Dying in paradise

 

Paradise City (2022)

Directed by Chuck Russell this film stars John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Stephen Dorff, Blake Jenner and Praya Lundberg. A man heads to Hawaii to investigate the death of his bounty hunter father.

There was a time when a Travolta – Willis team up in an action movie would have been mega hype, here it is just sad. This film continues the path of Willis's condition advancing on screen which is sad to see. A disappointing cash in with little effort involved, there are some moments around the native culture of Hawaii that feel exploitative as well.

1/5

Death of history

 

Death Hunt (1981)

Directed by Peter Hunt this film inspired by real events stars Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Carl Weathers and Angie Dickinson. In the 1930s a group hunt a man dubbed “the mad trapped” in the Yukon territory.

Not much of the plot comes from historical events, some of the more outlandish moments do but little of the story does. I was pretty hyped to see Marvin and Bronson face off however they actually do very little of it in the film. Somewhat of a disappointment even knowing it was a border line exploitation film.

2/5

Family meal time

 

Repas en famille (1896)

Directed by Auguste & Louis Lumiere this short film stars the Koehler family. Parents and their two children eat at a table outside.

Not a huge amount to this film which would be considered a home video in recent times. There is not a lot of action here even for the period. Certainly a nice family moment for those involved, not that resonant for the rest of us.

2/5

They didn't spend 52 years on the script

 

The Railway Children Return (2022)

Directed by Morgan Matthews this sequel stars Sheridan Smith, Jenny Agutter, Tom Courtenay and some kids. Children from Manchester are evacuated in the countryside in 1944.

I am not sure I have ever seen all of the original Railway Children film so this is not a sequel I spent 52 years waiting for like some have. The plot of this film is predictable, gentle and really lacking in drama. There are even a few inaccuracies that I managed to spot.

2/5

Broken Brokers

 

Body Brokers (2021)

Written & directed by John Swab this film stars Jack Kilmer, Michael Kenneth Williams and Jessica Rothe. A heroin addict goes to treatment in LA and gets a job finding new patients for the industry.

No doubt there are questions to be asked about the darker side of the treatment industry however I am not sure this film does a great job of it. The film rather breezes through the protagonists own addiction and ends up recommending the free 12 step treatment at the end which has its own issues. Not a deep enough handling of the subject matter in my opinion.

2/5

Cruel

 

Spain: Bullfighting (1897)

Directed by Auguste & Louis Lumiere this is an early short film. We see some bullfighting.

Bullfighting is not my idea of fun, in fact it comes across as cruel and unnecessary in my mind. As early films go the framing and level of action are fine, it is just the subject matter that is distasteful. Not one for me.

2/5

Is that you Bergman?

 

Marriage Story (2019)

Written & directed by Noah Baumbach this film stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. An actress and her theatre director husband get a divorce.

You can see the finger prints of Bergman all over this film, Baumbach really steals from the great with this one. I enjoyed the plot, it is a very grounded look at divorce and pretty relatable even if the characters are living a life above that which most can afford. Great performances hold the piece together.

5/5