Image via http://www.theverge.com
The Endless fulfilled the promise of its name and felt never-ending. Listed as a horror, it is more a muddled sci-fi, low on suspense and high on exposition. Continue reading
The Endless (2017)
StandardTag Archives: USA
Annihilation (2017)
Standard
Image via blackgirlnerds.com
Directed by Alex Garland, he makes up for his terrible characterisation of women in Ex Machina (2014) with this epic female-led sci-fi. One of the first of many films, I suspect, sold directly to Netflix to avoid the cost of distribution outside the US, Annihilation is worth a look. Continue reading
Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (2017)
Standard
Image via time.com
Based on the autobiography of Peter Turner, who had a relationship with Hollywood star Gloria Grahame in the last years of her life, this serviceable biopic showcases Annette Bening’s fine acting skills, which mostly distracts us from the rose-tinted clichés. Continue reading
Phantom Thread
Standard
Image via http://www.slashfilm.com
You expect a film with Daniel Day-Lewis in it is going to be substantial, meticulously crafted and have him squarely in the centre of the story. Phantom Thread certainly showcases his skills as a method actor but lacks drama and substance. Continue reading
The Florida Project (2017)
Standard
Image via kinomuranow.pl
This remarkable film gently and profoundly shows the fragility of US life on the poverty line from the point of view of the children and families who live on the margins. As realistic as a documentary, it is set within the fractured community of motels in Florida, on the doorstep of Disney World. Continue reading
I, Tonya (2017)
Standard
Image via http://www.vulture.com
Margot Robbie does a smashing job (no pun intended) at portraying the much maligned US Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding in this quirky, openly contradictory telling of her story. Continue reading
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Standard
Image by Annie Liebovitz via http://www.vogue.com
If you want to see a film that makes you believe that all is right with the world, that discrimination, racism and the class system are problems that were resolved 100+ years ago with a bit of song and dance and hugging, then this is the film for you. Continue reading
The Shape of Water (2017)
Standard
Image via thecinemaarchives.com
Amelie meets Dark City in this darkly whimsical fairy tale by Guillermo del Toro. Fairy tales are often equal parts sentimentality and tragedy and The Shape of Water weaves a long dance around these two elements. Continue reading
John Wick (2014)
Standard
Image via http://www.johnwick.movie
[ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] I am sad. My wife has died. She gave me a dog. A bad man has killed my dog. [WISTFUL MUSIC] He has stolen my car. I love that car. I drive it fast because I am sad. I am sad and angry. I am John Wick. Bam. Bam. Pew. Pew. Pew. Kapow. Blam. Blam. Continue reading
Jane Got a Gun (2015)
Standard
Image via http://www.theyoungfolks.com
But Dan got two guns. Jane, for all her prominence in the film’s title and promotional posters, doesn’t get to do much with her gun. It is her ex-lover, brooding and sweaty Dan Frost, who drives most of the action and provides the dramatic centre. Continue reading
fillums 