‘Ali & Ava’ review: A well-rounded, typically British, social realist study [Grade: B] (London Film Festival)
Coming off the Ruth Wilson-starring film Dark River, Clio Bernard’s new film, Ali & Ava, is a sensitive exploration of two complexly troubled people, who... Read More
Ben Rolph
Ben is a film and television journalist, who is based out of London, United Kingdom. As the Senior film critic at DiscussingFilm, Ben regularly writes reviews, features, interviews and attends film festivals. Also, Ben runs the DiscussingFilm Critic Awards that have been running since 2019 and is a Tomatometer-approved critic.
From ‘Dune’ to ‘Last Night in Soho,’ Venice 2021 was a film festival to remember
The Venice Film Festival was a serene, sun-blessed blast of a festival. Nothing beats getting up at the crack of dawn and sleepwalking onto the... Read More
Venice Review: Quentin Tarantino pays tribute to Sergio Corbucci, the second-greatest spaghetti western director, in ‘Django & Django’ [Grade A-]
The literal dream documentary for every film buff, especially those who take a distinct interest in the spaghetti western side of cinema. And who better... Read More
Venice Review: Netflix’s ‘7 Prisoners’ is a tension-filled tale of morality [Grade: B+]
7 Prisoners is a well-rounded, tense second feature from director Alexandre Moratto. Produced by renowned Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles, known for his iconic, Rio-set film... Read More
Venice Review: Ana Lily Amirpour’s ‘Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon’ is a vibrantly stylish, yet uneven ride [Grade C+]
Ana Lily Amirpour’s latest film, after a five-year absence due to her venturing into the world of TV, will take audiences on a stylish, hipster... Read More
Venice review: Isabelle Huppert rivets in this razor-sharp political drama, ‘Promises (Les promesses)’ [Grade B+]
Isabelle Huppert battles to keep her place in the mayoral office in Thomas Kruithof’s Les Promesses, also known by its English title Promises. It’s a... Read More
‘Shang-Chi’ is a step forward for Asian representation in studio films; here’s why it’s important right now
Inauthenticity has always been a problem in big-budget films produced in Hollywood’s studio system. It’s a well-known fact that most Hollywood films are made by... Read More
‘Love Letters’ Review: A Quietly Powerful Portrait of Queer Motherhood [B] Cannes 
‘A Useful Ghost’ Review: Vacuum Cleaner Love Story Doesn’t Suck [C+] Cannes 
‘Sirât’ Review: Óliver Laxe Takes Us on a Sisyphean Journey of Sound and Fury Road [A-] Cannes 
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 99 – ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (Peter Jackson, 2001)