REVIEW ROUNDUP: EXTRA ORDINARY, FOR SAMA, PHOENIX AND MIDNIGHT COWBOY

Four new releases at the Irish Film Institute from Friday September 13th: Extra Ordinary, For Sama, Phoenix and Midnight Cowboy.

Read on for a selection of reviews or pop in to make up your own mind!

EXTRA ORDINARY
“It’s a gem of a movie that will make you want to come back for more. Extraordinary indeed.”
4/5 – RTÉ

“Consistently funny in a pleasingly off-kilter way.”
Variety

“A light but enjoyable horror/comedy/romance whose star deserves the exposure.”
Hollywood Reporter

“Extra Ordinary feels like a cult film in the making.”
Film Ireland

FOR SAMA
“The film-makers have said they were forced to cut some of the more horrific footage, but what remains is appalling enough. Anybody who turns over when the news warns of “scenes you mind find upsetting” would be as well to keep their loins girded throughout. It would, however, be a shame to miss such a searing document.”
4/5 – Irish Times

“It’s powerful stuff, but will anyone listen?”
4/5 – Irish Independent

“Do not miss this film but brace yourself.”
5/5 – RTÉ

“Profoundly moving and unignorable, whether as proof of Assad’s barbarism, or the unfailing ability of this world – and its most engaged cinema – to break your heart and sear your soul.”
5/5 – Guardian

“Must be seen to be believed. Waad Al-Kateab is your new hero.”
5/5 – Little White Lies

“One of the most remarkable and affecting war docs of all time.”
5/5 – Metro

PHOENIX
“There are nods towards Pan’s Labyrinth as Jill’s woes manifest themselves in fleetingly glimpsed monstrous forms. Mostly, Phoenix prefers grim realism to the supernatural. The slow-burning script stubbornly eschews revelatory showdowns in favour of a dutiful sense of carrying on regardless.”
4/5 – Irish Times

“A mournful, impressively assured first feature from Norwegian actress-turned-writer-director Camilla Strøm Henriksen.”
4/5 – The List