

ON IN CINEMAS
A Star is Born (2018) starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
This fourth incarnation of William A. Wellman and Robert Carson's story turns out to be far from the Cooper/Gaga vanity project that you might have feared. Even Andrew Dice Clay is great in a film whose emotional imprint will stay with you for a long time.
Cold War (2018) directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
A romance takes place on both sides of the Iron Curtain during the early days of the Cold War. Shot in a warm sepia monochrome and featuring a prevalence of diverse music, this is one of those rare movies which you can enjoy as a sensory, magical experience while barely contemplating the dark central story.
Racer and the Jailbird (2017) starring Matthias Schoenaerts
Adèle Exarchopoulos and Matthias Schoenaerts play ill-starred lovers in this entertaining but shallow romantic crime melodrama. By all means, sit back and enjoy the performances, sex, action and tragedy - but don't expect any deeper exploration of the characters.
EIFF 2018: Lucid (2018) starring Billy Zane and Sadie Frost
The story behind the making of this film is incredible, as is its core idea. Unfortunately, the execution is dull. Some appealing neon-drenched cinematography and a quirky turn by Billy Zane (not typecast as a boo-hiss villain for a change) fail to save it.
EIFF 2018: Puzzle (2018) starring Kelly Macdonald
A small-town American housewife finds both passion and a new direction in life thanks to jigsaw puzzles and her relationship with an eccentric inventor (played by Irrfan Khan). It's a quietly impressive small gem of a film with characters who feel real.
Red Sparrow (2018) starring Jennifer Lawrence
Francis Lawrence's attempt at modernising the Cold War thriller is a jarring and unpleasant mix of musty old cliches, rape, torture, romance and feminine empowerment. It has its moments as well as some fine performances but it's not particularly enjoyable.
The Shape of Water (2017) directed by Guillermo del Toro
This heartfelt homage to Creature from the Black Lagoon is a hymn to the wonder and power of fantasy. The affectionate world-building, bruising view of 1960s social attitudes and the excellent performances by Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer make up for a somewhat predictable story.
God’s Own Country (2017) written and directed by Francis Lee
Harry J. Ford reviews this raw, intense Yorkshire farm-set romance between a farmer's son and a Romanian immigrant, starring Josh O'Connor and Alec Secareanu.
Click here to read review
The Big Sick (2017) starring Kumail Nanjian and Zoe Kazan
Dave Longmore looks at the romantic comedy The Big Sick, directed by Michael Showalter.
My Cousin Rachel
Sometimes you just need classily-mounted pulp in your life, such as this adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's novel.
Click here to read review