Never go home

 

The Dry (2020)

Directed by Robert Connolly this film based on the novel of the same name stars Eric Bana, Genevieve O'Reilly and Keir O'Donnell. A federal police officer returns to the small town he grew up in to look into the apparent murder/suicide of an old friend and his family.

I really enjoyed this film, both the location and the story combine to build a good mystery. The plot never takes the easy or convenient way out, keeping you guessing the whole way through. An effort well worth watching in an often lazy genre.

4/5

Better start than end

 

The Violent Heart (2020)

Written & directed by Kerem Sanga this film stars Jovan Adepo, Grace Van Patten, Mary J. Blige and Lukas Haas. Fifteen years after witnessing the murder of his older sister a young man starts a relationship with an eighteen year old girl.

I really enjoyed the first part of the film, seeing the protagonist struggle with the consequences of his life choices, the second part of the film is a bit of a let down. The revelations in the second half of the film are just too convenient and predictable, I would much rather the film stuck with the depressing ambiguity of the early part of the film. Not a bad watch over all, good performances from the lead actors.

3/5

Heady days

 

The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1895)

Directed by Alfred Clark this film stars Mrs. Robert L. Thomas. We see a depiction of the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Containing one of the first camera tricks in cinema unfortunately the cut is a little obvious when you watch this film. For the period no doubt this is impressive but to modern eyes it does not hold up too well. A good effort none the less.

3/5

An Irish pond

 

The Winter Lake (2020)

Directed by Phil Sheerin this film stars Anson Boon, Charlie Murphy, Emma Mackey and michael McElhatton. A young woman and her teenage son move in next door to a girl and her father who have a dark secret.

Slow and moody this film will not be for everyone. It takes a while to get to the inevitable conclusion, which is not very original but is still decently done. Good enough for a ninety minute diversion.

3/5

Not great at all

 

Great White (2021)

Directed by Martin Wilson this film stars Katrina Bowden, Aaron Jakubenko, Tim Kano, Kimie Tsukakoshi and Te Kohe Tuhaka. Five people find themselves in a life raft being hunted by a great white shark.

To call this the Australian Jaws (1975) would be grossly overselling this film. There is barely enough content to fill the 90 minute run time. Everything is pretty predictable here, not worth seeking out.

2/5

What a let down

 

Summerland (2020)

Written & directed by Jessica Swale this film stars Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Lucas Bond, Penelope Wilton and Tom Courtenay. During WW2 a boy is evacuated from London to live with a reclusive writer near Dover.

Despite not being overly original there was a lot I liked about the set up for this film and I was looking forward to seeing it explore the themes it raises in the first part, unfortunately the film lacks any subtlety or follow through. Things become just too easy to predict, focusing on the overly sentimental moments which feel unearned and frustratingly leaves some interesting threads dangling. I enjoyed Tom Courtenay in the film but that was about it.

2/5

What you had to settle for in 1897

 

First Avenue, Seattle, Washington, No. 8 (1897)

Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see a simple street scene from the city of Washington.

There is not much to this film, a few seconds of life on the streets. Without much of a narrative this is more of a historical record than a piece of entertainment. Decent image quality, not overly remarkable.

2/5