Pat Mullen, Author at That Shelf

Pat Mullen

Associate Editor / Senior Critic

Pat Mullen received an MA from Carleton University where his studies focused on adaptation and Canadian cinema. He is the publisher of POV Magazine, Canadaâ€™s destination for documentary culture, and has contributed to other publications including The Canadian Encyclopedia, Beatroute, Awards Daily, Paste, Xtra, Documentary, and his independent blog Cinemablographer. Pat is the president of the Toronto Film Critics Association, a member of the Online Film Critics Society and GALECA, and an international voter for the Golden Globe Awards.

He lives in Toronto with his cat, Fellini.

Articles by Pat Mullen:

October 24, 2026
Your Invite to the Year of Penélope Cruz
An interview with Penélope Cruz on The Invite and an extraordinary performance that could help make Oscar history in her incredible year.

October 22, 2026
Helen Mirren Embraces Patricia Highsmith’s Dark Side
An interview with Helen Mirren on playing Patricia Highsmith in A Talent for Murder and embracing the dark side of a famed Talented Mr. Ripley author.

October 22, 2026
La Bola Negra Review: A Swoon-Worthy Masterpiece
La Bola Negra is a sweeping epic pays tribute to lost lives and loves by connecting the stories of gay men across generations.

October 21, 2026
Jim Queen Review: Bottoms’ Up for Sassy Animated Film
The fun and flamboyant Jim Queen follows a beefcake Adonis and his trusty twink as they explore gay subcultures and confront stereotypes.

October 18, 2026
Inside the Magic of Wildwood at Laika Studios
A behind the scenes tour of Laika studios reveals the magic of Wildwood, the Portland hub’s most ambitious stop-motion animated feature yet.

October 8, 2026
James McAvoy on the Scottish Brogue of California Schemin’
An interview with James McAvoy on California Schemin’ and making his directorial debut with a film that takes pride in a Scottish voice.

October 7, 2026
Gary Oldman Follows His Nose with Slow Horses
An interview with Gary Oldman about diving into his dishevelled spy Jackson Lamb on season six of Slow Horses and learning the character as the series evolves.

September 25, 2026
TIFF Is Officially Party City Once Again
Highlights from the party side of the Toronto International Film Festival include the TFCA’s pre-TIFF party at Le Germain, the Golden Globes bash, and La Bola Negra ‘s Nobu fÃªte.

September 25, 2026
Forgotten Island Review: The Fun Never Stops
As entertaining as it is exhausting, Forgotten Island offers non-stop action and an all-you-can-eat buffet of animated nuggets.

September 24, 2026
Primetime Review: It Takes One to Know One
Robert Pattinson gives a tour-de-force performance in Primetime as sicko journalist and To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen.

September 20, 2026
Masc Review: TIFF 2026
With Masc , Bertil Nilsson and Joshua Griffin create an enigmatic and evocative exploration of identity politics that refuses to fit within a box.

September 18, 2026
Up Against It Review: TIFF 2026
Antonio Banderas, Eva Birthistle, Ãšrsula Corberó, and Arinzé Kene star in Up Against It a rom-com stuck fighting against an absolutely absurd premise.

September 17, 2026
Neverman Review: TIFF 2026
Justin Vivian Bond makes the most of her first lead film role in Neverman as a trans woman holding onto her sense of self as she experiences Alzheimer’s.

September 13, 2026
The Debut Review: TIFF 2026
Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti offer a fearless acting duo in The Debut Jesse Eisenberg’s darkly funny look at what it means to push your limits as an actor.

September 12, 2026
Ancestors Review: TIFF 2026
Ancestors offers an elegiac tribute to a generation of lost boys with its All of Us Strangers -y ghost story. #TIFF26

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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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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).
6 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