Melts at the first sign of sunlight

The Snowman (2017)

Directed by Tomas Alfredson this film based on the novel of the same name stars Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Val Kilmer and J. K. Simmons. In Norway an alcoholic detective hunts for a serial killer.

Throwing every genre cliché there is into the mix this is a predictable serial killer piece that wraps up in a way that is far too contrived for my taste. Fans of the book may also be put off by some of the changes between the two as well. I am not really sure filming the 7^th book in a series is a good way to introduce viewers to a character either.

2/5

Where all the muskets at?

The Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912)

Directed by D. W. Griffith this film stars Lillian Gish, Walter Miller, Elmer Booth and Alfred Paget. A couple living in New York have some run ins with street level gangsters.

There is not much to draw from the plot of this film and the big shoot out gets a little messy. For an early silent film this is a fairly average effort but does not have a lot to recommend it on for historical value in my opinion. I wouldn't recommend watching this one but there is not a huge amount wrong with it.

3/5

#FatimaProblems

Fatima (2015)

Directed by Philippe Faucon this film stars Soria Zeroual, Zita Hanrot and Kenza Noah Aiche. An Algerian woman living in France tries to raise her two teenage daughters.

I think this film does a really good job of exploring the troubles that immigrants face as they seek to thrive in a new community. What the film does well is explore the generational differences as well as the pressures from the immigrant's own community as well as the country they have moved to. Low key in style this film is also pretty well made.

4/5

Not Thurgood

Marshall (2017)

Directed by Regnald Hudlin this film based on real events stars Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson and Dan Stevens. During the 1940s a lawyer for NCAAA attempts to defend an African American man on trial for rape.

Not entirely historically accurate or that interesting as a biopic of the life of Thurgood Marshall this is fine as a court room drama but nothing special. I would love to see a good film on the life of the African-American Supreme Court Justice but sadly this is not what we get here. At times this seems more like a television movie than something made with a real budget.

2/5

Five or Six?

Dirty Harry (1971)

Directed by Don Siegel this film stars Clint Eastwood, Andy Robinson, Harry Guardino and Reni Santoni. A sniper attempts to hold a whole city to ransom while a hard nose cop hunts him down.

Attempting to ask if it's ever right to go beyond the law to stop a crime this film doesn't go as deep into it's themes as it could but it certainly sparked something both in cinema and the minds of the viewers. Well made as always with Don Siegel this is a decent thriller even if it does lean a bit too far to the right for some. There are some iconic moments and a good climax that make this film still hold up.

4/5

The chase is on

The Lonedale Operator (1911)

Directed by D. W. Griffith this film stars Blanche Sweet and George Nichols. When a girl's father is sick she takes over for him at the telegraph station on a day when some crooks plan to steal the payroll.

Thankfully Griffith sticks to what he is good at here, cutting together a tense climax from a simple situation. A fairly simple set up but a well made film none the less this is a decent early watch. This is what early cinema and Griffith in particular do well.

3/5

Rocky again

Creed (2015)

Directed by Ryan Coogler this spin off stars Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson. The illegitimate son of Apollo Creed appeals to Rock Balboa to train him as a fighter.

Bringing nothing new to the franchise or genre I found this spin off to be a disappointingly close re-tread to the original Rocky film. While this film is well made it is just all far too familiar and unoriginal. There are decent performances from the cast but Stallone having been Oscar nominated for this film is a surprise to me.

3/5