Masters Archives - That Shelf

Masters

TIFF 2019: The Whistlers Review

by Courtney Small | September 3, 2019

TIFF 2019: The Whistlers Review

Michael Haneke on Social Media, Isabelle Huppert, Filmmaking in the US, and Where He Keeps his Golden Globe

by Phil Brown | January 11, 2018

That Shelf was lucky enough to get a chance to chat with the legendary art house provocateur Michael Haneke when he came to TIFF to premiere Happy End last fall. It was a shockingly playful chat from the Austrian auteur, involving smiles and giggles that we didn't even know he was capable of.

Happy End Review

by Phil Brown | January 11, 2018

Anyone anxious to experience some slow burn misery on the big screen this winter needn't worry. Austrian auteur Michael Haneke is back with the delightfully ironically titled Happy End .

TIFF 2017: Our People Will Be Healed Review

by Daniel Grant | September 7, 2017

TIFF 2017 Our People Will Be Healed review.

TIFF 2017: Happy End Review

by Phil Brown | September 6, 2017

TIFF 2017: Happy End Review.

Personal Shopper Review

by Will Perkins | March 24, 2017

Kristen Stewart is magnetic in the haunting and complex Personal Shopper .

TIFF 2016: The Net Review

by Michael McNeely | September 17, 2016

Film critic Michael McNeely's intense interrogation after watching TIFF 2016 film The Net .

TIFF 2016: Anatomy of Violence Review

by Michael McNeely | September 16, 2016

Anatomy of Violence TIFF 2016 Review.

TIFF 2016: Hissein Hibré: A Chadian Tragedy Review

by Michael McNeely | September 15, 2016

Hissein Hibré: A Chadian Tragedy Review TIFF 2016 Review.

TIFF 2016: Personal Shopper Review

by Will Perkins | September 7, 2016

Kristen Stewart is magnetic in Olivier Assayas' genre-defying arthouse horror movie Personal Shopper .

TIFF 2016: Graduation Review

by Michael McNeely | September 7, 2016

The Graduation TIFF 2016 Review.

Jafar Panahi’s Taxi Review

by That Shelf | October 3, 2015

Jafar Panahi’s Taxi sneaks up on you and will keep you talking about it long after the cab ride home.

TIFF 2015: Jafar Panahi’s Taxi Review

by That Shelf | September 7, 2015

Jafar Panahi’s Taxi TIFF 2015 review

TIFF 2014: Winter Sleep Review

by That Shelf | September 13, 2014

Winter Sleep Masters Acclaimed director Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Palm D’Or winning film is a quiet chamber drama that ironically takes the viewer on an emotional rollercoaster. Set in the rocky landscape of Turkey’s Cappadocia region, Winter Sleep examines the seemingly simple life of Aydin (Haluk Bilginer), a retired actor who runs a mountaintop hotel with […]

TIFF 2014: A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence Review

by Zack Kotzer | September 11, 2014

A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence Masters So your first question, about the title, is answered immediately. It opens on a pigeon, sitting on a branch, and though it is stuffed and mounted in a natural history museum, it’s not a stretch to imagine it reflects on its existence. The people that […]

Search for:
Instagram
@thatshelf
THAT SHELF
@thatshelf
Film 🎥 TV 📺 Music 🎶 Podcasts 🎧 Contests 🏆 — News, reviews, interviews! —
View on Instagram

@thatshelf

•

Follow

La Bola Negra weaves together three timelines to explore queer love, identity, and the stories that survive across generations. From a musician navigating love and survival during the Spanish Civil War to a playwright uncovering a forgotten piece of queer history in contemporary Spain, the film connects lives shaped by stigma, loss, and the courage to be true to oneself. With soulful music, a richly interconnected narrative, and outstanding performances led by Guitarricadelafuente and Penélope Cruz, the film becomes a moving tribute to queer artists and the histories that deserve to be remembered. Directors Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo build on Federico García Lorca’s unfinished play to create an expansive, deeply felt celebration of LGBTQ+ lives, love, and artistic expression. 📝 Full review by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/9

@thatshelf

•

Follow

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).
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9

@thatshelf

•

Follow

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.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9

@thatshelf

•

Follow

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).
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/9

@thatshelf

•

Follow

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).
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/9

@thatshelf

•

Follow

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).
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/9

@thatshelf

•

Follow

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
View on Instagram |
7/9

@thatshelf

•

Follow

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).
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/9

@thatshelf

•

Follow

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).
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9