Philip Bagnall
banner
cynicalfilm.bsky.social
Philip Bagnall
@cynicalfilm.bsky.social
Film critic. Contributor to Scannain, Loud and Clear Reviews, HeadStuff, Next Best Picture, FILMHOUNDS, The 250 Podcast. So very tired.

Contact: cynicalfilm@gmail.com
Portfolio: https://www.cynicalfilm.com/
Pinned
I saw 38 films at this year's #Cannes Film Festival, and wrote about quite a number of them. Here is a thread of my reviews:
Reposted by Philip Bagnall
The complete works of French auteur Jean Vigo are now available from Curzon on 4K UHD for the first time and take a look as we unbox the lovely new box set!
December 11, 2025 at 1:08 PM
One Battle After Another doesn’t have the monopoly on chaotic messes running from their mistakes when they catch up with them. I may be forced to admit that Chalamet has the juice. At least we know which Safdie brother does.

#MartySupreme reigns supreme.
December 10, 2025 at 9:29 PM
This had no business being that much fun. Fiennes forever. #TheBoneTemple
December 9, 2025 at 9:31 PM
December 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
MAGNOLIA was released on this day in 1999. It’s a beautiful film, one to give a despondent viewer hope, and which it has given me many times over. God bless P.T.A.

More thoughts here: loudandclearreviews.com/magnolia-hop...
Finding hope in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia
As Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia turns 25, we explore how it continues to offer hope to its characters and its audience.
loudandclearreviews.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A new 4K cinema (05/12) and Bluray (15/12) re-release of Vigo's L'ATALANTE celebrates the 120th anniversary of the director's birth, and underlines the film's status as one of the greats.

My @filmhounds.co.uk review of @film.curzon.com's generous 4-disc edition: filmhounds.co.uk/2025/12/l-at...
L'Atalante (4K Review)
L'Atalante, Jean Vigo's masterpiece, a triumph of magical realism and a cornerstone of French cinema, receives a 4K release.
filmhounds.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Reposted by Philip Bagnall
An astonishing letter published in the Times of London.
December 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The film works in part because of Dano. He plays Eli as unknowingly weak, creating a slimy self-interested sycophant who’s so hateable that he makes you root for Plainview. Not the first time Quentin’s talked out his backside.
Quentin Tarantino says 'There Will Be Blood' had a chance to be his greatest film of the 21st century if it didnt have Paul Dano in it

"it’s supposed to be a two-hander, but ... [Dano] is weak sauce, man ... He’s just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. The weakest fucking actor in SAG [laughs]"
December 3, 2025 at 9:46 AM
One of the weirdest and most fun things I’ve seen this year.
The U.S. trailer for Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s directorial debut #AUsefulGhost has arrived.

Watch ahead of a January 16 release for the Cannes winner and Thailand's Oscar entry: thefilmstage.com/a-useful-gho...
December 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM
ICYMI, I interviewed Shih-Ching Tsou, writer-director of LEFT-HANDED GIRL. One of 2025’s little gems, it’s on Netflix now.

My interview for @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social: loudandclearreviews.com/left-handed-...
Interview: Shih-Ching Tsou on Left-Handed Girl
We interview Left-Handed Girl writer-director Shih-Ching Tsou about her creative process, her approaches to casting and shooting in Taiwan.
loudandclearreviews.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Cahiers du Cinéma choosing Nouvelle Vague for their top 10 of the year shows no-one is invulnerable to flattery. Godard would have ripped Linklater’s head off for it, though.
November 28, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Howard’s best work is in quieter scenes. Pair him with a quiet workhorse like Gary Sinise, and you’ll get gold. He’s an actor’s director.
When Ken Mattingly gets the news about Apollo 13, look how much Howard trusts Sinise to land several different emotions in a single shot. Modern Hollywood productions simply lack this kind of patience.
November 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Had a lovely chat with Shih-Ching Tsou, writer-director of the terrific LEFT-HANDED GIRL.

Read my interview on @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social, and see the film on Netflix from Friday.
LEFT-HANDED GIRL hits @netflix.com this Friday! 🔥 We spoke with writer-director Shih-Ching Tsou about her creative process, her approaches to casting & shooting in her native Taiwan, and finding her Left-Handed Girl! 😍

Read @cynicalfilm.bsky.social's interview!

#LeftHandedGirl #Netflix #interview
Interview: Shih-Ching Tsou on Left-Handed Girl
We interview Left-Handed Girl writer-director Shih-Ching Tsou about her creative process, her approaches to casting and shooting in Taiwan.
loudandclearreviews.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Reposted by Philip Bagnall
Annabel Jankel's new war drama, out Friday in U.K. cinemas, is "a compelling little mess" that tries to do too much within its modest means.

Read @cynicalfilm.bsky.social's review of DESPERATE JOURNEY!

loudandclearreviews.com/desperate-jo...
Desperate Journey Review: Parisian Hideaways
Though handsome and not without compelling moments, Annabel Jankel’s Desperate Journey tries to do too much within its modest means.
loudandclearreviews.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Part of the fun of charting Udo Kier’s career was to guess what he’d do next. He could appear in any genre, in any language, and always be one of the most memorable elements of the film. Those piercing baby blues could be angelic or demonic, or both. A one of a kind. R.I.P.
November 24, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Reposted by Philip Bagnall
"Try as he might, Nathan’s has broken the first commandment of filmmaking: thou shalt not bore."

Biblical prequel THE CARPENTER'S SON is out now on U.S. theaters and hits U.K. & Irish cinemas this week!

Read @cynicalfilm.bsky.social's review!

#TheCarpentersSon
The Carpenter’s Son Review: Biblical Prequel
Lotfy Nathan’s The Carpenter’s Son finds little new to say about fatherhood or faith, rendering its attempts at solemnity and horror a snore.
loudandclearreviews.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Calvin and Hobbes were formative for my sense of humour, and I still dip in and out of Watterson’s strips today. Fantastic article by Luke.
November 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Glen Powell is a star, but THE RUNNING MAN is an insufficient vehicle for his charisma. Edgar Wright pulls practically every punch. Far too reminiscent of the remakes of Robocop and Total Recall (ugh).

My review: headstuff.org/entertainmen...
The Running Man movie review | Edgar Wright's flashy remake runs out of puff long before the finish line - HeadStuff
Philip Bagnall catches up with The Running Man, Edgar Wright's Glenn Powell-powered remake of Schwarzenegger's 1987 campy sci-fi classic
headstuff.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Nakadai was a giant, combining deep emotions with weathered stoic dignity that transcended the settings and locales of his films to reach worldwide relatability. His work with Kobayashi is comparable to Mifune and Kurosawa, or Scorsese and De Niro. An incredible onscreen force. R.I.P.
RIP to the great Tatsuya Nakadai
November 11, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Despite what anyone may tell you in light of today’s news, VICE is still crap.
November 4, 2025 at 2:02 PM
As a critique that has only grown more pointed with age, with several cast members doing their best work, and a brilliantly dark sense of humour, it has to be MAPS TO THE STARS.
What’s Cronenberg’s most underrated movie?
Happy Halloween! 🎃👻🦇💀🧡

On a special new episode of The B-Side, we discuss the career of Canadian genius David Cronenberg and his most overlooked films, featuring special guest Veronica Fitzpatrick.

Tune in: thefilmstage.com/the-b-side-e...
October 31, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Looks fun enough, but clearly taking a leaf out of Halloween's book by ditching the last few films and going back to basics (Thank heavens. Those last two were just awful).
October 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Reposted by Philip Bagnall
"In its latter half, KENNY DALGLISH finds a voice in its anger, one that reflects the burden placed on his shoulders."

Asif Kapadia's heartfelt tribute to the Scotland & Liverpool legend hits UK & Irish cinemas for 1 night on 29 Oct, & Prime Video on Nov 4!

Read @cynicalfilm.bsky.social's review!
Kenny Dalglish Review: Long Live The King
Asif Kapadia’s Kenny Dalglish is a heartfelt tribute to the Scotland and Liverpool legend, albeit lacking the bite of his best work.
loudandclearreviews.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Among the many reasons I adore this film, it reminded me of the brilliance of Judie Tzuke. ‘Shoot From The Heart’ is ‘80s synth gold.
October 23, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by Philip Bagnall
"LA GRAZIA is studded with enough bon mots, wry observations and fun performances to keep it going, but it’s forever straining for a depth it can’t reach."

Read @cynicalfilm.bsky.social's review from the BFI London Film Festival!

#LaGrazia #PaoloSorrentino #LFF
La Grazia Review: Anything but Graceful
With La Grazia, Paolo Sorrentino attempts to steady his ship after Parthenope, but rehashes familiar imagery and themes in a drab production.
loudandclearreviews.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM