Melts at the first sign of sunlight

The Snowman (2017)

Directed by Tomas Alfredson this film based on the novel of the same name stars Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Val Kilmer and J. K. Simmons. In Norway an alcoholic detective hunts for a serial killer.

Throwing every genre cliché there is into the mix this is a predictable serial killer piece that wraps up in a way that is far too contrived for my taste. Fans of the book may also be put off by some of the changes between the two as well. I am not really sure filming the 7^th book in a series is a good way to introduce viewers to a character either.

2/5

Where all the muskets at?

The Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912)

Directed by D. W. Griffith this film stars Lillian Gish, Walter Miller, Elmer Booth and Alfred Paget. A couple living in New York have some run ins with street level gangsters.

There is not much to draw from the plot of this film and the big shoot out gets a little messy. For an early silent film this is a fairly average effort but does not have a lot to recommend it on for historical value in my opinion. I wouldn't recommend watching this one but there is not a huge amount wrong with it.

3/5

#FatimaProblems

Fatima (2015)

Directed by Philippe Faucon this film stars Soria Zeroual, Zita Hanrot and Kenza Noah Aiche. An Algerian woman living in France tries to raise her two teenage daughters.

I think this film does a really good job of exploring the troubles that immigrants face as they seek to thrive in a new community. What the film does well is explore the generational differences as well as the pressures from the immigrant's own community as well as the country they have moved to. Low key in style this film is also pretty well made.

4/5

Not Thurgood

Marshall (2017)

Directed by Regnald Hudlin this film based on real events stars Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson and Dan Stevens. During the 1940s a lawyer for NCAAA attempts to defend an African American man on trial for rape.

Not entirely historically accurate or that interesting as a biopic of the life of Thurgood Marshall this is fine as a court room drama but nothing special. I would love to see a good film on the life of the African-American Supreme Court Justice but sadly this is not what we get here. At times this seems more like a television movie than something made with a real budget.

2/5

Five or Six?

Dirty Harry (1971)

Directed by Don Siegel this film stars Clint Eastwood, Andy Robinson, Harry Guardino and Reni Santoni. A sniper attempts to hold a whole city to ransom while a hard nose cop hunts him down.

Attempting to ask if it's ever right to go beyond the law to stop a crime this film doesn't go as deep into it's themes as it could but it certainly sparked something both in cinema and the minds of the viewers. Well made as always with Don Siegel this is a decent thriller even if it does lean a bit too far to the right for some. There are some iconic moments and a good climax that make this film still hold up.

4/5

The chase is on

The Lonedale Operator (1911)

Directed by D. W. Griffith this film stars Blanche Sweet and George Nichols. When a girl's father is sick she takes over for him at the telegraph station on a day when some crooks plan to steal the payroll.

Thankfully Griffith sticks to what he is good at here, cutting together a tense climax from a simple situation. A fairly simple set up but a well made film none the less this is a decent early watch. This is what early cinema and Griffith in particular do well.

3/5

Rocky again

Creed (2015)

Directed by Ryan Coogler this spin off stars Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson. The illegitimate son of Apollo Creed appeals to Rock Balboa to train him as a fighter.

Bringing nothing new to the franchise or genre I found this spin off to be a disappointingly close re-tread to the original Rocky film. While this film is well made it is just all far too familiar and unoriginal. There are decent performances from the cast but Stallone having been Oscar nominated for this film is a surprise to me.

3/5

Not out best side

Victoria & Abdul (2017)

Directed by Stephen Frears this film based on real events stars Judi Dench, Ali Fazal and Eddie Izzard. An Indian man travels to England and becomes a servant to Queen Victoria.

On the surface this is a fairly funny film but the deeper one digs into the events portrayed the more questions one has. Both historical inaccuracy and some underlying racism ultimately make this a bit of an uneasy watch. I expected better from Stephen Frears, this film is a disappointment in the end.

2/5

How to be even more racist

His Trust Fulfilled (1911)

Directed by D. W. Griffith this sequel stars Wilfred Lucas, Claire McDowell and Gladys Egan. Former slave helps raise his master's daughter following his death fighting for the Confederates in the US Civil war.

Taking what tiny shred of decency this series has it gets thrown away by showing the former slave as a thief after all. Stupid and racist it's hard for me to see why this short has any redeeming features. Prints of this film my be preserved for historical reason but the only historical value I see here is yet another example of Griffith being racist.

1/5

Why lie about having a twin?

That's Not Me (2016)

Directed by Gregory Erdstein this film stars Alice Foulcher, Isabel Lucas and Richard Davies. An aspiring actor struggles when her twin sister suddenly becomes a successful actress.

Both funny and a little bit tragic this is a good blend of comedy and drama looking at sibling rivalry and the desire for fame. There are more than enough laughs along the way to entertain. Generally the film is well made and I look forward to seeing what else the husband and wife team of Erdstein and Foulcher comes up with.

3/5

Some insecurities

Some Freaks (2017)

Written & directed by Ian MacAllister-McDonald this film stars Thomas Mann, Ely Henry, Lily Mae Harrington and Marin Ireland. Three high school misfits about to graduate struggle to find love.

Not the greatest discussion of teenage romantic issues but not the worst either this is a fairly good look at the insecurities of outsiders. The plot is pretty decent but not exactly ground breaking. Most of the performances and execution are fine.

3/5

Just a bit too obvious

Please Stand By (2017)

Directed by Ben Lewin this film stars Dakota Fanny, Toni Collette and Alive Eve. A young woman with autism runs away from home to deliver her script for a Star Trek competition.

Not exactly the deepest or most touching exploration of autism on the big screen this is not a bad film none the less. At times a little obvious this film isn't going to win any awards but it's not the worst you will see. The cast is decent but given all the talent on show maybe the performances are a little underwhelming.

3/5

Everyday but not ordinary in anyway

Everyday (1929)

Directed by Hans Richter this is an early sound documentary. We see every day life of people in an office.

Taking the mundane this documentary makes it an interesting watch by using a rhythmic editing style. Keeping the “action” building nicely over the course of the piece this is really a documentary that harks back to Soviet montage. Well worth a watch.

4/5

Pretty people being bad people

The Layover (2017)

Directed by William H. Macy this film stars Alexandra Daddario, Kate Upton and Matt Barr. Two friends down on their luck head off on vacation and when stuck in St. Louis fight over the same man.

About the only thing interesting about this film is that it's directed by William H. Macy otherwise it's a pretty terrible watch. There are few redeeming features in either the characters or the script, all we get is two women making themselves look terrible fighting over a man. Some of the performances are suspect as well making you wonder just how this film got so bad.

1/5

Dickens by way of Scott and Dick

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve this sequel stars Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Robin Wright and Harrison Ford. A replicant working as a blade runner for the LAPD is ordered to hunt down the first child of a replicant.

I was deeply uneasy about the idea of a Blade Runner sequel but this film does a really great job on delivering on the impossible. Not only does it recapture the look and feel of the original perfectly it manages to find an interesting story to tell without retreading the original material or giving in to fan service. Deeply impressive, you have to take your hat off to the people behind this given how easy it would have been to make a total disaster here.

5/5

Not as good apart

Enoch Arden: Part One (1911)

Directed by D. W. Griffith this film based on the poem of the same name stars Wilfred Lucas, Linda Arvidson and Francis J. Grandon. After winning the love of his sweetheart a man goes to sea to make some money and is lost at sea.

As this story is split into two parts it is a bit hard to judge but as a solo piece this is no exactly edge of the seat stuff. I would say it is a fairly average early film and probably needs it's second part to be complete. Fairly well made this is not an overly remarkable piece.

3/5

The ghosts of Vietnam

The Housemaid (2016)

Directed by Derek Nguyen this film stars Nhung Kate, Jean-Michel Richaud, Kim Xuan and Rosie Fellner. In 1953 a young Vietnamese woman goes to work as a housemaid at a plantation for a French Captain.

Looking at the horrors of colonialism through the lens of gothic horror has a huge amount of potential but I felt the late twist in this film undercut the film's script here. With out the final 10 minutes I think this would have been a much better film. Otherwise this is a well made film and a very solid genre entry.

4/5

Bloody disappointment

Blood Money (2017)

Directed by Lucky McKee this film stars Ellar Coltrane, Willa Fitzgerald, Jacob Artist and John Cusack. Three friends head into the woods, find $8 million and get stalked by the man that originally stole the money.

As a study of human nature and greed this is not a very interesting story, neither is it that tense of a thriller. It's hard to root for any of the characters which makes this a weak effort. Clearly made on a lower budget there is not much in the way of major set pieces either.

2/5

Prime failure

Marjorie Prime (2017)

Written & directed by Michael Almereyda this film stars Jon Hamm, Lois Smith, Tim Robbins and Geena Davis. In the future a woman with dementia has a holographic version of her husband to keep her company.

Despite some interesting ingredients this film bored the heck out of me. The premise and cast are both good but the low key, plodding execution of this exploration of memory and love sent me to sleep. It's disappointing because this film had so much going for it.

2/5

Modern for 1899

An Up-to-Date Conjurer (1899)

Directed by and starring Georges Melies this is an early silent film. We see a magician and his assistant perform a few tricks.

Using simple camera tricks to augment stage magic this is a very early special effects film. You can see how this was the start down the path of experimentation for Melies. On it's own this is not a very impressive film but no doubt it was the first step in something major.

3/5

Into the dreamscape

Mother! (2017)

Written & directed by Darren Aronofsky this film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer. A woman suffers the true horror of an increasing number of strangers entering the house she is trying to renovate for her poet husband.

Starting out seemingly a tale of domestic realism this film descends into to dream like religious allegory which will not be to the taste of everyone. I found this film to be enjoyable if a little frustrating, I'm not sure there is an ultimate point but it is still an interesting watch. There are decent performances from the cast and as always Aronofsky delivers more than the usual Hollywood fare.

4/5

Clowning around

It (2017)

Directed by Andy Muschietti this film based on the novel of the same name stars Jaeden Lieberher, Bill Skarsgard and Sophie Lillis. Misfit kids on bikes take on an evil clown that lives beneath the town they live in.

Classic Stephen King writing is exactly as you would expect using horror to explore the fears of childhood and coming of age. The script does a great job of adapting the first time period of King's novel and is certainly scary. While the more scary parts of the film did not really stick with me this is still a great adaptation.

4/5

Magic of the past

The Kingdom of Fairies (1903)

Directed by Georges Melies this is an early short film that stars it's director, Marguerite Thevenard and Bleuette Bernon. A witch has a princess kidnapped by fairies.

Taking a pretty simple story Melies lavishes on his own unique style to make a sumptuous looking early film. A feast for the eyes if not a challenge for the brain this is still a great watch none the less. This film really exemplifies the skill of the early master at it's helm.

4/5

A suspect underbelly

Dag II (2016)

Written & directed by Alper Caglar this sequel also known as “Brothers in arms” stars Caglar Ertugurl, Ufuk Bayraktar and Ahu Turkpence. Two soldiers sign up for the Turkish special forces and after 5 years of training their first mission is rescuing a journalist from IS in Iraq.

You do not have to have seen the first film in this series to watch this film but it is decidedly a mixed bag. There are some beautiful landscapes but also overly sentimental portions, some questionable action sequences and sketchy Turkish nationalism hiding in there. Certainly this film doesn't commit any crimes you won't find in Hollywood but that is no excuse.

2/5

In dangerous waters

The Pirates of Somalia (2017)

Directed by Bryan Buckley this film based on real events stars Evan Peters, Barkhad Abdi, Al Pacino and Melanie Griffith. Frustrated with his start in life a Canadian aspiring to be a journalist heads to Somalia to try to find his big break.

While this may not be the whole truth and nothing but the truth it shows a warts and all version of both it's protagonist and the situation in Somalia. Unlike a lot of media on the subject matter we finally get to see the Somali point of view, or at least some of it. Generally well made this is a decent film on a topical subject.

4/5

Betrayed by a lack of titles

Betrayed by a Handprint (1908)

Directed by D. W. Griffith this film stars Florence Lawrence, Harry Solter and Linda Arvidson. A woman shows off a necklace at a party and it is stolen by one of the guests.

This silent film was a bit hard to follow in my opinion. Without reading a synopsis it's a bit difficult to follow the action. Certainly not one of Griffith's best early films.

2/5

All seasons an execution

A Man for All Seasons (1966)

Directed by Fred Zinnemann this film based on the play of the same name stars Paul Scofield, Robert Shaw, Orson Wells and Leo McKern. An English politician finds himself caught between the demands of his king and his faith.

Massaging historical events slightly this is a good look at one man's attempt to reconcile different pressures on his life. Maybe a little bit stilted to modern ears this is still a really good watch with some excellent dialogue. There are some great performances, especially in the supporting roles.

4/5

Quarter of what it could have been

Quartet (2012)

Directed by Dustin Hoffman this film based on the play of the same name stars Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins and Michael Gambon. An old people's home for retired musicians is putting on a gala event to raise money to save the home.

I found this film to be just too gentle and predictable, stumbling through the barest of gentle prodding at it's characters on the way to an inevitable conclusion. Given all the talent involved here I found this film to be a real disappointment. Michael Gambon is about the only good thing in this film and sadly he is relegated to a side part.

2/5

More revealing than it intends to be

American Made (2017)

Directed by Doug Liman this film based on real events stars Tom Cruise, Sarah Wright and Domhall Gleeson. An airline pilot is recruited by the CIA to carry out spy missions and then weapons deliveries in central America.

Straying pretty far from what really happened this is a confusing mess of a celebratory look at a life of crime. More than anything this is film is a reflection of American attitudes than an in depth look at drug smuggling. Flashy and well made this film really lacks any heart or soul to recommend it on.

2/5

Ratire

Rat Life and Diet in North America (1968)

Directed by Joyce Wieland this is short film combines animation and stock footage. A group of rats seek to escape their prison.

Intended as satire I'm not sure how biting this short really is. There are a few good ideas in here but this short does really go a bit heavy handed with it's points. Certainly something different but not something I would want to rewatch.

3/5