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O Fear, O Night documentary film review: WIFF 2026

O Fear, O Night Review: WIFF 2026

by Rachel West | October 29, 2026

Christine Chevarie-Lessard’s O Fear, O Night brings anxiety to life in a humorous, heartfelt documentary about the fears that connect us all.

The Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts: They’re Your Oyster

by Pat Mullen | February 20, 2026

Review of the 2026 Oscar-nominated animated shorts The Girl Who Cried Pearls, Forevergreen, Retirement Plan, Butterfly, and The Three Sisters.

The Classics Shelf: The 1994 Academy Awards, Part 4 – The Final Hour: And the Winner Is

by Bil Antoniou | May 18, 2025

The 67th Academy Award ended a long night with Forrest Gump winning the popular vote over critical favourite Pulp Fiction.

Wilfred Buck Review: A Reality Fiction

by Vanya Garraway | December 23, 2024

The thoughtful doc Wilfred Buck is an unconventional, narrative thought poem brought to vivid life by filmmaker Lisa Jackson.

The Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts: Dark, but Daring

by Pat Mullen | February 24, 2022

Review of the 2022 Oscar-nominated Animated Shorts including Boxballet , Affairs of the Art , Robin Robin , Bestia , and Windshield Wiper .

Streaming Recommendations for Black History Month

by Courtney Small | February 1, 2022

Streaming recommendations for Black History Month include Passing , The Harder They Fall , One of Ours , Lilies of the Field , and Set It Off .

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Draw Me Close: A Dazzling Virtual Reality Memoir

by Victor Stiff | November 15, 2021

Jordan Tannahill's virtual reality memoir Draw Me Close offers a powerful tale of love and loss.

Hot Docs 2021: KÃmmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy Review

by Courtney Small | April 30, 2021

The road to recovery may be long, but KÃmmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy never loses faith in its subjects or their communities' ability to rally around them.

Hot Docs 2021: Someone Like Me Review

by Courtney Small | April 29, 2021

An engaging examination of what it means to be free, Someone Like Me reminds us that no one should be forced to hide their true self.

Hot Docs 2020: Stateless

by Courtney Small | May 26, 2020

Michèle Stephenson's 'Stateless' is a cautionary reminder of how easily one can become a stranger in your own home.

10 Upcoming Film Adaptations to Read While Social Distancing

by Pat Mullen | March 27, 2020

Here are ten 2020 film adaptations to read during social distancing before the movie theatres re-open.

TIFF 2019: The Physics of Sorrow Review

by Barbara Goslawski | September 3, 2019

TIFF 2019: The Physics of Sorrow Review

TIFF 2016: HAND.LINE.COD. Review

by Doug Tilley | September 13, 2016

TIFF 2016 HAND.LINE.COD. review.

TIFF 2016: Blind Vaysha Review

by Doug Tilley | September 13, 2016

TIFF 2016 Blind Vaysha review

10 Great Moments in Stop-Motion Animation

by Will Perkins | November 26, 2015

To celebrate TIFF's upcoming Magic Motion: The Art of Stop-Motion Animation film retrospective we've assembled a list of some of the most important, impressive and interesting moments in the history of stop-motion animation.

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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
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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).
5 days ago
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2/9

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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.
6 days ago
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3/9

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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).
1 week ago
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4/9

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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).
1 week ago
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5/9

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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).
2 weeks ago
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6/9

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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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7/9

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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).
3 weeks ago
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8/9

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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).
3 weeks ago
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9/9