Pompiers: sortie de la pompe (1896)
Directed by Auguste & Louis Lumiere this is an early short film. Several fire-carriages head down the road.
As films of the period go this is a decent one. The images captured are not exactly historic however they do have a decent amount of action to them. A fun little short.
3/5
Black Widow (2021)
Directed by Cate Shortland this film stars Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz and Ray Winston. On the run from SHIELD Natasha Romanoff has to confront her past.
It is strange when a film leaves you wishing there was more to like about it. The film hits all the expected beats and the family moments are nice there is just something lacking here. Nothing ever really connects despite the film not doing much wrong.
3/5
Inbetween Girl (2021)
Written & directed by Mei Makino this film stars Emma Galbraith, William Magnuson and Emily Garrett. A teenage girl struggles with her world falling apart and her biracial identity.
Classic coming of age drama wrapped up exploring being American born with Chinese heritage. There is a ton to enjoy here from a drama that really hits the heart in places. It is impossible not to feel for the protagonist thanks to the well told story.
4/5
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
Directed by David Yates this film stars Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Ezra Miller and Dan Fogler. Our heroes try to stop Gindelwald being elected leader of the wizards.
As someone who is not a fan of the Wizarding World I found this film a struggle to follow. I much preferred the exploration of fantastic beasts over this political machinations stuff. One for the dedicated fans not us muggles.
2/5
The Batman (2022)
Directed by Matt Reeves this reboot stars Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano and Jeffrey Wright. A serial killer stalks Gotham City's establishment and the Batman is on the case.
Sufficiently broody this film brings the detective side of Batman to the big screen in a way we have not had before. Some what criminally the film manages to make Batman boring, stretching out the run time far too much and including action sequences that are kind of bland. Ultimately this film is pretty much stuff you have seen done better in the Nolan films, on its own it is fine it just withers in comparison.
3/5
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Directed by Sam Raimi this film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong and Xochitl Gomez. Doctor Strange tries to protect a young woman who can travel realities.
Neither the best or the worst of the MCU this film trundles along never really becoming more than the sum of its parts. I found the film to be enjoyable enough thanks to the fan service moments but the plot never really coalesces into something memorable or touching. In fact the protagonist's character arc does not really fit in my opinion given his actions in previous Avengers films.
3/5
The Duke (2020)
Directed by Roger Michell this film inspired by real events stars Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren. A man from Newcastle steals a famous Goya painting of the Duke of Wellington.
Anyone familiar with British cinema of the last 25 years will know exactly the type of feel good with a hint of class tension film this is. There is a bit of straying from real events to tie the plot up nicely in the bow the film makers want. Another fairly forgettable effort of a lazy genre.
3/5
