The first of many trips down the rabbit hole

Alice in Wonderland (1903)

Directed by Cecil Hepworth and Percy Stow this film based on the story of the same name stars May Clark. Falling down a rabbit hole a young girl finds herself in a very strange world.

Surviving in an incomplete version this is a bit of a fragmented adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll tale. While enjoyable to watch narrative is not really this film's strong point. There are some nice special effects but the are not outstanding.

3/5

Modern life and the apocalypse of excess

High-Rise (2015)

Directed by Ben Wheatley this film based on the novel of the same name stars Tom Hiddlestone, Jeremy Irons, Seinna Miller, Luke Evans and Elisabeth Moss. In the 1970s a doctor moves into a high tech tower block in London.

Equal parts brilliant and bizarre this film is a great social commentary which is as relevant today as it was when it's source material came out in 1975. The plot shows the break down of a society of excess as they turn inwards and against each other. There is plenty of dark comedy and as with any great British film an obsession with class. I loved the direction which perfectly fits the narrative and offers some great cinematic moments given the budget the film was made on.

5/5

Death comes to us all

Youth (2015)

Written & directed by Paolo Sorrentino this film stars Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz and Paul Dano. Two old men, one a composer/conductor and the other a film director, take a holiday at an exclusive Swiss hotel.

Exploring the familiar territory of old age and mortality this is a well constructed narrative that does plenty to entertain. I really enjoyed the odd cast of characters staying at the hotel as well as the humour in the script and the Swiss Alps as a back drop. Fitting in well with the style of Sorrentino's previous film The Great Beauty (2013) I would really recommend this film.

4/5

How long can one man go without a bowel movement?

The Smuggler (2014)

Directed by Tony Mahony and star Angus Sampson this film also known as “The Mule” features Hugo Weaving, Leigh Whannell and John Noble. Against the back drop of the 1983 America's Cup an Australian returning from Thailand with a kilo of heroin panics at customs and is held by the police.

This is a tale of the classic struggle between a man and nature as our hero attempts to go over a week without passing his bowels while in police custody. Putting the story against the back drop of the 1983 America's Cup highlights that Aussie machismo and grudging respect for the underdog regardless of the morals of the situation. I enjoyed the comedic elements of the film and the way it manages to not lose use despite a couple of toe curling moments of gross action.

4/5

Colour before colour

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1902)

Directed by Ferdinand Zecca this film has production design from Alberto Collado. A man stumbles across the hiding place a group of thieves are using for their riches.

What stands out most about this film is how impressive it looks in terms of set design and the hand tinting for colour. While the plot is basic to say the least and it helps to know the story before hand to follow the action it is the images that hold your attention. I was really impressed by the look of this film and it is very reminiscent of Georges Melies style.

4/5

Not exactly boss

The Boss (2016)

Directed by Ben Falcone this film stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, Ella Anderson and Peter Dinklage. After a business woman gets out of prison for insider trading she turns up on the door step of her former assistant.

Nothing about this film is very clever and the plot is not especially deep. What the film does have going for it is some moments of comedy and Melissa McCarthy's ability for physical comedy. While this is nothing special as a comedy it does at least provide a diversion for 90 minutes and change.

3/5

Girls, gangs, fights & failures

Girlhood (2014)

Written & directed by Celine Sciamma this film stars Karidja Toure, Assa Sylla, Lindsay Karamoh and Marietou Toure. A 16 year old French girl of African decent living on a poor Paris estate fails out of school and joins a gang.

This is a really good coming of age tale that shows a girl butting heads with a world that has little interest in her. I enjoyed the plot although a longer cut would have fleshed out the protagonists journey a little more. There are some nice shots but the best part about the direction is it's excellent use of music in key scenes.

4/5

Bugs begins

A Wild Hare (1940)

Directed by Tex Avery this cartoon has voices by Mel Blanc and Arthur Q. Bryan. Elmer Fudd is out hunting for a rabbit and gets more than he bargained for.

This is the first real face off between the final versions of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd so has a clear place in cartoon history. The plot is simple but with some decent gags along the way. Not as out there as some of the later cartoons this is still a solid first effort.

3/5

Casually bad

Casual Encounters (2016)

Directed by Zackary Adler this film stars Taran Killam, Brooklyn Decker, David Krumholtz and David Arquette. After his long term girlfriend breaks up with him a call centre worker's colleagues encourage him to try online dating.

After about 10 minutes you know exactly how this film will unfold and it spends the rest of the time stumbling through a number of stereotypes. Half baked and mildly offensive is the best way to describe this film. There are a lot of bad romantic comedies floating about and this is just another fish in that sea.

2/5

Missing the social cues

Jane Wants a Boyfriend (2015)

Directed by William Sullivan this film stars Louisa Krause, Eliza Dushku, Gabriel Ebert and Amir Arison. A young woman with Aspergers wants love and more freedom in her life.

While Lousia Krause gives a decent performance in the lead role I do not know enough about Aspergers to say how accurate her performance or the script are. What I can say is that the script is a bit heavy handed with some wobbly dialogue. Sticking out most is the characters of the parents who seem to have little interest in what happens to their daughter which does not seem right as they are not portrayed as negligent parents.

2/5

Ill effect

The Lazarus Effect (2015)

Directed by David Gelb this film stars Mark Duplass, Olivia Wilde, Donald Glover, Evan Peters and Sarah Bolger. A team of medical researchers works on bringing animals back from the dead.

This is your typical “you should not mess with things beyond human understanding” luddite plot dressed up as a horror film. None of the characters are really developed and the script fails to capitalise on the few interesting ideas it has instead falling back on pseudo religious fears. Even the direction is highly derivative of the genre with nothing new there.

2/5

The beginning of Italy

The Capture of Roma (1905)

Directed by Filoteo Alberini this film stars Ubaldo Maria Del colle and Carlo Rosaspina. We see historical scenes from the capture of Rome in 1870.

Billed as the first Italian film this is a nationalistic celebration of the completion of the unification of Italy. It is kind of hard to follow what is happening at times and the film is more a series of moments rather than having a clear plot. There are a couple of nice moments of action but this is very much a rudimentary effort.

2/5

Ida liked a longer title

Ida (2013)

Directed by Pawel Pwlikowski this film stars Agata Kulesza and Agata Trzebuchowska. In 1960s Poland a girl that grew up in a convent orphanage is sent to meet her aunt before she takes her vows to become a nun.

I really enjoyed the way this film explores the guilt of Polish history both during the second world war and the early years of communism. Rarely is the film explicit but it's gentle implications handle the subject matter excellently. There are good performances and some interesting framing of shots.

5/5

I ain't afraid of no remake

Ghostbusters (2016)

Directed by Paul Feig this remake/reboot stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Chris Hemsworth. Ghosts are on the loose in New York and only our trusty ghostbusters can save the day.

With so much talk about this film it's safe to say that it is neither the coming of the female revolution or a complete disaster. I thought this film did about all you expect from a simple special effects blockbuster but I'm not overly precious about the original films. The cast and special effects are decent but the script is nothing to write home about.

3/5

Bitter Bugs

What's Cookin' Doc? (1944)

Directed by Robert Clampett this film has naration by Robert C. Bruce and voices from Mel Blanc. Bugs Bunny heads off to the Academy Awards sure that he will pick up the Oscar for best actor.

For a Bugs Bunny this cartoon has a lot of set up and not a huge amount of punchline. The cartoon is a reference to a lack of Oscar wins in real life which is interesting but does seem a little bitter. There is nothing really special about the mix of live action and animated footage even if that is unusual for a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

3/5

Married man cheats with younger woman version 100050503035

The Commune (2016)

Directed by Thomas Vinterberg this film stars Ulrich Thomsen, Trine Dyrholm, Helene Reingaard Neumann and Martha Sofie Wallstrom Hansen. An architect inherits a large house and his wife convinces him to start a commune in it.

Surprisingly when you convince someone to do something they do not want to do things to do not turn out very well. While I enjoyed this film it does not have a huge amount to say, the characters are pretty interesting but the plot nothing special. There is a decent cast and the direction is solid.

3/5

No plan survives first contact with the enemy

Maggie's Plan (2015)

Written & directed by Rebecca Miller this film stars Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore, Bill Hader and Maya Rudolph. A woman decides she is tired of waiting for love and wants a sperm donor so she can have a baby but falls in love with a married man.

This is a simple but decent romantic comedy that is right in the wheel house of Greta Gerwig's other films. It may not be the funniest or most entertaining film but is still a good watch. There is a really good cast but they are slightly underused.

3/5

The heart of bizarre cinema

Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014)

Written & directed by Mark Hartley this documentary has contributions from a host of actors, writers, directors and producers. We follow the fortunes of two Israeli film makers as they take over The Cannon Group and seek to make it in the US film market.

This is a fairly loving look back at a B-movie studio and what drove the people behind the company. Covering both the good and the very bad the documentary is a rose tinted love letter but a fair appraisal of what was achieved by The Cannon Group. It was a shame the two man men themselves did not take part but with so many other great contributors it is hard to complain too much.

4/5

A fairy tale that leaves a bad taste

Three Little Pigs (1933)

Directed by Burt Gillett this animated cartoon has voices by Pinto Colvig, Billy Bletcher, Mary Moder and Dorothy Compton. Three pigs build houses from three different types of material then get menaced by a wolf.

For most of the cartoon this is a really good adaptation of a classic fairy tale right up to the point where the wolf dresses up as a Jewish stereotype then it leaves a bad taste. If you can look past the anti-Semitism this is a good film but that element does rather stick out. The animation is good as our the songs.

3/5

Room vs world

Room (2015)

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson this film based on the novel of the same name stars Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay and Joan Allen. A young woman and her 5 year old son are kept locked in a room by a man who kidnapped her seven years ago.

This is one of those great films that you sincerely hope to never watch again because the material is that affecting. Manoeuvring skilfully round what is very dark subject matter the film crafts a story of love and adjustment from the point of view of a young boy. I loved the performances and the direction is perfectly light when it could easily have been heavy handed.

5/5

Bland and bad

Warcraft (2016)

Directed by Duncan Jones this film based on the video game franchise of the same name stars Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster and Dominic Cooper. Orcs escape their dying world lead by an evil shaman and come into conflict with humans on the new world.

I have no idea if this film does a good job of translated the video game lore to the big screen but the script lacks any character or personality. There is also something really worrying about the idea of corrupted immigrants whose skin gets darker when they turn evil wanting to take over the world, especially in light of real world events. It does not help that the casting for this film does not have a single actor of gravitas to carry the film. Paula Patton also really sticks out as the only non CGI orc in what seems to be an odd decision from the film makers.

1/5

Not 28 but still good

The Tell-Tale Heart (1953)

Directed by Ted Parmelee this cartoon based on the short story of the same name is narrated by James Mason. Feeling increasingly guilty for committing a murder a man descends into madness and gives himself away.

While I preferred the 1928 adaptation of this story this is in a fine adaptation in it's own right. The animation really captures the mood of the story with some great images. James Mason provides an excellent narration and his voice fits perfectly with the the story.

4/5

A bad time for love

The Surprise (2015)

Directed by Mike van Diem this film stars Jeroen van Koningsbrugge, Georgina Verbaan, Jan Decleir and Henry Goodman. Following the death of his mother a rich man signs up for an illegal assisted suicide but then meets a girl.

Tackling the subject of suicide pretty while this film might not go into in great detail but it does balance the serious and comedic elements nicely. While the romantic element is fairly basic and unoriginal the situation at least keeps the film fresh. I enjoyed the performances and direction which avoid having the film come of as “rich person problems”, which it easily could have done.

3/5

In a world of pure imagination

Blind (2014)

Written & directed by Eskil Vogt this film stars Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Henrik Rafaelsen and Vera Vitali. Struggling to come to terms with the loss of her sight a married woman stays in her apartment and recedes into her thoughts.

I really love the way this film explores the difference between the observed and the imagined. Brutally honest the fantasies of the protagonist really get into the mind of a woman struggling with her situation. The performances are good but the writing and direction stand out, flickering between reality and fantasy.

5/5

Not Imperious

Imperium (2016)

Directed by Daniel Ragussis this film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Toni Collette, Tracy Letts and Sam Trammell. After becoming disillusioned with anti-Islamic terror stings an FBI agent goes undercover to investigate white supremacists.

As a thriller this film works pretty well if not overly so, there is a decent amount of tension but only in a handful of scenes. The plot never really gets into exploring the depths of white supremacists and offers up it's own opinions a little too easily. I enjoyed Radcliff's performance but there are better films on the subject matter out there.

3/5

More than two tangoing

Tango (1981)

Directed by Zbigniew Rybczynski this is an experimental short film. We see a selection of people enter and leave a room repeating a serious of actions that builds up over time.

The superimposing of so many peoples actions in one room on top of each other builds nicely to a crescendo of activity that while repetitive is still an interesting watch. There is not a huge depth to this film but it is certainly holds your attention. Putting together so many different parts certainly takes some skill.

4/5

Out of tune

Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)

Directed by Stephen Frears this film based on a true story stars Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg and Rebecca Ferguson. In 1944 a tone deaf rich woman wants to embark on a public singing career.

While this film is an enjoyable watch with a decent message I found a little too light for my taste. The script celebrates the endeavour of trying but at times seems more interested in pushing it's own narrative over being completely faithful to history. I enjoyed the performances and lets face it, Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant are never going to be bad in anything.

3/5  

Revenge is a dish best served in a variety of ways

Wild Tales (2014)

Directed by Damian Szifron this anthology film has a large cast including Richardo Darin, Oscar Martinez, Erica Rivas and Julieta Zylberberg. We see six short tales of revenge from Argentina.

While most of these films follow rich or middle upper class people's problems it is still a fun watch with some dark humour through out. I enjoyed the film and the stories fit together well without being repetitive. There is a decent cast and the direction is solid.

3/5

Mickey's first adventure into ever extending copyright

Steamboat Willie (1928)

Directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks this is the first released cartoon staring one Mickey Mouse. As the captain of a steam boat our hero finds himself in various scrapes.

Despite having a titanic reputation not a lot stands out about this film and it is more famous for being the first Mickey and Minnie Mouse cartoon than anything else. There are funny moments along the way but not an overly remarkable amount. Having sound makes this a break through cartoon but the animation style is not that impressive for the period.

3/5

Barely glimpsed

I Saw the Light (2015)

Written & directed by Marc Abraham this biopic stars Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olsen, Cherry Jones and Bardley Whitford. We follow the six year career of country music star Hank Williams as he struggles with women, whiskey and a wonky back.

The problem with this film is that while it hits all the important notes it does not do a good job of joining them up. It feels more like a series of snap shots taken through out William's career rather than a flowing story. Tom Hiddleston gives an impressive performance as always but that is not enough to elevate the film.

3/5

Taking it all apart

Demolition (2015)

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee this film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper and Judah Lewis. An investment banker is in a car crash where his wife is killed and realises he does not like his life.

There are a lot of grief films out there but this one is a good addition to the genre managing to avoid melodrama and offering some fresh situations. Our protagonist goes on a slightly odd ball journey but eventually arrives at an honest place of transformation. I enjoyed the performances of the cast which is too be expected given the talent on show here.

4/5