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Manuel Sao Bento

Portuguese critic based in Sweden with a tremendous passion for cinema, television, and the art of filmmaking. Strives to offer an unbiased perspective and has stopped watching trailers since 2017. Rotten Tomatoes approved. Outlets: FandomWire, Talking Films, Firstshowing, InSession Film, That Shelf, Filmhounds Magazine. Proud member of associations such as OFCS (Online Film Critics Society), IFSC (International Film Society Critics), and OFTA (Online Film & Television Association).

Speak No Evil

‘Speak No Evil’ Review: An Americanized Remake for Better and Worse

by Manuel Sao Bento

Speak No Evil may not reach the visceral depth of the Danish original, but it offers a more accessible, commercially appealing approach.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Review: A Nostalgic, Magical Return with Ambitious Missteps

by Manuel Sao Bento

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice captures the original's magic but stumbles over its narrative ambition.

It Ends With Us

‘It Ends With Us’ Review: Balancing Love, Trauma, and Abuse

by Manuel Sao Bento

It Ends With Us tries to balance heavy drama and conventional romance with some difficulties, but it manages to offer a minimally thought-provoking reflection on generational trauma and relationship abuse.

Furiosa

‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ Review: A Flawed Yet Captivating Dive Into a Powerful, Iconic Protagonist

by Manuel Sao Bento

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga deepens its titular protagonist and the respective post-apocalyptic world, offering a captivating origin story that enriches Fury Road, but its excessive runtime, predictability, and time spent addressing the other installment's flaws hinder its enjoyment.

The Fall Guy

‘The Fall Guy’ Review: A Thrilling Tribute to the Unsung Heroes of Cinema

by Manuel Sao Bento

The Fall Guy emerges as a passionate ode to the brave, audacious stunt doubles, neglected by the film industry for so many decades.

Civil War

‘Civil War’ Review: A Thought-Provoking Dive into War Journalism and Moral Complexity

by Manuel Sao Bento

Civil War attests to Alex Garland's fascinating ability to create impactful narratives that provoke deep discussions, beyond his unwavering commitment to the themes and characters at hand, without falling into preachy stances.

Monkey Man

‘Monkey Man’ Review: An Imperfect Yet Compelling Directorial Debut from Dev Patel

by Manuel Sao Bento

Monkey Man shows that Dev Patel still has much to learn when it comes to directing and writing, but his unwavering commitment to a culturally and thematically rich story deserves countless praises.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ Review: A Step Back That Still Holds Enough Entertainment

by Manuel Sao Bento

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire falls short of its predecessor, but the members of the classic and new cast inject enough energy, charm, and emotion to compensate for the narrative inconsistencies and pacing issues.

Damsel (2024)

‘Damsel’ Review: A Generic Yet Immersive Fantasy Flick

by Manuel Sao Bento

Damsel suffers immensely from its conventionality and lack of any significant exploration of its characters, any surprises in its storylines, or any notable thematic study.

Dune: Part Two

‘Dune: Part Two’ Review: The New Generational Epitome of Sci-Fi Epics

by Manuel Sao Bento

Dune: Part Two surpasses even the highest expectations, establishing itself as an unquestionable technical masterpiece of blockbuster filmmaking.

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Movie Reviews

Calorie

Calorie

Secret of a Mountain Serpent

Secret of a Mountain Serpent

The Family Man

Family Man: Season 3

Wicked: For Good

Wicked: For Good

Sisu 2

Sisu: Road to Revenge

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t

The Running Man

The Running Man

Predator: Badlands

Predator: Badlands

Mr. Scorsese

Mr. Scorsese

No Other Choice

No Other Choice

Blue Moon

Blue Moon

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

A House of Dynamite

A House of Dynamite

Frankenstein

Frankenstein

Bugonia

Bugonia

Anemone

Anemone

Roofman

Roofman

Jay Kelly

Jay Kelly

Sentimental Value

Sentimental Value

Ballad of a Small Player

Ballad of a Small Player

Recent Posts

01
Calorie

‘Calorie’ Review: A Gentle, Felt Study of a Family Learning to Mend

02
Secret of a Mountain Serpent

‘Secret of a Mountain Serpent’ Review: A Poetic Fable of Longing

03
The Family Man

‘The Family Man’ Season 3 Review: Another Season of Uneasy Pursuits

04
Wicked: For Good

‘Wicked: For Good’ Review: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera Cement Their Place in Oz’s Unbreakable Heart

05
Sisu 2

‘Sisu: Road to Revenge’ Review: Jalmari Helander Unleashes Hell With Bigger Stakesand More Balls to the Wall Action Set Pieces

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