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Oh dear. Like so many other cinema goers, I was so looking forward to this film, but left the cinema at the end feeling utterly deflated. The first instalment of Joker was a breath of fresh air, particularly considering films portraying the DC comics world have often received mixed reactions, usually predominantly negative. Joker was dark, edgy and humorous. Joker Folie a Deux has none of these qualities. The concept of the film being part musical sounded a weird idea when I first heard about it, but with Lady Gaga on board I thought it could work. Making the basis of the film a courtroom 'drama' was a massive own goal though. The rhythm of the film fell as flat as a pancake. I feel sorry for Joaquin Phoenix who clearly suffered for his art judging by his gaunt appearance. This is another classic example of Hollywood trying to be too clever for its own good. The writers need to understand that 'if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it' Give the fans what they want and they will return time and again. A massive wasted opportunity.

I was looking forward to seeing Megalopolis as I was a fan of Francis Ford Coppola and enjoyed Adam Drivers performances in Ferrari, House of Gucci and the Star Wars movies. How disappointed I was. When I read that movie legends Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight were also starring in the film this reinforced my desire to see it...oh my goodness...I could not believe how bad this film transpired to be. The acting was so wooden that I actually thought it was supposed to be parody of other Hollywood films, but I don't think that was the intention of the director and writer. The 'plot' appears to have been written on the back of a matchbox. It had the depth of a children's paddling pool. The scariest thing is that I understand the film was self funded to the tune of $120 million?! I can't see it making a fraction of the budget. I just hope that Coppola still has some savings left in his piggy bank...

It's not often that I leave a cinema feeling inspired by a film. The Outrun is one such movie. I have always been an advocate of the healing power of the natural world and watching this beautiful, but sometimes harrowing film, reinforced my philosophy. Sometimes the best stories are the simple ones and this is one of them. Saoirse Ronan produces and stars as the main character Rona who was bought up on the Orkney Isles, but hankers for the bright lights of London like so many other young people from isolated communities often do. The film does well to portray the pitfalls of living in a big city, but also deserves credit for showing the Orkney Isles as a clearly beautiful, but sometimes desolate place. In the same week I have also been to see two big budget films, but the Outrun was by far the best of the three albeit on a fraction of the budget. If you want to see a film that will make you feel more positive about life then I recommend you see this movie. I am glad that I did.