lff – Flip Screen

Image from the documentary Time (2020). It is a black and white image of a couple kissing in a car.

Top of the Docs #36 – LFF Special: ‘Time’ (2020)

By: Joel Whitaker 29th Oct 202028th Oct 2020

Columns, Festivals, Top of the Docslff, London Film Festival, time, Top of the DocsLeave a Comment

Garrett Bradley, a first-time filmmaker, brings us perhaps the most damning indictment of the system yet, with her film Time.

The cast of Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets all turning their heads to watch TV from the bar

LFF REVIEW: ‘Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets’ (2020) Blurs Fact & Fiction To Fascinating Effect

By: Sophie Butcher 28th Oct 202027th Oct 2020

Featured, Festivals, Film, Reviewsbloody nose empty pockets, lff, lff 2020, London Film FestivalLeave a Comment

A cross between documentary and cinematic social experiment, the Ross Brothers’ ‘Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets’ feels like the ultimate hangout movie.

A still from the film Ammonite. Two women walk along the beach wearing period dresses. One is resting her head on the other's shoulder.

LFF REVIEW: ‘Ammonite’ (2020) is a Beautifully Polished Period Lesbian Love Story

By: Emily Maskell 25th Oct 202025th Oct 2020

Featured, Festivals, Film, LGBTQ+ammonite, film review, francis lee, kate winslet, lff, lff2020, saoirse ronanLeave a Comment

With little knowledge of the private life of the real Mary Anning, Ammonite fills in the gaps with queer pining and fossil hunting.

David Byrne and others stand and sing together on stage.

REVIEW: ‘American Utopia’ Shows David Byrne Is As Good As He Ever Was

By: jamespalmerfilm 23rd Oct 202020th Oct 2020

Featured, Festivals, Film, Reviewsamerican utopia, david byrne, Film, lff, London Film Festival, music, reviewLeave a Comment

David Byrne has the most calming presence I’ve ever witnessed. 36 years after the ground-breaking Stop Making Sense, David Byrne is still taking our expectations of concerts and theatre, elevating them to a higher level that only a frontman like him could do. Stop Making Sense was more than just a concert, it was performing…

Image still from the horror film The Intruder. A dark, blue-tinted background, a woman (Érica Rivas) dubs sound effects into a microphone.

LFF REVIEW: ‘The Intruder’ (2020) is a Dull, Ineffective Paranormal Thriller

By: Kevin Woodley 23rd Oct 202019th Oct 2020

Featured, Festivals, Film, ReviewsÉrica Rivas, film review, Horror, lff, Natalie Meta, The Intruder, thrillerLeave a Comment

All of the ingredients are there, but they’ve been swished into a diluted, forgettable cocktail that’s more of a nightcap than a rush to the head.

Image is from the film Rose: A Love Story. A couple hug one another in a bathroom.

LFF REVIEW: ‘Rose: A Love Story’ (2020) is a Vampire Film For Our Times

By: Kevin Woodley 22nd Oct 202019th Oct 2020

Featured, Festivals, Film, Reviewsdrama, film review, Horror, Jennifer Sheridan, lff, Matt Stokoe, Romance, Rose: A Love Story, Sophie Rundle, VampireLeave a Comment

An efficiently crafted piece of work shrouded in dread and frozen to last.

Zhenia lightly dances whilst massaging a woman who lies like she's unconscious.

LFF REVIEW: ‘Never Gonna Snow Again’ Is As Ambiguous As It Comes

By: jamespalmerfilm 14th Oct 202013th Oct 2020

Featured, Festivals, Film, ReviewsFestival, international film, lff, never gonna snow againLeave a Comment

Little reveals itself at times which can make the film feel as if it’s paused in motion rather than moving forward. The mysterious stranger – a plot point as old as time but one that hasn’t ever lost its touch. The concept of mystery is kind of endless, meaning that the setting, character and idea…

Image from the horror film Relic. Three women pose for a family portrait in a decrepit looking living room, staring into the camera.

LFF REVIEW: ‘Relic’ (2020) is an Unfurling Terror of the Haunted House as Diseased and Dying Mind

By: Kevin Woodley 14th Oct 202011th Oct 2020

Featured, Festivals, Film, Reviewsbella heathcote, emily mortimer, film review, Horror, lff, natalie erika james, Relic, robyn nevinLeave a Comment

The scares are minimal, with a heavy reliance on atmosphere, but stick with it and you’ll find this stylish horror film wanders close to home and burrows underneath the skin.

Sara watches her husband and daughter cuddle out of focus.

LFF REVIEW: ‘180 Degree Rule’ Begins with Promise that then Disappoints

By: jamespalmerfilm 10th Oct 202010th Oct 2020

Featured, Festivals, Film, ReviewsFestival, international film, lff, London Film FestivalLeave a Comment

“180 Degree Rule at times feels like a telling drama about mistrust and deceit, but what lies under the surface is a morally abrupt message.” There is little joy or optimism to take away when watching 180 Degree Rule. In its 83 minutes, it hits at the hardest spots and seems to gradually get worse…

LFF REVIEW: ‘Farewell Amor’ (2020) is an Impressive Trichotomous Negotiation of Family Values

By: Emily Maskell 10th Oct 20207th Dec 2020

Featured, Festivals, Film, Reviewsfarewell amor, film review, lff, London Film FestivalLeave a Comment

Farewell Amor features many goodbyes, some more painful than others, but each farewell marks a new beginning.