Words by Jeremy Arblaster.

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labour of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn't exist.

It's difficult to settle on an introductory point with a film like Past Lives – an elegant story of connection from playwright-turned-writer/director Celine Song that, whilst spread over a period of twenty-four years, is actually concentrated at certain points within its protagonists' timelines. But, to begin at…

Words by Awais Irfan.

Blue Beetle comes saddled with an inordinate amount of pressure; it's the first solo film for a Latino superhero with representation both in front of and behind the camera and it's ushering out the old guard while soft-launching James Gunn's new DCU, as well as just generally restoring faith in comic book movies. But with superhero fatigue at an all-time high and DC in particular, kicked to the curb, that's no small feat. It's a lot…

Words by Paul Klein.

The talking dog film probably won't be a new or novel concept for anyone who has enjoyed the syrupy confections of Josh Gad's A Dog's series, nor the sight of the CGI moving mouth franchise of Disney's Buddies collection – Santa Paws is a particular treat if you're in the mood for festive furry adventures with some orphans. But even going as far back as The Incredible Journey: Homeward Bound making animals talk in a realistic…

Words by Liselotte Vanophem.

Over the last few years, Netflix has released The Old Guard, Red Notice and The Grey Man, hoping to create their own Mission Impossible or James Bond-like movie. While some came relatively close to those franchises, others didn't hit the target. The streaming provider is now trying it again with Heart of Stone, the latest movie by director Tom Harper (Wild Rose). While they have a strong cast (or at least on paper), including Gal Gadot,…

Words by Rob Jones

Nimona was initially announced in 2015 as a 20th Century Animation production, adapting the graphic novel of the same name. When Disney acquired Fox, it was cancelled and just sort of forgotten about for a long time – without a huge pre-existing fanbase to kick up much of a fuss on its behalf. Eight years later, Nimona has finally been released straight to Netflix by way of Annapurna Pictures rescuing it from purgatory.

The story is…

Words by Christian Lynn.

It feels obligatory at this point for an actor to have at least one straight-to-DVD-esque film on their résumé, where their entire role is filmed in one location with one or maybe two outfits from what is seemingly the world's smallest wardrobe.

But Pursuit has more: while John Cusack fits that mould, Emile Hirsch also shows up in a performance that'll beg the question “was Emile stoned the entire shoot?” (on the mellow stuff, this ain't…

Words by Emma Flint.

Capturing the raw magic of an animated classic like The Little Mermaid is no easy feat. Steeped in decades of nostalgia, this tale has had fans charmed since its release in 1989; to see it come to life in live action was an announcement that roused excitement, and dread. Could it find its feet in modern waters?

The Little Mermaid (2023), directed by Rob Marshall – known for Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Chicago (2002), and…

"It’s been a year full of loveable non-human characters: Jenny and EO the donkeys, Neytiri the Na’vi warrior, Pinocchio (the Guillermo Del Toro one, before you ask). But none are so heart-warmingly endearing as Marcel. After a series of hit YouTube shorts ten years ago, the one-inch shell who indeed wears shoes makes the jump to the big screen with a funny and emotionally-charged story.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a meta retelling and continuation of the beloved…