Hat of Many Surprises (1901)
Directed by Georges Melies this is an early short film. A magician uses his hat to do some tricks.
Familiar Melies mix of magic and camera tricks. Nothing really surprises and only a few of the camera tricks are going a bit beyond what is believable. Pretty fun but lacks a bit of personality or narrative.
3/5
Freud's Last Session (2023)
Directed by Matthew Brown this film based on the play of the same name stars Anthony Hopkins, Matthew Goode and Liv Lisa Fries. An imagined meeting between Freud and C. S. Lewis.
I do not think this film ever gets to grips with its subject matter. If you are going to bring up the quest of God and his nature you have to have the writing to go with it and this film just does not. A disappointment trying to carry itself on the reputation of the real life characters it uses.
2/5
Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
Directed by Zelda Williams this film stars Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse and Liza Soberano. A high school age girl meets a resurrected man with some missing parts.
I enjoyed this film, it might not be the deepest but it is pretty fun. No surprise to see the script for this one is from the pen of Diablo Cody. A nice mix of Frankenstein, 1980s cinema and a slightly modern twist.
3/5
Bob Marley: One Love (2024)
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus this film based on real events stars Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch. Bob Marley tries to bring peace to newly independent Jamaica through music.
An unfortunately lightweight music biopic here. The script never really gets to grips with or delves too deeply into the subject matter. Everything just feels a bit surface level and an excuse to get some music on the screen.
2/5
A House Named Shahana (2023)
Directed by Leesa Gazi this film stars Aanon Siddiqua, Lutfur Rahman George and Iresh Zaker. A divorced woman in 1990s Bangladesh seeks to overcome her failed marriage to a man in Britain.
An enjoyable look at the growth of a woman seeking more than society will allow her. Our heroine finally finds a place for herself in the world. Insightful and thought provoking.
4/5
Expensive Shit (2020)
Written & directed by Adura Onashile this short film stars Modupe Adeyeye. A woman working illegally is given the choice to betray her friend or lose her job.
A thought provoking little short about a woman trapped in an impossible situation. Exploitation comes from several angles here. Well made and acted.
4/5
The Bachelor's Paradise (1901)
Directed by Georges Melies this is an early short film. A sorceress uses magic to make a parade of women appear for a man.
There is not much to this one and it is not the easiest to tell what is going on, lacks a bit of a plot. Compared to some of the other Melies films of the period this one falls a bit short. The camera tricks and sets are of the standard you would expect.
3/5
