Reviews
Wicked Little Letters (2023)
Curate's egg of a movie
This is a real curates egg of a movie. It is advertised and previewed as a sort of Carry On Swearing set in the 1920s but is actually a pretty serious film with an important message about women's treatment and rights and the impact of abusive mail (very relevant for todays social media). So some of my expectations were disappointed but on the other hand a much stronger and better film emerged. There are still times when the tone seems all wrong and some of the scenes seem part of a different film altogether making for uncomfortable viewing... but overall this is intelligent and entertaining movie. The film is well directed and the evocation of the 1920s is very successful . It is the performances that make the film and the two leads do not disappoint although Olivia Coleman has the more difficult role treading a fine line between drama and comedy. Excellent support from a top British cast with Eileen Atkins and Joanna Scanlan the two stand outs .
Empire of Light (2022)
Painful and heart wrenching
This film seems to start as an homage to the many 50s and 60s British films set in seaside towns. Everything seems rather dull, run down and seedy. Not very much happens and people escape their boring lives by going to the magic of the cinema. However about halfway through the film changes focus and comes alive highlighting the three big issues of today mental health, misogyny and racism .
As the film is set in the 1980s it is enlightening to be reminded how these issues were dealt with or not as the case maybe back then . This time however we see the impact through the eyes of the victims and it is a painful and heart wrenching experience. This is a seemingly very simple but ultimately ambitious film which eventually succeeds thanks to the expert direction , the glorious cinematography and the many wonderful performances. Olivia Coleman and Micheal Ward are searingly good.
This is a very personal film from writer / director Sam Mendes and goes a long way to visually capturing his reasons for loving cinema . His choice of Being There as the favourite film selected to watch at the end is surely a further representation of complex simplicity as well as a comment on todays politics and society.
A Man Called Otto (2022)
Packs an emotional punch
Good grief there are some really grumpy reviewers out there. This is the perfect vehicle for Tom Hanks and he makes the most of the opportunity. ( I note that he and Rita Wilson are producers ). Yes it is a remake of a classic Swedish movie but this plays out to a much larger audience while retaining the same sentiments. Well written and acted this is great entertainment moving seamlessly from comedy to drama and ultimately packs an emotional punch that makes it memorable and pushes it into one of the best movies of the year . A great reminder of why Tom Hanks has been at the top for so long while providing a break out supporting role for Mariano Trevino who is genuinely both very funny and very moving. Can I also highlight the soundtrack ... especially the Kate Bush single . Highly recommended .
Death on the Nile (2022)
Better than the original
This film starts very slowly but after the first 45 minutes really takes off. Originally after looking at the cast I thought it would be no match for 1976 film .. but actually thinking about it ..that wasn't a very good movie and the best thing in it was the bitching between Bette Davis and Maggie Smith . Overall this is a much better film and Branagh is really beginning to get into the character of Poirot . I always thought it was a mistake to remake Murder on the Orient Express which was a classic and had a great cast and the best Poirot in Albert Finney but Death on the Nile was inferior and played for laughs with Ustinov and Smith . Branaghs version has a much clearer plot and some surprisingly good performances from an unexpected cast ... especially Okanado and Bateman. Some stunning photography and great direction from Branagh . Overall this is a big improvement on his first Poirot and the series could now turn into a classic especially if they choose next a book that hasn't yet been filmed . Overall entertaining and well worth watching .
Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021)
Bright and Funny Feelgood Musical
This is a bright and colourful British musical based on the successful stage show which was itself based on a BBC documentary . A great film to entice all ages back into the cinema . There is nothing like sharing comedy and song and dance routines with a large audience !
This film also tells a great story and carries a positive message . Some of the songs are weak but there are a couple of standouts especially He's my boy and surprisingly there are many laugh out loud moments. The two young leads ( Max Harwood and Lauren Patel )give stellar performances and there is exceptional support from Sarah Lancashire , Richard E Grant and the scene stealing Shobna Gulati. Confidently directed by Jonathan Backerell this is a feelgood movie of the highest order.
Annette (2021)
Truly original cinematic experience
Wow!!! This is what great cinema is all about....breaking boundaries,being experimental ... doing something different . Firstly this is not a musical it is a modern film opera.. there's not many of them ...so don't think you are going to come out whistling a happy tune. This is a visually stunning film with some truly epic set pieces.
There is a serious message as well for this 'me too ' generation about man's need to act and be like god and control all aspects of life ..including death . There is symbolic imagery all over the film too from the marionette Ann ette to the Eve like apples that Marion Cotillard keeps biting into .. or is that representing Snow White.
Carax gives this film everything he's got and I have to admit half way through I was all for giving up but somehow he pulls you round and by the end you can see his intentions and reasoning behind the imagery and performances. This is a film you can wait years for and I can assure you are not going to forget. Driver and Cottilard are on epic form . Stick with this film for a truly great experience. WELCOME BACK TO CINEMA!!!!
Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
Closer to the truth than you think
Another version of the tragic life of Mary Queen of Scots.... but this one at last gets closer to the true characters of both Mary and rival Elizabeth.Yes there are some historical liberties taken but this is only to clarify the rivalry between the two countries and their queens and to meet the political correctness of today's society. The meeting between the two is pure fiction but like Schillers play allows the story to come alive in a dramatic way. There are anyway huge gaps in their history that allows for some fictionalising about what might have happened.
There is factual evidence that Mary was strong and clever but surrounded by poor and ambitious advisers in the pay of Elizabeth; that Darnley was bi sexual and immature and that Elizabeth was insecure and less courageous than reported but surrounded by clever and manipulative advisers.Almost a role reversal from any previous films or TV series
The film shows the politics and relationships from a woman's perspective and is a lot better for it.. definitely a film for the MeToo generation. The two leads give strong and charismatic performances especially Ronan in the title role and their is good support from the mainly British cast.
Great first time direction and as you would expect from a historical film costumes and cinematography. Don't believe any of other reviews criticising the historical accuracy of the story.. this film is truer to its main characters than anything previously!!!! Give it a try!
What's Up, Doc? (1972)
Classic comedy... best ever!!
This is my favourite film of all time.. and I don't really know why. Right from the opening titles with a truly sublime version of You re the Top sung by Streisand this film captures your heart. It has an all encompassing kooky charm with simply hilarious set pieces building up to the classic car chase. Bogdanovich is a student of film and he seems to have put all the best bits that he has learned into this film. The cinematography and editing is stunning with moments of complete silence and beauty contrasting with the madcap and loud chases and fights. The real stars are the cast with some simply stand out supporting performances including Kahn in unbelievably her first film and veteran Liam Dunn .Ryan o Neal has never been better but the true star of the film is Streisand. This is her best performance ever and seems to capture and reflect her true personality.....she has never been funnier or more charming and sets this film on fire. Not just a comedy classic but a true film masterclass.
Dolor y gloria (2019)
More Pain than Glory
I used to look forward to every new Almodovar film but not so much for the last 10 years. He seems to have lost his way but this film at least sees him beginning to find a road back.This is semi autobiographical and it is entertaining to see what he has been up to during the last few years and to see Antonio Banderas playing effectively Almodovar himself. There are some very effective scenes especially those involving Penelope Cruz as his mother.... however the film is at least half an hour too long and lacks the eccentric and camp humour of his earlier classics.Still more pain than glory. Having said all that ANY Almodovar film is worth watching and he remains one of the great modern directors
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
Tarantino returns to form
This movie marks a significant return to form for Quentin Tarantino with what is probably his most confident and best film. It also contains two of the best performances from Di Caprio and Pitt who make a great double act (surely Pitt must be a favourite for a supporting actor Oscar). The film is always entertaining showing the end of the studio era in sixties Hollywood and the rise of television , providing work for aging stars and B movie actors. There is much to enjoy here including backlot Kung fu fights with Bruce Lee and meeting A lister star Steve McQueen at studio parties plus an accurate recreation of the 'groovy , hippie 'sixties. The atmosphere changes as the film progresses with the introduction of Charles Manson and the underlying menace and threat provided by his drug addicted followers. Great ending and great film!
Mrs Lowry & Son (2019)
Slow Burner
This is a mesmerizingly slow film set almost entirely in one room..... it could almost be a play. However Adrian Noble thankfully focuses on the two main actors and we are gradually sucked in to their closed little world. Both Spall and Redgrave give towering complementary performances which keep the audience completely entranced from the beginning. Redgrave especially manages to create a relentlessly critical and bitter character without the viewer ever hating her for it.. and Spall has grown into a confident and creative character actor of the highest order. Beautiful cinematography and set design make this film artistically watchable. If you like slow burning drama then this is a treat.
Seongnan hwangso (2018)
Not bad but could do better
Korean comedy-mystery where the comedy works better than the action. Good ensemble cast act well together however the film lacks pace and there are very few twists and turns and disappointingly little thrills. The comedy however keeps you entertained and interested but this film could have been so much more.
Boyz in the Wood (2019)
Surreal and wild ... but laugh out loud funny
This film was the opening gala for the Edinburgh Film Festival and definitely deserved the accolade. Quirky and experimental it has many laugh out loud moments in a truly original spin on the old story of city boys surviving in the wild.The director and writer Ninian Doff has a rare original talent and is definitely someone to watch. You can see his music video influences throughout the film giving it a fresh and pacey vibe. A very talented British cast make the most of the heddy mix of horror and outrageous comedy with Kate Dickie and James Cosmo standouts along with the 4 newcomers playing the boys. Surreal and wild this film has an energy that will make you feel you are on a drug induced high. Highly recommended.
The Wife (2017)
Well made but predictable
This is a film that would seem perfect for this' me too ' Year...however although the film is well made the plot is not believable and the overall film predictable. The acting is excellent with a stand out performance from Glenn Close full of subtlety and restraint.. and a masterclass in reaction. Always looks good and is entertaining to watch... but not a classic.
The Children Act (2017)
Intelligent and well made
This is a small but intelligent film that will stay with you for a long time after the final credits. It is well made in all categories and addresses a number of issues that are current and important today including faith vs law, love vs life, youth vs experience. This is probably the best adaption of one of Ian McEwans novels and benefits from a strong and nuanced performance from Emma Thomson who is hardly off the screen for a minute and excellent support from Jason Watkins as her clerk and newcomer Fionn Whitehead. As one of the characters says .. I could see you listening and thinking.. and this is really the crux of the film.What decision you come to in the end may differ... but at least you have the enjoyment of being challenged!
Zimna wojna (2018)
Style over Content
This is another case of style over content. The look of this film is stunning , deliberately reminiscent of the European films of the 50'sand 60's however there is no substance to the story. The script jumps years and places so many times that we never care enough about the main characters and their love story which is the main focus of the film (some would say only focus) as the major political changes that took place during this period are kept so far in the background that they seem insignificant and ultimately irrelevant.The jazz sequences in a Paris cafe only seem to be included to show some great smoky black and white photography rather than to move the plot forward. I appreciate that this is a very personal story for the director but in the transition to the screen he has lost the tragedy and emotion that he wanted to convey to audiences... and what could have been a great film is only 'quite good'.
First Reformed (2017)
Absorbing and sombre drama
This is an intelligent and interesting drama that fails on one point... to be entertaining. It is sombre and dark like a bad 40's melodrama with overtones of a stark Ingmar Bergman film. There are some important points made around global warming , politics and religion in today's society but these are lost in the overall wordy dullness of the plot.Schrader has proven that he is a good director.. and at times even great but here although his framing is almost perfect he allows the influences / respect of other directors and films to have too much impact. Ethan Hawkes gives a strong performance in a demanding role but as he is in almost every scene no one else gets a look in.
The Happy Prince (2018)
Triumph for Everett
This is a considerable personal achievement for Rupert Everett who scripted, directed and starred in this film of Oscar Wild's little known final years. The story is always interesting and the direction has moments of genius however it is Everett's wonderful performance that lifts this film above the ordinary. This is a part that he seems to have been born to play and he captures all the pain and regret leading up to Wild's death.Excellent support from Firth,Morgan and especially Edwin Thomas. The best scenes and essence of the story are captured when Everett is singing 'The boy I love is up in the gallery' in a Paris music hall and when he tells the story of the 'Happy Prince'... you can physically feel the pain of a wasted and lost talent.
Swimming with Men (2018)
Mainstream entertainment
This is definitely a mainstream film with its eyes firmly on the box office... and there is nothing wrong with that!! It is to some extent comedy by numbers and you mayfeel manipulated and as if you have seen something similar before... however Aschlin Ditta does give the story some updated twists not least using synchronised swimming as the subject. This is reliable entertainment and there are a number of laugh out loud moments.The director Oliver Parker is a safe pair of hands and does bring some freshness and originality to the production. Great interaction between the actors especially Brydon, Mays,Graves, Carter,Akhar and Turgoose... although both Horrocks and Riley are wasted.There is a serious message in there about male loneliness and support but I would just go along and enjoy. A feelgood movie that should do well !
Humor Me (2017)
Little gem
The first thing I would say about this film is .. that I liked it!..which is quite a rare thing these days. It is a slow burner that turns into a little gem. It is actually laugh out loud funny at times which is very rare for a modern comedy film ranging from gentle humour to fairly blunt and direct stand up Jewish jokes.There are some intelligent and caring points made about generational differences, family, success and failure and life in general ... nothing completely new and which has not been covered in other films but put together in a very original and charming way by the very talented writer/ director Sam Hoffman. Jermaine Clement excels as the very dry down at heel playwright and is ably supported by a great supporting cast including veterans Gould and Neuwirth. Recommended.
Steel Country (2018)
Slow Burner
Saw this at the Edinburgh Film Festival so didn't know quite know what to expect.Dark murder investigation set in Trump's backwater USA. Very deliberate and precise direction from Simon Fellows and two standout performances from Andrew Scott and Bronagh Waugh make this an always interesting film to watch.Christa Beth Campbell is also luminous as the daughter.Slightly let down by the plot and script which can at times seem obvious and unintentionally funny. Will I think be a slow burner but certainly makes some clear statements about life in present day America and overall is involving and entertaining to watch so would recommend if you are looking for something dark and offbeat.