A Monster Calls (2016)
A heavy burden hangs over Conor’s head:
Impending loss; an existential dread.
Enter: an anthropomorphic tree.
Can its fables set him free?
Impressive (dark) visuals. Tears to be shed. Read More
A Ghost Story (2017)
Time, loss and grief (with its profound feeling of sinking).
Watching, there were fluctuations in my thinking:
From ‘I’m gonna cry. Where’s my hankie?’
To ‘Ugh, now this feels wanky.’
To me, a misstep: sheeted neighbour, with memory shrinking. Read More
Baby Driver (2017)
Artistry in the choreography (soundtrack with scene).
Elgort: charismatic; battling demons re keeping ‘clean’.
Such questionable character motivations
Relating to some third act situations.
Jones stands out, with the best performance on the screen. Read More
The Trip to Spain (2017)
As before: big laughs, majestic scenery, lots to eat.
New: added melancholy for Steve (kept discreet).
Highlight: the guys out-swaggering
Each other when Jagger-ing.
Only letdown: dubious end scene (an odd conceit). Read More
The Beguiled (2017)
Here in the Civil War’s South, seven women and girls reside.
Enter wounded Corporal John, who otherwise would have died.
Both dark and funny (an abundance of wit).
Stunning performances. Gorgeously lit.
Reflections on vengeance, survival, strength and pride. Read More
Rough Night (2017)
Some intermittent laughs here, but not enough to sustain
Its feature length – so it feels the strain
Of many lulls and bumps.
And like that corpse it slumps.
Cast members bring some charisma, but it’s weak in the main. Read More
Risk (2016)
Poitras’ doco: at times uneven, but with moments of insight.
In Assange (in turns, the darling of the left and then the right)
We see a man full of (ego and) contradictions
Who imposed eleventh hour restrictions.
It feels like there’s much more waiting to come to light. Read More
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
A perfect film. Unforgettable, in ways most profound.
Beautiful story of two who are inexorably bound.
Gut-wrenchingly divine.
‘… they’re ridiculous?’: the best line.
Exquisite framing. Superb use of music and sound. Read More
I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
There’s no racism here, Land of the Free, and other conceits
Be it in halls of power, schools, prisons, or on the streets
Are exposed here, through the power
Of Baldwin’s words: not only of his hour …
As we learn here that sadly, maddeningly: history repeats.
Be it in halls of power, schools, prisons, or on the streets
Are exposed here, through the power
Of Baldwin’s words: not only of his hour …
As we learn here that sadly, maddeningly: history repeats. Read More
Madame (2017)
Unlucky thirteen, so Anne coerces Maria to pass
As a member of the Spanish noble class.
De Palma’s work here is fearless.
Fab Collette’s nostril-flaring: peerless.
Much fun to be had. Oh, the dinner table farce! Read More
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