Articles by James Brotheridge

The Best (and Worst) Films We Saw at TIFF 2020

PUBLISHED Sep 21, 2020

The Toronto International Film Festival normally takes over the city with Hollywood premieres, celebrity sightings and massive crowds of fi...

'New Order' Takes a Nihilistic, Both-Sides Perspective on Political Upheaval

Directed by Michel Franco

PUBLISHED Sep 18, 2020

The utility of rioting has been an important debate of late. For some, destruction of property seems to be a step too far; others recognize...

'Lucky Grandma' Is Packed with Octogenarian Energy and Unexpected Charisma

Directed by Sasie Sealy

PUBLISHED Aug 14, 2020

By some measures, within 15 minutes of the start of a film, the premise should be well established. By that same mark in Lucky Grandma, the...

'Unhinged' Is a Fine Excuse to Watch Russell Crowe Wreak Havoc

Directed by Derrick Borte

PUBLISHED Aug 13, 2020

Russell Crowe is a first-billed villain in Unhinged, the road rage-themed thriller, earning the honour for being the biggest name involved...

'Random Acts of Violence' Wades into the Murky Ethics of Using Murder for Entertainment

Directed by Jay Baruchel

PUBLISHED Jul 31, 2020

At one time, the true crime that set me on edge were the paperbacks with a few glossy pages stuck in the middle, showing photos of the kill...

CUFF Review: 'Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets' Is a Drunken Farewell to a Beloved Watering Hole

Directed by the Ross Brothers

PUBLISHED Jun 22, 2020

The people in the room almost need to go through what Bruce is saying word by word. Parts keep getting lost, but eventually, his sentiment...

CUFF Review: 'Climate of the Hunter' Feels Like a Stylistic Exercise

Directed by Mickey Reece

PUBLISHED Jun 22, 2020

Climate of the Hunter finds a chill in the air, inside and outside the cabins in which the movie is set. The title recalls The Night of the...

Hot Docs Review: 'Hoop Dreams' Filmmaker Examines the Nuances of Chicago Life in 'City So Real'

Directed by Steve James

PUBLISHED Jun 9, 2020

Laquan McDonald, a Black 17-year-old, was shot 16 times while turned away from the Chicago Police Department officer who murdered him in 20...