The Colony (2021)
Directed by Tim Fehlbaum this film also known as Tides stars Nora Arenzeder, Iain Glen and Sara-Sofie Boussnina. In the near future interstellar colonists return to Earth after an ecological disaster.
There is nothing really new or original in this sci-fi film but it does a decent job of combining familiar elements. The locations provide some really nice visuals that are eerie. Well made for what it is.
3/5
After Launching (1898)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see a yacht sail past the camera.
Like most early shorts from the Edison catalogue there is not a huge amount to this film. At the very least the film does a decent job of capturing the subject moving past to give some movement to the image. A pretty average piece for the period.
3/5
Plan A (2021)
Directed by Yoav & Doron Paz this film stars August Diehl, Sylvia Hoeks and Michael Aloni. In 1945 a group of Jews that survived the Holocaust plan their revenge.
This appears to be very much a fictionalised version of historical events. As interesting as the plot is it would have benefited from sticking more closely to actual events in my opinion. With what we have here this film is not really worth seeking out.
3/5
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021)
Directed by Will Gluck this sequel stars Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, David Oyelowo and the voice of James Cordon. Peter Rabbit wants to take part in a city robbery.
To be honest this film is a bit of a mess, it breaks the fourth wall then commits to everything it says is a sin. It feels like the script completely lost sight of the source material at times. All in all a weak effort.
2/5
Panorama of George Railway (1900)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see the view as a train passes along by some cliffs and some water.
As views go this is a pretty decent one which is well captured for the period. There is not a huge amount to this film beyond the view offered so do not go expecting too much. A decent piece of early cinema that would amount to home video now.
3/5
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton this film stars Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng'er Zhang and Tony Leung. A young man returns to China to try and find his sister.
On the surface this is a fairly fun film filled with some fantastic visuals. Scratch beneath the surface however and it quickly becomes clear the protagonist has no personality or character arc. I can not help but feel this was a missed opportunity in need or a re-write or two before it went to the big screen.
3/5
Fatman (2020)
Directed by Eshom & Ian Nelms this film stars Mel Gibson, Walton Goggins and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. An angry child hires an assassin to kill Santa for giving him coal.
I am not entirely sure how large the market is for this film but I found it to be pretty fun. As something of an oddity, a dark Chritmas film aimed at adults this is a decent little film. I doubt this will ever be a Christmas classic however it is better than a lot of the overly sentimental crap you get this time of year.
3/5
The Stand In (2020)
Directed by Jamie Babbit this film stars Drew Barrymore, Michael Zegen and T.J. Miller. The stand in for a movie star finds her life ruined when the movie star she looks like throws away her career.
There is a decent amount of potential in this prince and the pauper style set up, unfortunately it never really goes anywhere. The script feels like it needs a few more drafts as the characters appear to switch personalities for no reason. In the end a real let down.
2/5
Falls of Minnehaha (1897)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see a single static shot of a waterfall and some people standing in front of it.
There is not much to this short but it does capture the waterfall nicely. The people are a little bit of a distraction if I am honest. Without much context there is not a lot to make this short stand out.
3/5
The Grand Duke of Corsica (2021)
Written & directed by Daniel Graham this film stars Peter Stormare, Timothy Spall and Olwen Catherine Kelly. An architect travels to Malta and gets commissioned to build a mausoleum for a dying man.
To be honest I am not sure what we are supposed to take from this odd film. The content definitely takes its influence from mid century Italian cinema in an unusual mishmash. I did enjoy what I saw even if I did not understand it completely.
3/5
Hide and Seek (2021)
Directed by Joel David Moore this remake of the Korean film of the same name stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jacinda Barrett and Joe Pantoliano. A rich property developer this his half brother is back stalking him.
I have not seen the Korean film this one is based on but I hope it is better than this film. This is a poor effort that is overly drawn out at times. I really am not sure what message we are supposed to take from the film, the implications of the plot are not exactly good.
2/5
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Written & directed by James Gunn this film stars Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone and Viola Davis. A group of super villains are sent on a mission to destroy an alien starfish.
Some people claim this film is better than its predecessor but I actually think it is worse, not that I can remember much of the original Suicide Squad film. The script is plodding and relies far too much on telling over showing for the small amounts of character we get. All in all yet another disappointment from DC.
2/5
Launch of Life Boat (1897)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see a life boat lead by Capt. Joseph Hodgson launched.
This film shows what it claims to but not with any great image quality. It is a bit hard to make out any details at all. There is not really a huge amount to this one.
2/5
Vanquish (2021)
Directed by George Gallo this film stars Ruby Rose and Morgan Freeman. A young woman has to pick up cash for a dirty cop.
After the longest title sequence in history we get the laziest film I have seen in a long time. Very little of the script makes sense or is of any interest. About the best part of the film is the name “Vanquish” everything else is terrible.
1/5
The Champion of Auschwitz (2020)
Directed by Marciej Barczewski this film based on real events stars Piotr Glowacki, Jan Syzdlowski and Grzegorz Malecki. A Polish boxer held prisoner in Auschwitz gets involved in boxing matches to entertain the guards.
The protagonist had a remarkable life which unfortunately is not really captured in this film. We get only a glimpse of what could have been a really great film here. Just not the film the story deserves.
2/5
Run (2019)
Written & directed by Scott Graham this film stars Mark Stanley, Amy Manson and Marli Siu. A man borrows his son's car and spends the night joy riding.
This film really captures something of the small town depression and mid life crisis. While the plot is not overly original it is well done. You may have to turn on the subtitles because some of the Scots English can be hard to catch while watching this film.
3/5
No Man of God (2021)
Directed by Amber Sealey this film based on real events stars Elijah Wood and Luke Kirby. An FBI agent goes to interview Ted Bundy.
I am not too sure how close this film actually sticks to real events, it certainly seems to have tweaked things in more than one place. The highlight of the film is Luke Kirby giving a really good performance as Ted Bundy. Of the films on serial killers and their interviews I do not think this one will stand out in the memory.
3/5
Another Round (2020)
Directed Tobias Lindholm this film stars Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang and Lars Ranthe. Four teachers decide to test of being permanently buzzed improves their lives.
While I enjoyed a lot of this film I was a bit confused as to what sort of message we are supposed to take from it. Fun but not clear enough for me liking, I would have preferred a revised ending. Mad Mikkelsen makes anything watchable and carries this film well.
3/5
The Unholy (2021)
Directed by Evan Spiliotopoulos this film based on the novel “Shrine” stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Cricket Brown and William Sadler. A disgraced reported stumbles onto a religious miracle.
The plot of this film is a familiar mix of religious nonsense that has been covered in many horror films before. What really lets the film down is that the CGI used is pretty terrible. Unfortunately not a good genre piece.
2/5
Surf at Monterey (1897)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see the waves crashing over two rocks on the coast.
This is a number of short clips that are cut together into a film that runs less than a minute long. I found the cuts distracting and would have preferred a single shot to capture the churning nature of the sea. Not my favourite of the early Edison catalogue.
2/5
Notorious Nick (2021)
Directed by Aaron Leong this film inspired by real events stars Cody Christian, Barry Livingston and Kevin Pollak. A one armed man wishes to become a wrestler then an MMA fighter.
I am sure there is a really inspiring story in here somewhere but the plot is incredibly simplified and the writing very wank. I think what annoyed me most is when the protagonist has his moment to speak for himself stolen by his mother and we are supposed to see that as a good thing. All in all a real disappointment.
1/5
The Last Bus (2021)
Directed by Gillies Mackinnon this film stars Timothy Spall and Phyllis Logan. An old man attempts to travel from John O'Groats to Land's End on public buses.
The best part of this film is Timothy Spall's performance, he does a great job of capturing the physicality of an old man. Unfortunately everything else in the film is pretty bad. There far too many “and then everyone clapped” moments and the ending is oppressively over doing it.
2/5
Fisherman's Wharf (1897)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. A fisherman's boat comes into the wharf at San Francisco.
What I like about this film is the way it captures the weather of the day, you can really see the wind on the sail. There is not a huge amount to this short but it is a nice little moment captured for all time. A decent watch for the period.
3/5
Blade of the Immortal (2017)
Directed by Takashi Miike this film based on the manga of the same name stars Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki and Sota Fukushi. An immortal samurai becomes the bodyguard of a twelve year old girl who wants revenge on her father's killers.
I found this to be an enjoyable martial arts slaughter-fest. There are some mumblings about the nature of revenge and immortality in the script but they do not go deep enough for my taste. Enjoyable though likely forgettable.
3/5
Nowhere Special (2020)
Written & directed by Uberto Pasolini this film stars James Norton, Daniel Lamon and Valene Kane. A single father with a terminal illness has to find a new family for his son.
Made with the lightest of touches this film is brutally sad through out. It is crushing to watch a dying man struggle to do what is best for his child who is too young to really know what is happening. This film is completely heart breaking in the best possible way.
5/5
Wander (2020)
Directed by April Mullen this film stars Aaron Eckhart, Tommy Lee Jones, Heather Graham and Katheryn Winnick. A mentally ill conspiracy theorist investigates a murder in a small American town.
With a surprisingly good cast this film is a massive disappointment. The plot is a half baked X-Files episode reject that never goes anywhere interesting. Filled with bad ideas poorly executed.
2/5
Crime Story (2021)
Written & directed by Adam Lipsius this film known by a few names stars Richard Dreyfuss and Mira Sorvino. A retired mob boss is robbed and tries to get his money back.
Once upon a time Richard Dreyfuss was staring in great films, unfortunately that time is long since past. Both the plot and tone of this film are pretty badly done meaning the cast can do little to save the film. Definitely not worth watching even for the biggest Richard Dreyfuss fans.
1/5
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Directed by Adam Wingard this sequel stars Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown and Rebecca Hall. Godzilla and Kong face off in a big old monster battle.
If you thought the one thing that monster films were lacking was some hollow earth nonsense then this is the film for you, otherwise you are going to find this film lacking. There is absolutely nothing in the way of character or metaphor to patch the holes between monster face offs. I really need a bit more from films than what is on offer here.
2/5
The Surrogate (2020)
Written & directed by Jeremy Hersh this film stars Jasmine Batchelor, Chris Perfetti, Sullivan Jones and Brooke Bloom. A woman agrees to be a surrogate for a gay couple but things become far more complicated than any of them expected.
I expected this film to be fairly predictable but it takes an impressive voyage into issues on race, ableism and LGBT topics. The situation Jeremy Hersh gives himself to handle would be very easy to mess up yet the film never makes a misstep. I was so impressed with how this film managed to cover so many delicate topics without getting preachy.
4/5
Wildlife (2018)
Directed by Paul Dano this film based on the novel of the same name stars Carey Mulligan, Jake Gyllenhaal and Ed Oxenbould. In 1960s Montana a 14 year old boy watches his parents marriage fall apart.
While it is well made there is nothing that original about the plot. Where the film really shines is in the direction, there are some lovely shots of that really make the film. There are also good performances from the lead cast members.
4/5
Trauma Center (2019)
Directed by Matt Eskandari this film stars Nicky Whealan, Bruce Willis and Tito Ortiz. A young woman with a gunshot wound limps round a hospital while waiting for Bruce Willis to come and save her from corrupt cops.
There is very little to the plot of this film both in terms of content and originality. If Bruce Willis is even trying is hard to say. All in all this is a weak effort best ignored.
2/5
The Columnist (2019)
Directed by Ivo van Aart this film stars Katja Herbers, Bram van der Kelen and Claire Porro. A depressed newspaper columnist takes the fight to online haters by tracking them down and murdering them.
No doubt this is a finally and relevant social commentary. Where the film falls down for me is it does not really offer any solutions to the issues raised. That being said the film is very thought provoking.
4/5
Parasite (2019)
Directed by Bong John-ho this film stars Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Choi Woo-shik and Park So-dam. A poor family infiltrates the service of a rich family.
As a criticism of wealth inequality this film works really well and there are some shocking twists to keep things interesting. While the film is good I did feel it fell a little short of the hype surrounding it. Well made with good performances, worth a watch for sure.
4/5
Pawn Sacrifice (2014)
Directed by Edward Zwick this film based on real events stars Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber and Peter Sarsgaard. We follow American chess player Bobby Fischer as he attempts to become world champion of chess.
For my money this film never really goes deep enough on its subject matter, it captures a surface level but nothing more. No doubt Bobby Fischer is a complex and troubled subject, I just do not think this film does him or the chess justice. All that said this is not a bad watch even if it does stray from real events in places.
3/5
And Then We Danced (2019)
Written & directed by Levan Akin this film stars Levan Gelbakhiani, Ana Javakhishvili and Bachi Valishvili. At the National Georgian Ensamble two young men begin a secret affair.
I suspect if I was more familiar with Georgian culture I would have gotten more out of this, some of the subtleties of the criticism of masculinity in Georgian culture and dance likely went over my head. In general this is a decent watch that never gets melodramatic. Enjoyable even for an outsider.
3/5
Riders of Justice (2020)
Written & directed by Anders Thomas Jensen this film stars Mads Mikkelsen, Andrea Heick Gadeberg and Nikolaj Lie Kaas. Following a train accident that kills his wife a soldier seeks revenge against the people he believes caused the crash.
Walking a careful line this film manages to combine is hilarious moments of dark humour with actually having something to say about grief and life. I really enjoyed the mix of odd ball characters that makes this not your usual revenge film. Totally bizarre and amazing at the same time.
4/5
On the Town (1949)
Directed by Stanley Donen and star Gene Kelly this film also features Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller, Jules Munshin and Vera-Ellen. Three sailors have twenty four hours to spend in New York.
This is the horniest film I have seen in a long time, so much for our grandparents being all reserved. There is not a huge amount of plot or character development here but the film does deliver on plenty of colour and big numbers. If nothing else a fun piece of nostalgia.
3/5
Lorelei (2020)
Written & directd by Sabrina Doyle this film stars Pablo Schrieber and Jena Malone. After 15 years of being apart a couple reconnects.
I found this to be a fairly enjoyable drama about a man coming out of prison. The story pops through the expected beats without getting melodramatic. My only criticism is that the script goes a little easy on the protagonists learning curve, starting him out most of the way there.
3/5
Locked Down (2021)
Directed by Doug Liman this film stars Anne Hathaway, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ben Kingsley. During lock down a couple plan to steal a diamond.
I was surprised to see so many lukewarm and negative reviews of this film. While the crime element is definitely the weakest part of the film I thought the rest of it was a really good look into the way lock down effected people. It is nice to see something we all lived through on the big screen so soon.
4/5
From the Vine (2019)
Directed by Sean Cisterna this film based on the novel “Finding Marco” stars Joe Panoliano, Wendy Crewson and Paula Brancati. A Canadian business man has a break down, quits his job and goes to Italy to visit his grandfather's vineyard.
Mashing up a typical modern feel good film with echoes of Italian Neo Realism this is a pretty predictable and cheaply made film. The plot is nothing special, it could do with a few tweaks to improve it really. Not a bad watch but nothing memorable.
2/5
Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton, Cal. (1897)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. A stagecoach rides up to the front of an observatory.
Like most films of the era there is not a huge amount to this film. A single, static shot shows a stagecoach approach a building and that is all we get. We do not even get all of the building in shot which seems like a mistake given the title.
2/5
Military Wives (2019)
Directed by Peter Cattaneo this film inspired by real events stars Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan. While the men are away at war a group of military wives form a choir.
Nothing brings out over sentimentality like singing so this simplistic feel good film has it in spades. I found the film to be shallow and formulaic. The film sits very squarely in that self congratulatory middle England genre.
2/5
Death in Texas (2020)
Written & directed by Scott Windhauser this film stars Ronnie Gene Blevins, Lara Flynn Boyle, Stephen Lang and Bruce Dern. After getting out of prison a man finds out his mother is dying of liver failure.
Too much on the predictable side this film never really surprises you. The film is not necessarily a bad watch it just never does anything original. As neo westerns go this is nothing special.
2/5
Fun in Camp (1899)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. Kids riding bears rock up at an army camp during the Spanish-American War.
Looking staged this is a piece of early propaganda film. As entertaining as kids on bears is this is not exactly the best of early cinema. I suspect this short is not the most historically significant of the Edison catalogue.
2/5
Embattled (2020)
Directed by Nick Sarkisov this film stars Stephen Dorff, Darren Mann, Karrueche Tran and Elizabeth Reaser. A young man with an abusive father who is an MMA star takes his first steps into MMA.
While this film does have a plot to it it does stretch credibility in a few places such as the anti communist wanting to set up a fighters union. I was very worried the film was going to chicken out of giving the plot the ending it deserves but it just about manages to walk the line in giving us something worthwhile without going all the way. Decent even if it relies on a lot of familiar plot points.
3/5
Meander (2020)
Written & directed by Mathieu Turi this film stars Gaia Weiss and Peter Franzen. A woman is kidnapped and made to crawl through tunnels.
There is not a lot of plot to this film and very little dialogue yet some how the ending still seems to be confused. I am not sure it really makes sense in the end and there are portions where I found myself a bit bored as things get repetitive. Certainly something different but misses the mark.
2/5
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
Directed by Taylor Sheridan this film based on the novel of the same name stars Angelina Jolie, Finn Little, Aidan Gillen and Nicholas Hoult. A smokejumper who has been grounded protects a boy from assassins out to kill him.
If this film had been made 25 years ago it probably would have been a smash hit. As is this film is a bit of a bland thriller where characters too often do something stupid. In the lead role Angelina Jolie has very little to work with, too much of the script is just going by the numbers rather than involving actual character growth.
2/5
104th Street Curve, New York, Elevated Railway (1899)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see a trains on the elevated railway in New York.
A couple of simple shorts stitched together this film gives you the idea of what a place and time is like. Entertaining if not incredibly deep. Well made for the period.
3/5
The Colour Room (2021)
Directed by Claire McCarthy this film based on real events stars Phoebe Dynevor, Matthew Goode and David Morrissey. A young woman wants to design in the male dominated industry of pottery.
It seems that this film pretty much ignores actual events in favour of a revisionist effort. The film is too obviously constructed and simplistic. Yet another disappointment from Sky's own Originals brand.
2/5
The Last Vermeer (2019)
Directed by Dan Friedkin this film based on real events stars Guy Pearce, Claes Bang and Vicky Krieps. Following the end of WW2 a Dutch art dealer is put on trial for selling art work to the Nazis.
There is some nice duality in the idea of fake people arguing over fake paintings but the turn in the plot is far too obvious. The script strays too much from the fascinating real story for my taste as well. In the end a disappointment given all the potential here.
2/5
Free-for-All race at Charter Oak Park (1897)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. Horses pulling buggies compete on a race course.
Like many films of the era this there is not a lot to this short. We have a static shot of competitors passing by. The image quality is okay but nothing special.
3/5
Willy's Wonderland (2021)
Directed by Kevin Lewis this film stars Nicolas Cage, Emily Tosta and Beth Grant. A stranger in town has to spend the night cleaning at an abandoned family entertainment centre to pay off a debt.
Essentially this is Five Nights at Freddy's with Nicolas Cage and is as ridiculous as you would expect. The film does not take itself too seriously and is plenty of fun. Where the film is a bit weak is it relies too heavily on exposition in some parts while leaving the protagonist woefully under explored.
3/5
Last Orders (2001)
Directed by Fred Schepisi this film based on the novel of the same name stars Micahel Caine, Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren and Ray Winstone. Following the death of a local at a pub his three drinking friends and son take his ashes to be scattered.
Predictable and a bit sentimental in places this is still an enjoyable exploration of the intertwined lives of a group of people. The way the story unfolds through flashbacks is pretty well constructed and poignant at times. Obviously the main draw here is the fantastic cast, so much talent in one film.
4/5
Stanford University, California (1897)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see a bunch of people walking past the camera.
Unfortunately there is not much in the way of landmarks or similar to really place this film, it could be taking place anywhere. The image quality does not show a lot of detail about the people on film either. All in all not one of the better early Eidson films.
2/5
Admiral Dewey Landing at Gibraltar (1899)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. A row boat brings Admiral Dewey into the dock at Gibraltar.
The image quality of his short is not good so it is hard to make out anything about the individuals featured. Made up of a single shot that does not move there is nothing much to say about the camera work. If it had survived at better quality this could have been quite interesting.
2/5
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Directed by Simon McQuoid this video game adaptation stars Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee and Josh Lawson. Earth stands on the edge of being invaded if its champions lose another Mortal Kombat tournament.
Lacking anything in the way of a real plot or characters that have arcs there is not a lot to the script of this film. The extensive fight sequences are just not good enough to carry the piece either. All in all this is a lazy effort that has little going for it.
2/5
The Garden Left Behind (2019)
Directed by Flavio Alves this film stars Carlie Guevara, Ed Asner and Michael Madsen. A young transwoman living as an illegal immigrant in New York struggles to find her place in the world.
Managing to be touching and person despite moments of real darkness this is a good watch on the subject of trans rights. The plot may not be ground breaking or surprising but it covers difficult issues with care. Well worth seeking out, especially for Carlie Guevara's performance.
4/5
Philadelphia Express, Jersey Central Railway (1897)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. A train goes past the camera then another goes across the top of a bridge.
Simple but effective this single shot film is set up fairly nicely. There are other films of this era where there does not seem to have been much effort put into the framing but this one is a step up. One of the better films of the era.
3/5
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
Directed by Michael Chaves this film inspired by real events stars Vera Farminga and Patrick Wilson. Our protagonists go up against a witch by means of demonic possession and murder.
Frankly I find making money of fraudsters and the satanic panic to be distasteful. The film it self would not be too bad if not for claiming to be true even if there is not a huge amount to it. All in all the whole thing leaves me with a bad taste in the mouth.
2/5
Survive the Night (2020)
Directed by Matt Eskandari this film stars Bruce Willis, Chad Michael Murray and Shea Buckner. Two criminals hold a doctor and his family hostage when they need treatment for a gunshot wound.
Some how this film manages to stretch about 30 minutes of plot into 80 minutes run time. There is nothing original or interesting here. Pretty much everyone involved is very obviously phoning this one in.
2/5
Land of Mine (2015)
Directed by Martin Zandvilet this film stars Roland Moller and Mikkel Folsgaard. Following the end of WW2 German soldiers in Denmark are forced to work clearing mines.
This is a film that makes you anxious for 90 minutes then leaves you depressed. While I really enjoyed the film it does take the easy route a little, there are no true believers on the German side having to face the new reality, only on the Danish side. Well made with some excellent shots of the Danish coast.
4/5
Capture of the Boer Battery by British (1900)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. A bunch of British soldiers rush at some Boers protecting a single cannon.
Rather than being daring in the action stuff this is a recreation. As recreations go it is not too bad but lets be honest it is never going to be as exciting as the real thing. I suppose as an early example of fake news this is something.
2/5
Rogue Hostage (2021)
Directed by Jon Keeyes this film stars Tyrese Gibson, John Malkovich and Michael Jai White. At the opening of a new store things go wrong when everyone is held hostage.
Essentially this is Die Hard in a Walmart which might not be so bad as a parody but is played straight here. The plot is pretty dire as are most of the character choices. All in all I was left wondering what sort of blackmail material was used to get the cast to take parts in this film.
1/5
Born a Champion (2021)
Directed by Alex Ranarivelo this film stars Sean Patrick Flanery, Katrina Bowden, Maurice Compte and Dennis Quaid. An American who is an expert in Brazilian jiu-jitsu gets involved in unsanctioned MMA fights.
Unfortunately the plot of this film is dripping with coincidences and over sentimentality. Clearly this is supposed to be Sean Patrick Flanery's lover letter to martial arts but the script hamstrings everything. The fight sequences are decent but no where near good enough to carry this film.
2/5
Chicken Run (2000)
Directed by Peter Lord & Nick Park this film has voices from Julia Sawalha, Mel Gibson and Miranda Richardson. Chickens on a chicken farm plan to escape before they get turned into pies.
As with all Ardman Animation films this film has a huge amount of charm and humour to it. The plot contains numerous references to WW2 PoW films of the 50s and 60s. If you can not find enjoyment in this film then you have a pretty cold heart.
4/5
Fear and Loathing in Aspen (2021)
Directed by Bobby Kennedy III this film based on real events stars Jay Bulger, Cherly Hines and Amaryllis Fox. Annoyed with the state of local government Hunter S. Thompson runs for sheriff in Aspen.
Mostly this film is trading on the legend of Hunter S. Thompson, it is not really that gonzo or insightful on its own. As small town politics films go this one is decent enough but unremarkable generally. A short run time hints at the lack of real content.
3/5
The Age of Shadows (2016)
Directed by Kim Jee-woon this film stars Song Kang-ho, Gonh Yoo, Han Ji-min and Uhm Tae-goo. A Korean working as a police captain for the Japanese colonial government is tasked with rooting out the Korean resistance movement.
This is a decent war time spy thriller that weaves something of a complex web. At times the plot is a little complicated but I was able to follow it. What the film lacks is a little bit of depth beyond the moving pieces.
3/5
Cordelia (2019)
Directed by Adrian Shergold this film stars Antonia Campbell-Hughes and Johnny Flynn. A troubled young woman is left alone for the weekend.
If you are looking for clear answers this is not the film for you, the plot is very ambiguous almost to the point of not making sense. As an exploration of a person losing their sanity this is fairly interesting but the script is just a little too frustrating to make sense of. In the end a bit of a disappointment.
2/5
Troop Ships for the Philippines (1898)
Directed by James H. White and Frederick Blechynden this is an early short film. We see a ship loaded with US troops headed for the Philippines.
Unfortunately this film does not have great image quality. The distance of the camera from the subject makes it hard to pick out the details of the troops on the ships. Not the best of pre 1900 cinema.
2/5
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
Directed by Peter Weir this film based on the novel of the same name stars Anne-Louise Lambert, Rachel Roberts and Dominic Guard. On St. Valentines day girls from a boarding school go to visit Hanging Rock for a picnic and three disappear.
If you are expecting a normal period piece you are in for a surprise, this is definitely a film that explores at least hints of the supernatural and has a very art house feel to it. The themes of the film are subtle enough that they require you give them some thought but well worth the effort. A good watch that lives up to it's reputation.
4/5
Cliffs of Freedom (2019)
Directed by Van Ling this film based on the novel “Daughter of Destiny” stars Tania Raymonde and Jan Uddin. During the Greek War of Independence a young woman sees her family killed and becomes a revolutionary.
No doubt there is a fascinating story to be told against the back drop of history shown here but unfortunately this is not it. The plot is melodramatic and unrealistic at times. I very much doubt this one went down well either in Greece or Turkey.
1/5
Tops (1969)
Directed by Charles and Ray Eames this short film has music from Elmer Bernstein. We see a wide variety of spinning tops.
As a visual poem of sorts this is a really entertaining short film. There is not really a plot or deeper point but the images are mesmerising. I really liked the great variety of spinning tops the film manages to capture.
3/5
Drunk Bus (2020)
Directed by John Carlucci & Brandon LaGanke this film stars Charlie Tahan, Pineapple Tangaroa and Kara Hayward. A recent graduate trying to get over his girlfriend leaving him still works his college job of driving the drunk bus.
On the surface this is a pretty average coming of age film but there are a few moments where it skirts on being a bit problematic. At times Pineapple is a bit of a “mystic negro” which is not a great look. Probably the best part of this film is seeing Kara Hayward is now all grown up and still acting.
2/5
The Death of Stalin (2017)
Directed by Armando Iannucci this film stars Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale and Jeffrey Tambor. As Stalin dies the rest of the party leaders scramble to come out on top.
As a farce this is a really funny film, the absurdity hits at every level. The film may be a little lacking in historical accuracy or saying anything about real power but if you can over look that it is very entertaining. With a little bit more attention to detail this could have been a really great film.
4/5
Bread (1953)
Directed by Charles and Ray Eames this is a short film staring bread. We see how bread is made and the various types it comes in.
Very simple in terms of content, there is not really much of a plot here. If you come from another planet this would be an excellent primer on bread although yeast is seems to be left out. Not exactly full of depth.
2/5
Breaking News in Yuba County (2021)
Directed by Tate Taylor this film stars Allison Janney, Mila Kunis and Regina Hall. After her husband dies of a heart attack when caught cheating on her a woman decides to hide his body and pretend he is missing.
As farce films go this is a fairly decent one if not amazing. The plot lacks a little bit of depth or anything really memorable. What is good about this film is the large number of leading roles for women that it has.
3/5
The Little Things (2021)
Written & directed by John Lee Hancock this film stars Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto. In 1990s LA a former murder detective is drawn back into an old case thanks to new murders.
To be honest this film is a bit of a let down. Despite all the promising casting the actual plot is a bit flat and does not really go anywhere. For all the talent involved I expected something more.
2/5
American Traitor (2021)
Directed by Micahel Polish this film based on real events stars Al Pacino, Meadow Williams and Swen Temmel. After WW2 an American woman who broadcast radio propaganda for the Nazis is put on trial for treason.
Unfortunately this is not very historically insightful or well made. The courtroom drama portion relies much too heavily on a big monologue at the end rather than building an argument. All in all there is some suspect acting and suspect history here.
1/5
Eratosthenes (1961)
Directed by Charles and Ray Eames this is an animated short film. Greek mathematician Eratosthenes tries to work out the size of the Earth.
Very simple but does a good job of showing how to estimate the size of the planet. Of course if you are a flat earther I suppose this film would sit well with you but for those us that are sane it is a nice watch. Short and effective.
3/5
This Is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection (2019)
Written & directed by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese this film stars Mary Twala Mhlongo. An 80 year old widow grieves for her son as the government threatens to move her entire village.
I really enjoyed this exploration of grief, a communities connection to the land and the threat of forced migration. For some this film may be a bit slow moving but if you can handle the pace this is a fascinating watch. Haunting and touching, I really recommend this film.
4/5
Mahalia (2021)
Directed by Kenny Leon this film based on real events stars Danielle Brooks, Olivia Washington and Benjamin Charles Watson. We follow the career of soul singer Mahalia Jackson.
This is one of those biopics that just gives you the key moments of someone's life without ever really digging into them as a person or the moments that changed them. No doubt Mahalia Jackson is an interesting person but this film does not do much to paint her as a fully formed character. Overall a bit disappointing really.
2/5
No Sudden Move (2021)
Directed by Steven Soderbergh this film stars Don Cheadle, Benicio de Toro, David Harbour and Jon Hamn. In 1950s Detriot two gangsters find themselves caught up in corporate espionage.
As crime films go this one is a bit dense and at times a little hard to follow. The plot ends up being nothing that special despite the initial tense hostage situation. I found the extensive use of fish eye lenses to be really distracting, it took me out of the film far too often.
2/5
Something About Functions (1961)
Directed by Charles and Ray Eames this is a short film. We learn about the concept of mathematical functions.
Compared to some of the other Eames films this one is a bit simple and not overly insightful. There is not much in the way of interesting animation either. Probably one you can skip.
3/5
Voyagers (2021)
Written and directed by Neil Burger this film stars Tye Sheridan, Lily-Rose Depp, Fionn Whitehead and Colin Farrell. In the future 30 young people are raised and sent into space to travel to a new planet for colonisation.
In the opening portion of the film there are some interesting ethical and existential questions raised however these are binned off in favour of doing Lord of the Flies in space with a side order of a recent ex-president. What we get is decent enough but far too familiar. I would much rather have seen the film focus on themes of space colonisation than what we got.
3/5
Flashback (2020)
Written & directed by Christopher MacBride this film stars Dylan O'Brien and Maika Monroe. A man struggles to accept his mother's mental decline and his boring office job.
Essentially this is the story of a midlife crisis solved by drug induced flashbacks. It can be a little confusing to keep up with the skipping through multiple timelines but this is a decent film if you can keep up. If flashing lights trigger you in any way stay clear of this film because it is full of extended sequences of them.
3/5
Eames Lounge Chair (1956)
Directed by Charles and Ray Eames this is a short animated film. We see a man put together a chair then take it apart again.
There is really not a whole lot to this film but it is a nice use of stop motion animation featuring real people. If you are expecting a plot or story you might be disappointed. Not the best from the Eames brothers.
3/5
Rare Beasts (2019)
Written & directed by star Billie Piper this film also features Leo Bill, David Thewlis and Kerry Fox. A single mother falls in love with a very angry man.
To be honest I am not sure what we are supposed to take from this film but it is a very unique voice. I enjoyed this film a lot even if I am not sure what to make of it. Billie Piper offers up something very different and fresh here so I hope we get to see more from her.
3/5
Monos (2019)
Directed by Alejandro Landes this film stars Julianne Nicholson, Moises Arias, Sofia Buenaventura and Karen Quintero. A group of child soldiers stationed on a mountain top guard a kidnapped engineer.
Visually stunning through out this is a fascinating look at the break down in a group of children. The conclusion always feels inevitable but the path to get there is gripping. Well worth seeking out, I highly recommend this film.
5/5
Senior Moment (2021)
Directed by Giorgio Serafini this film stars William Shatner, Jean Smart and Christopher Lloyd. A man in his seventies loses his drivers license and has to earn it back.
I found this film to be disappointing in pretty much every area. The protagonist creepily leers at much younger woman and seems to have a side order of casual racism going on. If you can find any redeeming feature to this film I would be impressed.
1/5
Solar Do-Nothing Machine (1990)
Directed by Charles and Ray Eames this is a short film. We see a solar powered machine in action.
Unfortunately this is not one of the best short films from the Eames brothers. The film never really shows us how the machine works or what it does. I would skip this one if I were you.
2/5
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Directed by Shaka King this film based on real events stars Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield. In the 1960s a man is forced to join the Black Panthers as an FBI informant.
This film does a really good job of both showing the Black Panthers and the FBI activities against them. There is both a human story here and a broader society one with a good balance between the two. It is very hard to watch this film and not end up very angry at the establishment.
4/5
Cowboys (2020)
Written & directed by Anna Kerrigan this film stars Steve Zahn, Jillian Bell and Sasha Knight. A troubled father tries to save his trans son from the boy's unaccepting mother.
This is an enjoyable story of troubled people trying to do their best. The non linear nature of the film is easy to follow and touching. May be not the deepest film but still a good watch that touches an important topic.
4/5
The Mercy (2017)
Directed by James Marsh this film based on real events stars Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz and David Thewlis. In 1968 an amateur sailor joins a round the world sailing race gambling everything on his success.
I enjoyed this film because it is very rare we get to see failure on the big screen as the basis of a story. The film is enjoyable and seems mostly faithful to true events but I would have liked a bit more emphasis on the protagonist painting himself into a corner and his descent into insanity. Whatever the film lacks there is more than enough to enjoy here.
3/5
Reboot Camp (2020)
Written & directed by Ivo Raza this film stars Keli Price, Maya Stojan and David Lipper. Two brothers document setting up a fake self up group but lose control of their own fake cult.
This mockumentary is a great look at how cults work and how they get out of control. Not exactly hard hitting or looking into the dark parts of the subject matter this is a good watch nonetheless. The celebrity cameos can not help but make you think of scientology as you watch this.
4/5
Edge of the World (2021)
Directed by Michael Haussman this film inspired by historical events stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Dominic Monaghan and Atiqah Hasiholan. A British adventurer arrives in Borneo and becomes ruler of Sarawak.
At times this film really wants to be Apocalypse Now, so much so it appears to be cribbing from that story excessively. I am really not sure what we are supposed to take from this film, especially with how we view imperialism through a modern lens. All in all I think this film on scratches the surface of the true historical story.
2/5
23 Walks (2020)
Written & directed by Paul Morrison this film stars Alison Steadman and Dave Johns. While walking their dogs two lonely older people meet.
At times touching unfortunately this film is let down by dialogue which lacks in any sort of subtlety. Not a bad watch but this could have been a really good film with a bit more care taken. We do not get enough films about people in this stage of life and there is a really good performance from Alison Steadman.
3/5
Primary Colors (1998)
Directed by Mike Nichols this film based on the novel of the same name stars Adrian Lester, John Travolta and Emma Thompson. A young idealist joins the campaign of a Southern Governor in the race for the Democractic Party nomination for president.
Designed as a thinly veiled look at the Clinton campaign at first look this was a decent look at the question of using “dirt” in political campaigns. Watching this back years later and after the MeToo movement the film has really not aged well, at no point does anyone suggest that maybe Governor Stanton is doing anything really wrong with all the scandals he is creating. I am left wondering how a modern take on this story would look.
3/5
Superintelligence (2020)
Directed by Ben Falcone this film stars Melissa McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, Brian Tyree Henry and the voice of James Corden. An emergent AI decides to study humanity through an average woman.
There is a really decent premise here but the execution of this film is pretty flat. Towards the end things really start to fall apart and the less you think about the plot the better. All in all a bit of a dud.
2/5
Triumph (2021)
Directed by Brett Leonard this film inspired by real events stars RJ Mitte, Terrence Howard, Johnathon Schaech and Grace Victoria Cox. In the 1980s a young man with cerebral palsy wants to take up high school wrestling.
Unfortunately the script for this film is beyond heavy handed, losing anything of value the film might have. There is also some over acting from Terrence Howard which does not help matters. Means well but terribly flawed film.
1/5
Topology: Jodan's Curve Theory (1961)
Directed by Charles and Ray Eames this is a short animated film. We get an explanation of what the field of topology is in mathematics.
What this film does really well is give a simple explanation of one of the more advanced fields of modern mathematics. My criticism is that the short never gives us any idea of the applications of this field. Over all a decent educational short.
3/5
High Ground (2020)
Directed by Stephen Maxwell Johnson this film stars Jacob Junior Nayinggul, Simon Baker, Callum Mulvey and Caren Pistorius. In the interwar period white settlers and Aboriginal Australians clash.
While this film does highlight the racism in the colonisation of Australia I am not sure it has much of interest or originality to say on the subject. Where the film is at it's strongest is in showing off the stunning natural landscapes. An enjoyable meat pie western which is more than decently made.
4/5
Symmetry (1961)
Directed by Charles and Ray Eames this is a short animated film. We learn all about the concept of symmerty.
I thought this film did a really good job of explaining the concept, it even did so in a way I had never thought of before. Not the deepest film out there but it does it's job. The animation style is fairly simple.
3/5
Deliver Us from Evil (2020)
Written & directed by Hong Won-Chan this film stars Hwang Jung-min, Lee Jung-jae and Park Jeong-min. A hitman about to retire finds out he has a young daughter who has been kidnapped.
This is a pretty familiar action crime film with plenty of killing and a moody protagonist. While there is little original here it is still a well made genre piece. Enjoyable if predictable.
3/5
End of Sentence (2019)
Directed by Elfar Adalsteins this film stars John Hawkes, Logan Lerman and Sarah Bolger. A widower and his son just out of prison travel to Ireland to spread his wife's ashes.
Predictable through out this is still a fairly decent watch. I do not think there will be any prizes for originality here but this is a decent enough watch. With a little but more work this could have been a really good film.
3/5
Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Directed by Navot Papushado this film stars Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett and Paul Giamatti. A young woman working as an assassin accidentally kills the wrong person and gets herself in a heap of trouble.
Essentially this is a female lead film in the style of John Wick with a nod to Luc Besson. There are plenty of bad ass women in this film but no depth at all to the script or character relationships, there are some token nods to feminism however it is nothing more than lip service really. My problem with the action sequences, which are what should carry the film, is there is never a decent wide shot when you want one.
3/5
Hero Mode (2021)
Directed by A. J. Tesler this film stars Chris Carpenter, Mira Sorvino, Sean Astin and Indiana Massara. A woman lets her teenage son take over development of her company's newest video game.
Oh boy, this film is cringe inducing through out. The makers obviously know nothing about making games or coding and the plot is mind numbing. I really can not find anything good to say about this film.
1/5
2n: A Story of the Power of Numbers (1961)
Directed by Charles and Ray Eames this is a short animated film. We hear a story of a king of India and the power of exponentials.
Very simple in concept this is a decent explanation of exponential growth. The animation is a little on the cheap side but serviceable. In the end a good educational film.
3/5
No Man's Land (2021)
Directed by Conor Allyn this film stars Frank Grillo, Jake Allyn, George Lopez and Andie MacDowell. The son of a Texas rancher shoots a teenager trying to cross the border from Mexico.
Unfortunately this film does not have much of interest to say on the subject matter of immigration and is pretty boring. I struggled through the two hour run time of this film. The biggest disappointment is how small of a part Andie MacDowell has in the film.
2/5
Beast Beast (2020)
Written & directed by Danny Madden this film stars Shirley Chen, Will Madden and Jose Angeles. We follow the interconnected story of three young people all seeking fame in their own way.
I enjoyed the first two thirds of this film but the final third seems forced and heavy handed. The twist just does not make sense to me, I am not sure what we are supposed to get from it. In the end this film was a disappointment despite the early promise it showed.
2/5
Minari (2020)
Written & directedby Lee Isaac Chung this film stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung and Will Patton. In 1980s America a Korean immigrant moves his family to a rural area with the desire to start a farm.
This is a classic tale of immigration and aspiration centred around childhood, it may be the father's vision that drives the action but we see the story from the point of view of the youngest son. I really enjoyed this film, it is well crafted despite being a bit simple and familiar. Good performances even from the child actors.
4/5
Powers of Ten (1977)
Directed by Charles and Ray Eames this is an educational short film. From a picture of a man lying down at a picnic we zoom out to the edge of the universe then back to the centre of an atom.
If you ever wanted a reminder of your cosmic insignificance this is the film for you. Visually impressive this is a powerful educational film. We could probably achieve something better now with modern special effects but for the time this is well made.
4/5
Bombshell (2019)
Directed by Ray Roach this film based on real events stars Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie and John Lithgow. A look into the exposure of Roger Ailes for harassing various women at Fox News.
I think this is one of the better looks at work place harassment even if it asks some uncomfortable questions. The performances of the cast are all really excellent as you would expect from so many big names. There is only so much you can cover in a 2 hour film so I can forgive the film for not going deeper in some places.
4/5
Let Him Go (2020)
Directed by Thomas Bezucha this film based on the novel of the same name stars Kevin Costner, Diane Lane and Lesley Manville. In the 1960s a retired sheriff and his wife set off to track down the wife of their dead son and her new husband.
Well made but not very original there is not a huge amount that stands out about this Western themed film. The plot is as you would expect with the male lead having to die to prove his worth. Diane Lane and Kevin Coster are the highlights of an otherwise pedestrian genre piece.
3/5
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Directed by Tyler Nilson & Michael Schwartz this film stars Shia LaBeouf, Zack Gottsagen and Dakota Johnson. A 22 year old man with Down syndrome escapes a retirement home with dreams of becoming a professional wrestler.
Essentially this is a modern rework of Huckleberry Finn and works fairly well for what it is. The ending is a little over egging the pudding in my opinion, I would have preferred something more depressingly realistic but otherwise there is not much to complain about here. I would definitely say the cast is the highlight of the film.
3/5
Materna (2020)
Directed by David Gutnik this film stars Kate Lyn Sheil, Jade Eshete, Lindsay Burdge and Assol Abdullina. We see four women and their relationship with their mothers/motherhood.
I found this to be an enjoyable anthology of female centric stories. The least interesting part is the incident that connects all four of the main characters together but otherwise there is a lot of enjoy here. Well worth seeking out.
4/5
