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Amy Smith
Tomatometer-approved critic
Amy Smith is a Scottish film journalist with an eye on all things award season. Working at a cinema part time, Amy keeps up to date on the latest releases whether it is international features, documentaries, independent films or the biggest blockbusters. You can follow Amy on Twitter: @filmswithamy
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Marvelous and the Black Hole (2020) |
With a few tweaks, there is a strong movie in here. I just wish that some of the writing didn’t feel as flat and that there was a strong demographic group for the film. - InSession Film
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| Posted Jun 13, 2024
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Charlotte (2021) |
This is a story that needed to be told, and I am glad I had the chance to discover who Charlotte Salomon was. However, she also deserved a better film than this. - InSession Film
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| Posted May 21, 2024
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The Menu (2022) |
Despite knowing how the story goes and where the twists and turns are, The Menu is a film that I can see myself going back to again and again. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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My Policeman (2022) |
The overall presentation may be uneven and it won’t be a film that many people will remember or revisit in a few years time. However, I found myself captivated by the tale and that is all I ask with a story like this. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) |
Glass Onion is another fantastic whodunnit from Rian Johnson, but is it better than Knives Out? Well, that comes down to personal preference and what you seek from these films. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Drive My Car (2021) |
When preparing myself to see Drive My Car for the first time, I made sure to get to a cinema and allow myself to be captivated for the three-hour runtime. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Mass (2021) |
Fran Kranz nailed it with his directorial debut by stripping back the filmmaking and focusing solely on the screenplay and the four brilliant actors he had in this single room. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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In the Heights (2021) |
With the vibrant soundtrack, gorgeous production and some of the best numbers in a long time such as '96,000' and 'Benny's Dispatch', there's no doubt that In The Heights makes my top five. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Belfast (2021) |
It is the mix of that tone and the fantastic filmmaking within it that elevates it from a lovely film to a gorgeous piece of cinematic history that is sure to please all audiences. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Spencer (2021) |
Containing one of my favorite scenes of the entire year with the ‘soldier game’ and a masterclass in numerous aspects of filmmaking, including score and cinematography, this is one I will continue to go back to time and time again. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Nine Days (2020) |
A unique concept captured by Edson Oda, the film is led by a fantastic performance from Winston Duke and beautifully captures the idea of life. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Flee (2021) |
Amin's story is told in the most beautiful of ways thanks to the direction of Jonas Poher Rasmussen and the animation that not only helps keep Amin's identity secret, but is able to delve into his past... - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Parallel Mothers (2021) |
Take a seat and let the story captivate you from the first words to the very last frame. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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The Suicide Squad (2021) |
Gunn kept audiences on their toes with action that could have been ripped from the comic books, humor that was sharp and landed hit after hit, and still a surprising amount of heart that made it easy to cheer on these mischievous characters. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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A Love Song (2022) |
A Love Song does what it says on the tin and presents a film that is stripped back and honest. For his first feature film, Max Walker-Silverman shows a lot of strength in capturing tone, heart, and using key filmmaking techniques... - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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The Guilty (2021) |
Jake Gyllenhaal continues to show that he is one of the best actors working in the industry right now, and even with the tonal issues and the blunders at the end, there is plenty of things to enjoy and to keep yourself invested for a short runtime. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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The Beta Test (2021) |
There are some things that stop it from being a fantastic film, but the good certainly does outweigh the bad in a film that promises to make you laugh before anxiously anticipating what will happen next. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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King Richard (2021) |
King Richard is inspirational, crowd-pleasing, and is a film that shows exactly how bio-pics should be told. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Dune (2021) |
It would be enough of a cinematic experience with just the visuals, but the technical elements within the sound are award-worthy. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021) |
If anything, I think the material would work better as a stage production, purely letting Jonathan Larson shine with a single spotlight. I would love to see Garfield play the role again soon if that is the case. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Army Of The Dead (2021) |
Aside from the incredible zombie tiger that is highlighted in the trailer, it was disappointing how lacking the creativity was within the design of the film. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Truman & Tennessee: An Intimate Conversation (2020) |
There was real potential here to make a gripping documentary about two of the greatest American icons and the impact of their relationship, but unfortunately, the documentary falls flat quickly. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Alita: Battle Angel (2019) |
Our leading character Alita goes through a lot of development throughout this story, and it is engaging to watch. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Black Widow (2021) |
What director Cate Shortland does so well with Black Widow is the balance of tones within the story, something that Marvel has struggled a little bit with their latest TV projects. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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My Name Is Pauli Murray (2021) |
The main goal of a documentary is to inform, and that is exactly what My Name is Pauli Murray does. This is a person that deserves more recognition for everything that they did. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Together Together (2021) |
I commend Nikole Beckwith for telling this story and making it feel as authentic as she did. The narrative flows naturally as we are presented with characters that are easy to warm to, situations that we may not have considered before... - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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The Sparks Brothers (2021) |
With a few tweaks, there is a strong movie in here. I just wish that some of the writing didn’t feel as flat and that there was a strong demographic group for the film. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Jumbo (2020) |
Zoé Wittock gave herself an incredibly tough task when making this her feature directorial and writing debut. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Apples (2020) |
This is a distinct new voice within the film industry and I certainly cannot wait to see what he does next. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Wildland (2020) |
It does speak about the issues around violence and abusive living conditions, and I commend Nordahl for telling this story. It will certainly not be for everyone, but I was left emotionally attached by the end of it and you might be as well. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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In The Earth (2021) |
With Hollywood heading in the direction of the psychological horror, it is nice to see this gorefest from Wheatley and to just have fun with it. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Homeroom (2021) |
Whilst I do wish the film could pick up the pace a bit and have some more focus at the start, it is hard not to be won over by the end of it. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street (2021) |
Regardless if it would have been a better mini-series, the film we ended up getting is still filled with love and passion. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Ma Belle, My Beauty (2021) |
What disappoints me about this film is the potential that is within it. Somewhere here is a good film, and there are some great ideas. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Misha and the Wolves (2021) |
Whatever you do, please go into this film knowing as little as possible. The viewing experience will be rewarded for your patience. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Strawberry Mansion (2021) |
This film had so much potential and so much passion put behind it from Audley and Birney. It is such a shame that for every good aspect of this film that I can say about the first hour, the last act just took that all away... - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Pleasure (2021) |
This is definitely not going to be a film for everyone, and it is hard to fully recommend it without knowing what boundaries people have. It is such a tough watch, but one that I feel is necessary for those who can make it through. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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The World to Come (2020) |
This is a film that tells a familiar story and it is easy to question the need to tell this particular story. However, I was sold by the film by how much I enjoyed watching these characters come to life and seeing their relationship develop over time. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Hillbilly Elegy (2020) |
I do not encourage anyone to check this film out except for the purposes that it may get some acting nominations at the Oscars. Even with the strong performances, Adams and Close have given better performances than this, and they better not win for this. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Stardust (2020) |
A David Bowie bio-pic should perform on the level of Rocketman, but this might just be one of the worst biopics to be made. For those who disliked Bohemian Rhapsody, you will be in for a ride with this one. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Totally Under Control (2020) |
In terms of COVID-19 documentaries I have seen so far, this one is the strongest. It has a clear focus and message, and it does a great job at getting that message across the screen. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) |
It is certainly one of the weakest from the DCEU in the past two years after the recent solid run they have had. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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The Devil All the Time (2020) |
I love the final product we got and with the incredible cast performances, compelling story, and the dark tone that lingered throughout the long-yet-warranted screen time, this is a film that has stuck with me since I first saw it. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Minari (2020) |
Lee Isaac Chung lays his heart to this project as he shares some of his personal memories through this family, and the narrative is just so compelling. I challenge anyone not to fall in love with young David, played by Alan S. Kim. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Dick Johnson Is Dead (2020) |
In what is easily the best documentary of 2020, Kirsten Johnson is able to approach a subject matter such as the inevitable death of her father, Dick Johnson, and have fun... - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Palm Springs (2020) |
This is one film I was desperate to see, and I am so glad I loved it as much as I thought I would. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Wolfwalkers (2020) |
The animation, story, and world has everything within it to suck you up and fall in love with it. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) |
With such a compelling story and quick, sharp editing to match the screenplay, this is a worthy film for my top ten of the year. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Soul (2020) |
There are speeches within this film that I will take away for the rest of my life, that is how impactful this film is. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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Promising Young Woman (2020) |
From the moment the credits rolled, I immediately wanted to go back to the start and press play again. - InSession Film
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| Posted Mar 01, 2024
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