Lacking in mercy

 

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

Using your beliefs against you

 

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

Heart of disappointment

 

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

Of Tilly and Henry

 

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

How badly this has aged?

 

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

Neither super or intelligent

 

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

Abject failure

 

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