Transparent in places

 

The Invisible Man (2020)

Directed by Leigh Whannell this film based on the novel of the same name stars Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge and Storm Reid. A woman flees her abusive husband but comes to suspect he is stalking her despite his reported death.

Taking a pretty large break from the source material this film does a decent job of exploring the ideas of abusive relationships and paranoia. There is not a ton of character depth or growth here but this is a decent psychological film in parts. My only real complaint is that the film never really fully leans into any one part so is not as deep as it could be.

3/5

Taking liberties

 

Above Suspicion (2019)

Directed by Philip Noyce this film based on real events stars Emilia Clarke and Jack Huston. A drug addict begins a relationship with an FBI agent she is informing to.

A lot of this film involves familiar story types and does not appear to stick entirely to the truth but close enough. I would have much rather have seem more of the characters and the effects of drug addiction on the protagonist. Emilia Clarke's performance is probably the best thing in this film.

3/5

Making the complicated simple

 Hamid (2019)

Directed by Aijaz Khan this film stars Talha Arshad Reshi, Vikas Kumar and Raskia Dugal. Following the disappearance of his father a young boy in Kashmir attempts to contact Allah to get his father back.

Balancing both the political and the personal this is a good film on a controversial subject. There is plenty to enjoy here as the protagonist takes euphemisms literally due to his young age. The plot is touching and thought provoking.

4/5

How to make a big mess in a short summer

 

Banana Split (2020)

Directed by Benjamin Kasulke this film stars co-writer Hannah Marks, Liana Liberato and Dylan Sprouse. In the summer after the end of high school a girl breaks up with her boyfriend then befriends his new girlfriend.

As coming of age comedies go I really enjoyed the fresh take as this film focuses more on female friendship than high school romance. I would have liked to see some of the supporting characters expanded a little but otherwise this is a fairly fun film. The charm of the script and personality of the cast are what end up carrying the film.

3/5

Just all round bad

 

Abduction (2019)

Directed by Ernie Babarash this film stars Scott Adkins, Andy On and Lily Ji. Aliens are abducting people to use their DNA to travel back to their home dimension.

It takes forever for this film to give any sort of explanation as to what is going on and when it finally it does it was certainly not worth the wait. Pretty much everything is terrible in this film from the script to the acting and the special effects. I would definitely give this one a miss.

1/5

The ghost of Bergman past

 The Lighthouse (2019)

Directed by Robert Eggers this film stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson. Two lighthouse keepers become stranded by a storm and slowly go insane.

Ingmar Bergman could easily have been the driving force behind this film, it is reminiscent of some of his more out there work. If you are not in the mood for something a bit abstract and fantastical then this is not the film for you. If you can live with the slow, art house nature of this film then you will find it a very rewarding watch.

4/5

Tepid bull

 Leonard-Cushing Fight (1894)

Directed by William K. L. Dickson this is an early short film. We see a single round of action from a six round boxing match.

Given that this is not even a whole fight this is not that exciting of a film. Compared to modern standards the boxing isn't that fast or action packed. At least the image is pretty clear for the period.

2/5

Not so secret after all

 

The Secret Garden (2020)

Directed by Marc Munden this film based on the novel of the same names stars Dixie Egerickx, Colin Firth and Judie Walters. In 1947 an orphaned girl raised in India is sent to live in England with her hunchbacked uncle that she has never met before.

The latest in a long line of adaptations of this source material this is a fairly faithful adaptation although it does appear to play up the magical side of things. A fairly gentle and easy watch the script never really challenges the viewer. Nice but not likely to live in the memory long.

3/5

The best film I've seen this year.

 Naal (2018)

Directed by Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti this film stars Shreenivas Pokale, Devika Daftardar and Nagraj Manjule. When an eight year old boy finds out he is adopted he loses faith in his mother's love for him.

It is astounding how well this film captures the world from the point of view of a child. Both beautiful and totally heart breaking at times it is hard not to recommend this film enough. The climactic scene is a work of genius that conveys so much with barely a word of dialogue, making your heart break in three different ways.

5/5

1890s break dancing

 Hadj Cheriff (1894)

Directed by William K. L. Dickson and William Heise this short film stars Hadji Cheriff. We see a man dance on camera.

Short and to the point this is a quick clip of a man performing an usual dance. I have no idea what sort of dance this is or its cultural origin but it is fairly entertaining. As these short clips of entertainment go this is fairly decent.

3/5

Wet alien

 Underwater (2020)

Directed by William Eubank this film stars Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassel and Jessica Henwick. Workers on an underwater drilling platform try to escape a disaster and a bunch of sea monsters.

Really there is nothing original here, this is just an Alien knock off with more water. What the film really lacks is any sort of character development at all. Entertaining in the moment but completely lacking in depth.

3/5

Not quite a measured message

 The Last Full Measure (2019)

Directed by Todd Robinson this film inspired by real events stars Sebastian Stan, William Hurt and Christopher Plummer. In 1999 a government employee is assigned to review a potential medial upgrade for a man that died during the Vietnam war.

This film has a good heart to it but at times it succumbs to being heavy handed and a bit cheesy. The highlight of this film is the large cast with a number of big names having smaller supporting parts. Given the excellent cast it is possible to over look some of the weaker elements of the film.

3/5

The truth is lost

 

The Spy (2019)

Directed by Jens Jonsson this film based on real events stars Ingrid Bolso Berdal, Rolf Lassgard, Damien Chapelle and Alexander Scheer. During World War 2 a Norwegian actress finds herself used as a spy by the Swedish against the Germans.

It seems fairly open to debate how closely this film sticks to true events, certainly it appears to be sexed up if nothing else. As spy films go this is decent entertainment but not especially thought provoking. A more realistic film would have been much more interesting.

2/5

Not a magic wand

 Athlete with Wand (1894)

Directed by William K. L. Dickson this is an early short film. A man with a stick does several exercises or poses.

This may be the earliest example of scene stealing on film as the dog left in shot takes away all attention from the subject of the film. The image quality on this one is not great and neither is the entertainment value of the supposed subject matter. Still dog on film though.

3/5

The role that Jimmy Stewart was too old to play

 

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

Directed by Marielle Heller this film inspired by real events stars Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys and Susan Kelechi Watson. A cynical journalist is assigned the task of profiling a wholesome television presenter.

I think this film does a really good job of capturing something of the tone of Mr Roger's show and beliefs. Where I feel the film lets me down is that it never really presses deep enough into who Mr Rogers is, his struggles or how he became who he is. If you are content with something that is surface level warm and fuzzy then this is the film for you.

3/5

Life changes you

 Raazi (2018)

Directed by Megha Gulzar this film based on real events stars Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal and Jaideep Ahlawat. On the eve of the 1971 India-Pakistan war a young Indian woman is married off to a Pakistani military family so she can spy on them.

I expected this film to be Indian propaganda and have read that it is considered strongly pro-Pakistan but if anything this is anti-war film that is pro-people. I have no idea how closely to the film sticks to real events or its source material. Enjoyable and certainly thought provoking at times.

3/5

Turn about

 

Chinese Laundry Scene (1894)

Directed by William K. L. Dickson and William Heise this film stars Phil Doreto and Robetta. A policeman chases a man.

Essentially this is the birth so much slapstick comedy that was to come in the silent era. Running less than a minute long you still get the idea of the comedy potential of cinema. Just needs the Benny Hill music really.

3/5

Eventually disappointing

 The Bygone (2019)

Co-directed by Parker Phillips and star Graham Phillips this film also features Sydney Schafer and Shawn Hatosy. A young ranch worker tries to help a native American woman escape from a cruel pimp.

As neo-westerns go this film is not too bad but it does have some issues. The film starts with an unprovable claim and builds to a fairly self indulgent climax. Issues with the story aside the plot does touch on some important issues.

2/5

Is it really a choice though?

 Spinster (2019)

Directed by Andrea Dorfman this film stars Chelsea Peretti, Jonathan Watton, Kate Lynch and Susan Kent. Turning 39 a woman faces the prospect of never getting married or having kids.

As an ode to accepting single life this film is not too bad, it does a decent job of inverting a lot of the expectations of a romantic comedy. When it comes to the comedy part the script is not what I would call dripping with jokes, I think I only really laughed about once. It is nice to see a script that takes a different path to the usual.

3/5

Full of lies

 Seberg (2019)

Directed by Benedict Andrews this film based on real events stars Kristen Stewert, Jack O'Connell and Anthony Mackie. Famous actress Jean Seberg becomes involved with the Black Power movement and is investigated by the FBI.

Jean Seberg has a fascinating story but unfortunately this film adds too many fictional elements to the tale. Adding in a sympathetic FBI agent really detracts from focusing on a woman being hounded by her government. It is also a bit disappointing how little the film actually shows about the issues of racial equality.

2/5

The first shaky cam film

 Imperial Japanese Dance (1894)

Directed by William Heise and William K. L. Dickson this early film stars the Sarashe Sisters. We see three women do a short portion of the Mikado dance.

Not the best staged dance piece you will ever see, it looks like the dancers are too close together to make sure they all fit into frame. It also seems that the camera is slightly unsteady too. Not the best of pre 1900 cinema.

2/5

Shot of disappointment

 Bloodshot (2020)

Directed by David S. D. Wilson this film based on the comic of the same name stars Vin Diesel, Eiza Gonzalez and Guy Pearce. A soldier his brought back from the dead with the aid of new technology and used as a hit man.

Within the plot of this film is a lot of potential for character based stuff but unfortunately most of that is kicked to the side in favour of action scenes. With a bit more thoughtfulness this could have been a really good film. At times the direction of the action sequences is just a little too fast as well to enjoy anything cool happening on the screen.

2/5

Justice for all

 Article 15 (2019)

Directed by Anubhav Sinha this film stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Nssar, Manoj Pahwa and Kumud Mishra. A new police inspector has to deal with the murder of two teenage girls in rural India and the disappearance of a third girl.

I really enjoyed this thriller that shows a number of the social problems still facing India today. The plot may be fictional but is rooted in a number of familiar real cases. As a thriller this film holds up well and is of a standard of some of the best out there.

4/5

Suspense

 Luis Martinetti, Contortionist (1894)

Directed by William K. L. Dickson this short film stars Luis Martinetti. We see a contortionist using gymnasts rings.

Despite not even being a minute long this film manages to capture a glimpse of the a mind bending act. How the human body can be so flexible is certainly eyebrow raising. One of the clearer images from 1894.

3/5

Relentless

 Waves (2019)

Directed by Trey Edward Shults this film stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, Sterling K. Brown and Renee Elise Goldsberry. A teenage boy struggles under the expectations of his father while his sister feels abandoned following her brother's actions.

I really enjoyed this moody look at teenage life and tragedy. There is a great combination of two coming of age stories rooted in real human characters. Well worth seeking out if you are in the mood for something with real emotions in it.

4/5

Twists and turns to make a point

 The Turning Point (1952)

Directed by William Dieterle this film stars William Holden, Edmond O'Brien and Alexis Smith. A district attorney and a reporter both seek to take down a crime syndicate.

As thrillers go this one packs a decent amount into the 90 minute run time. The plot is solid and filled with plenty of conflict thanks to some good dialogue. Not more than the sum of its parts but still a decent watch.

3/5

Too little humanity, too much divinity

 Harriet (2019)

Directed by Kasi Lemmons this film based on real events stars Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr. and Joe Alwyn. A young woman escapes from slavery and then helps rescue others.

No doubt about it Harriet Tubman is an inspirational individual who deserves to have her story told but this film does not do the job in my opinion. What I find most distasteful about the film is the deserve to take away human bravery and instead credit the supernatural. If you can get part the Jesus parts this is a serviceable biopic at best.

2/5

Just too familiar

 Just Mercy (2019)

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton this film based on real events stars Micheal B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson. In 1989 an idealistic young African American lawyer heads to Alabama to offer legal aid to inmates on death row.

Unfortunately there is nothing surprising or new about this tale of injustice, racism and the death penalty. Enjoyable as this film is it is sadly just another in a long line of films on similar topics. Well made but just another reminder of how unfair the system is.

3/5

Shook

 A Hand Shake (1892)

Directed by William K. L. Dickson this film features the director and William Heise. Two men shake hands.

The image quality on this one is pretty poor as is the handshake which is barely complete. No doubt an important experiment on the path to cinema but not worth watching on its own. There are better early films out there.

1/5

When the French try to steal your space station

 3022 (2019)

Directed by John Suits this film stars Omar Epps, Kate Walsh and Angus Macfadyen. In 2190 the crew of a space station witness the destruction of Earth and realise they have nowhere to go.

It is obvious that this film was made on a low budget but it is pretty decent plot wise for the restrictions placed upon the film. Where I have problems with the film is the large amount of smoking through out and the ten years term the characters are supposedly hired for, both of which seem unrealistic. In the end this is neither the best or the most thought provoking sci-fi film you will see.

2/5

Barely two seconds

 Fencing (1892)

Directed by William K. L. Dickson this is an early short film. Two men a captured fencing.

Running at just two seconds this film was no doubt a technical achievement but there is not a lot to it. For those of us looking for entertainment there is not a huge amount here. One of those early films you can skip without missing anything.

2/5