Arab cortege, Geneva (1896)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film. A group of Arabs walk down a street in Geneva.
There is not much to place this film in Geneva, it could be taking place anywhere. We do not get to see much the action either, the subjects mostly have their backs to the camera. Not the best of the early Lumiere catalogue.
2/5
Ava (2020)
Directed by Tate Taylor this film stars Jessica Chastain, John Malkovich, Common, Geena Davis and Colin Farrell. An assassin is hunted down by her own organisation after a hit gone wrong.
Nothing is original here, this is a by the numbers effort that you have seen a lot of times before. I do not think it is as bad as some people say, it just has little to recommend it beyond having Jessica Chastain in it. Even the fight sequences are a bit pedestrian.
3/5
Summering (2022)
Directed by James Ponsoldt this film stars Lia Barnett, Madalen Mills, Eden Grace Redfield and Sanai Victoria. Four friends on their last weekend before middle school find a dead body.
There are a lot of elements I enjoy in the mix for this film unfortunately the script needs a major re-write. Ideas are not explored deeply enough and the film just does not work. A real shame given the potential here.
2/5
To Catch a Killer (2023)
Directed by Damian Szifron this film stars Shailene Woodley and Ben Mendelsohn. A young policewoman is assigned as a liaison officer to the FBI hunting a spree killer.
If this film had come out in the 90s I suppose it would have been a passable effort hanging off the coat tails of Silence of the Lambs. To modern eyes this is a pretty weak effort which is hamstrung by the writing which is not fully thought through. I would give this one a miss to be honest.
2/5
Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle (2021)
Directed by Arthur Harari this film inspired by real events stars Yuya Endo and Kanji Tsuda. A man spends years hiding in the jungle refusing to believe the war has ended.
This film gets murky because it uses real names but blends with fictional elements. I am not sure the script ever gets to grips with who the protagonist is in terms of his own beliefs and actually misses out some of the most important part of his story, what integrating back into society would be like. There is some beautiful scenery if nothing else.
3/5
New York, Brooklyn Bridge (1896)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is a short film from the Lumiere catalogue. Trains pass in front of the camera revealing the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.
I really like the way the film is set up to have you focus on the passing trains then as they leave show off the famous bridge. A nice set up for a travel film. Surprisingly likeable.
3/5
The Pyramids (Overview) (1897)
Directed by Alexandre Promio this is an early short film from the Lumiere catalogue. We see a shot of the Great Sphinx and two pyramids.
A single, static shot captures something of the wonder of the ancient monuments of Egypt. No doubt impressive in its day this is more of a home video shot that would be familiar with our relatives fresh back from the holidays showing us. Decent little travel piece for the time.
3/5
