Liverpool, panorama pris du chemin de fer electrique, I (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. We see a shot of ships at dock in Liverpool.
A moving shot makes a change from so many of the static ones in the period. The variety of ships and industrial buildings is fine. Image quality of the version I saw was not great.
3/5
Soft & Quiet (2022)
Written & directed by Beth de Araujo this film stars Stefanie Estes, Olivia Luccard and Dana Millican. A kindergarten teacher organises a women's group for racists and seeks revenge against a local Asian woman.
I am not sure using the gimmick of shooting the whole film in a seemingly continuous shot adds much here, it is well done but is there a reason? The plot itself challenges views that women are less racist than men. A film that does not sit well for a variety of reasons.
3/5
Jesus Revolution (2023)
Directed by Jon Erwin & Brent McCorkle this film inspired by real events stars Joel Courtney, Jonathan Roumie and Kelsey Grammer. We follow the growth of Christianity in the hippy movement of the late 60s.
If this was a worts and all look at the central figures then this could have been a pretty interesting film but it is just Christian propaganda. The film nearly entirely glosses over any controversial parts of the main figure. Disappointing in the end.
2/5
VII: The Arrest of Jesus Christ (1898)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film part of a longer series recording the passion. Jesus gets the six o'clock knock.
Somewhat dramatic for the single scene it depicts. The staging and costume are not bad. Decent little early film.
3/5
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
Directed by Steven Capel Jr. this film stars Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback and the voice of Peter Cullen. Humans and autobots must work together to stop bad robots bringing a planet killer to Earth.
So there is not a lot to this film but what it does it does fairly well. The action sequences are decent and the plot is not horrific. A fun action film with a bit of heart to it.
3/5
Late Night (2019)
Directed by Nisha Ganatra this film stars Emma Thompson and writer Mindy Kaling. A young woman joins the all male writing staff for a late night television show hosted by a woman.
Through out I thought the script was just a bit too comfortable and predictable. There are some funny moments but just too many of the supporting characters have no depth to them. Not as good as it could have been.
2/5
The Courier (2020)
Directed by Dominic Cooke this film based on real events stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Merab Ninidze, Rachel Brosnahan and Jessie Buckley. A British businessman is recruited to act as the go between for MI6 and the CIA with a Russian asset.
It seems that at least the final part of this film strays somewhat from historical record. For the most part this is a decent look at an unusual character caught up in cold war espionage. Ultimately a bit middle of the road despite the best efforts of Cumberbatch.
2/5
Belfast: Queen's Bridge (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. We see a street scene from a bridge in Belfast.
A classic example of the genre. Nothing is remarkable here, just a solid piece of foreground action with an average back drop. As always an iconic background would help elevate the film.
3/5
Cairo, Artillery Parade (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. An artillery parade goes through the streets of Cairo.
Marrying up a decent background with solid foreground action this is a pretty good film for the genre. My only real complaint here is that the parade is shot from behind. Enjoyable despite the flaw.
3/5
Haunting of the Queen Mary (2023)
Directed by Gary Shore this film stars Alice Eve and Joel Fry. Ghosts aboard the Queen Mary take the souls of visitors from time to time.
The plot of this film is convoluted and poorly explained. By the time the film reached its conclusion I had lost all interest in what was going on. Pretty disappointing really despite the atmospheric potential of the setting.
2/5
No Hard Feeling (2023)
Directed by Gene Stupintsky this film stars Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman. A woman in her thirties is hired to date a rich 19 year old by his parents to bring him out of his shell.
Clearly the plot of this film is walking a line between making its characters completely unsympathetic by their actions and for the most part it stays the right side. Unfortunately I think there are a few times that the film misses the mark, a re-write of a few scenes would really help clean things up in my opinion. There are some funny moments but this one will not stand the test of time due to its flaws.
2/5
Beyrouth, place des canons (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. We see a street shot outside a palace in Beirut.
Foreground action is fine, I am just not sure we see enough of the palace in the background. As street scenes go this is a pretty average one. Not overly remarkable.
3/5
Mort de Robespierre (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio & George Hatot this is an early short film. A recreation of the assassination of Robespierre.
As historical shorts go this one is fairly decently staged. The cast might be a little on the large side, there are a decent number of people just milling about complicating the image. Overall a good enough film of the period.
3/5
Dublin, pompiers: Un Incendie, I (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is the first part of a two part short film. Firefighters race along a street in Dublin.
Similar in content to many other firefighter films of the genre. The action is decent, the background is unremarkable. Not much to set it out from other films like this one.
3/5
Yellow (2023)
Directed by Elham Ehsas this short film stars Afsaneh Dehrouyeh along side the director. A woman in Taliban occupied Afghanistan goes to buy a full body covering.
Despite being Oscar nominated I thought this film was just a bit too obvious. There is not much that is subtle about this one. An important issue but needs a bit more depth to it.
2/5
The Tiger's Nest (2022)
Directed by Brando Quilici this film stars Sunny Pawar, Claudia Gerini, Amandeep Singh and Yoon C. Joyce. A boy escapes an orphanage and rescues a tiger cub from poachers.
Clearly this film is aimed at children so the story telling is fairly heavy handed. I would have much preferred if this had been a locally made film rather than a western production imposing its ideas on the region. Not really worth a watch.
1/5
House of Gucci (2021)
Directed by Ridley Scott this film based on real events stars Lady Gaga, Adam driver, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons and Al Pacino. Driven by his wife a young man seeks control of the family fashion empire.
Visually there is is a lot to look at here, plenty of eye candy and nice shots. I am not sure that the script ever really gets to grips with its characters, particularly Maurrizio as I could never pin point the moment he changes. All in all a bit empty in my opinion.
3/5
One More Shot (2024)
Directed by James Nunn this sequel stars Scott Adkins, Waleed Elgadi, Meena Rayann, Michael Jai White and Tom Berenger. Our hero tries to find out where a bomb is in an airport under siege.
Compared to the previous film in the series this one lacks clear geography and plot, it is just too confusing as to what is going on at times. The single shot gimmick is not enough to carry this one. A disappointment as I actually liked the original.
2/5
Sound of Metal (2019)
Directed by Darius Marder this film stars Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke and Paul Raci. A drummer must come to terms with losing his hearing.
It is fairly clear from the get go where this film is going yet it still manages to do so without being cliché or melodramatic. I thought the film did a fairly good job of capturing what it was like for a man to find himself suddenly deaf. Decent performances help carry the film.
4/5
Liverpool, Lime Street (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. We see a simple street scene from the city of Liverpool.
As street scenes go this is a decent one marrying up backdrop with foreground action. There is a good balance between the two key elements. Solid genre entry.
3/5
Pelicans, London Zoological Garden (1896)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. We see Pelicans in a small pool or pond.
The image quality of this one is not great. There is a lot of stutter and general poor quality. Not the best surviving film in the Lumiere catalogue.
2/5
VI. La cene (1898)
Directed Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. We see the last supper as part of a Passion play.
Not a lot actually happens during the scene, you have to be watching carefully to recognise key moments. I suppose given the period this is a decent enough film. Captures something of the famous piece of art on the subject.
3/5
Little Bone Lodge (2023)
Directed by Matthias Hoene this film stars Joely Richardson, Neil Linpow. Sadie Soverall and Harry Cadby. Two brothers arrive at a remote farm in need of assistance but nothing is as it seems.
There are some fairly good twists in this thriller, nothing is overly predictable. Sure it may never be more than a genre piece, still a decent watch though. Keeps you on the edge of your seat fairly well.
3/5
The Siege of Jadotville (2016)
Directed by Richie Smyth this film based on real events stars Jamie Dornan, Mark Strong, Jason O'Mara and Guillaume Canet. Irish soldiers serving as peace keepers in the Congo during the 1960s find themselves abandoned and attacked.
You could say this is a marginally less colonialist and more Irish version of Zulu and it sort of is. The film does not entirely stick to historical events, the attempts to reach the encircled Irishmen by Indian and Swedish forces is cut out. It also seems some of the action might be sexed up a bit for the big screen.
2/5
Fast X (2023)
Directed by Louis Leterrier this film features the usual cast plus Jason Momoa. Our heroes find themselves on the run from a villain after revenge.
Convoluted from the start if you are not a deep fan of the franchise it takes a while to get your bearings on this one, the cast of characters has gotten rather large and the film annoyingly ends on a cliff hanger. There are some of the usual stunts which are fairly entertaining, just try not to think too much about the plot as there are a few places it starts to not make sense really. Of all people Vin Diesel is the one who looks like he is phoning it in.
2/5
New York, patineurs au Parc central (1896)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. People rollerskate in central park.
The issue with this short is in the version I saw it is completely blown out making it very hard to see what is going on. Unfortunate as the film hints at being fairly entertaining. Possibly needs some restoration work done on it.
2/5
New York, Avenue et Union Square (1896)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. We see trams pass a street corner in New York.
As street scenes go this one has a decent amount of foreground action to keep you entertained. About all that is missing is an iconic backdrop to help orientate you in the world. A decent example of the genre.
3/5
Garde descendante du Palais Saint James (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. Military palace guard march past the camera.
Like many of these early films there is not a huge amount to this one. We see a scene that could be replayed today as not much has changed when it comes to palace guards in London. Not a particularly special short.
2/5
Assassinat de Kleber (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio and Georges Hatot this is an early short film. A military figure is assassinated.
This dramatic recreation is of a historical event I am unfamiliar with. It takes a bit too long for this short scene to get going, too many unnecessary characters file I before the assassin. Not my favourite of the early Lumiere stuff, a bit amateur dramatics really.
2/5
Sisu (2022)
Directed by Jalmari Helander this film stars Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo and Onni Tomila. As the Nazi's feel Finland they rob a gold digger who turns out to be a former Finnish Commando.
As action films go this one is decent, there are some good set pieces. Sure this is not the most realistic film either in terms of the action or getting to grips with Finland's complex WW2 relationships. A fun watch if nothing else.
3/5
