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/
Contact: cynicalfilm@gmail.com
Portfolio: https://www.cynicalfilm.com/
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.
#MartySupreme reigns supreme.
December 10, 2025 at 9:29 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.
#MartySupreme reigns supreme.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
R.I.P. Claudia Cardinale. Jill in Once Upon A Time In The West remains one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen in a film.
September 24, 2025 at 8:07 AM
R.I.P. Claudia Cardinale. Jill in Once Upon A Time In The West remains one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen in a film.
Never used Spotify, and I ain’t starting now. The image below is from their latest terms and conditions.
#FuckAI #DeleteSpotify #BuyPhysicalMedia
#FuckAI #DeleteSpotify #BuyPhysicalMedia
September 11, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Never used Spotify, and I ain’t starting now. The image below is from their latest terms and conditions.
#FuckAI #DeleteSpotify #BuyPhysicalMedia
#FuckAI #DeleteSpotify #BuyPhysicalMedia
I can hear this line delivery in my head.
R.I.P. Terence Stamp.
R.I.P. Terence Stamp.
August 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I can hear this line delivery in my head.
R.I.P. Terence Stamp.
R.I.P. Terence Stamp.
The only correct choices
June 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM
The only correct choices
28 YEARS LATER doesn’t lack for ambition, but its oddly moving post-Brexit post-Covid worldview gets bogged down in worldbuilding that doesn’t entirely convince. The infected have evolved, but so what? Alfie Williams is a real find in the lead, but Ralph Fiennes is MVP. Sequels will add nothing.
June 20, 2025 at 8:25 AM
28 YEARS LATER doesn’t lack for ambition, but its oddly moving post-Brexit post-Covid worldview gets bogged down in worldbuilding that doesn’t entirely convince. The infected have evolved, but so what? Alfie Williams is a real find in the lead, but Ralph Fiennes is MVP. Sequels will add nothing.
In other news, water is wet.
June 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
In other news, water is wet.
Writer-director Mike Flanagan and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor & Tom Hiddleston introduce THE LIFE OF CHUCK. #sxswlondon2025
June 7, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Writer-director Mike Flanagan and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor & Tom Hiddleston introduce THE LIFE OF CHUCK. #sxswlondon2025
Director Ben McKenzie on his cryptocurrency doc EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU FOR MONEY.
McKenzie: “Cryptocurrency is like Vegas, except without the drinks, dinner or a show.” #sxswlondon2025
McKenzie: “Cryptocurrency is like Vegas, except without the drinks, dinner or a show.” #sxswlondon2025
June 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Director Ben McKenzie on his cryptocurrency doc EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU FOR MONEY.
McKenzie: “Cryptocurrency is like Vegas, except without the drinks, dinner or a show.” #sxswlondon2025
McKenzie: “Cryptocurrency is like Vegas, except without the drinks, dinner or a show.” #sxswlondon2025
Leonie Benesch talks about her extraordinary performance in Petra Volpe’s LATE SHIFT (a.k.a. HELDIN). A mesmerizingly drained and draining turn in a film that begs for nurses and medical staff to be recognized and cherished.
June 7, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Leonie Benesch talks about her extraordinary performance in Petra Volpe’s LATE SHIFT (a.k.a. HELDIN). A mesmerizingly drained and draining turn in a film that begs for nurses and medical staff to be recognized and cherished.
oh hai @whitstillman.bsky.social (at @princecharlescinema.com)
May 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
oh hai @whitstillman.bsky.social (at @princecharlescinema.com)
Already missing @filmlandempire.bsky.social 🥹
May 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Already missing @filmlandempire.bsky.social 🥹
May 17, 2025 at 7:57 PM
