Melies isn't the only magician

Disappearing Act (1898)

Directedby Alice Guy-Blache this is a short, early film. A man makes a woman disappear then reappear.

Basically this is a simple trick of editing to make it appear as if magic is happening on camera. Similar to a number of other films of the era this is decently made but does not really stand out too much. Very much a film of it's era.

3/5

Not very dark or very mindful

The Darkest Minds (2018)

Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, this film based on the novel of the same name stars Amandla Stenberg, Mandy Moore, Harris Dickinson and Patrick Gibson. Most of the children of the world have died apart from those with super powers who are put in camps.

My biggest issue with the plot of this film is that the characters never once consider the moral implications of using their powers. Ultimately this is an X-Men knock off mixed up with familiar dystopian YA tropes that adds little to the genre. The kids give decent performances but can not carry this weak script.

2/5

The death of childhood

Summer 1993 (2017)

Written & directed by Carla Simon this film stars Laia Artigas, Paula Blanco, David Verdaguer and Etna Campillo. Following the death of her parents to AIDs a six year old girl goes to live with her uncle and his family.

This is a minimalist and fairly personal story of loss at a young age. The protagonist acts out before coming to terms with her new life. Maybe the style of this film is not for everyone but it is certainly well made and touching in places.

4/5

The simplest of gags

The Fisherman at the Stream (1897)

Directed by Alice Guy-Blache this is an early short film. A man fishing in the river has a youth sneak up on him and push him in.

Simple in concept and execution this is a very basic early film. There is not a lot going on here but at least the plot has a clear beginning, middle and end. No doubt there is many a home video of something similar these days.

3/5

In need of cash

The Belly of the Whale (2018)

Directed by Morgan Bushe this film stars Lewis Macdougall, Pat Shortt and Michael Smiley. A teenage boy and an old man both in need of cash decide to stage a robbery.

Made on a low budget this Irish crime farce is a fairly good watch. If you are expecting big action and thrills you are in the wrong place but there are a few chuckles along the way of this one. Not the greatest film you will ever see but it does fill 90 minutes well.

3/5

Run overly sentimental

Run Wild, Run Free (1969)

Directed by Richard C. Sarafian this film based on the novel “The White Colt” stars John Mills, Mark Lester, Sylvia Syms and Gordon Jackson. A young boy who will no speak befriends a white colt with blue eyes.

Pretty simplistic in plot this is a fairly good watch of a slightly dated film. The music is massively over the top in places but otherwise this is a decently made film. A bit sentimental in places it is still nice to see a countryside based film when so few of those get made these days.

3/5

No grace

The Possession of Hannah Grace (2018)

Directed by Diederik van Rooijen this film stars Shay Mitchell, Stana Katic, Grey Damon and Kirby Johnson. A recovering addict takes up a job overseeing the night intake at the city morgue.

As horror films go this one is pretty bland, especially when it comes to the scares. The protagonist at least has some depth to her but it does not really resonate with the plot. In the end this is a pretty weak effort that is easily forgotten.

2/5