Panorama du grand Canal pris d'un bateau (1896)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. A camera on a boat goes up the canal.
Possibly the first travelling shot in history this film is similar to a number of other camera on boat films from the period. No idea if this was actually the first of its type or not. Lacks a bit of action to really make it stand out.
3/5
A Good Person (2023)
Written & directed by Zach Braff this film stars Florence Pugh, Morgan Freeman, Celeste O'Connor and Molly Shannon. A year after causing a fatal accident a young woman has become a pain pill addict.
As addiction films go this one is fine if nothing special. There are one or two places where it feels like the characters are acting out the needs of the plot rather than realistically which jars a little. Ultimately a bit forgettable really.
3/5
Harlow (1965)
Directed by Gordon Douglas this film based on real events stars Carroll Baker, Red Buttons, Raf Vallone and Angela Lansbury. We follow the career of film star Jean Harlow.
Unfortunately this film appears to be more interested in selling the legend of Jean Harlow than the truth of her life. The film has an impressive cast but not much beyond that. Somewhat of a disappointment both now and at the time of release.
2/5
Love Story (1970)
Directed by Erich Segal this film based on the novel of the same name stars Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal. A upper class college student falls in love with a student from a working class background.
A smash hit in its time this film comes across as cheesy and melodramatic to modern eyes. I think what annoys me the most about the film is the protagonist driving round in his sports car while the couple live hand to mouth, not one suggestion of ever selling it. I just do not think this one has aged at all well.
2/5
Leaving Jerusalem by Railway (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. A single shot from the back of a train as it leaves Jerusalem.
As films from the Lumiere catalogue go this one is nothing that special. There is not a lot to see, do not expect a bustling station view in this one. What we do get is alright I suppose.
3/5
50/50 (2011)
Directed by Jonathan Levine this film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard. A young man finds out he has back cancer.
As cancer films go this is a decentish one even if it does not fully get into the weeds of how much chemo sucks. For the most part the script is fairly level headed, I could just have done without the “falling in love with the therapist” part, that is a little unrealistic. All in all a decent watch with some touching moments.
3/5
My Neighbor Adolf (2022)
Directed by Leon Prudovsky this film stars David Hayman, Udo Kier, Olivia Silhavy and Kineret Peled. A holocaust survivor living in South America in the 1960s tries to convince the Israeli embassy that his neighbour is Adolf Hitler.
Obviously it would be really easy to mishandle this subject matter however the film does a fairly good job of negotiating that particular minefield. While the film manages not to step on any landmines I am not sure it ever really hits the subject matter out of the park. Worth a watch even if it is a little uncomfortable in places.
3/5
Blueback (2022)
Directed by Robert Connolly this film based on the novel of the same name stars Mia Wasikowska and Radha Mitchell. A marine biology professor returns home to look after her mother who has had a stroke.
You can see this is a novel adapted to the screen, it has all the hallmarks from splitting the story over various time periods and other familiar literary devices. As a film this is a fine watch if a little bit on the predictable side. The film never gets melodramatic or cheesy although it does skirt the line at times.
3/5
Nope (2022)
Written & directed by Jordan Peele this film stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun. Siblings find their ranch being visited by a UFO.
I really enjoyed this creepy and thought provoking film. If you can avoid spoilers this is a great slow burn to sit through where you are never exactly sure where things are going. Another quality effort from Peele who is turning out to be a real master creator.
4/5
It Should Happen to You (1954)
Directed by George Cukor this film stars Judy Holliday, Peter Lawford and Jack Lemmon. A young woman in New York seeks to make a name for herself by renting out a billboard.
Surprisingly relevant in places this film takes a look at the desire for and cost of fame. The protagonist really carries the film thanks to Judy Holliday's performance. Fun and thought provoking.
4/5
Hustlers (2019)
Written & directed by Lorene Scafaria this film stars Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer and Lili Reinhart. Following the financial collapse of 2008 a group of New York strippers start drugging and kidnapping me to plunder their credit cards.
Committing the usual sin when it comes to films about strippers this film is more interested in the glamorous side of the job rather than the dark underbelly which is far more common. There are times the film hints at a more realistic world however it is mostly interested in the glamour. Decently made just too superficial to take seriously.
3/5
Dark Command (1940)
Directed by Raoul Walsh this film stars John Wayne, Claire Trevor and Walter Pidgeon. A town marshal tries to protect the town from raiders posing as confederate soldiers.
Not a lot unique to this western however it is fairly well done. It is what you might consider a standard John Wayne film from the time before he became old and a parody of himself. Probably only worth seeking out if you are a huge John Wayne completist.
3/5
La Palestina en 1896 (1897)
Directed by Auguste Lumiere this is an early short film. We see various shots of life in Palestine.
Combining a surprising number of shots for a film of the period this is a pretty decent travel film. There is a fair amount on show here, more so than other similar films from the Lumiere catalogue. A nice little watch.
3/5
Hunt (2022)
Directed by Lee Jung-jae this film stars it's director and Jung Woo-sung. The heads of Korean's main intelligence departments face off as they hunt for a North Korean mole.
This film mixes history with fantasy for an odd mix. There are plenty of times there is too much Hollywood rather than John le Carre for my taste. Drags on a little too.
2/5
Beast (2022)
Directed by Baltasar Kormakur this film stars Idris Elba, Sharlto Copley, Iyana Halley and Leah Sava Jeffries. A recently widowed man protects his daughters from a rampaging lion.
There is not a huge amount to this one either in terms of plot or action. The film is fine, it is what you would expect nothing more. It does drag a little towards the end getting towards a predictable conclusion.
3/5
1917 (2019)
Directed by Sam Mendes this film stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Champion. Two soldiers cross the barren wasteland of WW1 with orders to stop an attack.
Without doubt this is an impressive technical feat of film making, Mendes and Deakins deserve all the plaudits for this one. My issue with the film is that beyond the stunning visuals I am not sure there is a lot to this one and the set up does not entirely make sense. Beyond the gimmick, which is impressive, there is not really anything deeper here.
4/5
Chuka (1967)
Directed by Gordon Douglas this film stars Rod Taylor, Luciana Paluzzi, Ernest Borgnine, John Mills and James Whitmore. Passengers on a stagecoach end up stuck in a US cavalry base surrounded by Indians.
Very little about the set up here is unique however the film does put a nice spin on a couple of elements. The cast is really good and it is something of a treat to see John Mills turn up in a film like this. Not bad at all for what it is.
3/5
The Eight Hundred (2020)
Directed by Guan Hu this film based on real events stars Huang Zhizhong, Zhang Junyi, Oho Ou and Du Chun. Chinese soldiers trapped in a warehouse defend it against Japanese invaders as their own people and the world watch on.
Clearly this is a propaganda piece however it is interesting to see the communist regime praise nationalist fighters. The film is a bit long and at times melodramatic as well as probably straying from history. There is something to be said for exploring the idea of how war is fought these days under such close observation.
2/5
All Change (1923)
From the British Pathe collection this short film stars Eille Norwood. We see how Eille Norwood's make up changes for his performance in a play.
About 20 years late for this sort of short film there is not much to this one. If this was one of the earlier films you would understand but by this point things have moved on. The make up itself is fine there just needs to be more to the piece.
2/5
Dig (2022)
Directed by K. Asher Levin this film stars Thomas Jane, Harlow Jane, Emile Hirsch and Liana Liberato. A man and his daughter are held hostage by criminals.
As Tarantino knock offs go this one is fairly low down the pecking order. I found this one to be pretty boring despite what should be a tense set up. The script just does not work and the protagonist makes terrible choices for no reason. I have to stop watching Thomas Jane films.
2/5
Vienna (1896)
Directed by Auguste & Louis Lumiere this is an early short film. We see a street scene from Vienna.
You can question if this is still the original film as it has been enhanced with AI colouring and sound. The additions definitely bring the film to life in a way other films of the period are not. A lively street scene but it does raise questions about authenticity.
3/5
The Forgiven (2021)
Directed by John Michael McDonagh this film based on the novel of the same name stars Ralph Fiennes, Jessica Chastain and Matt Smith. An English couple travelling to a party in Morocco accidentally kill a young man on the road.
For all the talent involved in this film it never quite hits the heights I was hoping for. Enjoying in its look at the rich cavorting in the face of the poor I am not sure it is ever more than the sum of its parts. A decent watch even if a little disappointing.
3/5
The Portable Door (2023)
Directed by Jeffrey Walker this film based on the novel of the same name stars Patrick Gibson, Sophie Wilde, Christoph Waltz and Sam Neill. By a strange series of coincidences a young man gets a job as an intern at a mysterious firm.
Clearly this is looking to tap into the left over Harry Potter market now those readers are grown up. The plot is fine I suppose, there are one or two holes here and there. No doubt we will get sequels if the film does well enough.
3/5
Lynch/Oz (2022)
Directed by Alexandre O. Philippe this documentary has input from six different people. We explore the films of David Lynch and the influence the Wizard of Oz (1939) has had on his work.
I found this to be a pretty fascinating look at both Oz and Lynch, the different contributors all providing a different angle of attack. It could have gotten very same-y but the different points of view keep things fresh through out the film. This really makes me want to go back and revisit both subject matters.
4/5
Bullet Proof (2022)
Directed by James Clayton this film also known as “Death Pursuit” stars Vinnie Jones, Lina Lecompte and James Clayton himself. A thief helps the wife of the man he just robbed escape.
As action films go this one is cheaply made and poorly written. I wish I could find something to recommend this one on however it just a rehash of familiar cliches. Not worth seeking out even to see Vinnie Jones working again.
1/5
Fighter Squadron (1948)
Directed by Raoul Walsh this film stars Edmond O'Brien, Robert Stack and John Rodney. A rule breaker pilot is promoted to command of the squadron.
It is pretty obviously that nothing in this film was actually shot in Europe which really takes you out of the film. The plot is nothing special, it barely strings the action sequences together. Some of the action sequences themselves get a bit silly too so you can not even recommend the film on that.
2/5
Death Jump off the Eiffel Tower: Paris, France (1912)
From the archives of British Pathe this film features Franz Reichelt. A man attempts to test a parachute design by jumping from the Eiffel Tower.
It is slightly bizarre to find a snuff film in the Pathe archives. I assume none of this is a recreation which makes is pretty gory, especially the moments as Reichelt nervously psyches himself up to jump to what will turn out to be his death. Not the easiest of watches.
2/5
Emily the Criminal (2022)
Written & directed by John Patton Ford this film stars Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi and Megalyn Echikunwoke. Unable to get a job due to a past conviction a woman turns to credit card fraud.
This is a pretty decent and fairly original film if not that impressive. As a cinematic ride this is fun film it just lacks a little depth. Probably not something I would ever return to.
3/5
Hyde Park Corner (1896)
Made by British Pathe this is an early short film. We see a street scene from Hyde Park corner in London.
Up there with any of the Lumiere street films this is a decent little effort. There is plenty going on in the shot with both people and vehicles passing by. A fun short.
3/5
Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
Directed by Kyle Balda this film has voices from Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Alan Arkin and Taraji P. Henson. An 11 year old Gru dreams of joining a team of super villains.
Both the animation and the humour of this film are way better than they have any right to be. For a 5th film in a kids franchise this is a surprisingly good film. Sure the plot is that not special but for what it is this is a decent effort.
3/5
