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:

June 12, 2026
Blue Film Review: We Like to Watch
Kieron Moore electrifies as a camboy who understands the pleasure of being watched in Blue Film , Elliot Tuttle’s provocative feature debut.

June 11, 2026
Disclosure Day Review: Hollywood Escapism at Its Biggest and Best
Steven Spielberg reaffirms his status as Hollywood’s king of blockbusters with Disclosure Day , an exhilarating feat of big screen escapism.

June 10, 2026
Adam Shankman Talks STOP! THAT! TRAIN! and Going Off the Rails
An interview with STOP! THAT! TRAIN! director Adam Shankman on bringing the joy of drag to the big screen and having fun going off the rails.

June 5, 2026
Power Ballad Stars Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas on a Song’s Universal Feels
Power Ballad stars Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, and director John Carney, share what makes a great song timeless and universal.

May 28, 2026
Allison Janney and Andrew Rannells Ignite Dramatic Fireworks in Miss You, Love You
Miss You, Love You stars Allison Janney and Andrew Rannells talk about navigating love and grief in their dramatic two-hander by Jim Rash.

May 21, 2026
Boots Riley Talks I Love Boosters and Politics and Sleeves
An interview with I Love Boosters director Boots Riley about his fashion-forward critique of consumer culture and capitalist inequality.

May 7, 2026
Nicholas Braun Talks The Sheep Detectives and Standing Out from the Flock
The Sheep Detectives star Nicholas Braun talks about starring opposite some funny sheep and taking risks in the face of type-casting.

April 30, 2026
The Devil Wears Prada 2 Review: Unnecessary Sequel, But Make It Fashion
Meryl Streep returns as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada 2 , a worthy follow-up to the unlikely hit set in the world of high fashion.

April 12, 2026
Big Mistakes Review: Dan Levy Proves He’s No One-Hit Wonder
Dan Levy, Taylor Ortega, and Laurie Metcalf star in Big Mistakes , a fast-paced and high energy crime comedy with a hint of sass.

April 2, 2026
The Drama Review: Something New, Something Old, Something Awkward, Something Blue
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson create a perfect marriage of awkwardness and unease in wedding day cringe comedy The Drama .

March 29, 2026
Alireza Khatami Talks The Things You Kill and Films that Last
An interview with the director of Canada’s bold Oscar submission The Things You Kill .

March 13, 2026
Oscar Predictions and Picks: One Battleground Category After Another
Oscar predictions and picks: That Shelf writers say who will win and should win on Oscar night in what looks to be a tight race across the board.

March 13, 2026
Undertone Review: The Podcast Craze Gets Even Scarier
A paranormal podcast inspires chills in Undertone , a horror film that understands that the scariest images often exist in our own minds.

March 6, 2026
Hoppers Review: Frankly My Dear, You Should Give a Dam
Hoppers , Pixar’s latest animated adventure, offers a fun and whipsmart story about the relationship between humans and non-human animals.

February 20, 2026
The Oscar-Nominated Live Action Shorts: They’re Actually Good this Year!
Review of the 2026 Oscar-nominated live action short films: Jane Austen’s Period Drama, A Friend of Dorothy, Two People Exchanging Saliva, The Singers, and Butcher’s Stain.

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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).
10 hours 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.
1 day 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).
3 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).
4 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