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Daniel Allen

@danielallen.bsky.social

439 followers 251 following 329 posts

Creator, Cinematic Sense. Bylines: Loud and Clear, Little White Lies, Film Stories, The Quietus, In Review Online, The Film Magazine. Portfolio: muckrack.com/daniel-allen-30 Freelance inquiries: cinematicsense.home.blog/contact

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Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 45m

A GIRL UNKNOWN: From China, a tender, restrained story of abandonment and struggling to find self-identity as a result. Really liked this one. For @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social... #LFF

loudandclearreviews.com

A Girl Unknown Review: A Story of Self-Identity

Zou Jing’s A Girl Unknown tells a tender story of self-identity and abandonment during China’s consequential one-child policy.

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Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 49m

First review of #LFF is THE HISTORY OF CONCRETE, a brilliant feature debut from John Wilson that is (ostensibly) about concrete and manages to be both hilarious and profound. For @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social ...

loudandclearreviews.com

The History of Concrete (2026) Movie Review

John Wilson brings his style to his feature debut, The History of Concrete, a documentary about concrete that manages to be hilarious and profound.

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Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 52m

Time to begin my #LFF2026 coverage thread. Will include reviews for Cinematic Sense, @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social and In Review Online, and maybe a few other short thoughts here and there. Stay tuned throughout the festival... #LFF

Poster for the 2026 BFI London Film Festival

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Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In the latest Cinematic Sense Monthly newsletter... Fallout from Venice and TIFF! The secret Nathan Fielder film! Some way-too-early Best Picture predictions! And a Billy Wilder farce is the Film of the Month...

cinematicsense8.wordpress.com

September 2026: Festival Fallout and Awards Talk

This month, the fallout from Venice, TIFF and Telluride. Some way-too-early Best Picture predictions. And a Billy Wilder farce is the Film of the Month…

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#NYFF 2026 starts in two days. For Cinematic Sense, here is my preview of the festival and the films to watch out for. cinematicsense.blog/2026/09/23/n...

cinematicsense.blog

NYFF 2026: 26 Films To Watch Out For - Cinematic Sense

With Venice and Toronto in the rear-view mirror, here are the must-see films at this year’s New York Film Festival…

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

For @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social, my review of Pulp’s new concert film, What Do You Do For An Encore?

loudandclearreviews.com

Pulp: What Do You Do For An Encore?: Review

The British band Pulp demonstrates how great a band they are in Garth Jennings's concert film/documentary What Do You Do For An Encore?.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

MULHOLLAND DRIVE: An immense, fascinating noir about the dream and nightmare versions of Hollywood. 25 years on, it might still be the greatest thing David Lynch ever made. For Cinematic Sense, the latest in the David Lynch Retrospective...

cinematicsense.blog

David Lynch Retrospective: Mulholland Drive - Cinematic Sense

David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive is an immense, fascinating noir about the dream and nightmare versions of Hollywood.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

In the latest entry in the David Lynch Retrospective, I look at his 1999 film The Straight Story, an outstanding and touching movie about a road trip across the American Midwest and the human encounters to be found. For Cinematic Sense...

cinematicsense.blog

David Lynch Retrospective: The Straight Story - Cinematic Sense

David Lynch’s outstanding The Straight Story depicts a road trip across the American Midwest and the human encounters to be found.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Quick Cinematic Sense programming note: Because of #LFF next month, there will be two David Lynch Retrospective posts in September (this Wednesday and Friday, to be exact). Plus, there will be two posts in both November and December to cap off the retrospective. See you then...

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER: Kristen Stewart makes her directorial debut for an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch's memoir. It is an uncompromising story told in an audaciously experimental manner. My review for Cinematic Sense...

cinematicsense.blog

Film Review: The Chronology of Water - Cinematic Sense

Kristen Stewart turns director for The Chronology of Water, an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s uncompromising memoir that is audaciously experimental.

Reposted by Daniel Allen

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#TIFF26 starts today, and I previewed the festival and the films to watch for Cinematic Sense… #TIFF

cinematicsense.blog

TIFF 2026: The Films To Watch Out For - Cinematic Sense

What will stand at this TIFF 2026? And what will win the all-important People's Choice Award? My preview of the films in Toronto this year...

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#TIFF26 starts today, and I previewed the festival and the films to watch for Cinematic Sense… #TIFF

cinematicsense.blog

TIFF 2026: The Films To Watch Out For - Cinematic Sense

What will stand at this TIFF 2026? And what will win the all-important People's Choice Award? My preview of the films in Toronto this year...

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

PROJECT HAIL MARY: Ryan Gosling is great in a fun, visually spectacular blockbuster from Lord and Miller. A film about forming connections and bonds, yes, but also about sacrifices. My review (in fact, my 200th mainline review post) for Cinematic Sense... cinematicsense.blog/2026/09/07/f...

cinematicsense.blog

Project Hail Mary Review: Fun, Visually Spectacular Blockbuster - Cinematic Sense

Lord and Miller’s Project Hail Mary is a fun, visually spectacular blockbuster about finding connection and friendship – in space…

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

HOW TO MAKE A KILLING: Glen Powell in a modern 'Kind Hearts and Coronets' remake sounds incredible. Instead, it is a perfect case of wasted potential... My review for Cinematic Sense...

cinematicsense.blog

How To Make A Killing Review: Wasted Potential - Cinematic Sense

Glen Powell stars in How To Make A Killing, a black comedy remake of Kind Hearts and Coronets that is a perfect case of wasted potential.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This month's Cinematic Sense newsletter is a Summer Box Office Special, as I go through the staggering success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the other billion-dollar films of 2026 (so far). Plus, as always, the Film of the Month... cinematicsense8.wordpress.com/2026/08/28/a...

cinematicsense8.wordpress.com

August 2026: Summer Box Office Special

This month, as we approach the end of the summer blockbuster season, we look at some box office figures. Plus, the Film of the Month…

Reposted by Daniel Allen

juan barquin @woahitsjuanito.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Dolly Parton - I Will Always Love You (Live)

YouTube video by ShoutFactoryVEVO

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma: Jane Schoenbrun changes course with a meta slasher romance that is absorbingly complex - and at times mesmerising. Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder are brilliant together. My review for Cinematic Sense...

cinematicsense.blog

Film Review: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma - Cinematic Sense

Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is an absorbingly complex and at times mesmerising meta slasher.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

With the #VeniceFilmFestival starting next week, here is my preview of the films to watch for CinematicSense... #BiennaleVenice

cinematicsense.blog

Venice Film Festival 2026: The Films To Watch Out For - Cinematic Sense

Let’s look at the films to watch out for at Venice 2026, including the main contenders for the Golden Lion…

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

This month, the David Lynch Retrospective goes down the LOST HIGHWAY, as I look at Lynch's elusive neo-noir horror shrouded in unreality. For Cinematic Sense...

cinematicsense.blog

David Lynch Retrospective: Lost Highway - Cinematic Sense

David Lynch’s elusive Lost Highway is a neo-noir horror shrouded in unreality, about a man in a psychogenic fugue state.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Today is the seventh anniversary of Cinematic Sense. To commemorate it, here is my review of The Royal Tenenbaums, Wes Anderson’s everlasting classic that is probably his best film…

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Film Review: The Royal Tenenbaums Is An Everlasting Classic - Cinematic Sense

Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums is an everlasting, iconic classic about a dysfunctional family reconnecting.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Out in the UK today is the mockumentary satire LADY, starring a terrific Sian Clifford as an aristocrat seeking her artistic voice. My review for @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social from last year's #LFF...

loudandclearreviews.com

Lady (2025) Film Review: Finding Your Artistic Voice

Sian Clifford is a tour de force in Lady, Samuel Abraham’s mockumentary satire about a filmmaker and subject finding their artistic voices together.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

TONY: Out in the UK today, and already out in the US, Matt Johnson serves up an Anthony Bourdain biopic that is also a remarkable coming-of-age story. My review for @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social...

loudandclearreviews.com

Tony Review: Superb Coming-Of-Age Film

With Tony, his biopic about a transformative summer for a young Anthony Bourdain, Matt Johnson serves up a remarkable coming-of-age story.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Will be covering #LFF once again this year. If you’re a publication needing coverage from the festival, I will be avaliable. See the header for my portfolio and contact details…

Confirmation of my Press accreditation for the 70th BFI London Film Festival.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I was a fan of COOKIE QUEENS, the sweet documentary about the uber-competitive Girl Scout cookie season. Review for @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social …

loudandclearreviews.com

Cookie Queens Film Review: Sweet Documentary

Alysa Nahmias’ Cookie Queens is a sweet, immediately charming documentary about Girl Scout cookies, growing up and entrepreneurship.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherfield is now on MUBI UK, and it is definitely worth watching. My review from earlier in the year for @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social...

loudandclearreviews.com

The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford: Film Review

Peter Mullan is brilliant in The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford, an enjoyable character study of a man struggling to find his place in the modern world.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

For this month's Cinematic Sense newsletter, I paid tribute to both the influential Tony Rayns and, for Film of the Month, Sam Neill...

cinematicsense8.wordpress.com

July 2026: A Tribute To Tony Rayns

This month, we pay tribute to both Tony Rayns and, with the Film of the Month, Sam Neill…

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

For my Letterboxd, a review of Barry Levinson’s THE NATURAL, where I compare Robert Redford to Odysseus and call cinema a myth-maker. ‘How can you not be romantic about baseball?’ and so on… boxd.it/fuYYQB

A ★★★★ review of The Natural (1984)

This review may contain spoilers. Visit the page to bypass this warning and read the review.

Reposted by Daniel Allen

🏳️‍🌈 Ms. Marya E. Gates 🦩 @oldfilmsflicker.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Repurposed a Letterboxd essay I wrote last year about David Lynch’s THE STRAIGHT STORY, the passing of my father, and seeing American through its highways. Enjoy.

oldfilmsflicker.substack.com

"I just hope I'm not too late."

On David Lynch's "The Straight Story"

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

With the release of her latest album today, I looked at Charli XCX’s mockumentary THE MOMENT from earlier this year. A surface-level but still pretty effective satire where she seeks the end of the brat era… For Cinematic Sense.

cinematicsense.blog

The Moment Review: Charli XCX Seeks the End of Brat - Cinematic Sense

Charli XCX seeks the end of the brat era in The Moment, a surface-level mockumentary satire that is still pretty effective.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

SOUND OF FALLING: Mascha Schilinski’s encompassing and ethereal drama follows four adolescent girls at a German farmhouse over the course of one century. My review for Cinematic Sense...

cinematicsense.blog

Film Review: Sound of Falling - Cinematic Sense

Mascha Schilinski’s encompassing and ethereal Sound of Falling follows four adolescent girls at a German farmhouse over a century.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

The Odyssey: Yet another excellent, jaw-dropping blockbuster from Christopher Nolan. My review for Cinematic Sense...

cinematicsense.blog

The Odyssey Review: Another Excellent Christopher Nolan Film

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is yet another excellent film from the director – a jaw-dropping Ancient Greek epic with a lot of depth.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

For Cinematic Sense, the David Lynch Retrospective is back with a look at TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME, David Lynch's prequel/uncompromisingly dark account of Laura Palmer's final days...

cinematicsense.blog

David Lynch Retrospective - Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me - Cinematic Sense

With Fire Walk With Me, David Lynch made a Twin Peaks prequel that was an uncompromisingly dark approach to Laura Palmer’s final days.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

RIP Sam Neill. Will obviously be remembered for Jurassic Park, but he was also so good in The Piano and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Could do chilling horrors as well as warm comedies. A stately presence that will be greatly missed.

Sam Neill in Jurassic Park (1993)

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Luca Guadagnino's OpenAI film ARTIFICIAL has been dropped by Amazon, and it still hasn't found a new distributor. For Cinematic Sense, I talk about how bad that is, as well as the ramp-up of AI usage in the film industry and the worrying consequences...

cinematicsense.blog

Let's Talk About Artificial and AI's Takeover of The Film Industry

As Luca Guadagnino’s OpenAI biopic is dropped by Amazon, let’s talk about the worrying AI takeover of the film industry…

Reposted by Daniel Allen

Robert Daniels @812filmreviews.com · 29/06/2026

ICYMI

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Here is the latest edition of the Cinematic Sense Monthly newsletter. Featuring the rise of YouTube filmmakers on the big screen and some intriguing digital distribution methods...

cinematicsense8.wordpress.com

June 2026: Like & Subscribe

This month, we look at YouTubers making a big splash on the big screen with horror movies, as well as some eccentric digital distribution methods…

Reposted by Daniel Allen

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Steven Spielberg's new film Disclosure Day is out in cinemas today. And for Cinematic Sense, one of our guest writers, Thomas Tobutt, has written about how his previous alien films have evolved over the years. #DisclosureDay #Aliens

cinematicsense.blog

Steven Spielberg and the Evolution of His Alien Films - Cinematic Sense

As his new film Disclosure Day is released, let’s look at how Steven Spielberg has explored the extraterrestrial in his films…

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

For Cinematic Sense, the David Lynch Retrospective continues with Season 2 of Twin Peaks. Is it as good as Season 1? Definitely not. But it proves that the show is one of the most stylistically daring ever...

cinematicsense.blog

David Lynch Retrospective: Twin Peaks Season 2 - Cinematic Sense

Season 2 of Twin Peaks is not on the same level as the previous season, but it proves the show is one of the most stylistically daring ever.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is now 40 years old. And for Cinematic Sense, our new writer, Sarah Cipes, has written about what John Hughes' '80s teen classic can teach us in 2026...

cinematicsense.blog

Ferris Bueller's Day Off At 40: What It Can Teach Us Now - Cinematic Sense

As Ferris Bueller’s Day Off turns 40, we look at why John Hughes’ movie remains so important and what it can teach us now.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Steven Spielberg's new film Disclosure Day is out in cinemas today. And for Cinematic Sense, one of our guest writers, Thomas Tobutt, has written about how his previous alien films have evolved over the years. #DisclosureDay #Aliens

cinematicsense.blog

Steven Spielberg and the Evolution of His Alien Films - Cinematic Sense

As his new film Disclosure Day is released, let’s look at how Steven Spielberg has explored the extraterrestrial in his films…

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

(Season 2 review is out on Friday)

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Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

For Cinematic Sense, the David Lynch Retrospective continues with our first trip to Twin Peaks. Lynch and Mark Frost's mystery series quickly became a phenomenon when it first aired. Based on Season 1, it is not hard to see why...

cinematicsense.blog

David Lynch Retrospective: Twin Peaks Season 1 - Cinematic Sense

David Lynch’s mystery series Twin Peaks quickly became a sensation when it aired. Watching the wonderful first season, it is not hard to see why.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

For @loudandclearrvs.bsky.social, my review of the really good character study, The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford... loudandclearreviews.com/fall-sir-dou...

loudandclearreviews.com

The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford: Film Review

Peter Mullan is brilliant in The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford, an enjoyable character study of a man struggling to find his place in the modern world.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

New review for Cinematic Sense: Here comes THE BRIDE! Maggie Gyllenhaal adapts the Bride of Frankenstein by throwing practically every idea at the wall. The result is a fascinating failure... cinematicsense.blog/2026/06/08/f...

cinematicsense.blog

Film Review: The Bride! Is A Fascinating Failure - Cinematic Sense

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Bride of Frankenstein reimagining throws practically everything at the wall, but ends up feeling undeveloped.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

For Cinematic Sense, my review of Julia Loktev's epic (and absolutely vital) documentary about dissident Russian journalists, MY UNDESIRABLE FRIENDS: PART I - LAST AIR IN MOSCOW (available now on MUBI)... cinematicsense.blog/2026/06/05/f...

cinematicsense.blog

Film Review: My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air In Moscow

Julia Loktev’s epic journalism documentary My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow is gigantically dense, staggering and vital.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

For Cinematic Sense, I catch up on some 2026 UK releases. My reviews of Paolo Sorrentino's La Grazia, volcanic documentary Pompei: Below The Clouds and the Brendan Fraser-starring Rental Family... cinematicsense.blog/2026/06/02/f...

cinematicsense.blog

Film Review: La Grazia, Pompei: Below The Clouds, Rental Family

Reviews of La Grazia, Below The Clouds and Rental Family, three generally good films...

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

For Cinematic Sense, the latest newsletter has it all. #Cannes fallout! New Oscar rules! Old Westerns! And William Wyler directs my Film of the Month... Click below to find out more, and make sure you subscribe. cinematicsense8.wordpress.com/2026/05/29/m...

cinematicsense8.wordpress.com

May 2026: An Un-Fjord-Gettable Month

This month’s Cinematic Sense newsletter has it all. Cannes fallout! New Oscar rules! Box office talk! Old Westerns! And William Wyler directs our Film of the Month…

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

It's been 36 years since David Lynch won a Palme d'Or and divided #Cannes with Wild At Heart. For Cinematic Sense and the David Lynch Retrospective, I look at this Wizard of Oz-inspired road trip crime film that remains a daring pulse of energy... cinematicsense.blog/2026/05/21/d...

cinematicsense.blog

David Lynch Retrospective: Wild At Heart - Cinematic Sense

David Lynch’s Palme d’Or winner Wild At Heart is a lover’s road trip movie - and a daring pulse of energy.

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive is great. Its score is iconic. But did you know about the rescored soundtrack from Radio 1 and Zane Lowe? For Cinematic Sense, I examined this alternative version and why it was worth it (at least in theory)... cinematicsense.blog/2026/05/15/f...

cinematicsense.blog

Remembering The Time When Drive Got A Rescore - Cinematic Sense

Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive is great. Its score is iconic. But did you know of its rescored soundtrack filled with new songs?

Daniel Allen @danielallen.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

#Cannes2026 starts today. And so here, in case you missed it yesterday, is my preview of the festival for Cinematic Sense... #Cannes #FestivalDeCannes #CannesFilmFestival cinematicsense.blog/2026/05/11/c...

cinematicsense.blog

Cannes 2026 Preview: The Essential Films to Watch Out For - Cinematic Sense

This year’s Cannes includes films from Pedro Almodovar, Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Hirokazu-Kore-eda. But who will win the Palme d’Or?