Not so blind after all

The Turn-of-the-Century Blind Man (1898)

Directed by Alice Guy-Blache this is an early short film. A man pretending to be blind begging for money tries to get one over on the police.

I am not sure what the point of this film is but it seems to imply that the protagonist isn't blind at all. The plot ends up not really being funny and maybe a little offensive. Not one of the best from Guy-Blache.

2/5

Lazy

Johnny English Strikes Again (2018)

Directed by David Kerr this third instalment in the franchise stars Rowan Atkinson, Ben Miller, Olga Kurylenko and Emma Thompson. Our protagonist is called out of retirement to investigate cyber attacks against the UK.

Pretty average in terms of James Bond parodies this is a limp effort that is really phoning it in at times. There are a few chuckles but mostly this is a predictable film that is just going through the motions. Rowan Atkinson is a master of physical comedy but only gets to show it off very occasionally.

2/5

I submit this is not good

Submission (2017)

Directed by Richard Levine this film based on the novel “Blue Angel” stars Stanley Tucci and Addison Timlin. A writer working as a professor of literature has sex with one of his creative writing students, shockingly it turns out badly.

To be honest I thought this film added nothing to the familiar subject matter, especially in a post #MeToo era. Everything was far too familiar and predictable. I suppose the performances are fine but that does not carry the film.

2/5

What green fairy?

Wonderful Absinthe (1899)

Directed by Alice Guy-Blache this is an early short film. We see a misunderstanding over some absinthe at an outdoor cafe.

It is easy to see how the characters could have a misunderstanding because it is pretty hard to tell what is going on here. It is nice to see an attempt at a narrative here but I found it impossible to follow. Not the best of the films I have seen from Guy-Blache.

2/5

Always about class

The Little Stranger (2018)

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson this film based on the novel of the same name stars Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson, Will Poulter and Charlotte Rampling. In the 1940s a doctor visiting a run down noble estate tries to help a family that thinks something evil is in the house.

There are elements of this film that are really well done but the protagonist is kind of pushy and I am not sure the story ever really has a resolution. A decent watch with plenty of familiar British stiff upper lip. Very much a period piece which means it might not be for everyone.

3/5

Not in distress

Damsel (2018)

Written & directed by Nathan and David Zellner this film stars Robert Pattison and Mia Wasikowsa. A young man heads off with a preacher to rescue his beloved.

This is a slightly unusual western in that it quickly becomes a farce where little is as it seems. On the surface level this is a pretty entertaining piece. Well made but not amazingly deep.

3/5

One small step

First Man (2018)

Directed by Damien Chazelle this film based on real events stars Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy and Jason Clarke. We follow Neil Armstrong on his path to becoming an astronaut and the first man to walk on the moon.

No space film has ever put the viewer in the cockpit like this one has, it really is a breath taking achievement in cinema. I really love the way the script makes a personal story from such a world wide historic event. If I have one criticism of the film it is that we never see how Armstrong became the type of person he is.

4/5