Fight of the century

 

Pillow Fight (1897)

Directed by William Heise this is an early short film. Young women have a pillow fight.

Pretty fun little short, captures a familiar childhood moment. Feathers go everywhere rather impressively. Nicely done.

3/5

Bear Essentials

 

Trained Bears (1894)

Directed by William K. L. Dickson this is an early short film. We see trained bears perform various tricks.

No doubt not great on modern eyes the bears in this short do not appear to be mistreated on film at least. If you can get past the trained animals element there are certainly some charming moments. A good example of circus acts of the period.

3/5

Weird name

 

Selvedge (2024)

Directed by Aleksanda Czenczek this film stars Amelie Leroy and Femi Houghton. In the near future a couple divided by society try to reconnect.

To be honest there is not a lot to this one, it lacks in both plot and action. Leaves too much for the viewer to fill in in my opinion. Pretty standard stuff.

2/5

Not the best scheme

 

The Phoenician Scheme (2025)

Written & directed by Wes Anderson this film stars Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton and Micheal Cera. In the 1950s a man tries to pull off a massive business deal with the help of his daughter who wants to be a nun.

I love Wes Anderson's films and while this is not his best it still has plenty of his usual charm. The images are lovely through out, especially the sets. Just needed a bit more depth to it in my opinion.

3/5

Not that crafty

 

A Minecraft Movie (2025)

Directed by Jared Hess this film stars Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Sebastian Hansen, Emma Myer and Danielle Brooks. Several people find themselves transported to the world of Minecraft.

Silly and clearly aimed at a younger audience there is not a huge amount to this one. I would say I am not sure the plot was worth following, it barely exists. Another mediocre game to screen adaptation.

2/5

And another

 

Serpentine Dance by Annabelle (1896)

Directed by William K. L. Dickson this is an early short film. Annabelle Moore performs a Serpentine Dance.

Similar to many other films this of this period this is a short snippet of a dance. Fine for what it is there is not a huge amount to this one. If you have seen one of this type you have kind of seen them all.

3/5

That Zendaya sexy tennis movie

 

Challengers (2024)

Directed by Luca Guadagnino this film stars Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor. The love triangle between three tennis players over many years.

At first it seems like this is going to be a fairly cliché sports film however it does do a decent job of adding something a different by adding some real scope to the tale. There are still some bits that are overly melodramatic for my taste, at times things do feel a little forced. As much as a fan of thumping beats as I am the soundtrack did take me out of the moment at times.

4/5