I know we’re all supposed to be down on this film now, but it’s still a classic. You can make your own mind up about divorcing the artist from his art (though Allen doesn’t make that easy when the art is all about the artist). And this was before so many of Woody’s films copied… Read More
Category: Film
Tom Cruise runs… and we all know what that looks like. To be fair, the Dubai tower scaling scene is impressive. It’s not the worst M:i film *cough* number two *cough*, but nor is it the best. 6/10
Easy-to-watch film about statistics and baseball. But with Brad Pitt. You with me? I liked it, but it may help if you’ve read the book or know the story, or indeed know anything about baseball. It’s a shame the film didn’t really get much into Billy Bean’s backstory, because that’s one of the strengths of… Read More
Stylish but baffling, especially if you’ve not read the book. Not the best Le Carré adaptation despite the all-star cast. 7/10
Drive is an exceedingly stylish film that startles you out of an appreciative smile with several shockingly violent scenes. I don’t think I’m squeamish, but there was one sequence I couldn’t watch. Ryan Gosling plays the Driver – an American movie hero in the footsteps of many a Clint Eastwood character. Carey Mulligan plays the… Read More
Entertaining 1973 comedy with Glenda turning in an Oscar-winning performance. 8/10
Part Jason Bourne, part Nikita and part Brothers Grimm, this is a brave attempt to marry action flick with arthouse. It’s not entirely successful although there are some good sequences and Cate Blanchett is deliciously evil. 5/10
When the director introduces a film as requiring patience, and the opening few shots quite literally have you counting sheep it doesn’t necessarily suggest an entertaining afternoon ahead. Fear not, Sweetgrass is a documentary set in Montana that manages to be virtually narrative-free and yet oddly compelling. It won’t be everyone’s thing, but if you… Read More
An action film Groundhog Day with a clever premise that just about works. 7/10
Nicely paced film from director Tanya Hamilton set in mid 1970s Philadelphia against the backdrop of the black power movement and the Black Panthers. Strong performances from the leads, but there’s a detachment to the characters that means you don’t quite invest or root for them as you might. 6/10
Everyone’s been raving about this film. I don’t plan to buck the trend. The acting – especially Firth – is superb, and the direction excellent. If I was to quibble, I thought the screenplay was a little clunky at times. It has Oscars written all over it. 9/10
Excellent film by Jason Chadwick based on a true story about a former Mau Mau fighter who wants to learn but has much to teach. Great acting and cinematography, with brief moments of intense violence. Contrasts rural and urban modern Kenya very well. 8/10
Ben Affleck gives us an improbable car chase and a lot more action than this story needed. Interesting idea, with some nice touches, but leaves the big stuff unexplored. 5/10
As powerful 30 years later as it was at the time. Many scenes are part of cinema folklore now, but even if you’ve seen the clips, the intensity of De Niro throughout reminds those who only know him from Meet the Parents onwards that he was the defining film star of the 70s, 80s and… Read More
Excellent and surprising Korean film about a mother who will stop at nothing for her son. Hye-ja Kim is mesmerising as the Mother. 9/10
Baffling but cooly brilliant. Suspend belief and just go with it. 8/10
Quite simply one of the worst films I’ve ever seen. Less style over substance and more concept over coherence. And the concept isn’t that great either. Also possibly worse in 3D. 1/10
Beautiful understated performance from Colin Firth in a film that gathers momentum. 8/10
Joyful movie but watch out for that tear-jerker of an opening. 8/10
Intelligent, disturbing, and highly unusual sci-fi with more than a tip of the hat to 2001. Excellent. 10/10