David Mouriquand
This week at the kino: Rebels, Popes and whistleblowers!
Catch Anthony Hopkins in "The Two Popes", Cannes closer "Hors Normes", "Beauty & Decay" featuring three East Berlin punk rebels, Chelsea Manning doc "XY Chelsea", the Lesbian Non-Binary FilmFest, and more happening in the Berlin film world this week. Read more
The Two Popes ⋆⋆⋆
OUT NOW! "City Of God" director Fernando Meirelles turns what is essentially a theatrical two-hander into a Papal drama that’s not quite a miracle, but still worth your time. Read more
Schonheit & Verganglichkeit (Beauty and Decay) ⋆⋆⋆
OUT NOW! Annekatrin Hendel’s refreshingly different documentary focuses on three Berlin rebels recollecting their youth in the East Berlin punk scene. Read more
Hors Normes (The Specials) ⋆⋆⋆
OUT NOW! An awkwardly-titled social-issue drama with great heart and strong acting from perfectly cast Vincent Cassel and Reda Kateb. Read more
This week at the kino: Sci-fi, soul and strippers
Film fests galore! Catch stand-outs from Around The World In 14 Films, French Film Week and Berlin Sci-Fi Fest. Plus don't miss the new Aretha Franklin doc "Amazing Grace", J. Lo's "Hustlers", and more happening in the Berlin film world this week. Read more
Amazing Grace director talks Aretha Franklin
INTERVIEW! After nearly 50 years in the making, Aretha Franklin music documentary "Amazing Grace" is out in Berlin cinemas today. Director Alan Elliott talks the Queen of Soul and how he resurrected the "lost" feature. Read more
The Good Liar ⋆⋆
OUT NOW! The Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren starring flick swerves from con-man hijinks to wannabe-poignant reckoning, but without the puzzle pieces quite fitting together. Read more
The Lighthouse ⋆⋆⋆⋆
OUT NOW! With brilliant performances from Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, this horror's acute atmosphere and dreamlike narrative logic will definitely shiver your timbers. Read more
Amazing Grace ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
OUT NOW! A sublime concert film that makes you want to relisten to everything Aretha Franklin ever recorded. Powerfully personal and an unbelievably rousing rush. Read more
Hustlers ⋆⋆⋆⋆
OUT NOW! An empowering, unapologetic and, above all, very entertaining female-centric crime flick about former strip club employees who turn the tables on their Wall Street clients. Read more
Critic's top tips for the French Film Week
The French Film Week takes over screens across Berlin from Nov 27 through Dec 4 showcasing an eclectic selection of French and Francophone cinema. Our critic highlights this year's must-sees. Read more
This week at the kino: Sequels, spies and superheroes
Catch sequels for "The Shining" and "Frozen", Keira Knightley's British spy drama "Official Secrets", a Marvel marathon at Babylon, a "Friends" anniversary screening, and more happening in the Berlin film world this week. Read more
Doctor Sleep ⋆⋆⋆
OUT NOW! This adaptation of Stephen King's novel by the same name and sequel to "The Shining" miraculously has more hits than misses. Read more
Bumper edition of Around The World In 14 Films
Kicking off on Nov 21 through Nov 30, Around The World In 14 Films turns 14 this year. It celebrates in style with a double fare, many anticipated German premieres, and a cherry-picked selection of the best films from this year’s festival circuit. Read more
Frozen II: Pro and Con
OUT NOW! A delightful tale of empowerment and sisterhood or a sequel without either the tunes or the magic of its original premise? Read more
This week at the kino: Scorsese gangsters and Berlinale greats
Catch Scorsese’s "The Irishman", Berlinale alumni Macedonian feminist satire "God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya" and Chinese entry "So Long, My Son", plus cult classic "Showgirls" at Arsenal, and more happening in the Berlin film world this week. Read more
The Irishman ⋆⋆⋆⋆
OUT NOW! A curtain call that sees Scorsese explore a different facet of the mafia genre he played a big part in defining. Read more
God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya ⋆⋆⋆⋆
OUT NOW! Beautifully shot, heartfelt, and superbly caustic satire that is well worth your time. Read more
Julie Delpy on her new film My Zoe
INTERVIEW! Ahead of the Berlin release for "My Zoe" on Nov 14, writer, director and actress Julie Delpy talks the difficulty of being a radical female filmmaker in Hollywood, steering clear of melodrama and why she likes people who go against fate. Read more
Black and Blue ⋆⋆
OUT NOW! A formulaic-yet-serviceable cop thriller that sadly seems to forget its righteous anger along the way. Read more
