We love movies | Reviews from cinemas, home entertainment and competitions

GUNDA

Piglets, peace and producer Joaquin Phoenix

This documentary doesn't just deserve to be praised for footage captured. Its editing is key in articulating an emotional dialogue that forces its viewers to stop, breathe, and bear witness.

CROSS THE LINE

A gritty descent into a feverish hell

This is Mario Casas film, and the way he carries himself throughout is truly remarkable. These great thrillers are rare, and with a friendly runtime of 90 minutes, don't find an excuse to miss it.

LOVE AND MONSTERS

A fun freakshow for the whole family

Yet another victim of the pandemic-mandated cinema-to-VOD shuffle, it's unfortunate that this film won't get a chance to shine on the big screen in the way few non-franchise films get to any more.

COLLECTIVE

A shocking, raw investigation that defies belief

The depth of information is incredible; interweaving the key events from the reporters, survivors and politicians. We view the scandal as it unfolds, from a cold and uncompromising viewpoint.

TOM & JERRY

A spiritless reimagining of a classic cartoon

The spirit of the old cartoons is nowhere to be seen here. There's enough to entertain families, but for those looking to revisit some old favourites, it's best to look elsewhere.

THE FATHER

A deeply moving look at mental illness

A critical darling and awards frontrunner, this is a film with emotional power and stellar performances for Olivia Colman and Anthony Hopkins.

NOBODY

'John Wick's' cousin is just as badass - but with more laughs

While it doesn't quite nail the genre, it's still a wild and crazy escapist romp that'll leave any action fan happy. We're here to eat popcorn and watch someone else kick arse! And 'Nobody' delivers.

THE PAINTER AND THE THIEF

A strange, joyful examination of an artist and her muse

It's not a black-and-white narrative with a good guy, a bad guy, and a clear-cut scheme. It's a raw yet rich exploration of the messiness of human relationships, their beauty and depravity.

GOLDEN VOICES

Immigration struggles with amusing challenges

This amusing story of Russian dubbing stars may seem ultra-specific, but it clearly has a universal theme for all to appreciate and enjoy, and presents the idea in an amusing and heartfelt way.

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI

A dynamic look at a meeting of four icons

It's a rare pleasure to watch a film like Regina King's 'One Night in Miami' that is willing to leave big questions about four larger-than-life men up in the air instead of trying to answer them.

MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM

A powerfully acted tale stumbles from stage to screen

It isn't so much a movie as it is a play with a few more options; a showcase for actors rather than a cinematic experience. But the play it adapts is very good, with messages that are still relevant.

COWBOYS

Saddle up for an emotional ride

A delicate, powerful and poignant film. It's a reminder that the innocence and acceptance children have is always a ray of hope against any intolerance and bigotry they may be born into.

FRENCH EXIT

A farcical and ridiculous delight

Michelle Pfeiffer's tremendous central performance, full of camp and acid and sadness, would be enough of a reason to see this, but it's all the more rewarding for how complete an experience it is.

WHITE RIOT

A powerful story of rock versus racism

Everything described sounds eerily familiar to events rumbling across the world recently. Its message of compassion and resistance makes it one of the most inspiring movies you'll see this year.

NIGHT SHIFT

A promising premise that lets you down

A fairly messy approach to what should otherwise be a very focused and minimalist film. Let down by wanting to cover too much results in an unfortunately forgetful and unsympathetic exploration.

COME TRUE

Impressively eerie and visually striking

The film warns us that the human brain is the ultimate horror movie director. It's one thing to be tormented. It's another thing to face the grim reality that you're tormenting yourself.

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Revolutionary true story of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s

A true powerhouse of a film - not just because it echoes the current climate and the Black Lives Matter movement, but for its standout performances from Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya.

SUMMER OF 85

A refreshingly nuanced coming-of-age story

A bittersweet film, one that ultimately encourages its audience to embrace the joy and the heartache of first love, along with the ephemerality of having a life-changing presence in your life.

THEN CAME YOU

Then came the same movie over and over again

You know what you're in for when you hear the plot: it's Hallmark or Netflix bland romantic cheese. You have absolutely no reason to watch it - you'll forget about it while you're watching it.

COSMIC SIN

A film that delivers on the promise of its title

Bruce Willis doesn't care about acting anymore, and audiences shouldn't be expected to care about his glorified cameos in late-career fillers like this.

MELBOURNE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL 2021

The reviews

The SWITCH team have come together to bring you the best reviews from this year's program - so click here to check them out!

PSYCHO GOREMAN

A classic "girl meets dark lord of an alternate universe" story

It absolutely has its flaws - but it's also an instant cult movie, and a must-see for the sheer fun of it.

ASIA

Israel's award-winning drama

Audiences witness the slow ascent of a mother finding her feet to become more dependable and more caring, which comes together in a devastating finale that will leave few dry eyes in the crowd.

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

A solid return to form for Walt Disney Animation Studios

The legacy of Disney animation has been to speak to the deep emotional truths of the human experience in a way that is accessible to anyone, and this is a worthy part of that legacy.

ABOUT ENDLESSNESS

A magical journey through Roy Andersson's field of dreams

A reinvigorating experience, a bowl of the best chicken soup you've ever had. It's a piece of pure poetry, a work of deep and generous humanity.

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