckheimer Films, L Star Capital
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Company
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Middletown, Ohio, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language throughout, drug content and some violence
Year of Release
2020
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Atmos
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:1h 51m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 8, 2008 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2009
Genre(s)
Drama/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Ben Kingsley, Penélope Cruz, Dennis Hopper, Peter Sarsgaard, Patricia Clarkson, Deborah Harry, directed by Isabel Coixet, written by Nicholas Meyer, drama, romance, R rating, Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, Andre Lamal produced, $3.6M box office, reviewed by Deborah Ross, Sandra Hall, Jonathan F Richards, Ray Bennett, Leslie Felperin, Bill Goodykoontz, Bárbara Escamilla, Felicia Feaster, Mattie Lucas, Kelly Jane Torrance, Philip Roth adaptation, lustful flings, student-teacher relationship, age difference, breast cancer diagnosis, emotional attachment, regrets, failings, losses
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Ben Kingsley – David Kepesh
Dennis Hopper – George O’Hearn
Peter Sarsgaard – Kenneth Kepesh
Patricia Clarkson – Carolyn
Deborah Harry – Amy
Director(s)
Isabel Coixet
Writer(s)
Nicholas Meyer
Producer(s)
Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, Andre Lamal
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
5 wins & 33 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (123) | Top Critics (48) | Fresh (92) | Rotten (31)
The stillness of the performances combined with Coixet’s direction, which takes it time, and that bloody piano tinkling and tinkling away make it all rather heavy going; makes you feel as if you’ve just swum uphill through treacle.
August 23, 2018
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
Coixet has blunted the impact of the novel’s ending just as she has softened Roth’s misanthropic depiction of Kepesh and, as a result, she’s taken flak for being over-polite. I didn’t care.
April 10, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
With his fierce, impeccable craft Kingsley shows us around David’s tortured, preening, desperate psyche.
November 10, 2008
Jonathan F. Richards
Film.com
TOP CRITIC
Penelope Cruz is outstanding in an otherwise lame male fantasy.
October 18, 2008
Ray Bennett
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
Sparse, low-budget drama, helmed by Spaniard Isabel Coixet, intelligently translates Roth’s meditation on lust and mortality without soft-pedaling its narrator’s brutally honest, unabashedly sexist views.
October 18, 2008
Leslie Felperin
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Elegy is a rare treat: a serious film that, thanks to Kingsley and the rest, doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously.
September 4, 2008 | Rating: 4.5/5
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
A sincere and careful but unexpectedly subdued film. [Full review in Spanish]
November 6, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Bárbara Escamilla
Cinemanía (Spain)
Smart and devastatingly sad, Elegy is at heart a film about the many damned-to-fail ways we try to protect ourselves from the inevitable certainty of death.
January 27, 2020
Felicia Feaster
Charleston City Paper
A finely crafted, intelligently written work, featuring some exceptional performances by Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz.
July 7, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
As far as it goes, it’s enjoyable enough.
December 13, 2018 | Rating: 2.5/4
Kelly Jane Torrance
Washington Times
Will not disappoint those who are able to enjoy [director Isabel Coixet’s] unique rhythm. [Full review in Spanish]
March 19, 2018 | Rating: 3/5
Laura Hiros
Rincón de cine
My main disappointment is that it takes a predictable, tragic turn in the third act, which drags out the pathos and gives the romance more credence than it deserves. But in art, as in love, two acts out of three ain’t bad.
December 16, 2017
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine…
Plot
Renowned professor David Kepesh prefers lustful flings with women, but when he meets student Consuela Castillo, he begins to feel that their relationship may become serious, despite personal reservations that may doom the affair.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The bewitching Penelope Cruz spends a lot of time topless.
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