Government wobbles in face of regional anarchy caused by natural phenomenon… Cobra, Sky’s oddly prescient Whitehall-and-beyond drama, promised more than it ultimately delivered. The idea was good, and there were some plausible plot lines along with some very implausible ones. But after five good tension-building episodes, the final part seemed rushed with major incidents glossed… Read More
Tag: drama
I’ve just binge watched the show that everyone’s talking about (but apparently almost noone is watching). It’s Arrested Development meets Billions, written by Jesse “Peep Show” Armstrong. An ageing Murdoch-style media mogul patriarch and his horrendous extended family of misfits jostle for position and shaft each other regularly. The storylines are simplistic, but Succession is… Read More
Clever BBC police drama in the vein of Bodyguard/Line of Duty (though with no connection to either). Much smarter than Bodyguard, less procedural than LoD, but didn’t get the publicity of either. Asks challenging relevant ethical questions about truth, evidence and the greater good and, at just six episodes, it’s tightly plotted. Hope there’s a… Read More
Very hyped, but totally delivers. Definitely a cinema film. I held off going to see this for a while, because I was sure I’d be disappointed. I was not. Even the poster is beautiful. 10/10
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
Stylish but baffling, especially if you’ve not read the book. Not the best Le Carré adaptation despite the all-star cast. 7/10
Entertaining 1973 comedy with Glenda turning in an Oscar-winning performance. 8/10
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
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
Beautiful understated performance from Colin Firth in a film that gathers momentum. 8/10
Silly, but funny. Nice cameo from the man himself.
Yawn. Next. Overrated from the much fêted Charlie Kaufman, who drifts into the self-indulgent here despite a cast to die for. If you want to see Michelle Williams in something good – check out Wendy & Lucy that I saw the day before. 4/10
Michelle Williams proving how versatile she is in this low-budget touching film that feels very close to a true story. 9/10
Interesting, but not engaging enough and too languid. 6/10
This Hungarian film is peculiar and ponderous. I’m glad I saw it, wouldn’t watch it again. 6/10
Excellent debut film by Courtney Hunt. What it lacks in subtlety it makes up for in plot and acting, with Melissa Leo superb in the lead role. 9/10
Very hyped French film with non-actors playing most of the kids. Good but not great and although based on a true story, too many scenes later on feel too contrived. Enjoyable, but doesn’t live up the billing. 6/10
Not my favourite Atom Egoyan film. It has some interesting ideas, but never really hangs together like his other classics. Still a class apart from most filmmakers though. 7/10