Wifelife (2022)
Written & directed by James Bird this film stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Elena Kampouris. In the near future a company sells robot wives.
Mixing together bits of Blade Runner with The Stepford Wives and adding in a dash of The Matrix this film is much less than the sum of its parts. Too many elements of this film do not make sense which checked me out of the film pretty early on. It even comes off as a little bit sexist in the concept.
1/5
Belfast, exercices de sauvetage (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. Firefighters show off their extending ladder.
As shorts of the period go this is a pretty fun one. We get to see some action and the shot is well framed. A nice change from the street scenes that dominate Promio's work.
3/5
Agent Game (2022)
Directed by Grant S. Johnson this film stars Adan Canto, Dermot Mulroney, Katie Cassidy, Jason Isaacs and Mel Gibson. Two elements of the CIA battle it out against each other.
Using big name stars in small roles to attempt to prop up this film does not work. The non-linear nature of the plot is just frustrating and the action is shot in such a way you can never tell what is going on here. One of the weaker Saban films which is saying something.
1/5
Benedetta (2021)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven this film inspired by historical events stars Virginie Efira, Charlotte Rampling and Daphne Patakia. A 17th century nun has visions and a lesbian affair.
A lot of the elements of this film could be interesting, the ideas of faith, sexuality and apocalyptic plague, however Verhoeven sticks with the more salacious stuff. Some how the film manages to be less than the sum of its parts. A bit of a disappointment that strays from history.
2/5
Le Bey de Tunis et les personnages de sa suite descendant l'escalier de Bardo (1903)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. Well dressed men walk down some stairs.
The title of this film is probably longer and contains more content than the short itself. This really is just some blokes walking down some stairs. I am sure there is some historical context to this one but it is not a great watch.
2/5
M3GAN (2022)
Directed by Gerard Johnstone this film stars Allison Williams and Violet McGraw. A woman takes in her orphaned niece and introduces her to a new toy, a robot girl.
Pretty much we are going through the expected beats here with a little lacking on the character work to hold it all together. There are points where you are sitting waiting for the film to get to the inevitable. Pretty average horror/thriller with no surprises.
2/5
Ancients (2023)
Directed by Patrick Townsend this short stars William Gabriel, Tel Benjamin and Michael Wood. A Greek writer pitches his latest story to his Roman publishers.
This is a pretty simple short based on a familiar joke concept, business does not understand art. The film is fairly well made and does the back drop decently. Not really original or a stand out.
3/5
Finch (2021)
Directed by Miguel Sapochnik this film stars Tom Hanks and Caleb Landry Jones. A dying man living in a dying world builds a robot to care for his dog after he is gone.
Pulling on expected heart strings this is a pretty predictable film. Despite the lack of originality this is a pretty well made film that manages not to get too sappy or melodramatic. It would have been nice to see a bit more of the world the film takes place in.
3/5
Stockholm, entree de l'exposition (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. We see the entrance to the world exhibition in Stockholm.
As street scenes go this is a pretty decent one. We get something unique in the background and then some good action in the foreground in passing traffic. One of the better examples of the genre.
3/5
Well Wishes My Love, Your Love (2022)
Directed by Gabriel Gabriel Garble this is a short animated film. A boy takes his friend's prosthetic arm for a day out.
To be honest like most viewers I am not really sure what is going on with the plot of this short. What I do like about it is the animation style which is something I have not seen before. If nothing else the images are enough to hold your attention.
3/5
Next Exit (2022)
Written & directed by Mali Elfman this film stars Katie Parker and Rahul Kohli. Two strangers take a road trip across the US together to a suicide clinic.
Following a pretty obvious path there are not a lot of surprises in this one as we head to an inevitable conclusion. While the plot is predictable the story is at least well told, avoiding the simplistic or melodramatic. Deals with a tough subject pretty decently.
3/5
The Fool's Mate (2022)
Directed by Cian Llewellyn this short film stars Nell Barlow, Chris Lew Kum Hoi and Syrus Lowe. A couple meet at a pub with the man wondering how to break up with the woman who is concerned he is going to propose.
I suppose this short comedy is fine, there is not a lot too it. The set up is fairly decent but it does not really go anywhere. Not one I would recommend seeking out.
3/5
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
Directed by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley this film stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Rege-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis and Hugh Grant. A bard and a barbarian seek to escape prison and get the bard's daughter back.
I suppose this film is fun in a disposable kind of way, it is not something with any depth or that you would want to rewatch in my opinion. The film does a fairly decent job of translating the famous roleplaying game on the big screen. A lot of people say the film does not take it self too seriously, I am not sure it is ever serious and that makes it fairly lightweight.
3/5
Nomadland (2020)
Written & directed by Chloe Zhao this film stars Frances McDormand and David Strathairn. A woman unable to retire lives a nomadic life in the 2010s.
If nothing else this film has some beautiful landscape shots that really shows off the natural part of America. The plot is a decent look at old age and poverty when embracing a nomadic life. I enjoyed the film even if it does not have a huge amount to say.
4/5
Locker Room (2017)
Written & directed by Greta Nash this short film stars Birdie Noonan, Max Stephens and Charlie Hannaford. A teenage girl reads her male friends group chat and is upset by what she finds.
This film definitely captures something of the modern world and teenage life. It would be interesting to see if the concept could be stretched out to a full length film going deeper into the reactions and repercussions. A true and thought provoking watch.
3/5
Caravane de chameaux (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. A caravan of camels go past the camera.
Pretty much this is what is says on the tin. There is not a huge amount to this one, camels in a random piece of desert going past the camera. The foreground action is decent but there is no scenery to put this short in a location.
3/5
Margaux (2022)
Directed by Steven C. Miller this film stars Madison Pettis, Jedidiah Goodacre and Vanessa Morgan. Attractive young people go to spend the weekend in a smart house which has murderous intent.
There is nothing more to this film than the log line suggests. We get a couple of brief moments where the script threatens something more than an basic horror film but those are quickly forgotten. Not something memorable or surprising.
2/5
Biosphere (2022)
Directed by Mel Eslyn this film stars Mark Duplass and Sterling K. Brown. Two men who are the only survivors of a global apocalypse they likely caused live together in a biosphere.
Offbeat but still pretty funny this is a nice little independent film. While it does not go as deep as it could on exploring some of the themes of the film it is still a fun little watch. Good performances from the cast and some nice awkward situations really carry the film.
3/5
Greyhound (2020)
Directed by Aaron Schneider this film based on the novel “The Good Shepherd” stars Tom Hanks and Stephen Graham. In February 1942 the crew of a destroyer attempt to screen a cross Atlantic convoy as it comes under attack from a wolf pack of u-boats.
We get plenty of tension and action in this film something akin to Dunkirk (2017) however what the film is missing any real character arcs. There are also a few moments where you can see they have jazzed things up for the big screen. Mostly this is a good film even if it lacks a little depth.
3/5
A Man Called Otto (2022)
Directed by Marc Forster this remake stars Tom Hanks, Mariana Trevino and Rachel Keller. After being retired a widower tries unsuccessfully to kill himself.
I found this film to be overly sentimental and Oscar-bait-y. The plot takes the well worn route of reminding us that a man is only worth while if he does things for other people. It may be heresy to say this but I am not even sure Tom Hanks is right for the lead role, he seems to be doing an impression rather than acting.
2/5
Londres, Piccadilly Circus (1896)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. We see a street scene from Piccadilly circus in London.
As street scenes go this is a decent-ish one. There is a solid amount of action and some background to orient yourself too. Only thing holding it back is it does not come across as an iconic location.
3/5
Feeling Through (2019)
Written & directed by Doug Roland this film stars Steven Prescod and Robert Tarango. A young man helps a man who is blind and deaf.
It seems like this short has all the set up to be Oscar bait and while it was nominated it does not fall into the trap of over sentimentality. The short offers a window into a life most of us have not considered. Thought provoking and a little touching towards the end.
4/5
The Death of Dick Long (2019)
Directed by Daniel Scheinert this film stars Michael Abbott Jr., Virginia Newcomb and Andre Hyland. After three friends hang out one of them dies of unexplained injuries.
Bizarre with moments of dark comedy this is certainly a different film, something like a Coen brothers film. Somewhat surprisingly there is the occasional touching moment. Definitely off beat and not for everyone.
3/5
The Harbinger (2022)
Written & directed by Andy Mitton this film stars Gabby Beans, Emily Davis and Raymond Anthony Thomas. During the covid-19 pandemic a woman leaves her bubble to go help a friend living alone in the city.
Of all the pandemic films this is probably the most interesting so far. It does a good job of setting up the theme and metaphor it just never quite hits it out of the park. You just end up feeling like there was a bit more potential here despite all the things the film does well.
4/5
Assassin (2023)
Directed by Jesse Atlas this film stars Nomzarmo Mbatha, Bruce Willis, Dominic Purcell and Andy Allo. A military operation uses new technology to remote desktop into other people's bodies and carry out assassinations.
Somewhat surprisingly there is actually a lot of promise to the premise of this film although you will have seen most of the parts done better elsewhere. Sadly there are a ton of glaring plot holes that make this unwatchable. A few more drafts and I think this could have actually been a decent lat film for Bruce Willis, instead it is another forgettable direct to video effort.
1/5
New York, Whitehall Street (1896)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. People, horses and carts travel up and down a street in New York.
Unfortunately the image quality is not the best on this one, the image is clear but appears to have some missing frames. As street scenes go it is a pretty average one, lacking important land marks to set it apart. Not the best of the early Lumiere catalogue.
3/5
Maggie Moore(s) (2023)
Directed by John Slattery this film stars Jon Hamm, Tina Fey, Micah Stock and Nick Mohammed. Small town police investigate the murder of two women with the same name.
I suppose this is fine in Coen brothers knock off sort of way. There is little remarkable and a few moments rather obviously telegraphed. Probably the best thing here is the surprise inclusion of Tina Fey.
3/5
The File on Thelma Jordon (1950)
Directed by Robert Siodmak this film stars Barbara Stanwyck and Wendell Corey. A woman seduces a married assistant district attorney then gets into legal trouble.
It takes a while for this film to get going and the death bed confession at the end is a bit forced, otherwise this is a decent noir film. Many of the familiar genre elements are here, nothing that special. All in all there is a reason you have likely not heard of this one, it is nothing special.
3/5
Drunk Wedding (2015)
Directed by Nick Weiss this film stars Nick P. Ross, J. R Ramirez, Christian Cooke, Dan Gill, Anne Gregory and Victoria Gold. A bunch of Americans travel to central America for a destination wedding.
As found footage films go I suppose it is nice to see something that is not a horror film. While there are some funny moments in this film there is just too much humour around drunk sexual assault for my taste. Probably not one I would recommend seeking out.
2/5
Dechargement d'un navire (1896)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. Two men sit around as others unload a ship at the harbour.
While there is not a huge amount going on here the image quality on the version I saw was impressively crisp. There is just enough to hold your attention for the minute long run time. The steam adds a nice element to proceedings.
3/5
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)
Directed by Kasi Lemmons this film based on real events stars Naomi Ackie, Stanley Tucci and Ashton Sanders. We follow the career of Whitney Houston.
This is one of those biopics that is more of a synopsis than a film that actually digs into the issues of the protagonist. At times it feels like this is just an excuse to show off the hit songs and not much more, the fact that the film tries to end on a positive when Whitney dies of an overdose shortly after where it leaves off is baffling to me. Decent performances, paper thin script.
2/5
