David Parkinson

Despite the nobility of its intentions and commitment of its cast, this would-be treatise on gig economical iniquity winds up patronising the very ‘invisible people' it's supposed to be championing.

Falls into the "interesting failure" category.

A sparse and languid Italian thriller that carries a debt to Melville.

Exploring workers' rights in an age of mechanisation and recession, this isn't always an easy watch. But it's played with spirit, filmed with integrity and is pleasingly full of surprises.

Laurent's brushstrokes always feel a little too broad to capture the finer details of the legendary New Wavers, but some fascinating archive footage saves his documentary from missing the mark altogether.

It feels more like a ciné dissertation designed to showcase Zvyagintsev’s appreciation of the medium than an original piece of cinema.

There are some poignant moments, but Steven's decision to shoot a claustrophobic movie in CinemaScope and the stage-bound feel of the whole enterprise never bring the action to life.

The music, even after a quarter of a century, is the film's redemption.

Chekhov is notoriously difficult to film and this adaptation boldly taps into the play's mordant wit. But the fidgety and over-emphatic visuals detract from the themes and the stellar performances.

While beautiful, early scenes of shocking violence give way to philosophising and gauche symbolism.

Slightly jerry-built reconstructions detract from an intriguing film with a unique angle on the country legend.

A romance not nearly as seductive as its lead actress.

Atmospheric and engrossing, this meticulous recreation of time and place acquires an unsettling contemporary relevance through its analysis of the mindset of a mass murderer with a death wish.

A lengthy, visually impressive period piece with little in the way of new material or fresh spins on history to distinguish it.

The science is haphazard, the techniques gimmicky, but the point is cogently made.

Great songs, gentle humour and a dose of syrup which is not to everyone's tastes, but worth buying to keep that Christmas spirit going until next year.

Having taken such pains to establish Tom’s Finnish background and its attendant dangers, Karukoski hurtles through the sketchy American section without exploring any of its crucial issues in sufficient depth.

Telling an unfamiliar tale in a highly predictable manner, this is a laudable, but lightweight tribute to golf's founding fathers.

A must for movie buffs, but too much of the charm resides in the clips and exhibits and those unaffected by the nostalgia will find the romantic triangle a touch too contrived.

This tale of Mexican poverty refuses to lapse into sensation or melodrama.

Clara Bow is mesmerising in this ahead-of-its-tie air force drama.

Stylish and gripping at times, this wry very-French gender satire is definitetly entertaining but falls down a little in the third act.

The semi-improvised performances and gently nostalgic tone makes this endearing and captivating.

Shot in magisterial black-and-white, veteran director Trueba's drama is a welcome return from the Belle Epoque man.

Enjoyably satirical and occasionally insightful, it's betrayed by some lazy stereotyping.

Although lacking specific context and fussily presented, this is a harrowing account of the Arab Spring as witnessed by seven reluctant and committed activists in Libya, Syria and Bahrain. The footage of the violence inflicted upon civilians is truly terrifying.

Emphasis has been placed on extravaganza, when it should really have been placed on getting good performances out of a talented cast.

If not quite on the level of Garbus's terrific Bobby Fischer documentary, this still filled with fond recollections of Mazza's life and career. Fans will relish it.