Alistair Ryder
@yesitsalistair.bsky.social
I interview the great and good of film and TV for Zavvi. I then criticise their work as a freelance critic for The Film Stage, AwardsWatch and more
the biggest fucking idiot you've ever met in your life, who thinks that accepting trans people was a Muslim conspiracy theory to undermine the west or some shit like that, has called this a "victory for common sense"
The UK Supreme Court has unanimously decided that the definition of sex under the Equality Act 2010 refers solely to biological sex, and does not include people with a Gender Recognition Certificate.
April 16, 2025 at 3:44 PM
the biggest fucking idiot you've ever met in your life, who thinks that accepting trans people was a Muslim conspiracy theory to undermine the west or some shit like that, has called this a "victory for common sense"
Reposted by Alistair Ryder
Every trans person I've ever met is smarter and more interesting than I am and every TERF I've ever had to deal with has been a parochial, petty dullard. Strange how that works.
April 16, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Every trans person I've ever met is smarter and more interesting than I am and every TERF I've ever had to deal with has been a parochial, petty dullard. Strange how that works.
Reposted by Alistair Ryder
Ryan Coogler breathes life into the vampire tale with #Sinners, a richly told, carnal delight. Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review:
Sinners Review: Ryan Coogler Breathes Life Into Richly Told, Carnal Vampire Tale
From increasingly overbearing Eat the Rich satires to a never-ending, post-Get Out wave of social commentary-infused horror, it seems like there’s no end in sight to what the New Yorker recently dubbe...
thefilmstage.com
April 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Ryan Coogler breathes life into the vampire tale with #Sinners, a richly told, carnal delight. Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review:
After a couple of New Queer Canon columns discussing exciting, unsung LGBTQ films, it’s finally time for me to dig into one that represents everything wrong with current American indie cinema! Me on PET SHOP DAYS for Vague Visages: vaguevisages.com/2025/03/28/p...
Building the New Queer Canon #3: Olmo Schnabel's 'Pet Shop Days'
Building the New Queer Canon #3: Olmo Schnabel's 'Pet Shop Days' | Vague Visages
vaguevisages.com
April 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
After a couple of New Queer Canon columns discussing exciting, unsung LGBTQ films, it’s finally time for me to dig into one that represents everything wrong with current American indie cinema! Me on PET SHOP DAYS for Vague Visages: vaguevisages.com/2025/03/28/p...
Reposted by Alistair Ryder
#BeingMaria, a drama about Maria Schneider and the traumatic experience of filming Last Tango in Paris, has a lack of curiosity about its subject. Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review:
Being Maria Review: A Reductive Biopic Centered on the Trauma of Last Tango in Paris
Last Tango in Paris was both a breakout role and turning point in the life and career of Maria Schneider––a traumatic filming experience that inspired her to become an advocate for women in the film i...
thefilmstage.com
March 20, 2025 at 3:50 PM
#BeingMaria, a drama about Maria Schneider and the traumatic experience of filming Last Tango in Paris, has a lack of curiosity about its subject. Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review:
My latest New Queer Canon column for @vaguevisages.bsky.social has landed, digging into the delightful transgressions of Bruce LaBruce's THE VISITOR, and how a fetish porn movie has more to say about our current political climate than most recent LGBTQ cinema: vaguevisages.com/2025/03/19/t...
Building the New Queer Canon #2: Bruce LaBruce's 'The Visitor'
Building the New Queer Canon #2: Bruce LaBruce's 'The Visitor' | Vague Visages
vaguevisages.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:52 PM
My latest New Queer Canon column for @vaguevisages.bsky.social has landed, digging into the delightful transgressions of Bruce LaBruce's THE VISITOR, and how a fetish porn movie has more to say about our current political climate than most recent LGBTQ cinema: vaguevisages.com/2025/03/19/t...
Remember when the Russo Brothers said AI would be directing feature length movies by 2025? If you didn't know any better, you'd assume their new movie THE ELECTRIC STATE was the AI-directed movie they were predicting.
My review for Looper: www.looper.com/1804865/the-...
My review for Looper: www.looper.com/1804865/the-...
The Electric State Review: A Sorry State Of A Sci-Fi Blockbuster - Looper
The Russo Brothers took the source material for "The Electric State" and flattened it into a soulless mess.
www.looper.com
March 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Remember when the Russo Brothers said AI would be directing feature length movies by 2025? If you didn't know any better, you'd assume their new movie THE ELECTRIC STATE was the AI-directed movie they were predicting.
My review for Looper: www.looper.com/1804865/the-...
My review for Looper: www.looper.com/1804865/the-...
Recently got a chance to sit down with Bong Joon Ho and Steven Yeun to talk all things Mickey 17: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/mi...
March 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Recently got a chance to sit down with Bong Joon Ho and Steven Yeun to talk all things Mickey 17: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/mi...
Reposted by Alistair Ryder
Michel Gondry's latest film may have been scrapped, but he's back with a new animation Maya, Give Me a Title, making its North American premiere this weekend. Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review:
Maya, Give Me a Title Review: Michel Gondry Rejuvenates His Creative Spirit with Earnest Animation
Of all the directors who made the jump from music videos to feature-directing during MTV’s '90s peak, Michel Gondry is the sole name whose work hasn’t been able to fully escape from the shadow of earl...
thefilmstage.com
February 28, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Michel Gondry's latest film may have been scrapped, but he's back with a new animation Maya, Give Me a Title, making its North American premiere this weekend. Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review:
I wasn't even a fan of Longlegs to begin with, but with THE MONKEY, Oz Perkins doubles down on the whacky comedy to offer an early contender for most insufferable movie of 2025. My review for Vague Visages: vaguevisages.com/2025/02/19/t...
Review: Osgood Perkins' 'The Monkey'
Review: Osgood Perkins' 'The Monkey' | Vague Visages
vaguevisages.com
February 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
I wasn't even a fan of Longlegs to begin with, but with THE MONKEY, Oz Perkins doubles down on the whacky comedy to offer an early contender for most insufferable movie of 2025. My review for Vague Visages: vaguevisages.com/2025/02/19/t...
I'm Still Here is out in the UK today! Rebumping my interview with Fernanda and Walter:
A few months ago, on Golden Globes nominations day, I spoke to the prides of Brazil, Fernanda Torres and Walter Salles. With I’m Still Here now just a week away from UK cinemas, I can finally share our conversation: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/st...
Fernanda Torres and Walter Salles Talk Oscar Nominated Drama I'm Still Here
The Oscar nominated actress and director of I'm Still Here sat down with Zavvi to reveal why this was a "personal" film for them to make, and shining a light on Brazil's dark past for a new generation...
www.zavvi.com
February 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM
I'm Still Here is out in the UK today! Rebumping my interview with Fernanda and Walter:
There’s a lot to like in Mickey 17, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that it’s just Starship Troopers if Paul Verhoeven kept pausing to directly tell the audience he was satirising fascism every 5 minutes.
My review for Looper: www.looper.com/1790621/mick...
My review for Looper: www.looper.com/1790621/mick...
Mickey 17 Review: Robert Pattinson's Space Satire Plays It Too Safe - Looper
"Mickey 17" explores themes often touched on in Bong Joon-ho films, but it doesn't do as well with the messaging as his previous efforts.
www.looper.com
February 15, 2025 at 6:06 PM
There’s a lot to like in Mickey 17, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that it’s just Starship Troopers if Paul Verhoeven kept pausing to directly tell the audience he was satirising fascism every 5 minutes.
My review for Looper: www.looper.com/1790621/mick...
My review for Looper: www.looper.com/1790621/mick...
A few months ago, on Golden Globes nominations day, I spoke to the prides of Brazil, Fernanda Torres and Walter Salles. With I’m Still Here now just a week away from UK cinemas, I can finally share our conversation: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/st...
Fernanda Torres and Walter Salles Talk Oscar Nominated Drama I'm Still Here
The Oscar nominated actress and director of I'm Still Here sat down with Zavvi to reveal why this was a "personal" film for them to make, and shining a light on Brazil's dark past for a new generation...
www.zavvi.com
February 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
A few months ago, on Golden Globes nominations day, I spoke to the prides of Brazil, Fernanda Torres and Walter Salles. With I’m Still Here now just a week away from UK cinemas, I can finally share our conversation: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/st...
Reposted by Alistair Ryder
Paddington in Peru is a big step down from its predecessors, but is not without charms. Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review as the threequel arrives in U.S. theaters:
Paddington in Peru Review: Threequel Fails to Climb to Franchise Heights
It’s hard to overstate just how ubiquitous the Paddington films––particularly the 2017 sequel––have been in the British cultural consciousness over the last decade. Not simply massive box-office succe...
thefilmstage.com
February 12, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Paddington in Peru is a big step down from its predecessors, but is not without charms. Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review as the threequel arrives in U.S. theaters:
Ahead of its UK release on Friday, I spoke to Memoir of a Snail director Adam Elliot about why he loves emotionally "torturing" audiences with his movies: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/me...
February 12, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Ahead of its UK release on Friday, I spoke to Memoir of a Snail director Adam Elliot about why he loves emotionally "torturing" audiences with his movies: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/me...
Got a new monthly column on launching over at @vaguevisages.bsky.social on new and rediscovered LGBTQ films, and whether they fit into the New Queer Cinema Canon!
In the first edition I dive into the recently rediscovered Japanese film BYE BYE LOVE, a genderqueer take on Breathless:
In the first edition I dive into the recently rediscovered Japanese film BYE BYE LOVE, a genderqueer take on Breathless:
Building the New Queer Canon #1: Isao Fujisawa's 'Bye Bye Love (Baibai Rabu)'
Building the New Queer Canon #1: Isao Fujisawa's 'Bye Bye Love (Baibai Rabu)' | Vague Visages
vaguevisages.com
February 1, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Got a new monthly column on launching over at @vaguevisages.bsky.social on new and rediscovered LGBTQ films, and whether they fit into the New Queer Cinema Canon!
In the first edition I dive into the recently rediscovered Japanese film BYE BYE LOVE, a genderqueer take on Breathless:
In the first edition I dive into the recently rediscovered Japanese film BYE BYE LOVE, a genderqueer take on Breathless:
Reposted by Alistair Ryder
Chiara Mastroianni's tribute to her legendary father is an unfortunately laugh-free satire. Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review of Marcello Mio:
Marcello Mio Review: Chiara Mastroianni Honors Her Father in Toothless Meta Satire
The infamous cover of New York Magazine’s December 2022 issue declared that Hollywood is in the middle of a “Nepo Baby Boom,” but this is hardly restricted to the American film industry. Case in point...
thefilmstage.com
January 30, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Chiara Mastroianni's tribute to her legendary father is an unfortunately laugh-free satire. Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review of Marcello Mio:
"There's no shortage of movies about AI gone wrong... I wanted to make one about AI gone right!"
I had a very interesting, somewhat revealing conversation with Companion writer/director Drew Hancock about the process of developing a screenplay that can stand out in an oversaturated genre:
I had a very interesting, somewhat revealing conversation with Companion writer/director Drew Hancock about the process of developing a screenplay that can stand out in an oversaturated genre:
Director Drew Hancock Reveals How Companion Came To Life
As the acclaimed thriller Companion arrives in cinemas, we sat down with its writer/director to explore how he aimed to subvert what audiences expect from an AI story.
www.zavvi.com
January 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
"There's no shortage of movies about AI gone wrong... I wanted to make one about AI gone right!"
I had a very interesting, somewhat revealing conversation with Companion writer/director Drew Hancock about the process of developing a screenplay that can stand out in an oversaturated genre:
I had a very interesting, somewhat revealing conversation with Companion writer/director Drew Hancock about the process of developing a screenplay that can stand out in an oversaturated genre:
as a frequent tourist in London, I've always felt the capital city needed less cultural institutions and more American candy stores/Harry Potter merchandise stores which can't legally use "Harry Potter" in their names.
However, the Prince Charles Cinema is pretty good too, sign to save:
However, the Prince Charles Cinema is pretty good too, sign to save:
Save The Prince Charles Cinema
The iconic Prince Charles Cinema in London’s West End future is under serious threat!
We are beyond disappointed that our landlords Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their ultimate parent company Criterion Capital...
you.38degrees.org.uk
January 28, 2025 at 11:04 AM
as a frequent tourist in London, I've always felt the capital city needed less cultural institutions and more American candy stores/Harry Potter merchandise stores which can't legally use "Harry Potter" in their names.
However, the Prince Charles Cinema is pretty good too, sign to save:
However, the Prince Charles Cinema is pretty good too, sign to save:
Reposted by Alistair Ryder
#SaveThePCC
Some of you may have read about the situation regarding our new landlord wishing to add a new redevelopment break clause, with only 6 months notice to our lease.
For now, we're simply asking you all to share & sign the petition below;
you.38degrees.org.uk/p/princechar...
Some of you may have read about the situation regarding our new landlord wishing to add a new redevelopment break clause, with only 6 months notice to our lease.
For now, we're simply asking you all to share & sign the petition below;
you.38degrees.org.uk/p/princechar...
Save The Prince Charles Cinema
The iconic Prince Charles Cinema in London’s West End future is under serious threat!
We are beyond disappointed that our landlords Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their ultimate parent company Criterion Capital...
you.38degrees.org.uk
January 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
#SaveThePCC
Some of you may have read about the situation regarding our new landlord wishing to add a new redevelopment break clause, with only 6 months notice to our lease.
For now, we're simply asking you all to share & sign the petition below;
you.38degrees.org.uk/p/princechar...
Some of you may have read about the situation regarding our new landlord wishing to add a new redevelopment break clause, with only 6 months notice to our lease.
For now, we're simply asking you all to share & sign the petition below;
you.38degrees.org.uk/p/princechar...
it would be unfair on the other actresses in the race if Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin were Oscar nominated, because how can you compete with them?
I spoke to them last year about building their Hard Truths characters from the ground up: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/ha...
I spoke to them last year about building their Hard Truths characters from the ground up: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/ha...
January 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
it would be unfair on the other actresses in the race if Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin were Oscar nominated, because how can you compete with them?
I spoke to them last year about building their Hard Truths characters from the ground up: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/ha...
I spoke to them last year about building their Hard Truths characters from the ground up: www.zavvi.com/blog/film/ha...
only just realised that 3 of WB's next 4 films are movies where the lead actors play multiple roles. Is this a cost saving exercise from David Zaslav, or a genius plot to get freelance journalists everywhere to pitch articles on "double movies" for a month of free publicity?
January 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
only just realised that 3 of WB's next 4 films are movies where the lead actors play multiple roles. Is this a cost saving exercise from David Zaslav, or a genius plot to get freelance journalists everywhere to pitch articles on "double movies" for a month of free publicity?
Reposted by Alistair Ryder
My Night at Maud's star Françoise Fabian leads Aurélie Saada’s Rose, which offers too neat a portrayal of an emotionally turbulent moment.
Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review:
Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review:
Rose Review: Françoise Fabian Gets Lost in a Bouquet of Clichés
Not to judge a film from the synopsis established by its marketing team, but those expecting director Aurélie Saada’s debut Rose––a 2021 Locarno premiere only now arriving on U.S. shores––to be a more...
thefilmstage.com
January 24, 2025 at 12:50 PM
My Night at Maud's star Françoise Fabian leads Aurélie Saada’s Rose, which offers too neat a portrayal of an emotionally turbulent moment.
Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review:
Read @yesitsalistair.bsky.social's review:
Reposted by Alistair Ryder
Last week I spoke to Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan and the young cast of Steven Soderbergh’s Presence (in cinemas Friday!) about the challenges of shooting the experimental horror movie, and why it’s ultimately a movie about why you need to talk to your family about your problems:
"It's Like A Reality TV Show!" - Lucy Liu And Cast Of Presence Talk Their Experimental Horror
We sat down with the cast of experimental haunted house thriller Presence, including Lucy Liu and This Is Us star Chris Sullivan, to find out why this was like nothing they'd ever made before...
www.zavvi.com
January 22, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Last week I spoke to Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan and the young cast of Steven Soderbergh’s Presence (in cinemas Friday!) about the challenges of shooting the experimental horror movie, and why it’s ultimately a movie about why you need to talk to your family about your problems:
Last week I spoke to Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan and the young cast of Steven Soderbergh’s Presence (in cinemas Friday!) about the challenges of shooting the experimental horror movie, and why it’s ultimately a movie about why you need to talk to your family about your problems:
"It's Like A Reality TV Show!" - Lucy Liu And Cast Of Presence Talk Their Experimental Horror
We sat down with the cast of experimental haunted house thriller Presence, including Lucy Liu and This Is Us star Chris Sullivan, to find out why this was like nothing they'd ever made before...
www.zavvi.com
January 22, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Last week I spoke to Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan and the young cast of Steven Soderbergh’s Presence (in cinemas Friday!) about the challenges of shooting the experimental horror movie, and why it’s ultimately a movie about why you need to talk to your family about your problems: