R.M.N. (2023)
82%RT Audience Score: 71%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Cristian Mungiu’s R.M.N. is a masterful exploration of the complexities of modern society, deftly examining the tribalism and prejudices that continue to divide us. With a slow burn that builds to a haunting conclusion, Mungiu’s film is a gripping and urgent work of art that demands to be seen. While some critics have taken issue with the film’s assumptions about whose story is worth telling, there is no denying the power and skill on display here. Mungiu is a true auteur, and R.M.N. is further proof that he is one of the most interesting and important filmmakers working today.
R.M.N. is like a rollercoaster ride that starts off slow but once it picks up speed, you’re in for a wild and thrilling experience. Cristian Mungiu’s direction is masterful and the performances are top-notch. It’s a thought-provoking film that tackles important issues like tribalism and prejudice. Sure, it’s dense and bleak, but that’s what makes it so impactful. It’s not a movie that offers easy answers, but it’s one that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Production Company(ies)
Foreign Language, Prejudice
Distributor
IFC Films
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
SHOOT LOCATION(S):
Transylvania, Romania; Romania
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2023
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:2h 8m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Marin Grigore, Matthias, Judith State, Monica Bîrlădeanu, Orsolya Moldován, Andrei Finti, Ovidiu Crișan, directed by Cristian Mungiu, written by Cristian Mungiu, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Claudia Puig, Ann Hornaday, Randy Myers, Lidija Haas, Noah Berlatsky, Brian Tallerico, Aaron Neuwirth, Wade Major, James Verniere, Peter Keough, Allen Almachar, produced by Cristian Mungiu, Simona Paduretu, MPAA rating, ethnic and economic resentments, small mountain town, Film i Väst, Les Films du Fleuve, Why Not Productions, Mobra Films, Romanian language, IFC Films, 2h 8m, Marin Grigore as Marin Grigore, Judith State as Csilla, Monica Bîrlădeanu as Ana, Orsolya Moldován as Mrs. Dénes.
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
Matthias – Matthias
Judith State – Csilla
Monica Bîrlădeanu – Ana
Orsolya Moldován – Mrs. Dénes
Andrei Finti – Papa Otto
Ovidiu Crișan – Mr. Baciu
Director – Cristian Mungiu
Producer – Cristian Mungiu, Simona Paduretu
Writer – Cristian Mungiu
Production Company – Film i Väst, Les Films du Fleuve, Why Not Productions, Mobra Films
Director(s)
NA
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Cannes, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (65) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (62) | Rotten (3)
Once [it takes off], it’s a fascinating slow burn that feels urgent.
May 17, 2023
Claudia Puig
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
R.M.N. is as gripping and scrupulously humane as Mungiu’s admirers have come to expect from an artist of supreme discipline and dramatic skill.
May 9, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Mungiu has put his hand on the pulse of a nation — and the globe. It’s one of the best, most passionate films of the year and leaves you with to think about.
May 3, 2023 | Rating: 4/4
Randy Myers
San Jose Mercury News
TOP CRITIC
Cristian Mungiu’s R.M.N. zooms in on the resentments and anxieties roiling Europe.
May 1, 2023
Lidija Haas
The New Republic
TOP CRITIC
The film’s rejection of bigotry is undermined by its own uncomfortable assumptions about whose story is worth telling and who gets to represent the community.
April 29, 2023
Noah Berlatsky
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Further evidence that [Mungiu] is one of the world’s most interesting dramatists.
April 28, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Tallerico
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
For all the excellent work by the actors and the sense of naturalism on display, this movie manages to hit on some emotions well before concluding in a rather haunting manner that made me really sit up and consider what I had been watching.
May 18, 2023 | Rating: 8/10
Aaron Neuwirth
We Live Entertainment
[Cristian Mungiu] is such a talented filmmaker and the performances are so strong. I think it’s really top-notch.
May 17, 2023
Wade Major
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
Unusually insightful expose of Europe’s racial and tribal divides from Romanian auteur.
May 12, 2023 | Rating: A-
James Verniere
Boston Herald
Dense, bleak, and ambiguous.
May 5, 2023
Peter Keough
Arts Fuse
Mungiu holds a mirror at modern society, showing how tribalism and hive-mind thinking brings out the worst in people. While his film does not offer any answers, it takes the important step of admitting that there is a problem.
May 5, 2023 | Rating: A-
Allen Almachar
The MacGuffin
R.M.N. is an incredibly discomforting movie, confronting baked-in racial and regional prejudice head-on.
May 2, 2023
Joel Copling
Spectrum Culture…
Plot
R.M.N. is a drama about ethnic and economic resentments tearing at the fabric of a small mountain town, directed by award-winning director Cristian Mungiu.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
R.M.N. features Monica Bîrlădeanu in the role of Ana.
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82%
Rally Road Racers (2023)
82%RT Audience Score: 80%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Rally Road Racers is a delightful and charming animated film that will have both children and adults alike revving their engines. While some critics may argue that the story is predictable and lacks originality, the film’s groovy tunes and slick animation more than make up for it. The film’s heartwarming message about uplifting others and caring for one’s community is nestled within a silly and entertaining package that will keep audiences engaged for a solid 92 minutes. Rally Road Racers proves that you don’t need a big budget to create a fresh and clever family film that will leave a lasting impression. So buckle up and get ready for a diverting joy ride that will leave you cheering for more!
If you’re looking for a movie that’ll keep your kids entertained for an hour and a half, Rally Road Racers is the way to go. Sure, it’s not going to win any awards for originality, but it’s got slick animation, groovy tunes, and enough screwball races and goofy shenanigans to keep the little ones giggling. Plus, there are some neat Easter eggs in there for the parents, so you won’t be completely bored out of your mind. Just don’t count on it to distract your average five-year-old for too long.
Production Company(ies)
Racing/Driving
Distributor
Viva Kids
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2023
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 33m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Kids & family/Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Jimmy O. Yang, J.K. Simmons, Chloe Bennet, Lisa Lu, Sharon Horgan, Catherine Tate, directed by Ross Venokur, written by Ross Venokur, Kids & family, Comedy, Adventure, Animation, PG rating, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Richard Whittaker, Linda Cook, Richard Propes, Sandie Angulo Chen, Kevin Carr, Roger Moore, Alan Ng, Julian Roman, Panos Kotzathanasis, Mark Dujsik, Douglas Davidson, Avi Offer, producer Deepak Nayar, Nik Bower, John H. Williams, Viva Kids, Riverstone Pictures, Vanguard Films and Animation, Kintop Pictures, Zhi, Gnash, Shelby, Granny Bai, Abby Jacks, Juni, rally car circuit, former driver-turned-mechanic, treacherous terrain, unexpected obstacles.
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
J.K. Simmons – Gnash Voice
Chloe Bennet – Shelby Voice
Lisa Lu – Granny Bai Voice
Sharon Horgan – Abby Jacks Voice
Catherine Tate – Juni Voice
Director: Ross Venokur
Producer: Deepak Nayar, Nik Bower, John H. Williams
Writer: Ross Venokur
Production Co: Riverstone Pictures, Vanguard Films and Animation, Kintop Pictures
Director(s)
NA
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (16) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (13) | Rotten (3)
A diverting joy ride for the littles.
May 18, 2023 | Rating: 2.5/5
Richard Whittaker
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
You don’t need to spend millions on CGI and marketing to have a fresh, clever family film with a heart.
May 19, 2023 | Rating: 3 stars
Linda Cook
OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)
This engaging animated feature for the entire family is a reminder that the indie spirit is alive and well in the world of animation.
May 13, 2023 | Rating: 3.0/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
Animated animal adventure has some car crashes, fights.
May 13, 2023 | Rating: 3/5
Sandie Angulo Chen
Common Sense Media
The story goes down a familiar road, but there are some neat Easter eggs in this film for the parents.
May 12, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Kevin Carr
Fat Guys at the Movies
I wouldn’t count on it to distract your average five year old for 90 minutes.
May 12, 2023 | Rating: 1.5/4
Roger Moore
Movie Nation
It is good, wholesome fun, with some classic actors.
May 12, 2023 | Rating: 6.5/10
Alan Ng
Film Threat
Rally Road Racers slick animation and groovy tunes bolsters a simple script. It’s meant for the toddler to 10-year-old crowd. They’ll get a kick out of the screwball races and goofy shenanigans.
May 11, 2023 | Rating: 3/5
Julian Roman
MovieWeb
“Rally Road Racers” is a fun animation that will probably appeal to most kids, but still includes enough elements to keep the “parents” entertained. May 11, 2023 | Rating: 6.5
Panos Kotzathanasis
Asian Movie Pulse
[T]he filmmakers seem to rest on the comfort of the familiar, instead of looking for the silly and stylish elements that could set their material apart…
May 11, 2023 | Rating: 2/4
Mark Dujsik
Mark Reviews Movies
Complete with needle drops and jokes that’ll tickle audiences of all ages, “Rally Road Racers” is a fun time, offering a lesson about uplifting others and caring for one’s community nestled within a silly packaging for a solid 92-minutes.
May 11, 2023 | Rating: 3.5/5
Douglas Davidson
Elements of Madness
An enormously entertaining, exhilarating, delightful adventure for the whole family. It will make you stand up and cheer!
May 11, 2023
Avi Offer
NYC Movie Guru…
Plot
Zhi, a rookie race car driver, must overcome treacherous terrain, rival racers, and unexpected obstacles to prove he has what it takes to be the next great racer, with the help of a former driver-turned-mechanic in the animated family comedy “Rally Road Racers.”
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Rotten Tomatoes page for the film Signed in.
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82%
The Eternal Daughter (2022)
82%RT Audience Score: 71%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Tilda Swinton² is haunting in the gothic ghost story The Eternal Daughter, an ode to familial female ties that leaves much to unravel after the fog lifts.
If you’re into spooky stuff, you gotta check out The Eternal Daughter. Tilda Swinton² is seriously giving me the creeps in this gothic ghost story. But it’s not just about scares – it’s also a tribute to the bond between women in a family. And let me tell you, there’s a lot to unpack once the fog clears. Get ready to have your mind blown, folks.
Production Company(ies)
BBC Film, Element Pictures
Distributor
A24
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Wales, United Kingdom
MPAA / Certificate
PG-13
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 36m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 2, 2022 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 2, 2022
Genre(s)
Mystery & thriller/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Tilda Swinton, Joseph Mydell, Carly-Sophia Davies, directed by Joanna Hogg, written by Joanna Hogg, mystery, thriller, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Murtada Elfadl, Adam Kempenaar, Joshua Rothkopf, Sheila O’Malley, Manohla Dargis, Richard Whittaker, Andrea Thompson, Laura Clifford, Kevin Carr, Will DiGravio, Todd Jorgenson, Alexander Harrison, produced by Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Emma Norton, Joanna Hogg, PG-13, A24, gothic, ghost story, familial relationships, parental relationships, intergenerational bonds, haunting, eerie, dreamlike, climactic twist, female ties, former family home, hotel, mysterious past, Dolby Digital
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: $33,657
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $36,035
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,309
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
Joseph Mydell – self
Carly-Sophia Davies – self
Joanna Hogg – Director, Screenwriter
Ed Guiney – Producer
Andrew Lowe – Producer
Emma Norton – Producer
Director(s)
Joanna Hogg
Writer(s)
Joanna Hogg
Producer(s)
Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Emma Norton, Joanna Hogg
Film Festivals
Venice, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (74) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (71) | Rotten (3)
What separates this film is the delicate handling of what both parents and children want from each other. Setting it as a ghostly, dreamlike story, Hogg is able to reveal truths while also showing the aspirational ideal of such relationships.
December 3, 2022 | Rating: A-
Murtada Elfadl
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
Sneakily and suggestively subverts our expectations of a ghost story… to create this eerie, dreamspace within which Julie finds herself.
December 2, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Adam Kempenaar
Filmspotting
TOP CRITIC
Hogg’s latest is either her slyest joke to date, or another swerve in an especially fecund career phase.
December 2, 2022 | Rating: A
Joshua Rothkopf
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
The Eternal Daughter feels like a first draft, or a sketch to be filled in later … Hogg’s outlines, though, are more interesting than other people’s finished products. There’s always so much to think about.
December 2, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Sheila O’Malley
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
A lovely and haunted dream of a movie…
December 1, 2022
Manohla Dargis
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Truly haunting. December 1, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Richard Whittaker
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
There are quite a few questions in Eternal Daughter, but not much to ponder when it’s the setting, not the characters, who give reasons for anxiety.
December 4, 2022 | Rating: 6/10
Andrea Thompson
CGMagazine
“The Eternal Daughter’s” climactic twist may not be all that surprising, but Hogg’s film haunts in all kinds of unexpected ways.
December 3, 2022 | Rating: B+
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews
This features a fantastic dual-performance by Tilda Swinton, though it is far more predictable than clever in its reveals.
December 3, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/4
Kevin Carr
Fat Guys at the Movies
Joanna Hogg and Tilda Swinton reunite in a mystery that marks one of the year’s best films.
December 2, 2022
Will DiGravio
Film School Rejects
This haunting and meticulously crafted probe of relationships and intergenerational bonds is nimble enough to avoid bogging down in relentless heartache.
December 2, 2022
Todd Jorgenson
Cinemalogue
A patient, attentive viewer will find the sum of its carefully placed parts leaves them with more to contemplate than they might have expected. December 2, 2022 | Rating: 4.5/5
Alexander Harrison
Screen Rant…
Plot
A middle-aged daughter and her elderly mother must confront long-buried secrets when they return to their former family home, a once-grand manor that has become a nearly vacant hotel.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Tilda Swinton plays a double role in the film, portraying both the middle-aged daughter and her elderly mother.
Joanna-Hogg.jpg
82%
Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power (2022)
82%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: NA
Although its subject calls for a more incisive treatment, Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power is a worthy primer on the male gaze in cinema.
If you’re looking for a flick that’ll make you think about the way dudes look at women on the big screen, Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power is a solid place to start. Sure, it could’ve gone deeper into the topic, but hey, it’s still a pretty good intro. Plus, you’ll get to see some steamy scenes, so there’s that. Overall, it’s worth a watch if you’re into film theory and want to impress your friends with your newfound knowledge of the male gaze.
Production Company(ies)
DUST, Film/TV/Theater, Social
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
NR
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 47m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 21, 2022 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 6, 2022
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, male gaze, cinema, discrimination, sexual harassment, film industry, Nina Menkes, Julie Dash, Penelope Spheeris, Charlyne Yi, Joey Soloway, Catherine Hardwicke, Eliza Hittman, Kino Lorber, $23.0K, English, directed by Nina Menkes, produced by Nina Menkes, written by Nina Menkes, reviewed by Sarah Jane, Marya E Gates, Elizabeth Weitzman, Beatrice Loayza, Clayton Dillard, Peter Bradshaw, Hope Madden, Anne Brodie, Violet Lucca, Jennie Kermode, Carla Hay, Jennifer Merin, genre: Documentary, MPAA rating: N/A, sexism, objectification, film clips, visual grammar, pay inequity, hiring practice, A-list directors, incisive treatment, feminist film studies, empowering images, objectifying images, motion picture code, male gaze, cultural impact, misogynistic camera angles, best way possible, ahistorical information, cherry-picked scenes, bad faith arguments, unexamined assumptions, critical rigour, structured, intentional device, invigorated, required viewing, manipulated images, enabling sexism, audience score: Fewer than 50 Ratings, runtime: 1h 47m, release date (theaters): Oct 21, 2022 Limited, release date (streaming): Dec 6, 2022, distributor: Kino Lorber, box office performance: $23.0K
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: $7,409
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $7,409
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,744
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $1,550,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $1,550,000
Production budget ranking: 1,939
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $834,675
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Penelope Spheeris – Self
Charlyne Yi – Self
Joey Soloway – Self
Catherine Hardwicke – Self
Eliza Hittman – Self
Director(s)
Nina Menkes
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Nina Menkes
Film Festivals
Sundance, Berlin
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (42) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (11)
Hollywood has a long way to go in terms of parity for women and there absolutely must be a discussion about the way women are portrayed onscreen… but Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power isn’t doing it the best way possible.
December 1, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/5
Sarah Jane
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Relies on bad faith arguments, ahistorical information, and cherry-picked scenes used out of context.
October 21, 2022 | Rating: 1/4
Marya E. Gates
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
As a substitute for a Feminist Film Studies 101 class, “Brainwashed” gets the job done a lot more quickly and cheaply than if you registered for grad school.
October 20, 2022
Elizabeth Weitzman
TheWrap
TOP CRITIC
Limited to a mere pointing out of which kinds of images are empowering to women and which aren’t, the documentary ultimately does a disservice to the art form, feminist or otherwise.
October 20, 2022
Beatrice Loayza
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Brainwashed comes dangerously close to inhabiting its own title.
October 16, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/4
Clayton Dillard
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Brainwashed is a bracing blast of critical rigour, taking a clear, cool look at the unexamined assumptions behind what we see on the screen.
October 15, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
It’s important for women to see how the films we love betray us in large ways and small, and perhaps even more important for all of us to see that this is a structured, intentional device that we should notice and change.
November 10, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Hope Madden
MaddWolf
Menkes illustrates in no uncertain terms the motion picture code and detriment of the “male gaze”. No secret that women have been objectified in film across the board in ways you won’t be able to ignore once you see this doc.
October 28, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Anne Brodie
What She Said
Viewers are meant to wrestle with this film, not passively consume a simple message — and they’ll leave invigorated.
October 27, 2022
Violet Lucca
Bust Magazine
Densely packed as this film is, only so much can be squeezed into an hour and 47 minutes. Menkes succeeds, however, in delivering a pretty thorough primer.
October 26, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Jennie Kermode
Eye for Film
This documentary should be required viewing for anyone who cares about how manipulated images in movies can play a role in enabling sexism against women in society.
October 22, 2022
Carla Hay
Culture Mix
BRAiNWASHED is AWFJ’s Movie of the Week: A must see documentary about how misogynistic camera angles objectify and demean women and the cultural impact of that. Must see. You will never watch movies in the same way!
October 20, 2022
Jennifer Merin
AWFJ Women on Film…
Plot
Building upon her influential talk, “Sex and Power: The Visual Language of Cinema,” director Nina Menkes continues her interrogation of the film industry’s systemic use of gendered techniques in filmmaking. Using more than 175 film clips from both major award-winners and cult classics as well as interviews with filmmakers and scholars, Menkes breaks down the consistently gendered aspects of shot design to reveal a sinister framework of misogyny and paternalism at play. Menkes argues that these constructed visuals have real-life, tangible consequences for women when it comes to sexual assault and employment discrimination.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels does not provide any information under Goofs for the film Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power.
Nina-Menkes.jpg
82%
Barbarian (2022)
82%RT Audience Score: 72%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Smart, darkly humorous, and above all scary, Barbarian offers a chilling and consistently unpredictable thrill ride for horror fans.
The less you know going into Barbarian, the better — but be prepared for an ending that might rub you the wrong way.
Production Company(ies)
20th Century Studios, New Regency, Psychological, Vertigo Entertainment
Distributor
20th Century Studios
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Detroit, Michigan, United States; Bulgaria
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 42m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 2022 Wide
Genre(s)
Horror/Mystery & thriller
Keyword(s)
horror, mystery, thriller, double booking, unexpected house guest, jump scares, plot twists, social horror, Jordan Peele, B-movie, psychological choke hold, suspense, unpredictable, chilling, scary, darkly humorous, disturbing material, strong violence, gore, nudity, language, Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long, Matthew Patrick Davis, Kurt Braunohler, Jaymes Butler, directed by Zach Cregger, written by Zach Cregger, produced by Arnon Milchan, Roy Lee, Raphael Margules, J.D Lifshitz, reviewed by James Berardinelli, Sara Michelle Fetters, Kyle Smith, Adam Graham, Sarah-Tai Black, Mark Kennedy, Korey Coleman, Tim Brayton, Emma Wolfe, Jeremy Jahns, Pete Vonder Haar, Ricardo Gallegos, R-rated, $10.5M box office, 20th Century Studios, Flat (1.85:1) aspect ratio
Worldwide gross: $45,352,337
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $45,352,337
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,375
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 4,945,729
US/Canada gross: $40,842,944
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $40,842,944
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,153
US/Canada opening weekend: $10,543,948
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $10,543,948
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 935
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.): $29,967,337
ROI to date (est.): 195%
ROI ranking: 638
Bill Skarsgård – Keith
Justin Long – AJ
Matthew Patrick Davis –
Kurt Braunohler –
Jaymes Butler – Andre
Director(s)
Zach Cregger
Writer(s)
Zach Cregger
Producer(s)
Arnon Milchan, Roy Lee, Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (124) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (115) | Rotten (9)
Offers a solid 100 minutes of jump scares, plot twists, and things that go bump in the night.
September 12, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
TOP CRITIC
Barbarian is a leap of faith. It lets the viewer in slowly, before trapping them in a damp and dingy bunker of exploitive fright that’s almost impossible to escape.
September 12, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
TOP CRITIC
Horror films are often launching pads for distinguished careers and Mr. Cregger leaves his audience eager to see what he’ll do next.
September 8, 2022
Kyle Smith
Wall Street Journal
TOP CRITIC
The social horror of Jordan Peele is felt as an influence, but Barbarian’s thrills are more of the throwaway B-movie variety than those of “Get Out” or “Us,” and its attempts to elevate itself have the opposite effect and knock it down a notch.
September 8, 2022 | Rating: C
Adam Graham
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
Cregger remains one step ahead of his audience at almost all times, concocting a storyline that feels like a matryoshka doll of narrative upsets.
September 8, 2022
Sarah-Tai Black
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
Barbarian marks the auspicious feature film debut of director-writer Zach Cregger, someone well-versed in film tropes and with a subtle skill at social satire approaching Jordan Peele levels. He will also somehow make you laugh hard.
September 8, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Mark Kennedy
Associated Press
TOP CRITIC
The director, Zach Cregger, skillfully plays with the audience’s expectations. One of the best horror movies of 2022.
September 17, 2022
Korey Coleman
Double Toasted
A pretty easy recommendation for anyone with a more than passing interest in grotty horror-thrillers.
September 17, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Tim Brayton
Alternate Ending
Barbarian had me in a psychological choke hold, dragging me down a dark hall of every possible emotion. And with the level of suspense being borderline lethal, the best part is you’ll never guess what’s coming next.
September 16, 2022 | Rating: 9/10
Emma Wolfe
SpookyAstronauts
A surprisingly enjoyable horror movie experience.
September 16, 2022
Jeremy Jahns
JeremyJahns.com
The unpleasant mundanity of the reveal and necessary suspension of disbelief — both at the main character’s actions and the climax — torpedo many of the good feelings that might have been engendered in the first act.
September 16, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/5
Pete Vonder Haar
Houston Press
A fresh and perverse film that easily ranks among the best of the year in the genre. [Full Review in Spanish]
September 16, 2022
Ricardo Gallegos
La Estatuilla…
Plot
A young woman traveling to Detroit for a job interview books a rental home. But when she arrives late at night, she discovers that the house is double booked, and a strange man is already staying there. Against her better judgement, she decides to spend the evening, but soon discovers that there’s a lot more to fear than just an unexpected house guest.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Georgina Campbell plays the lead role of Tess in Barbarian (2022).
Zach-Cregger.jpg
82%
Mothering Sunday (2022)
82%RT Audience Score: 78%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Mothering Sunday works at a frustratingly chilly remove, but involving performances and solid overall craft mean it’s rarely less than engaging.
Mothering Sunday is a film that will make you feel all the feels. It’s a heart-wrenching drama that will leave you pondering the fluidity of time and the lingering impact of love and tragedy. The nonlinear construction may be a bit of a challenge, but it’s worth it for the thematic weight it adds. Plus, the close-ups, drifting cameras, and follow focus make for some stunning visuals. And let’s not forget about Odessa Young’s impressive performance, especially in that one scene where she vents without making any noise. Overall, it’s a Malickian-esque film that’s cheesy at moments, but still packs a powerful emotional punch.
Production Company(ies)
Apple Original Films, Cartoon Saloon Mélusine Productions,
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity and some language.
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.66 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 45m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 25, 2022 Limited
Genre(s)
Romance/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Odessa Young, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Olivia Colman, Sope Dirisu, Patsy Ferran, directed by Eva Husson, written by Alice Birch, romance, drama, $274.3K box office, R MPAA rating, reviewed by David Stratton, Sandra Hall, Anne T Donahue, Kathleen Sachs, Steve Davis, Ann Hornaday, Sarah Ward, Elsa Fernández-Santos, Matthew Toomey, Jim Schembri, Peter Gray, Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley, Sony Pictures Classics, foundling, house maid, secret lover, Mother’s Day, childhood friend, engagement, tragedy, love affair, class differences, heritage film, production design, cinematography, costuming
Worldwide gross: $1,221,283
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,221,283
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,550
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 133,182
US/Canada gross: $274,330
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $274,330
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,481
US/Canada opening weekend: $9,322
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $9,322
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,717
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
Josh O’Connor – Paul Sheringham
Colin Firth – Mr. Niven
Olivia Colman – Mrs. Niven
Sope Dirisu – Donald
Patsy Ferran – Milly
Director(s)
Eva Husson
Writer(s)
Alice Birch
Producer(s)
Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley
Film Festivals
Cannes, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (132) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (103) | Rotten (29)
The film as a whole succeeds superbly both in its evocation of a sensual, erotic love affair and in its treatment of the bereaved families who, despite their elevated place in society, can never replace all that they’ve lost.
June 11, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
O’Connor is an actor who always seems to be regarding life with a raised eyebrow and the rapport between him and Young turns them into loving co-conspirators meditating on the fluidity of time.
June 4, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
Mothering Sunday, a heart-wrenching drama directed by Eva Husson and based on the novel by Graham Swift, shows that people are more than what they do. They are also the sum of their traumas.
April 13, 2022
Anne T. Donahue
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
There’s a Malickian quality to the film that’s cheesy at moments, and the disjointed chronology is more aggravating than affecting.
April 7, 2022
Kathleen Sachs
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
While the movie’s nonlinear construction is its selling point, at least for those moviegoers who prefer a bit of a challenge, an underlying vibe of melancholy gives Mothering Sunday thematic weight.
April 7, 2022
Steve Davis
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
It proves — yet again — that the best books are probably better left alone.
March 31, 2022 | Rating: 2/4
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
A yearning, sultry and textured splash of celluloid.
June 24, 2022
Sarah Ward
Concrete Playground
Narrated by the insightful young maid, the film works as a heritage film… but fizzles when it does away with the romance, the class differences, and the existential suffocation of two families in a lush English paradise. [Full review in Spanish]
June 15, 2022
Elsa Fernández-Santos
El Pais (Spain)
Mothering Sunday is an above average drama that speaks to the lingering impact of love and tragedy.
June 8, 2022 | Rating: B+
Matthew Toomey
ABC Radio Brisbane
The film looks great, with an emphasis on close-ups, drifting cameras and follow focus…Still, this is Odessa Young’s film, and easily her most impressive performance so far. In one key moment she vents without making any noise. A scene for the showreel.
June 3, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Jim Schembri
jimschembri.com
There’s a certain artificiality to how Mothering Sunday presents itself, never quite moving beyond a dramatic perspective that earns the attention the story should deserve.
June 3, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/5
Peter Gray
The AU Review
Underneath all its impressive production design, evocative cinematography and simply gorgeous costuming, this packs a surprisingly powerful emotional punch.
June 1, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
James Croot
Stuff.co.nz…
Plot
On Mother’s Day in 1924, housemaid Jane Fairchild spends time with her secret lover, Paul, despite his engagement to another woman. But unforeseen events will change the course of Jane’s life forever in this heart-wrenching drama based on the novel by Graham Swift.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Mothering Sunday on Fresh Kernels.
Eva-Husson.jpg
82%
Am I OK? (2022)
82%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: 1 win
Am I OK? is a film that delicately balances the complexities of friendship, romance, and self-discovery with a refreshing sense of humor and charm. While some may criticize its adherence to formulaic romantic comedy tropes, Lauren Pomerantz’s screenplay and the performances of Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne elevate the material to a level of genuine heart and wit. It’s a film that celebrates the beauty of late-blooming love and the power of true friendship, all while delivering plenty of laughs along the way.
Am I OK?” is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and question your own sexuality. Critics are split on whether it’s a hit or a miss, but one thing is for sure: it’s a rom-com that’s not afraid to tackle serious issues. The chemistry between the two leads is undeniable, and their banter will have you rooting for them from start to finish. So grab some popcorn, your favorite person, and get ready for a wild ride of self-discovery and love.
Production Company(ies)
Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language, sexual references and some drug use.
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Romance/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Dakota Johnson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jermaine Fowler, Kiersey Clemons, Molly Gordon, Whitmer Thomas, directed by Stephanie Allynne, Tig Notaro, written by Lauren Pomerantz, romance, drama, R rating, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Dwight Brown, Allison Shoemaker, Shirley Li, Emily Maskell, Drew Gregory, Adrian Horton, Mary Siroky, Martin Carr, Steven Prokopy, Jeff Nelson, Zofia Wijaszka, produced by Stephanie Allynne, Ro Donnelly, Jessica Elbaum, Erik Feig, Will Ferrell, Dakota Johnson, Lucy Kitada, Tig Notaro, Dolby Digital, friendship, self-discovery, coming-of-age, coming-out story, London, LA, job, secret, banter, late bloomer, gay cinema, romantic comedy, female-centered movies, adult’s coming-of-age story, sexual identity, humorous situations
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
Sonoya Mizuno – Jane
Jermaine Fowler – Danny
Kiersey Clemons – Brittany
Molly Gordon – Kat
Whitmer Thomas – Ben
Stephanie Allynne – Director/Producer
Tig Notaro – Director/Producer
Lauren Pomerantz – Writer
Ro Donnelly – Producer
Jessica Elbaum – Producer
Erik Feig – Producer
Will Ferrell – Producer
Lucy Kitada – Producer
Director(s)
Stephanie Allynne, Tig Notaro
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Stephanie Allynne, Ro Donnelly, Jessica Elbaum, Erik Feig, Will Ferrell, Dakota Johnson, Lucy Kitada, Tig Notaro
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win
Academy Awards
All Critics (57) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (45) | Rotten (12)
Unfortunately, real laughs are sadly M.I.A.
February 8, 2022
Dwight Brown
National Newspaper Publishers Association
TOP CRITIC
Watch it with someone you love, especially if that person is the person you call when your love life gets rocky.
February 4, 2022
Allison Shoemaker
Fox 10 Phoenix
TOP CRITIC
The film is part romantic comedy, part coming-out story, part much-delayed coming-of-age tale — and all breezily charming.
January 28, 2022
Shirley Li
The Atlantic
TOP CRITIC
This is an earnest tale of a late bloomer and while more introspective catharsis could have been drawn from this contemplation of friendship and romance, Notaro and Allynne’s debut remains a pleasing watch.
January 26, 2022
Emily Maskell
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
This movie is still indicative of gay cinema’s most regressive instincts.
January 26, 2022
Drew Gregory
Autostraddle
TOP CRITIC
By the end… Lucy and Jane’s banter flows in a familiar, comforting rhythm – the film finally finding its groove, all the sweeter for the time spent figuring it out.
January 25, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Adrian Horton
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The nuances of every close female friendship are different, but what Lauren Pomerantz has so lovingly captured here in the screenplay is that some things about having a best friend are universal, too.
March 22, 2022
Mary Siroky
Consequence
It embraces formula and concedes to convention, as the romantic comedy gets retrofitted for a culture which defies definition.
February 18, 2022
Martin Carr
We Got This Covered
The film is undeniably a love story, but not the kind were used to in more female-centered movies.
February 12, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Steven Prokopy
Third Coast Review
Am I OK? has plenty of endearing qualities. It’s wonderful seeing an adult’s coming-of-age story that doesn’t judge its lead for late discoveries but celebrates them… Well-intentioned, but doesn’t dig much under the surface level.
February 12, 2022
Jeff Nelson
Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Am I OK? is an excellent film for people who discover their sexual identity later in life. The production also has a strong comedic side and it manifests in many humorous situations between Jane and Lucy.
February 11, 2022 | Rating: A
Zofia Wijaszka
Pay or Wait
The kind of lightweight, amiable movie that just barely earns the emotional beats at the heart of its story.
February 8, 2022 | Rating: C+
Jake Kring-Schreifels
The Film Stage…
Plot
Am I OK? follows best friends Lucy and Jane as their lifelong friendship is thrown into chaos when Lucy reveals a deeply buried, long-held secret as Jane prepares to move from LA to London for a job.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about Am I OK? However, the cast includes Dakota Johnson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jermaine Fowler, Kiersey Clemons, Molly Gordon, and Whitmer Thomas.
Stephanie-Allynne.jpg
82%
Neptune Frost (2022)
82%RT Audience Score: 71%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Bursting with ideas and ambition, Neptune Frost is difficult to describe — and just as hard to resist.
Neptune Frost is like a wild rollercoaster ride that you can’t help but hop on. It’s got so many ideas and dreams packed into it that it’s hard to keep up, but that’s what makes it so darn exciting. You’ll be on the edge of your seat the whole time, wondering where it’s going to take you next. It’s like a crazy dream that you don’t want to wake up from. Trust me, you won’t regret taking this wild ride.
Production Company(ies)
Amazon Studios, DUST, Intrepid Pictures, MGM Studios, Prime Video, Tyler Perry Studios, VOD
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Release Type
Streaming
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.66 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 45m
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 3, 2022 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 5, 2022
Genre(s)
Musical/Sci-Fi
Keyword(s)
Neptune Frost, musical, sci-fi, intersex, hacking collective, authoritarian regime, cosmic forces, hypnotic visuals, original songs, power, exploitation, love, Swahili, Saul Williams, Anisia Uzeyman, Maria Judice, Ezra Miller, Kino Lorber, Cheryl Isheja, Elvis Ngabo, Kaya Free, Bertrand Ninteretse, Eliane Umuhire, Memory, Dorcy Rugamba, Rebecca Mucyo, box office, budget, reviewed by Phil Hoad, David Sims, Adam Graham, Sarah Jane, K Austin Collins, Arionne Nettles, Nadine Whitney, Ben Bradley, Alexa Dalby, directed by Saul Williams, written by Saul Williams, produced by Maria Judice, Ezra Miller, Anisia Uzeyman, Saul Williams, MPAA rating, musical sci-fi, intersex runaway, recycled computer parts, coltan miner, authoritarian regime, cosmic forces, hypnotic visuals, original songs, power, exploitation, love, Swahili, Kino Lorber, Cheryl Isheja, Elvis Ngabo, Kaya Free, Bertrand Ninteretse, Eliane Umuhire, Memory, Dorcy Rugamba, Rebecca Mucyo, Phil Hoad, David Sims, Adam Graham, Sarah Jane, K Austin Collins, Arionne Nettles, Nadine Whitney, Ben Bradley, Alexa Dalby, Maria Judice, Ezra Miller, Anisia Uzeyman, Saul Williams, box office performance, budget
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: $8,527
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $8,527
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,719
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
Bertrand Ninteretse – Matalusa
Eliane Umuhire – Memory
Elvis Ngabo – Neptune (1)
Dorcy Rugamba – Innocent
Rebecca Mucyo – Elohel
Saul Williams – Director, Writer, Producer
Anisia Uzeyman – Director, Producer
Maria Judice – Producer
Ezra Miller – Producer
Kino Lorber – Distributor
Director(s)
Saul Williams, Anisia Uzeyman
Writer(s)
Saul Williams
Producer(s)
Maria Judice, Ezra Miller, Anisia Uzeyman, Saul Williams
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (81) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (78) | Rotten (3)
It sometimes gets bogged down in turgid polemic, but what’s surprising is how supple and communitarian it stays.
October 31, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Phil Hoad
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The film is a critique of the capitalist ravages visited on Burundi and its neighbors by a technology-obsessed society. It’s also a soaring, poetic vision of a transformative future, filled with abstract scenes of singing and partying.
August 3, 2022
David Sims
The Atlantic
TOP CRITIC
“Neptune Frost” is a blazingly original mood piece about humanity, technology, the Earth and our spirits and how they all tangle in rhythm, or out of rhythm, with each other.
June 30, 2022 | Rating: B+
Adam Graham
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
Neptune Frost is a musical, yes, but it’s almost like a tone-poem.
June 16, 2022
Sarah Jane
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
It’s a difficult movie to describe with any elegance, which is a good thing, because what’s enriching about it exists more powerfully in images than in speech.
June 15, 2022
K. Austin Collins
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
It’s a sci-fi, Afrofuturistic story that is also a musical that takes place in the past, present, and future, while also spanning the wide depths of identity and innovation.
June 14, 2022
Arionne Nettles
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
… a miracle in independent filmmaking.
December 2, 2022 | Rating: 18/20
Nadine Whitney
FILMINK (Australia)
Regardless of what you’ll make of the story, which requires the utmost attention and is often mesmerising, it’s impossible not to be moved by the visuals and superb soundtrack.
November 4, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Ben Bradley
Starburst
It’s weirdly fascinating, but at times tantalisingly slow and raw.
November 3, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Alexa Dalby
Dog and Wolf
Watching this sci-fi punk, Afrofuturist musical is like entering another dimension.
September 23, 2022
Laura Moreno
Bay Area Reporter
Rich with symbolism that brings past to present and reinterprets it for the future, the film speaks of resilience and power. And it does it like no film you’ve seen before.
July 27, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Hope Madden
MaddWolf
The narrative aspect, if one can be found, becomes irrelevant when since the beginning we get lost with the hypnotic iconography and the musicalized poetry. [Full review in Spanish]
July 21, 2022 | Rating: B
Gisela Savdie
Letra Urbana…
Plot
In an e-waste camp, a subversive hacking collective attempts to overthrow an authoritarian regime exploiting the region’s natural resources, while an intersex runaway and an escaped coltan miner find each other through cosmic forces, sparking glitches within the greater divine circuitry in the celestial cyber-musical Neptune Frost.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels does not have any goofs listed for the film Neptune Frost.
Saul-Williams.jpg
82%
The Last Tree (2020)
82%RT Audience Score: 65%
Awards & Nominations: 3 wins & 12 nominations
Distinctive in terms of content, perspective, and insight, The Last Tree vividly depicts the turmoil of adolescence with remarkable grace
The Last Tree” is a coming-of-age drama that explores identity, violence, and language. It’s a moving and powerful film that uses technical strategies to enhance our view into Femi’s emotions. The slow-motion, diffused sound, and Spike Lee-like camera shots make the story extremely personal and unique. The performances are powerful, and the visuals are tactile, adding to the impact of this impressively understated yet profoundly moving tale. Seek this movie out, and you won’t be disappointed!
Production Company(ies)
Hell’s Kitchen Films, Universal Pictures,
Distributor
ArtMattan Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Lagos, Nigeria
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2020
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 40m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United Kingdom
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 26, 2020 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 26, 2020
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Nicholas Pinnock, Jamal Ibrahim, Jayden Jean-Paul-Denis, Yazzmin Newell, Demmy Ladipo, Rasaq Kukoyi, directed by Shola Amoo, written by Shola Amoo, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Marjorie Baumgarten, Ty Burr, Lovia Gyarkye, Dwight Brown, G Allen Johnson, Charlotte Harrison, Danny Brogan, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Wade Major, Sean P Means, Louis Proyect, producer Lee Thomas, Myf Hopkins, MPAA rating, adolescence, cultural differences, Lincolnshire, London, identity, violence, language, Nigerian immigrant, coming-of-age drama, racial discrimination, Spike Lee-like camera shots, PTSD, personal, unique, technical strategies, slow-motion, diffused sound, elegant fluid score, powerful performances, tactile visuals, distinct, perspective, insight, turmoil
Worldwide gross: $228,676
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $260,957
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,880
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 28,458
US/Canada gross: $10,128
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $11,558
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,818
US/Canada opening weekend: $2,424
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $2,766
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,841
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
Jamal Ibrahim – Ade
Jayden Jean-Paul-Denis – Tayo
Yazzmin Newell – Dionne
Demmy Ladipo – Mace
Rasaq Kukoyi – Dean
Shola Amoo – Director/Writer
Lee Thomas – Producer
Myf Hopkins – Producer
Director(s)
Shola Amoo
Writer(s)
Shola Amoo
Producer(s)
Lee Thomas, Myf Hopkins
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
3 wins & 12 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (43) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (1)
Rich with technical strategies that enhance our view into Femi’s emotions, The Last Tree uses slow-motion, diffused sound, and many Spike Lee-like camera shots to make the story extremely personal and unique.
July 16, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
As “The Last Tree” ends with the potential of better things for Femi, an audience may walk away convinced of its filmmaker’s promise and looking forward to seeing it blossom in full.
June 29, 2020 | Rating: 2/4
Ty Burr
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
I can’t help but be impressed by Amoo’s attempts to direct a familiar narrative with such a complicated set of questions.
June 25, 2020
Lovia Gyarkye
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Culture shock, abandonment issues and inner-city turmoil produce a PTSD that is rarely acknowledged in film in this way. For that, The Last Tree is a triumph.
June 24, 2020
Dwight Brown
National Newspaper Publishers Association
TOP CRITIC
Seek this movie out.
June 24, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
G. Allen Johnson
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Powerful performances, tactile visuals and an elegantly fluid score add to the impact of this impressively understated yet profoundly moving tale.
September 29, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A moving and powerful film, filled with quiet rage.
October 13, 2020
Charlotte Harrison
Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies
Coming-of-age drama explores identity; violence, language.
August 21, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Danny Brogan
Common Sense Media
A compelling coming-of-age drama about a Nigerian immigrant in London.
August 8, 2020 | Rating: 4.5/5
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality & Practice
What a beautiful movie… A very poetic but telling story.
July 9, 2020
Wade Major
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
Adewumni … conveys the hurt and the survival instinct in Femi with spare gestures and soulful eyes. It’s a breakout portrayal.
June 29, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4
Sean P. Means
The Movie Cricket
A stunning portrait of a young African immigrant cast adrift in a ruthless British society, where even blacks reproduce racial discrimination.
June 26, 2020
Louis Proyect
Counterpunch.org…
Plot
The Last Tree follows Femi, a teenager who struggles with cultural differences and the turmoil of adolescence when he moves from rural Lincolnshire to live with his mother in London.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about The Last Tree.
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82%
Spontaneous (2020)
82%RT Audience Score: 66%
Awards & Nominations: 2 nominations
A dark teen comedy with an explosive twist, Spontaneous reaffirms Katherine Langford as a rising star — and marks debuting director Brian Duffield as a filmmaker to watch
Spontaneous is the perfect movie for anyone who wants to see a coming-of-age story with a twist. It’s like Mean Girls meets The Hunger Games, but with more blood and laughs. Katherine Langford is a total badass as Mara, and her chemistry with Charlie Plummer is so sweet it’ll give you a cavity. The movie is a little dark, but it’s also hilarious and heartwarming. Just be warned, you might not want to go to school the next day.
Production Company(ies)
Tremolo Productions,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for teen drug and alcohol use, language and bloody images throughout
Year of Release
2020
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.39:1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 2, 2020 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2020
Genre(s)
Horror/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Katherine Langford, Charlie Plummer, Yvonne Orji, Hayley Law, Rob Huebel, Piper Perabo, directed by Brian Duffield, written by Brian Duffield, horror, romance, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Kristy Puchko, Brad Newsome, Randy Myers, Claudia Puig, Tim Cogshell, Sara Michelle Fetters, Katherine Langford as Mara, Charlie Plummer as Dylan, Yvonne Orji as Agent Rosetti, Hayley Law as Tess, Rob Huebel as Charlie, Piper Perabo as Angela, Nicki Cortese as producer, Matthew Kaplan as producer, Jordan Levin as producer, R MPAA rating, exploding students, high school, unexpected romance, dark teen comedy, rising star, debuting director, coming-of-age, tragicomedy, physical humor, social satire, nihilistic attitude, uncertain time, existential drama, gallows humor, personal insight, bloody images throughout, teen drug and alcohol use, language
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
Charlie Plummer – Dylan
Yvonne Orji – Agent Rosetti
Hayley Law – Tess
Rob Huebel – Charlie
Piper Perabo – Angela
Nicki Cortese – Producer
Brian Duffield – Producer, Writer, Director
Matthew Kaplan – Producer
Jordan Levin – Producer
Director(s)
Brian Duffield
Writer(s)
Brian Duffield
Producer(s)
Nicki Cortese, Brian Duffield, Matthew Kaplan, Jordan Levin
Film Festivals
Tribeca
Awards & Nominations
2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (66) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (64) | Rotten (2)
Brace yourself for an explosive and gory coming-of-age comedy, because Spontaneous is sensational, sick, and shouldn’t be missed (again).
January 5, 2021
Kristy Puchko
Pajiba
TOP CRITIC
Estimable Australian Katherine Langford is fun and feisty as American schoolgirl Mara, and she has a great, tender chemistry with Charlie Plummer, who plays her sweet-natured boyfriend.
November 11, 2020
Brad Newsome
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
An absurdly funny, gripping and moving film that boasts one of the best screenplays of the year.
October 15, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4
Randy Myers
San Jose Mercury News
TOP CRITIC
That rare teen-horror, satirical-comedy, and teen-romance hybrid that works.
October 10, 2020
Claudia Puig
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
You can’t help but look at this film and think there’s some underlying commentary about [school shootings]… It really is tough to watch, although it does get funny occasionally.
October 10, 2020
Tim Cogshell
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
Spontaneous raucously combusts like no other horror-comedy this year.
October 8, 2020 | Rating: 3/4
Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
TOP CRITIC
Langford delivers a fabulous performance as the audience’s guide Mara. At turns defiant, vulnerable, witty and warm, she gives Spontaneous its heart, as well as setting its sometimes anarchic tone.
May 6, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
James Croot
Stuff.co.nz
This level of tonal balance is almost dangerous for any caliber of filmmaker, but what Duffield does here is nothing short of a miracle.
March 11, 2022
Cory Woodroof
Williamson Home Page
As far as teen films go, I would put this up there with Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Heathers, Clueless and Mean Girls.
September 9, 2021
Jason Shawhan
Nashville Scene
Spontaneous is a perfect metaphor for what our youth are faced with today: just as their world is supposed to be expanding and filled with possibilities, it has become more suffocating and closed off than ever.
August 28, 2021
Audrey Fox
JumpCut Online
Spontaneous doesn’t necessarily utilise its fascinating and unique premise, but it does create a compelling love story between two teenagers.
August 10, 2021 | Rating: 7/10
Maria Lattila
The Digital Fix
Hysterical, fun and so timely. This dark teen, young adult romantic black comedy with bloody scenes – goofy not scary bloody scenes, is laugh out loud funny. Trigger warning – romanticizes teen death.
June 21, 2021 | Rating: 8/10
Julia Swift
My Champlain Valley…
Plot
When students in their high school begin inexplicably exploding (literally…), seniors Mara (Katherine Langford) and Dylan (Charlie Plummer) struggle to survive in a world where each moment may be their last. As an unexpected romance blossoms between them, Mara and Dylan discover that when tomorrow is no longer promised, they can finally start living for today.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film stars Katherine Langford, who is praised for her captivating performance and energetic presence on screen.
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