Uncut Gems movie review: Adam Sandler decides to show up again in this gem of a movie January 10, 2020 Those who only know Adam Sandler as the guy who makes fart jokes on Netflix will be in for a huge surprise in this tense thriller, from the directors of 2017 indie hit Good Time. He transforms himself as Howard, a Manhattan jeweller who finds himself on a downward spiral regarding his decisions surrounding a [...]
Review: Why Sam Mendes’ 1917 is the first unmissable film of the twenties January 10, 2020 The set-up for Sam Mendes’ first film since Bond is straightforward enough: young soldier Tom (Dean Charles-Chapman) and his friend William (George MacKay) are tasked with crossing No Man’s Land to deliver a message that could save the lives of thousands. Once that mission begins, however, we are taken on a spectacular war thriller, masterfully [...]
Can The Rise of Skywalker reawaken Disney’s Force? December 19, 2019 These are dark times for the Disney Empire. The unified celebration that greeted its first two Star Wars entries (The Force Awakens and Rogue One) descended into rebellion with the release of The Last Jedi, one of the most divisive films in recent memory. Then came Solo, the first Star Wars movie to lose money. [...]
Downton Abbey film review: If you’re a fan of period dramas, this may be your Avengers September 13, 2019 Four years on from the final episode, Downton Abbey returns for more nostalgia and vicarious luxury. It’s 1927, and the reason for our return is the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary to the big house. This impending brush with royalty causes no end of chaos among the Downton residents, with the upstairs [...]
Once Upon A time In Hollywood review: Another classic from Quentin Tarantino August 15, 2019 Even in a summer dominated by Disney, the 9th film from Quentin Tarantino demands attention. The promise of the Pulp Fiction director’s take on The Manson Family has resulted in the biggest opening weekend ever for a Tarantino film, giving a small flicker of hope to anyone who sees a cinematic future beyond remakes and [...]
The Lion King ‘live action’ remake is a solid cover version but one that’s outshone by the classic July 19, 2019 The Lion King (PG); Dir. Jon Favreau; Three Stars All together now: “Naaaaaaaaants Ingonyamaaaa…”. There are few opening lines that inspire a sense of nostalgia quite like the opening to The Lion King, a fact Disney is betting an awful lot of money on in its latest remake of one of its old classics. With [...]
The director of Super Mario Brothers makes her first feature in 26 years and it’s not what you’re expecting July 19, 2019 Tell It To The Bees (15); Dir. Annabel Jankel; 2 Stars Based on the novel by Fiona Shaw, Tell It To The Bees is set in a small Scottish town in the 50s, where kindly doctor Jean (Anna Paquin) takes in single mother Lydia (Holliday Grainger) as her housekeeper. The two soon begin a relationship, [...]
Making Noise Quietly is a war film that forgoes guns and explosions to focus on those left behind July 19, 2019 There are many dramas about the devastation of war as viewed by those on the front line. Fewer, however, look at the effect of war on those back home. Making Noise Quietly is divided into three stories from three different eras – the first concerns a meeting between a conscientious objector (Luke Thompson) and a [...]
Venom review: A talented cast struggles its way through this jumbled anti-hero affair October 5, 2018 Spider-Man recently made a critically acclaimed Homecoming to Disney/Marvel after years tied to Sony, leaving the alien entity known as Venom in a strange hinterland. The character’s first stand alone film is produced by Sony “in association with Marvel” as part of their new sharing agreement, but the resulting conflagration of themes and tones bears [...]
Mile 22 review: Maybe Mark Wahlberg needs a little more time in his cryo-chamber September 14, 2018 What a wonderful time to write about Mark Wahlberg. He announced this week that he wakes up at 2.30am every morning to squeeze in workout after workout, allowing for recovery sessions in his own, personal cryo-chamber; he enjoys “family time” when his kids are at school; he luxuriates in the shower for 90-minutes at a [...]
