Connor Lightbody

BFI London Film Festival 2025: 'Hamnet' - Pop Heist Ravishing direction from Chloé Zhao and a spirited Jessie Buckley can’t pull 'Hamnet' from overwrought stupor.

popheist.com/bfi-london-f...

Was sadly not taken by the methodical approach of Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, as much as the individual crafts, and especially Buckley, stuns

The Burden of Representation in 'Bird,' 'Anora' and 'September 5' 'Bird,' 'Anora,' and 'September 5' are among the most lauded films of the awards season — but do they do their subjects a disservice?

'Bird,' 'Anora,' and 'September 5' are among the most lauded films of the awards season — but do they do their subjects a disservice? (by @calbody.bsky.social)

popheist.com/burden-of-re...

Robert Redford used his immense fame to shape the entire landscape of independent cinema. He was a true titan.

Utterly, resoundingly heartbroken about Robert Redford. Not just an icon on the screen, but a devout champion of the arts and of Film off it. One of the greatest ever. RIP

Venice Film Festival: 'Bugonia' Review Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons dazzle in what amounts to an uneven (if ultimately satisfying) entry in Lanthimos' filmography.

BUGONIA is Emma Stone's boldest work yet — and not just because she shaved her head for the role. Read @calbody.bsky.social's review from Venice —

'The Testament of Ann Lee' Review: Shaker Musical Not Stirring Mona Fastvold's telling of the Methodist leader's life story is a tonally mismatched musical with lots to sing but not much to say.

Mona Fastvold's telling of the Methodist leader's life story is a tonally mismatched musical with lots to sing but not much to say. Read @calbody.bsky.social's review of TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE from Venice.

A Superb Jacob Elordi Steers Del Toro's Devastating 'Frankenstein' Guillermo del Toro's ravishing adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel is a visual feast, an epic tale told in three parts.

Guillermo del Toro's ravishing adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel is a visual feast, an epic tale told in three parts. While dismembered at times, you can't help but swoon at del Toro's humanistic rendition of FRANKENSTEIN. Read @calbody.bsky.social's review from Venice.

Very disheartening to see a food content creator I really respect and admire do a movie junket. I get *why* this is happening but I’m disappointed

'The Testament of Ann Lee' Review: Shaker Musical Not Stirring Mona Fastvold's telling of the Methodist leader's life story is a tonally mismatched musical with lots to sing but not much to say.

Regretfully being *that* critic, but I found The Testament of Ann Lee to be a beautiful mess

My #Venezia82 review for PopHeist: popheist.com/testament-of...

'The Testament of Ann Lee' Review: Shaker Musical Not Stirring Mona Fastvold's telling of the Methodist leader's life story is a tonally mismatched musical with lots to sing but not much to say.

Regretfully being *that* critic, but I found The Testament of Ann Lee to be a beautiful mess

My #Venezia82 review for PopHeist: popheist.com/testament-of...

Cinema etiquette is absolutely fucking dead

Happy Park Chan-Wook day to all those who celebrate

Brendan Canty talks Berlin award winner 'Christy', the Irish Hip-Hop renaissance and casting the Kabin Crew kids - Soundsphere magazine Irish filmmaker Brendan Canty is no stranger to the film industry, having cut his teeth making music videos for the likes of Hozier, and on the short films For You and Christy. His remarkable feature ...

Had the upmost pleasure chatting to Brendan Canty earlier this month for his Berlin-winning joy CHRISTY

Read what he had to say about working with Kabin Crew, promising Diamuid Noyes a main role and harnessing community for
@soundspheremag.bsky.social

www.soundspheremag.com/news/culture...

Brendan Canty talks Berlin award winner 'Christy', the Irish Hip-Hop renaissance and casting the Kabin Crew kids - Soundsphere magazine Irish filmmaker Brendan Canty is no stranger to the film industry, having cut his teeth making music videos for the likes of Hozier, and on the short films For You and Christy. His remarkable feature ...

Had the upmost pleasure chatting to Brendan Canty earlier this month for his Berlin-winning joy CHRISTY

Read what he had to say about working with Kabin Crew, promising Diamuid Noyes a main role and harnessing community for
@soundspheremag.bsky.social

www.soundspheremag.com/news/culture...

Venice Film Festival: 'Bugonia' Review Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons dazzle in what amounts to an uneven (if ultimately satisfying) entry in Lanthimos' filmography.

First of many Venezia drops: Yorgos Lanthimos’s chaotic eco-thriller BUGONIA popheist.com/bugonia-revi...

'Little Trouble Girls' Director Urška Djukić on Bisexual Repression Urska Djukic speaks to the rules and repression that constrict our emotions as we grow, and how 'Little Trouble Girls' untangles them.

LITTLE TROUBLE GIRLS director Urska Djukic speaks to @calbody.bsky.social about the rules and repression that constrict our emotions as we grow, and how her acclaimed film untangles them.

Curses in Volpi and Casino-sized screenings

Not me waiting patiently for 2pm to book my Venice tickets, forgetting that Italy is an hour ahead so I’ve already missed out on seeing the Mark Jenkin😭

Interview: Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie talk smell-o-vision and 'Dead Lover' Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie, the filmmakers behind Dead Lover, sit down to talk about their movie, smell-o-vision, and more.

movieswetextedabout.com/interview-gr...

Unmissable in its next few Edinburgh Film Festival showings: DEAD LOVER

'Grow' Film Review: A Story Steeped in British Traditionalism and Pumpkins Grow, from John McPhail and starring Priya-Rose Brookwell, recently premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival.

Had a good time with John McPhail’s GROW, which just premiered at Edinburgh Film Festival

A charming and heartfelt film that is occasionally too much like a CBBC show, and while I wish it had a sturdier thematic voice, it is still fun for all the family!

movieswetextedabout.com/grow-film-re...

Placed an interview request with arguably one of the biggest names in the industry while I’m in Venice. Slim hopes, but it’s a punt!!

Think that’s about where I am too. It promises something better than it delivers

Gladys is the only scary part but also optically speaking: old women/unattractive women are yet again vilified? I

My argument is that the allegory is the central structure of the entire picture and without it being sturdy, everything all just becomes flimsy around it

I disagree tbh! It’s there in the subtext (bullied, abused kid is surrogate for school shooter) and the literal text in that scene with Brolin’s character (dream sequence, 2:17 above the house) but it is really only a surface allegory once you consider Gladys

Spent the last four days in Lincoln with the family; incl outdoor pool, hot tub, music festival and a retro cinema for a screening of The Little Mermaid with the kids🫶

Haven’t got time to pen a full review (unless someone wants to pay me) but found it structurally and totally unsound with a shaggy script, while the scares are a total fabrication. The school shooter analogy falls apart under the slightest scrutiny. So disappointed

Where does one go if they thought Weapons was shite?

I am only attending August 27th to September 2nd this year but if any editors want to commission coverage from within that 6-day window, hit me up!

Year 5 incoming #Venice