⭐⭐⭐⭐ The 2013 film Test, directed and written by Chris Mason Johnson, is a beautifully crafted portrayal of life in San Francisco during the early days of the AIDS crisis. Set in 1985, the film captures the era with remarkable attention to detail, from rotary phones and Walkman devices to the tension and fear that defined the time. It doesn’t just tell a story—it immerses … Continue reading Test (2013)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Set in New York City’s Lower East Side, Flawless tells the story of Walt Koontz, a retired security guard played by Robert De Niro, who suffers a debilitating stroke while trying to help a neighbor during a robbery. Left partially paralyzed and struggling with his speech, Walt is advised to take singing lessons as part of his rehabilitation. Reluctantly, he turns to his neighbor Rusty, a … Continue reading Flawless (1999)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ There’s something genuinely unsettling about Stranger by the Lake, and for me, it isn’t the murder itself — it’s how loneliness can so completely twist someone’s judgment. The most disturbing thing is watching someone, desperate for affection and connection, witness a murder and then choose to befriend the murderer just to avoid being alone. Alain Guiraudie, the director, sets his entire 2013 French film … Continue reading Stranger by the Lake (2013)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Classified as an art film, Mother Mary, directed by David Lowery, weaves together complex emotions and quiet moments. Like many films in this genre, it relies more on mood, atmosphere, and subtext than on a straightforward plot. Throughout the movie, this approach is especially apparent in how its emotional weight is conveyed through subtle, unspoken Queer undertones. The film follows Mother Mary (Anne Hathaway), … Continue reading Mother Mary
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Any film starring Ian McKellen is bound to be good, and The Christophers is no exception. This 2025 comedy-drama, directed by Steven Soderbergh, delivers a perfect blend of humor and heartfelt moments that keep viewers engaged throughout its one-hour-and-40-minute runtime. The story follows the children of Julian Sklar (McKellen), a once-famous artist whose health is rapidly declining. Desperate to secure an inheritance, they devise … Continue reading The Christophers (2025)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ It’s rare to come across a film that completely pulls you in from the very first frame, but Viva is one of those rare gems. Set in the vibrant streets of Havana, Cuba, this emotionally charged story is actually an Irish production, brought to life by the brilliant direction of Paddy Breathnach. The film follows Jesus, a young hairdresser who works behind the scenes … Continue reading Viva
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Every so often, a film quietly slips into your life and steals your heart, leaving you astonished that it managed to fly under the radar. Cloudburst, directed by Thom Fitzgerald and starring the incomparable Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker, is one such gem — a hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply affecting road movie that remains unknown to far too many. The story follows Stella (Olympia … Continue reading Cloudburst (2011)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ I was pleasantly surprised by how captivating Handsome Devil turned out to be — it hooked me right from the start. Directed by John Butler, this coming-of-age film is set in a rugby-obsessed Irish boarding school and tells the story of an unlikely friendship. The plot follows Ned, a misfit who struggles to fit into the school’s hyper-masculine culture, and Conor, the star rugby … Continue reading Handsome Devil
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mysterious Skin, directed by Gregg Araki, is a deeply emotional and unsettling film that explores the lives of two boys forever changed by a mysterious event in their childhood. Adapted from Scott Heim’s novel, the movie examines the long-term effects of trauma and the ways people cope. The story centers on Neil McCormick, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Brian Lackey, played by Brady Corbet. … Continue reading Mysterious Skin (2004)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ana Kokkinos’ Head On is a cinematic gut-punch — a raw, unrelenting exploration of identity, culture, and rebellion. Based on Christos Tsiolkas’ novel Loaded, the film follows 19-year-old Ari, a second-generation Greek-Australian navigating the chaos of his sexuality, family expectations, and the gritty streets of Melbourne. It’s a story that doesn’t flinch, doesn’t sugarcoat, and doesn’t apologize. Ari, played by Alex Dimitriades, is a … Continue reading Head On (1998)
FRANK'S FILM REVIEW 