Flow

It may feel like there hasn’t been a challenger to Disney/Pixar for a long time, but in fact, the house of mouse has missed out at the Oscar’s for Best Animated Film the last three years. Not only is this refreshing but it shows that more animated films are finally being able to make an impression and break through to audiences. Dreamworks of course has been working away and creating some truly spectacular films over the last few years as well (bar that new Shrek film by the looks of it), but its with Studio Ghibli winning last year with The Boy and the Heron and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio the year before, there finally feels like a shift happening with animation. This feeling was cemented with the historic win this year when Flow took home the prize, a first time ever win for Latvia and for co-writer and director Gints Zilbalodis.

Flow follows a black cat who lives in a world where humans no longer exist, though there are remanences from what they left behind. When the land is suddenly flooded, the cat, by chance encounters other animals, equally lost, who all end up in a boat together. As they drift along, the group must learn to work together and navigate these new waters.

 

Full review over at Filmhounds.

Audrey

 

Only your family can truly get under your skin, harvest deep resentment, and bring out our worst qualities, which is why comedies about families and their dynamics can produce the darkest humour. Mother-daughter power struggles, sibling rivalries and even conflicting parenting styles are all spread bear in this ridiculously funny, dark comedy from director Natalie Bailey. Audrey really will make you scoff at the absurdity and laugh when it really is not appropriate.

Ronnie prides herself on being a fantastic mother, believing she gave up her acting career so her daughter Audrey could have one instead. But when Audrey accidentally falls off the roof and into a coma, Ronnie sees that she has no choice by to live her daughter’s life so that Audrey can still keep her dreams alive. All while her other daughter Norah makes choices she regrets and her husband Cormack is free to lie about the whole series of events in his grief group.

Full review over at Filmhounds. 

Opus

 

Comparing worshipping or to a lesser extent, being a fan of someone to being in a cult is usually fun to explore. You can expect the same commentary and bizarre acts of service in the unnerving lead up to the climax of Opus, and overall, the film has a tone we’ve seen before. However, while the conclusion may feel expected, it’s the journey, the mystery, and the music that keep you entertained.

When legendary pop star, Moretti, resurfaces after having disappeared for 30 years, he not only drops a new album but invites a select few to listen to it first. Amongst those invited is budding young journalist Ariel. Once the group arrives at the Moretti compound, they are surrounded by his cult like followers and bizarre rituals and Ariel soon started to suspect there is far more to Moretti’s plan than anticipated.

Full review over at Filmhounds.