*Benicio del Toro and Mia Threapleton in a still from ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ in theaters on Friday*

The Magnificent Wes Anderson: Why 'The Phoenician Scheme' is my fave since 'Grand Budapest'

E. Nina Rothe May 20, 2025

At the core of his latest film, Anderson, along with co-writer Roman Coppola and leading man Benicio de Toro, has created a wonderfully entertaining antihero of contradictions: European yet eerily Trumpian, bigger than life yet soft spoken, bearing many passports yet without a fixed address, a self professed diplomat who carries a crate of hand-grenades — just in case they are needed. And more often than not, they are.

Reinventing the narrative: 'Nino' by Pauline Loquès Cannes Review

E. Nina Rothe May 19, 2025

If you thought a film following a man’s weekend after discovering he’s ill couldn’t be charming, funny, tender, warm and thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end, journalist turned filmmaker Pauline Loquès will change your mind. And your hearts, forever.

Cannes Gem: A review of 'Urchin' by Harris Dickinson

E. Nina Rothe May 18, 2025

A film that, aside from its spellbinding leading man and touching crucial themes about the habits that bring us down, again and again, also begs the question: “Who do the streets of London belong to? Those who thread upon them or those who call them home?”

To be Muslim, French and Queer: 'The Little Sister' Cannes review

E. Nina Rothe May 17, 2025

What do you do when you don’t see people like you represented in French literature? Well, if you are Fatima Daas, you write a character that has never been shown before — a lesbian, Muslim young woman, first generation French daughter of Algerian immigrants. And then, a great filmmaker and actress like Hafsia Herzi might make it into a film that ends up in Cannes, in Competition. Well, this is what happened.

Tom Cruise must need a nap after 'Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning'

E. Nina Rothe May 15, 2025

He runs across London, dives to the depth of the Baltic Sea, flies through the South African sky, most of the time outside an airplane, and never misses a beat — and I was exhausted just watching him do it all…

The power of one, letter: 'The Extraordinary Miss Flower' review

E. Nina Rothe May 2, 2025

If I were to sum up this wondrously dreamy doc in a couple of words, I would say it’s a hippie, trippy psychedelic cinematic joy of a film, and one you should not dare to miss.

To be young, gifted and... gay! A review of Iair Said's 'Most People Die on Sundays'

E. Nina Rothe April 28, 2025

A personal tale based on the filmmaker’s own experience centering around the death of his father, this succinct film mixes a successful blend of realism, absurdity, comedy and drama to create a wondrous work of the Seventh Art.

*The brothers hanging out in ‘The Accountant 2’, courtesy of Warner Bros.*

I'll give you one, no make that 2 good reasons to watch 'The Accountant 2' with Ben Affleck

E. Nina Rothe April 25, 2025

Do you really want to know what those are? Well, for one, the brothers’ duo the American star creates along with Jon Bernthal is cinematic chemistry 101. And the other reason? Read on!

*A photo of the Weber siblings in Bremerhaven, Germany in 1946*

Courage decoded: Beth Lane's 'UnBroken' is the film you need to watch on Netflix

E. Nina Rothe April 21, 2025

A film which tells the real story of seven Jewish siblings, separated by war and reunited after 40 years, helped by the kindness of strangers along the way, and told by the miraculous offspring of the youngest sister. And now you can watch this inspirational gem on Netflix, starting on Holocaust Remembrance Day — April 23rd.

Olmo Schnabel's 'Pet Shop Days', EP'd by Martin Scorsese to finally release in the US

E. Nina Rothe March 12, 2025

Starting out limited, in NYC and LA, the film is a wonder to behold and Schnabel, a filmmaker to watch.

Worst work if you can get it! Why I love Bong Joon-ho's 'Mickey 17'

E. Nina Rothe March 10, 2025

Beyond the sci-fi comedy starring Robert Pattinson, in the story of a man who gets reprinted in 3D every time he dies — and comes out of the machine with the same quirks and patterns of a regular paper printer — there lies a profound film about learning to live with all parts of our personality — even those we may not always like.

*Anthony Mackie is Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’*

Why 'Captain America: Brave New World' got me into Marvel films. Wholeheartedly

E. Nina Rothe February 21, 2025

With a dissent in popular opinion and critics seemingly agreeing this is one of the weakest installment of the franchise, I’m here to throw the tables upside down and explain why I love Anthony Mackie in the tight-fitting costume of the world-saving superhero, but also how I got into the film way more than I should have.

*Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry in a still from the film, photo courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios*

'The Fire Inside' review: The true life story of a modern, strong, unapologetic and beautiful woman

E. Nina Rothe February 5, 2025

Winning doesn’t always bring about happiness and success. So the tale of gold winning boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields teaches us, in a new film written by Barry Jenkins and directed by Rachel Morrison, coming to UK cinemas on February 7th.

DFI's 2024 Fall Grants announcement includes projects by Youssef Chebbi, Sofia Alaoui, Mehdi Hmili and Anas Khalaf

E. Nina Rothe January 30, 2025

As well as a feature doc by Iraqi actress and filmmaker Zahraa Ghandour, a web series by Palestinian storyteller Amer Shomali, Damien Ounouri’s and Adila Bendimerad’s follow up to festival fave ‘The Last Queen’, and shorts by Qatari talents Mahdi Ali Ali and Majid Al-Remaihi.

*A still from ‘Yalla Parkour!’ by Areeb Zuaiter*

There are eight DFI-supported titles in this year's Berlinale lineup

E. Nina Rothe January 23, 2025

And at least one in each section too, including Competition and the new Perspectives for first time features.

*Jacob Elordi in Justin Kurzel’s ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’ photo © Curio Pictures*

New additions to Berlinale Special program include much anticipated title 'Mickey 17' and new Justin Kurzel series with Jacob Elordi

E. Nina Rothe January 16, 2025

There is goodness to be found in this year’s Berlinale Special program and it includes some eye candy, for yours truly.

*Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey in a still from Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Queer’*

Cinema is "something that is going to change your mind forever": Let's talk about Luca Guadagnino's 'Queer'

E. Nina Rothe November 30, 2024

As the Italian-born filmmaker heads the Competition Jury at this year’s Marrakech International Film Festival, I’m reminded of one of my favorite, count-them-on-the-fingers-of-one-hand films from this year’s Venice Film Festival and why Guadagnino will always be a beloved filmmaker of mine.

'The Belle from Gaza' by Yolande Zauberman screens at London's Ciné Lumière

E. Nina Rothe November 23, 2024

The upcoming screening will take place on December 3rd, and it will be followed by a Q&A with the director, moderated by director Sophie Fiennes.

*Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in a still from ‘Wicked’*

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jon M. Chu & Producer Marc Platt talk 'Wicked'

E. Nina Rothe November 18, 2024

We are living in challenging times. And what comes naturally when that happens? We turn to our memories, letting nostalgia take over from the difficult present. Because everything in our past can be reworked, re imagined and beautified and that’s just what our weary soul needs. And the film ‘Wicked’, releasing this week, allows us to dream too.

"It's really a human story": Billy Bob Thornton on Taylor Sheridan's upcoming series 'Landman'

E. Nina Rothe November 11, 2024

‘Landman’ is a “ten-hour movie” starring a stellar cast and featuring a story we may think we know, but really don’t — Big Oil, seen from the viewpoint of the proverbial little man.

Favorite movies only need apply. Life is too short to write about what I didn't enjoy.