Festival of Slaps (2023)
Directed by Abdou Cisse this short film stars Kemi Lofinmakin, Tom Moutchi and Femi Ogunjobi. A young man's life flashes before his eyes thanks to a slap from his mother.
Playing with the viewers expectations this is a nice little look at cultural stereotypes. You never get what you are expecting from this film. Well worth checking out.
3/5
The Living Playing Cards (1905)
Directed by Georges Melies this is an early short film. A man brings giant playing cards to life.
Familiar to other Melies films where drawings come to life. Decent for what it is but nothing unique. The drawings could have been a closer representation of the person to really make this one work.
3/5
Tarot (2024)
Directed by Spenser Cohen & Anna Halberg this film stars Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley and Jacob Batalon. Attractive young people accidentally use a curse tarot deck and start to die one by one.
Nothing is especially new or original here, pretty standard horror film stuff. It is really hard to care about any of the paper thin characters. The death sequences are drawn out because there is literally nothing else in the film.
2/5
Widow Clicquot (2023)
Directed by Thomas Napper this film stars Haley Bennett, Tom Sturridge and Sam Riley. As the Napoleonic wars rage on a young widow takes over her husband's vineyard.
I found this film focuses a bit too much on the protagonists memories of her husband and not enough on the major innovations she made to the wine industry. You will have to really like artsy feelings films to love this one. Not sure it really captures the achievements of the woman the story is based on.
2/5
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Directed by Denis Villeneuve this film stars Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem. Living with the Fremen our protagonist has to decide if he should take his place in the prophecy or not.
As enjoyable as this film is it loses some of the surprise the first film had, I am also not sure it goes as deep into Paul's turn as it could. Still a fantastic visual spectacle even though we know what to expect from the series now. A tremendous achievement of cinema.
4/5
The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship (1905)
Directed by Georges Melies this is an early short film. A man dreams of the airship he has designed.
Another in the series of dream films from Melies. Done with the usual style and skill you expect from the director. A pretty wondrous effort.
3/5
The Devil in a Convent (1899)
Directed by Georges Melies this is an early short film. The devil attempts to cause problems in a convent.
A fun little mix of setting and camera tricks. The action is pretty good, entertaining and has its funny moments. Very impressive for the time it was made in.
3/5
