Movie reviews of Joanna Orland

Its visuals and tone are also not for the faint of heart as the film tackles the darker side of life. It also reminds us of the joy and purpose we have — even when things are tough, we must keep moving forward. Review

More of a character portrait than a true study, the film treats its famed characters like humans rather than caricatures, and doesn’t take an overt stance on what it makes of all of the documented corruption. Review

The Life of Chuck ebbs and flows in its quality and enjoyability, but overall the exploration of the meaning of life and coming to terms with our own mortality strongly resonates. Review

The Friend is a moving story about friendship, life and grief, with wonderful performances by Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, and Bing the dog at the heart of it. Review

This is a film made by women, for women, and it is our privilege that we get to have it. Review

Friendship doesn’t reach new heights in that way, but at least it’s still got that Tim Robinson comedic sensibility, commentary, and performance at its core. This one is for Tim Robinson fans only, old and new alike. Review

Tired and predictable, the film is just not worthy of its star, the incomparable Ben Stiller. Review

A messy flawed film at best, it doesn’t seem to matter because SNL fans will lap it up regardless. After all of the excitement and hype that this film has brought with it, it’s a huge disappointment that Saturday Night is just alright. Review

Paul Walter Hauser is perfectly cast and plays Larson with a delicate balance of empathy, shiftiness, and likability. The rest of the cast is rounded out brilliantly... Review

This is a bleak film with excellent performances, but a dire and difficult one to watch. Review

Emilia Pérez is a big film, with its ideas, music, visuals, themes, and performances. Review

Better Man is as engagingly messy as Robbie Williams is. The film is a bit too long, with the latter half not as impactful as the first. A few of the musical numbers are outstandingly mind-blowing, while others are too few and far between. Review

While the tone of Riff Raff may be a bit all over the place, the comedy is what makes it an amusing watch. The comedy wouldn’t work with a lesser cast, and it is only this masterful ensemble that elevates Riff Raff to be as entertaining as it is. Review

Funny, likeable, charming, Boyz II Men – Long Shot ticks all of the boxes for what you’d want from a modern day rom-com. Review

With Moore’s performance, she’s perfect in her own right, yet much more subtle than Paulina García‘s more overt Gloria. There was something more visceral, vulnerable and brutal to the original whereas the location move to America makes everything feel much more reserved. Review

Taking universal themes and putting them through cultural lenses, director Lulu Wang has turned a family drama into something special. The Farewell is neither hard-hitting as a drama nor hilarious as a comedy, but has a lot to say about familiar subjects, bringing a fresh voice to a family drama. Review

While Late Night mostly fails to see its message through, it thrives in producing a likeable female-fronted romcom of sorts, with a plum role for Dame Emma Thompson – and let’s face it, that in itself is enough reason to be counted as a success. Review

With Dragged Across Concrete, for all of its many many flaws, Zahler again succeeds in building tension through the tedium, justifying very unforgiving casting choices, being just ambiguous enough in his views, and delivering a finale that exceeds expectations. Review

The perfect level of camp meets high art, Greta is a self-aware humourous matriarchal take on the horror thriller genre. Isabelle Huppert is brilliant as always, and much of the film rests solely on her shoulders. Review

For a timely story, well-rounded characters and excellent performances, Ben Is Back ticks all of the boxes. While it may not linger with you long after viewing, the emotion of the moment is quite a powerful thing to observe. Review

Told confidently by director Sara Colangelo, the film balances empathy, sympathy, comedy and thriller to give us a completely new perspective on an old idea. Review

Never preachy, but always questioning, the film uniquely combines its perspectives from both the person attending the program and the parents who sent them there. An emotional and upsetting film, it’s too heart-wrenching to be a comfortable watch, but too important to not give your attention to. Review

It’s better than some other modern YA adaptations (The Golden Compass, the latter Hunger Games, Divergent) but does not reach its own potential, nevermind the heights of enduring series’ like Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings. Review

A powerful film with career-best performances, Disobedience affirmatively puts Sebastián Lelio on the map as a director who goes beyond cultural restraints to truly conquer universal themes and emotions. Review