Critical Week: It's the end of the world (again)

Awards season continues to accelerate, this week with the Bafta nominations giving predictions a good spin. I'm the chair of the London Film Critics' Circle, and our awards are announced on Sunday night, so I've been preparing for that all week. And Oscar nominations come next week. 

BEST OUT THIS WEEK:
The Worst Person in the World
The Eyes of Tammy Faye • Azor
Belle • The Souvenir Part II
ALL REVIEWS >

Meanwhile, I had: my first experience in the outrageously all-encompassing rollercoaster of 4DX cinema with Moonfall, Roland Emmerich's latest ridiculous disaster epic, this time pitting Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson and John Bradley against melodramatic family issues as they try to stop the moon from smashing into Earth. More than a decade after the last movie, Johnny Knoxville is back for Jackass Forever, in which the original crew get up to their usual limb-jeopardising antics, although they leave the most violent stuff to some newcomers.

Set in Britain and Mexico, the romantic comedy Book of Love starring Sam Claflin and Veronica Echegui feels fresh and engaging, even as it plays on the usual formula. The horror thriller The Long Night has lots of atmospherics and some slick filmmaking touches, but is oddly disjointed. From Argentina, Azor is a proper stunner, a slow-burn thriller about a man's journey into pure evil. From Spain, Bringing Him Back is a contained, intriguing drama about four people and the shifting dynamic between them. And the documentary The Tinder Swindler is a riveting account of a dating app con man whose scam was mind-bogglingly huge.

This next week I'll be watching Kenneth Branagh's the all-star sequel Death on the Nile, Tom Holland in Uncharted, Jennifer Lopez in Marry Me, Johnny Depp in Minimata, the Cape Cod drama Give or Take and the Italian drama Small Body.

Raindance: Shall we dance

The 29th Raindance Film Festival came to a close last night with a screening of the Brazilian freak-out Medusa, followed by a party. It's been another terrific season of independent films, this year screened at cinemas around London. Although I've mainly watched the films at home using the press site. Since I didn't have to travel to screenings, I was able to watch several more films than expected. Here are some final highlights, including two of my favourites. And the awards winners are at the end...

My Heart Goes Boom! [Explota Explota]
dir Nacho Alvarez; with Ingrid Garcia-Jonsson, Veronica Echegui 20/Sp ****
Using the songs of iconic Italian singer Raffaela Carra, this brightly colourful Spanish musical is irresistible. Filmmaker Nacho Alvarez infuses a swooning romantic farce with a continual flow of witty touches. And it's knowingly underscored by punchy topical themes. While the film is perhaps is a bit overlong, it maintains a breezy tone that keeps the audience smiling, complete with a series of delightfully energetic musical numbers... FULL REVIEW >

The Pop Song
[La Cançó Pop]
dir-scr Raul Portero; with Raul Portero, Joan Carles Suau 21/Sp ****.
Shot in an experimental style, this intimate comedy-drama is a remarkable depiction of the way life impacts friendships. A collection of short, sharp scenes sometimes captured in single long takes, the film is packed with knowing observations. Actor-filmmaker Raul Portero has a terrific eye for detail, infusing moments with knowing wit that balances the deeper emotions. It's a moving, beautifully textured look at powerful feelings everyone can recognise... FULL REVIEW >

The Drowning of Arthur Braxton
dir Luke Cutforth; with James Tarpey, Johnny Vegas 21/UK ***
Delving into the mind of a teen overwhelmed by life, this British drama uses fantasy and horror to add intriguing angles to the story. The film is nicely directed by Like Cutforth, using vivid visual touches to get under the surface of the characters. As a broader mythology begins to take shape, everything gets a bit overwrought, putting perhaps too much spin on the more involving internalised angles... FULL REVIEW >

The Noise of Engines
[Le Bruit des Moteurs]
dir-scr Philippe Gregoire; with Robert Naylor, Tanja Bjork 21/Can ***.
Cleverly shot with a witty, almost absurd sensibility, this bold Canadian drama continually plays with audience perceptions. Writer-director Philippe Gregoire adds a range of twists throughout the story that keep us on our toes, unable to predict where things are headed. And underneath the sometimes nutty surface, the film continually challenges us as it grapples with how officials seem to be determined to know our most personal secrets... FULL REVIEW >

RAINDANCE AWARD WINNERS 2021

• International Feature: MEDUSA
• UK Feature: THE DROWNING OF ARTHUR BRAXTON
• Documentary: WHITE NOISE
• Music Documentary: I'M WANITA
• Director: Luana Bajrami (THE HILL WHERE LIONESSES ROAR)
• Screenplay: Renata Pinheiro, Sergio Olivera, Leo Pyrata (KING CAR)
• Performance: Lucia Moniz (LISTEN)
• Cinematography: Sam Levy (MAYDAY)
• Discovery: Luana Bajrami (THE HILL WHERE LIONESSES ROAR)
• Raindance Icon: Michael Caine

Full reviews of festival films are linked at Shadows' RAINDANCE HOMEPAGE 
For full festival information, visit RAINDANCE FILM FEST