Feeding the Doves (1896)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see a woman and a young girl throwing out feed for birds to eat.
This is a simple rustic scene shot in a single take. There is some charm to the subject matter and it is nice to see an early film shot on location. Maybe not a short with great depth but entertaining none the less.
3/5
Twist (2020)
Directed by Martin Owen this film based on the novel Oliver Twist stars Rafferty Law, Michael Caine, Lena Headey, Rita Ora and Sophie Simnett. An orphan joins a gang of art thieves.
Coming about ten or fifteen years too late this is the parkour version of Oliver Twist that sets itself up for a fall by referencing the David Lean adaptation right up front. There is a place for a modern version of Oliver Twist but this film takes all the Dickensian poverty out of the story which does not leave much. My biggest question is how Michael Caine and Lena Heady ended up in something this bad.
2/5
The Swerve (2018)
Written & directed by Dean Kapsalis this film stars Azura Skye, Bryce Pinkham, Ashley Bell and Zach Rand. A married middle aged woman suffers from insomnia to tragic consequences.
Far too rarely do we get a proper look into the dark side of the human mind. I loved this look at a woman's life falling apart and the depths to which her depression sinks. The whole film rests on a fantastic performance from Azura Skye without which it would not work.
4/5
Faith Based (2020)
Directed by Vincent Masciale this film stars Like Barnett, Tanner Thomason and Lance Reddick. Two slacker friends plan to get rich by making a Christian movie.
There is a decent concept to this film but unfortunately the script is as weak as many of the Christian films this film looks down on. With a few revisions this could have been decent instead of the amateurish effort we get here. A disappointing miss.
2/5
Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory (1897)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see Thomas Edison at work in a laboratory.
While this may pretend to be documentary it is entirely staged. The set is not a real laboratory and I very much doubt Edison is even doing any work. Just goes to show even in 1897 you could not trust Hollywood.
2/5
Windows on the World (2019)
Directed by Michael D. Olmos this film stars Ryan Guzman, Chelsea Gilligan and James . A young man from Mexican crosses the border illegally to find the fate of his father who was working in the World Trade Centre on 9/11.
This is not a bad film but I wish it had focused more on the protagonists disillusionment with his father rather than glossing over that moment towards the end. The most interesting part of the story is a mere after thought. Could have been much more hard hitting.
3/5
Thank You for Your Service (2017)
Directed by Jason Hall this film inspired by real events stars Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Beulah Koale and Joe Cole. Three American soldiers have trouble getting back to civilian life after serving in Iraq.
Covering familiar “coming home” territory this is a decent look at serious issues. Nothing is very new here but is in a slightly more modern context to a slew of similar Vietnam era films. Well made and acted.
3/5
