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Reviews
Scrapper (2023)
Beautiful
Wow. Scrapper. 12 year old daughter is living on her own after the tragic death of mother (not a spoiler). Daughter makes a living through petty crime (shame it's nicking bikes - but I'll allow that for now). Daughter thinks she needs nobody apart from friend. Until father turns up. There is no spoiler in there - just a set up. And what follows is one of the most beautiful films you will ever see. 8.5 out of ten. And I think that is the most anyone needs to know but the contrivances of IMDB means that you either have to over-explain, or, as I've done, fill with nonsense. It goes without saying that it was brilliantly acted by the way....
Kinds of Kindness (2024)
Lanthimos is back!
Whilst I was very pleased that Yorgos achieved fame (and maybe fortune) through his Oscar winning turns The Favourite and Poor Things, they were by no means my, erm, favourite of his back catalogue. With Kinds of Kindness, I was kinda hoping for a return to his Greek Weird Wave roots. And my goodness, I got that and more with his latest film. An anthology of three apparently stand-alone films with no obvious connection, apart from they had little kindness but lots of human sacrifice (maybe they were being kind of kind...), Lanthimos stalwarts Emma Stone and Willem Defoe are joined by the brilliant Jessie Plemons, Hong Chau and others to star in a trilogy of 'short' and apparently unconnected stories. I say short, but each are approaching an hour long, so there's plenty of time for character development in each. First story revolves around a man (Plemons) who has been controlled for many years by a father figure (Defoe) and when the relationship breaks down, Plemons struggles to know how to live his own life. The second story is about a woman (Stone) who disappears and when she miraculously returns, her husband (Plemons) is convinced she isn't his wife. The third tale focuses on Defoe, Stone and Plemons being part of a cult which is committed to searching for a special someone with powers to bring people back from the dead. It all sounds nonsense, and of course it is. But this is not supernatural tripe. This is Lanthimos going back to his roots, such as with the brilliant Lobster and Killing of a Sacred Deer. On their own the three single stories might not work. But together, they do and it's hard to understand why. Lamthimos is a genius. 8.5 out of ten.
A House in Jerusalem (2023)
Social realism adjacent - wonderful film
9 out of ten - brilliant
I went into this film knowing very little about it other than Johnny Harris was in it and there was also a Q&A afterwards at the wonderful Broadway cinema in Nottingham.
I've seen Johnny Harris in two of my favourite films of all time. London to Brighton (the producers of this film who eloquently spoke at the Q&A also produced LtB) and Jawbone. Both utterly superb and both what I would classify as my favourite 'social realism' genre. The premise of this film might not immediately strike you as social realist, but perhaps think again...
Harris plays a father who is trying to cope with his own grief but at the same time navigating his daughter through the trauma of her mother's / his wife's death. Daughter is not coping well so he decides to move them from the UK to Jerusalem, made possible through his family connections. And we soon find that something is not quite right in the new home. Daughter befriends a Palestinian girl of similar age who only she can see and hear. Maybe she is real, but then maybe she is a figment of her imagination, as no-one else can seem to see or hear this apparently other-worldy character.
Is this a ghost story? Is it a political drama? Is it a parable of love, loss and guilt? Perhaps all of these and more.
From early into the film it reminded me of the widely lauded movie Petite Maman, and there are definite parallels, although A House in Jerusalem was shot during the Covid lockdown, and made before that film's release. So I think the similarities are merely coincidental. I'd also say that this film packs a much bigger emotional punch.
The film is narratively simple but emotionally complex, and all the better for it. And, on reflection, I'd say it is a cross between a ghost story and social realism - magical realism if you will. Whatever... it is simply brilliant and I hope it gets a wide audience because it absolutely deserves it.
Monkey Man (2024)
Incredible achievement
I'm no action film lover by any stretch, but Monkey Man earns its action and strong bloody violence. I heard an interview with Dev Patel in which he stated his love for action films but that no-one would cast 'lovely Dev' in one. So the only way he would ever get to star in one was to make it himself! And what an achievement. A very buff Patel not only stars in the film, but also writes and directs it. And the result is uber-impressive. It's basically a revenge flick set in caste system India. Present day, Patel is the eponymous Monkey Man, who seems to thrive on getting beaten up in bare knuckle boxing matches. To say any more would spoil. Suffice to say, unlike other action films there is a long lead up back story, which is needed to justify the violence to come. The choreography is stunning. Think The Raid and you're not far off. I think the film will meet the needs of the so called art house and mainstream audience alike. Superb.
Blow Out (1981)
Bechdel test does not apply to the 80s apparently
Blowout. Well it wouldn't pass the Bechdel test! Not necessarily a problem. It won't pass the realism test either. John Travolta in his big truck speeds through thousands of people and they all miraculously get out of the way and apparently no harm to any. And yet he still can't save the girl. So no happy ending either. For me, a complete mish-mosh-multi- genre of a film that doesn't work. But it was 1981 so I forgive it for that. I was never bored, but never particularly enthralled either. Of its time is probably doing it a service. But hey I'm not a political / conspiracy thriller fan so probably not the target audience. A meh 5 out of ten.
Sunshine on Leith (2013)
Just wonderful
I first watched this film 11 years ago when it was in cinemas back in 2013. I loved it then. I've seen it twice since and it's the type of film that just gets better and better with repeated viewings. The cast of Gorgeous Georgie Mackay, Peter Mullan, Jane Horrocks et al are superb in this antithesis to the ubiquitously popular Mamma Mia-like musicals. This film is entirely based on the music of Scottish band The Proclaimers, who to be honest I never really had much interest in. But I saw them live at a festival last year and they were superb. This film made me cry with joy, laughter and sadness in equal amount. And even though the brilliant Dexter Fletcher who made this film had to play around with the script to fit the songs to the screenplay, it never once felt contrived. Look out for a knowing nod to Trainspotting (another rare 10 out of 10 film in my catalogue - although you couldn't get a more different movie). Bravo.
The Iron Claw (2023)
Not about the wrestling
Iron Claw starts off as a run of the mill wrestling (or boxing) drama that you think you've seen a hundred times. A beefed up Zac Effron (brilliantly) plays Kevin - the oldest of four brothers (five if you include the one who died at a young age). He, like all his siblings, lives his life through his father, who made the iron claw wrestling move his own, but never quite made it as world champion. And now he wants to live his dream through his four remaining sons. It's all run of the mill, unless you know that this is actually a true story and the 'curse' that Kevin almost jokes about when he meets his new love (played by Lily James) starts to ring true. This is not a film about wrestling (despite the very good fight scenes), it's about family loyalty to a father who only cares about winning at all costs. Ultimately, it is a very sad indictment of doing what you are told to do in an uber-patriarchal home. But at what cost? It is, at times bleak (no spoilers here) but ultimately offers hope that real family love will pull through. 8 out of ten.
All of Us Strangers (2023)
An emotional masterpiece
Wow. I don't quite know how to review this film. It is loosely based on a ghost story novel, which would normally put me off straight away as I normally have no interest in the supernatural. But naysayers like me are in good hands with the brilliant director Andrew Haigh (Weekend had been my personal favourite - until now). Andrew Scott is beautifully vulnerable as a gay man in his 40s who has never got over the death of his parents when he had been just 12. He meets his parents (who had died 30 years previously) and their relationship seems entirely natural. He has conversations with them that he regrets never have previously been able to have, such as his coming out. Scott is brilliantly supported by a new love interest played by Paul Mescal, as well as Claire Foy and Jamie Bell as his similarly aged parents. What you get out of this film may ultimately depend upon your own life experiences, but, regardless, you would need to have a heart of stone not to be moved by this tale of love, loss, grief and humanity. An early contender for film of the year. 9 out of ten.
Poor Things (2023)
I kinda loved it but not Lanthimos' finest
Poor things had all the Lamthimos ingredients. Eery score with superb use of violin. Unknowing, dead pan hilarity from the main character, Bella Baxter (superbly played Emma Stone). Complete bonkersness (which I love), such as the horse drawn cart with only a horse's head but no body, or the Frankensteinian (copyright Simon Mayo) creation of the 'experimental' hybrid animal (he does love his animal metaphors). Very dark humour where you feel you need to stifle your laughter in the cinema. And other laugh out loud moments. So all the ingredients were right. But for me, not one of Yorgos' finest. Perhaps I was spoilt from the first two films of his that I saw (The Lobster, Killing of a Sacred Deer). The films of his I've seen since then, such as his earlier Dogtooth and Alps and then his subsequent The Favourite have never quite lived up to my expectations. And maybe this too was an anticipointment. As noted, all the ingredients were right, and I did enjoy the film, but I didn't feel the sinister euphoria of some of his other works. But then again, I can see how it is being hailed as a potential awards winner. My go to film critic (Mark Kermode) has seen it 3 times and got more out of it in each subsequent viewing, so maybe I need to watch it again. For now though, not the Lanthimos masterpiece I was hoping for, but maybe my expectations were too high. 7.5 out of ten.
La sociedad de la nieve (2023)
More authentic than 'Alive'
La Sociedad del la Nieve (2023) Society of the Snow.
AKA "how to write a film review without mentioning their gastronomic delights"
This is a Uruguayan film about their rugby team's airplane crash over the Andes, and the ultimate survival for 70 plus days without food in 1972.
Its a marvellous film and sensitively made about what could be a sensational and quite frankly an horrifying story. I have deliberately avoided any reference to the main talking point of the movie to remove sensationalism on my part.
The initial crash is absolutely terrifying and sets the tone of the movie. Along with the ongoing danger that the elements throws at them is relentless.
Likewise the isolation and the internal dialogue of the crash survivors of the decision that they have to make is thought provoking.
The joy at the end, when they are rescued is uplifting and very real along with the sad realisation of their friends they have left behind.
I believe there have been numerous films made of the crash and this is a worthy.
Saltburn (2023)
Class based satire with lashings of jet black humour
This is a film not for everyone but if you like your class based satire with lashings of jet black humour and sinister undertones its one to watch. I LOVED it. I had to stifle my laughter at times just like I did with Yorgos Lanthimos' The Killing of a Sacred Deer, also starring the ubiquitously brilliant Barry Keoghan. He's quickly becoming one of my favourite actors and it's great to see him in a lead role of a major movie. Similarly excellent turns from Rosalyn Pike and Richard E Grant, and look out for a cameo from Carey Mulligan who starred in the director's last (first?) film Promising Young Woman, which was equally sinister. Most notable is a quietly hilarious piece of acting from Grant when he quips about the simplicity of karaoke. It's genius. The film is a must watch again 8.5 out of ten.
Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything (2023)
Why the bed?
I love Ronnie O Sullivan. Just like I loved other snooker mavericks Alex Higgins and Jimmy White. And this documentary was for the most part an intriguing portrayal of the angst that goes along with the genius. But why oh why does the film have to show Ronnie lying down in a psychiatric like bed to make his point? Not his idea surely? It was incredibly contrived and made me sigh every time I saw it. The viewers do not need gimmicks to try to understand the inner turmoil that the great man has undoubtedly had to face through his 30 year brilliant and at times difficult career. Sometimes you only need the snooker and the talking heads to tell the story. You don't need contrived gimmicks. An 8 out of ten is marked down to 6 for dumbing this otherwise excellent documentary down. A big mis-step in my view. Left me annoyed.
Dream Scenario (2023)
Nicholas Cage continues his rebirth
Dream Scenario. The increasingly brilliant Nicholas Cage continues his renaissance following his recent superb performances in Mandy, Pig and The unbearable weight of massive talent. Cage plays a run of the mill university professor who oozes normality. His students take no real notice of him. His former colleagues publish papers in top journals whilst he hasn't even started his book yet. But he's happy enough, if not fulfilled. Then, for no apparent reason, he starts appearing in people's dreams. Not just people who know or have met him. Anyone. And in the dreams they tend to be in difficult positions but he does absolutely nothing. He has no control over this. The first half of the film is hilarious - the whole cinema (the lovely Electric, Birmingham) we're in stitches as we see the dreams played out. And then the second half of the film takes a sinister turn, to reflect a changing nature of the dreams. And whilst the comedy ends at this point, the drama begins. Whilst the first half is the better half it would be wrong to say the second is disappointing. Cage is quickly becoming one of my favourite actors. Long may it continue. 8 out of ten.
Cat Person (2023)
Narratively simple. Purposefully ambiguous
Cat Person. I don't understand the poor reviews for this film. I watched it on the recommendation of Mark Kermode (potentially pretentious film critic) who loved it and suggested his side kick Simon (Everyman) Mayo would love it too. So why the poor scores on rotten tomatoes and IMDB? I was intrigued. And after watching the film, Kermode was spot on. Margot, who works at her local cinema meets Robert, a regular cinema-goer at her place of work. She thinks he's a little strange. He's a little awkward but likes her and asks for her number. She acquiesces. There then follows a series of text message exchanges. They form a 'relationship' without having properly met. Margot gets images of how it's going to play out when they finally meet. And most are not good ones. Robert thinks that this might be the start of something special. And they eventually meet and it doesn't go according to plan. But how much of this is real and how much is imagined from their text history? No spoilers here but the interpretation of this film may not be as clear cut as either Margot or Robert might think. It is narratively simple yet its interpretation is, for me at least, purposefully ambiguous. And its all the better for it. An intriguing 8 out of ten.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)
Wes Anderson does it again - vomit inducing
Kermodian-esque rant warning (although clearly not in his league).........
The wonderful story of Henry Sugar. If ever I needed a reminder that I intensely dislike the film-making nuances of Wes Anderson, this is it. The story was indeed wonderful. Alas, the cinematography and screenplay was vomit inducing. Why oh why does Anderson think that a ten second scene would benefit from full square ratio (middle of screen) to same square ratio (but left of screen), to same square ratio (right of screen) and then circular ratio (centre of screen).... Some might say this is clever. I'd say it is utterly unnecessary and pretentious twaddle. I've only watched 3 Anderson movies (Squid and the Whale, Darjeeling Limited, Grand Budapest Hotel) - disliked them all but I'm clearly by no means a connoisseur. But my god he's infuriating. The best thing about this film was that it was less than 40 minutes long - oh I also liked the rather curious and humorous appearance of the one and only Jarvis Cocker as a casino watchman (he watched very well as it happens). Some people clearly 'get' Anderson's style and some don't. I'm clearly in the latter category. But I'm also strangely compelled to watch the other 3 short films in his Roald Dahl quadiology (if there is such a thing). Luckily they're even shorter at 17 minutes so hopefully more palatable. 2 out of ten. But hey ho, as I often say, I'd rather hate a film than merely find it 'meh' so hats off to Anderson!! 😬
Love at First Sight (2023)
Whimsical loveliness
What a surprising gem of a film and not what I expected at all. Some will say it's whimsical nonsense - and I thought I would too. The premise is indeed whimsical nonsense. Girl meets boy in airport lounge. Girl likes Boy. Boy likes Girl. Girl misses her flight. Girl gets later flight. Girl's seatbelt is broken. Girl is upgraded to business class. Girl is placed in a seat next to Boy. Boy and Girl fall for each other on plane and then lose each other upon landing. Girl finds Boy then Boy finds Girl. It should not work. But it had me in tears at the end. Loved it. Whimsical loveliness. 8 out of ten.
The Old Oak (2023)
Loach in sentimental mode - and it's earned
Ken Loach and screenwriter Paul Laverty join forces again for another great movie. A down on his luck pub owner (the eponymous old oak) befriends a Syrian refugee family who have moved into the street, much to the chagrin of some of the locals. Whilst there is an undercurrent of racism, Loach's latest (I do hope not his last) is fundamentally about community, friendship and hope. The ending might be a bit saccharine and perhaps unrealistic for some more hardened viewers, but for me the film earns its sentimentality. Whilst not in the same league as his two Palm D'or winning masterpieces (TWTSTB and I,DB) it is nonetheless a welcome return to form for Loach following his strangely unmoving last outing, Sorry I Missed You. The world will be a lesser place without Ken Loach movies. The greatest director of all time in my view. 8 out of ten.
God's Creatures (2022)
Good film, ill judged ending
God's creatures - started innocently and was nice to see the Donegal coastline in all its glory. Then it took a sinister turn with familial loyalties confusing right from wrong and 'shushing' what happened (sounds familiar).... It was, for me, quite poignant until the ending which I hated... would've got 8 but gets 6.5 for the very ill judged ending.
Emily Watson is brilliant as usual as the mother who will support her son, (played by the equally excellent Paul Mascal) who is accused of rape. How could HER son possibly commit such a crime? And so she assumes it didn't happen. But at what cost?
When They See Us (2019)
Utterly compelling
When they see us. A 4 part mini series retelling a true story of 5 teens who were accused of raping and murdering a female jogger. To say much more would spoil it. I'd never heard of the story before. Suffice to say it is the best mini series I have ever seen. At times it makes you laugh. At times it makes you despair. At times it makes you cry due to surprising human kindness. At times it makes you relieved that you've not been put in the predicament that the boys were. Does not shine a good light on Donald Trump, although I can't see many Trump supporters tuning in to this...... An utterly compelling 9 out of 10.
Crime (2021)
Brilliant TV - not what you expect
Crime on ITVX. It was originally pay per view on britbox but no-one subscribed so now it's free to watch. It's based on the novel by Irvine Welsh and IW also wrote the TV screenplay. It is quite low budget so forget production values, which you soon forget anyway as the drama kicks in. First 2 episodes sets it up. The rest is brilliant. It's not a run of the mill crime thriller. It's a psychoanalysis of the catcher and the caught. Brilliant. 8.5 out of ten. I was ready to give up on it after the first two episodes - but that would've been a big mistake. It is excellent TV. Not one moment of boredom.....
Nothing Compares (2022)
Ahead of her time
Just watched Nothing Compares - a documentary about, and with, Sinead O Connor. Only made last year but feels much more poignant now after her death. She was before her time. Ridiculed for her views which now are more the norm. She was a superstar that didn't want to be a superstar, nor did the media allow her to be. She is, and always was, a hero. The music throughout is exceptional, although there was a pretty obvious song not included. We find at the end of the credits that "the Prince estate denied use of Sinead's recording of 'nothing compares 2 U' in this film". I'd like to think that if Prince were still alive he'd have told his estate to xxxx off. What an artist Sinead was.
Barbie (2023)
Watch it with a critical eye, or just have fun. Both work!
In my view there's two ways to watch / interpret Barbie. First, watch it with a critical eye about how Mattel have realised that they have to move with the times and to sell more dolls they need to 'normalise' Barbie. Second, just have fun. Both work. It is genius quite frankly. Mattel have taken criticism on the chin but ultimately know that they'll be quids in with a new 'flat footed' Barbie.
You should watch it and work out where you stand. To refuse to watch it because it's "about a doll" is missing the point in my view. It's a great movie to just watch and have fun with but equally you could watch it with a critical eye and work out where you stand.
Black Mirror: Mazey Day (2023)
What has happened to Black Mirror?
Mazie Day. What the hell was that? It was like a poor episode of hammer house of horror. It was definitely not black mirror. Absolutely pathetic. No redeeming features whatsoever. What is Charlie Brooker doing? He's turning what were thought provoking tales of how technology in the wrong hands can have unforeseen and terrifying implications for the human race, into complete nonsensical paranormal BS. It was like a low budget episode of something you'd watch on the horror channel. I'm annoyed!!! If you like that kind of thing, fine, but you don't expect it to turn up on a black mirror episode. I've never been so disappointed since Ben Wheatley did Free Fire. 1 out of ten. Brooker should be ashamed of himself.....
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Not the target audience but.......
This was the first Mission Implausible film I've seen and as a 52 year old man who tends to go for social realist dramas and not multiplex fodder (pretentious, moi?), I didn't go into this film expecting to love it. And I didn't love it by any means. But, despite the 2.75 hours running time - not including the 35 mins 'trailers' (ie mostly adverts) - I was never bored. I even kind of understood what was going on even though I'd never seen an MI film before. The action scenes were very impressive. Did they blow my head off? No, because it was all implausible nonsense. But to be fair it's one of the best action films I've seen. The best Tom Cruise film since the equally implausible Top Gun Maverick. And kudos to Cruise - he might be as mad as a box of frogs but Crikey he immerses himself in his projects. 7 out of ten.
The Covenant (2023)
You know what's gonna happen, but it doesn't matter
Wow. Just watched Guy Ritchie's The Covenant. Jake Gylennhall plays an American soldier in Afghanistan just before the American withdrawal from the country in 2021. It is a fictional story but based on what actually happened - the US leaving thousands of Afghan interpreters working with the US government against the Taliban only to be left as major targets once the Americans had left. This story focuses on one such Afghan interpreter who helps bring Jake's character back to the relatively safety of the US. But Jake can't rest knowing that the guy who saved his life is still on the run from the Taliban and returns the 'covenant' (unsaid pledge) and goes back to Afghanistan to try and save him and his family. It is a brilliant film from start to finish. Very tense even though, against all odds, you kinda know how it's gonna end. It doesn't end like this for most, but hey this is entertainment not a history lesson. An always intoxicating 8.5 out of 10.