Author | Lida Bach

Lida Bach

Born in Berlin, buried in Paris (not yet). Loves movies. Hates some, too. Critic of film and most other things. Professional movie journalist. Apart from the "getting paidâ€œ part.

Articles by Lida Bach:

March 11, 2025
Interview: Can I Get a Witness? Director Ann Marie Fleming
An interview with Can I Get a Witness? director Ann Marie Fleming about her equally utopian and dystopian drama starring Sandra Oh.

January 1, 2025
Neon Dreaming Review: Retreats Into Fantasy
Marie-Claire Marcotte”˜s Neon Dreaming overly simplifies considerations of neuro-diversity and parenting.

December 31, 2024
The Beast Hand Review
Low-budget specialist Taichiro Natsume hands out plastic props, psychopathy and perversion in his latest horror feature.

December 29, 2024
Interview: Quiet Life Director Alexandros Avranas
Director Alexandros Avranas tells us about his drama Quiet Life and its disturbing, delicate issues

December 29, 2024
Veni Vidi Vici Review
Aloof Austrian serial killer comedy is a one-shot social satire that aims low but still misses its truistic target.

December 28, 2024
Plastic People Review
While the environmental damage caused by plastic is widely accepted, the Canadian documentary Plastic People looks closely at the cost to human health.

December 23, 2024
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Review
Pat Boonnitipat offers a personal perspective at rivalry and reconciliation among family in How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.

December 21, 2024
Deaf Lovers Review
Boris Guts”˜ Deaf Lovers premiered in Tallinn”˜s Black Nights Film Festival”˜s Official Competition despite major public backlash. But what of the film itself?

December 18, 2024
Scared Shitless Review: What a Dump.
“That’s real cool, right?” If a film starts with that question, the answer is usually “no.” The in many ways crappy creature feature Scared Shitless is no exception. In fact, the horror comedy feels tediously long despite its 76 minute running time. It’s so void of quality and full of unremarkable aspects, that an Estonian […]

December 8, 2024
Hani Review
Where lust was called just: This is where Hou Das heng’s social-realist spectacle Hani takes audiences.

December 8, 2024
Pink Lady Review
Much like the conflicted couple, Nir Bergman”˜s detached drama never quite dares to break away from toxic traditions and harmful hypocrisy.

December 7, 2024
Black Gold Review
Takashi Sugimoto intertwines poetry and prose in his debut docu-drama, #BlackGold, examining the religious roots and socio-economic structures of India’s hair trade.

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With just 34 days before reporting to federal prison, Elizabeth Holmes invites filmmakers Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim into her home for an unrestricted look at her life. What begins as an offer of complete access becomes an unsettling exploration of truth, performance, and the difficulty of knowing who someone really is. Balancing uncomfortable humour with a fascinating sense of ambiguity, the documentary refuses to offer easy answers about Holmes or her carefully constructed public image. Through intimate cinematography, intricate editing, and Fielder’s signature awkwardness, it challenges audiences to question what they’re seeing, making for an ambitious, thought-provoking film that lingers long after it ends. 📝 Full review by Lyle Kruger now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 days ago
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1/9

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Rest in peace, Tom Skerritt (1933–2026). A familiar and commanding presence on screen for more than six decades, Skerritt built a remarkable career across film and television, bringing a quiet authority and understated humanity to every role. From Captain Dallas in Alien and Viper in Top Gun to his performances in MASH*, The Turning Point, Steel Magnolias, and A River Runs Through It, he became part of some of cinema’s most enduring stories. On television, he earned an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences, a role that showcased his ability to balance strength, warmth, and humour. Whether playing a military commander, a father, or a small-town sheriff, Skerritt had a way of making his characters feel grounded and real. With a career spanning generations and more than 170 film and television credits, he leaves behind a body of work that will continue to find new audiences. Thank you for the performances and the lasting mark you left on cinema.
3 days ago
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2/9

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Street Fighter brings the iconic video game franchise back to the big screen, following estranged brothers Ryu and Ken as they reunite for the World Warrior Tournament. But with M. Bison plotting to harness the fighters’ power for his own sinister purposes, the competition soon becomes a battle for the fate of the world. Packed with spectacular fight sequences, nostalgic references, and a soundtrack that takes audiences straight back to the ’90s, the film delivers a major upgrade over its predecessor. With a perfectly matched cast, genuinely funny dialogue, and faithful recreations of the game’s signature moves, it balances fan service with entertaining action that newcomers can enjoy, too. 📝 Full review by Sarah Gopaul now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
5 days ago
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3/9

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Whalefall follows Jay Gardiner, a young scuba diver who finds himself trapped inside a sperm whale and facing an increasingly desperate fight for survival. But as he struggles to escape before his oxygen runs out, the experience also forces him to confront unresolved grief and his complicated relationship with his late father. Led by Austin Abrams, the film delivers an intense underwater survival thriller with impressive technical work and a convincing sense of claustrophobia. However, its exploration of grief and family trauma struggles to match the tension of its central premise, relying on familiar character arcs and heavy-handed emotional beats that leave its themes feeling muddled. 📝 Full review by Mel Valentin now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
5 days ago
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4/9

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What does it mean to see and hear yourself represented on screen? In his feature directorial debut, California Schemin’, James McAvoy tells the true story of Scottish rappers Silibil N’ Brains, who found success by pretending to be American. In this interview with That Shelf, McAvoy discusses the importance of staying true to the Scottish identity at the heart of the film, bringing the duo’s story to life, and why everyone deserves to see their own experiences reflected in cinema. 📝 Full interview by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
1 week ago
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5/9

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The Social Reckoning revisits the world of Facebook, following data scientist Frances Haugen and Wall Street Journal journalist Jeff Horwitz as they investigate the company’s role in spreading harmful content and radicalizing users. Set between 2019 and 2021, the film examines the consequences of prioritizing profit over people in the social media industry. Despite tackling an urgent and relevant subject, Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up struggles to offer fresh insights into the damage caused by social media. While the story raises important questions about corporate responsibility and the power of technology, underdeveloped characters, an awkward central relationship, and uninspired direction prevent the film from reaching its full potential. 📝 Full review by Mel Valentin now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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6/9

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Six seasons into Slow Horses, Gary Oldman continues to find new layers in Jackson Lamb, the sharp-tongued, dishevelled spy at the centre of the series. In conversation with That Shelf at TIFF, Oldman reflects on playing Lamb over multiple seasons, the character’s history and hidden vulnerabilities, and the parallels between Lamb and another of his iconic spies, George Smiley. He also shares how adapting Mick Herron’s novels allows him to keep discovering new details about a character who carries years of history and baggage. 📝 Full interview by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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7/9

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Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother follows Latif, a devout Muslim and hitman whose life takes a turn after his wife’s death leaves him caring for their three children. With his infant refusing formula and their supply of breast milk running out, Latif must navigate a dangerous world of crime and violence while trying to provide for his family. Mahershala Ali delivers an extraordinary performance in this striking blend of crime thriller, dark comedy, and religious parable. Bassam Tariq explores faith, fatherhood, hypocrisy, and forgiveness without losing sight of the tenderness at the film’s heart. Despite some uneven pacing near the end, it’s a bold, moving, and unforgettable film that stands apart from anything else this year. 📝 Full review by Lyle Kruger now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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8/9

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Eva Marie Saint, one of the last silver-screen icons, has passed away at 102. She burst onto the scene with a magnificent supporting role opposite Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront — a role that earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She went on to memorable parts in North by Northwest, Raintree Country, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, Summer and Smoke, Exodus, and The Rainmaker. Her more recent roles included parts in Winter's Tale, Because of Winn-Dixie, and Superman Returns. Originally from Newark, she auditioned for Elia Kazan and was accepted into the Actors Studio, becoming one of a new generation of strong, method actors. One of the last of her Hollywood generation, she leaves us with an impressive career and legacy of over 6 decades! RIP.
3 weeks ago
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9/9