Rip's Toast (1896)
Directed by William K. L. Dickson this is an early short film staring Joseph Jefferson. A man makes a toast.
It is a bit hard to tell the context of what his happening here but at least you can see what is going on. As a stand alone there is not a huge amount to this short. Obviously other films of the same era did not have much to them either.
2/5
Saltburn (2023)
Written & directed by Emerald Fennell this film stars Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike and Richard E. Grant. In 2006 a scholarship pupil at Oxford worms his way into the life of a popular upper class student.
A lot of similar films exist and I am not really sure what this one adds to the genre. By no means does this film do anything wrong I am just not sure it does anything exceptional or new. Enjoyable regardless of how familiar it is.
3/5
Gladiator II (2024)
Directed by Ridley Scott this sequel stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington. Sixteen years after the events of the first film another man is brought to Rome as a gladiator.
A poor facsimile of the original there are just too many reminders you are watching a worse version of a film that already exists. There are too many contrivances in plot that is overly complicated and lacking in clear emotional arcs. Even Denzel can not save this one, the cast just falls short.
2/5
Rip Leaving Sleepy Hollow (1896)
Directed by William K. L. Dickson this is an early short film. Rip Van Winkle leaves Sleepy Hollow.
If you can pick out what is happening from the action on screen as it relates to any story then you are doing better than me. This is another film in the series where it is too hard to tell what is going on. As a stand alone this is pretty useless.
2/5
Exit of Rip and the Dwarf (1896)
Directed by William K. L. Dickson this is an early short film. Part of a series of scenes from the story of Rip Van Winkle.
Without knowing the story of Rip Van Winkle it is hard to tell what is going on here. This snap shot is so short as to even make it hard to work out who is who. Does not work as a stand alone.
2/5
Clerks III (2022)
Directed by Kevin Smith this film stars Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson and Trevor Fehrman. After suffering a heart attack Randal decides to make a film about his life as a clerk.
Highly self referential this film is likely not for everyone. Even as a fan of Smith's work in the past I found this one skirting the edge of cheese towards the end and lacking a bit in humour. Not bad for a third visit to the well.
3/5
Crissie Sheridan (1897)
Directed by William K. L. Dickson this is an early short film. Crissie Sheridan does a dance in a flowing white dress.
Similar to other dance films of the period. Nothing much to make this one stand out. Not much to remark on if you have seen any of the other films of this type.
3/5
