An odd couple

Automated Hat-Maker and Sausage-Grinder (1900)

Directed by Alive Guy-Blache this film stars Henri Vallouy. Two men operate a machine that makes both hats and sausages.

Pretty simple in concept this single shot film is not exactly funny but is a little silly. There is not a huge amount to laugh about here but the film is decently made. Something different from the other films I have seen from Guy-Blache.

3/5

So many Spider-people

Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey & Rodney Rothman this animated film has voices from Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld and Mahershala Ali. A young man gets bitten by a radio active spider and sees Spiderman die so has to take up the mantle.

Unlike any other superhero film this film really brings the art of comic books to the big screen as well as capturing the stranger side of Spiderman. I really enjoyed this film which has a decent heart to it as well as plenty of comedy. It might be strange to say this but this could well be the most true to it's source material comic book adaptation so far.

5/5

A bad idea from the start

Boogie Man (2018)

Directed by Andrew Morahan this film stars Kush Khanna, Jerry-Jane Pears and Karan Gill. A British-Indian teenager who has no idea what he wants to do with his life becomes obsessed with a model/actress he meets once.

There is a huge amount to be said about the life of second generation immigrants but this film has nothing interesting to say on the matter. Some times the film shows a little self awareness at the unacceptable actions of the protagonist and then goes and rewards them anyway. It is no surprise to find out this film is written by two white guys which explains a lot of the issues I have with it.

2/5

Sneak attack!

Surprise Attack on a House at Daybreak (1898)

Directed by Alice Guy-Blache this is an early short film. A group of soldiers sneak up on the occupants of a house and attack them.

One of the earliest action films out there with a lot of stuff happening on screen during the short run time. It is a little difficult to tell exactly who is going where at times but otherwise this is a ground breaking film. Plenty to enjoy even if this is not the most polished effort ever.

3/5

Cardboard

Alone in Berlin (2016)

Directed by Vincent Perez this film based on the novel “Every Man Dies Alone” stars Emma Thompson, Brendan Gleeson and Daniel Bruhl. Following the death of their son at the front a couple living in Nazi Germany during WW2 start leaving anti Hitler cards for people to find.

Based on a novel based on a true story this fictionalised version of events is interesting but never really takes off. The script lacks much tension and we never see the affect the couples actions have. I suppose the film does a decent job of showing the nature of people informing on each other in Nazi Germany but that is not enough to carry the piece.

3/5

Waiting for the end

Lucky (2017)

Directed by John Carroll Lynch this film stars Harry Dean Stanton, David Lynch and Ron Livingston. A 90 year old man faces his own mortality while living out the same daily routine.

There is a lot to enjoy here in what was Harry Dean Stanton's final film. Like many films on mortality the film draws to a somewhat fluffy conclusion but otherwise is a great watch. There is plenty to enjoy, especially a rare on camera appearance from David Lynch.

3/5

Crazy gets crazier

Iron Sky: The Coming Race (2019)

Directed by Timo Vuorensola this crowd funded sequel stars Lara Rossi, Vladimir Burlakov, Kit Dale and Julia Dietze. The last humans living on a former Nazi moon base return to Earth to steal power from the lizard people at the centre of the planet.

I have not seen the first Iron Sky film but this sequel is easy enough to follow even with all the bonkers elements mashed together. Certainly not for everyone this film looks pretty good for the lower budget and while the script is not amazing the film is still pretty fun. Not a great work of art but something different that is for sure.

3/5