Movies & Streaming Reviews

The latest movies & streaming reviews from Jim Schembri, professional film reviewer since 1980.

Brace for shocks as the blood gushes in body-horror film ‘Possessor’

Big trip: An assassin (Andrea Riseborough) prepares to enter another’s mind in ‘Possessor’. POSSESSOR *** (104 minutes) R18+ In that ...
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Black comedy ‘Fatman’ delivers dark delights for Christmas cynics

A real Bad Santa: Mel Gibson stars as a financially strapped Santa Claus in ‘Fatman’. FATMAN *** (100 minutes) MA ...
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Girl-girl rom-com ‘Happiest Season’ is a festive fizzer

Christmas cheers: Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis star in ‘Happiest Season’. HAPPIEST SEASON *1/2 (102 minutes) M One of the ...
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‘Koko: a Red Dog Story’ offers a novel spin on the format of making-of docos – includes interview with producer Nelson Woss

Dog tale: The trials of making ‘Red Dog’ are detailed in ‘Koko: A Red Dog Story’. KOKO: A RED DOG ...
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Surprises, twists, but not much new in mystery ‘The Bay of Silence’

Reflective drama: Olga Kurylenko stars in the mystery-thriller ‘The Bay of Silence’. THE BAY OF SILENCE **1/2 (94 minutes) M ...
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Robert De Niro again proves his comic chops in ‘The Comeback Trail’

Old dogs: Robert De Niro and Tommy Lee Jones star in ‘The Comeback Trail’. THE COMEBACK TRAIL *** (103 minutes) ...
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Great car prangs and ultra-violent action are delivered in spades by Russell Crowe’s blood-soaked B-grade chase thriller ‘Unhinged’

Lethal match: Russell Crowe stars as a psycho driver in the thriller ‘Unhinged’. UNHINGED *** (90 minutes) MA It’s a ...
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Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ is a beautiful mess

Please explain: John David Washington plays hero in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’. TENET *** (150 minutes) M After waiting out the ...
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The self-discovery odyssey of ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ is hugely entertaining, though it treats chess more seriously than addiction

Her move: Anya Taylor-Joy plays chess genius Beth Harmon in ‘The Queen’s Gambit’. THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT ***1/2 (393 minutes; seven ...
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The random access comedy of ‘Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun’ delivers loads of superlative silliness & big laughs at a fevered pace

Good cheer: Aunty Donna (with guest, wrestler Awesome Kong) share a moment in ‘Aunty Donna’s Good Ol’ House of Fun’ ...
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