Like tragic little rich boy Tully (Dominic Sessa), Alexander Payne traps us in a weirdly quaint version of 1970s white America with little contemporary insight.
Continue readingThe Holdovers (2023)
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The Atomic Tree (VR) (2019)
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On the Rocks (2020)
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This is a completely enjoyable film by Sofia Coppola, led by Rashida Jones’s strong, awkward and likeable characterisation of an every woman who realises she has unknowingly transitioned from exciting and sexy to boring and frumpy in the eyes of her husband.
Continue readingThem That Follow (2019)
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I was reminded of the quiet, rural drama of Dark River (2017) while watching this intense and satisfying dive into fundamentalism. It has some predictable beats but introspective camera work and a strong performance from Alice Englert help it transcend cliches.
Continue readingBrittany Runs a Marathon (2019)
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It seems fitting to catch up on a film missed at MIFF 2019 whilst sequestered to watch MIFF 2020 online. It was a late night find and Jillian Bell’s starring role was a major draw.
Continue readingTár (2022)
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With conductor, Marin Alsop‘s anti-women criticism running around my head and the film’s esoteric trailer looking a tad film school, my expectations were low.
Continue readingTriangle of Sadness (2022)
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Low expectations are not a bad thing. I should like Ruben Östlund’s films as they provide an often unflinching look at social and personal failings and walk the fine line between drama and satire.
Continue readingBarbarian (2022)
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I’m not sure of the wisdom of watching a horror like Zach Cregger’s Barbarian alone in a subterranean cinema on a Wednesday afternoon. My adrenaline was high for most of it as it twisted and turned through a dark labyrinth.
Continue readingFire of Love (2022)
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The story of Katia and Maurice Krafft was made for a documentary like this. In the 70s and 80s, they were feted as the only volcanologist couple, bound by their love for each other and of trying to understand active volcanoes.
Continue readingDon’t Worry Darling (2020)
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Florence Pugh is becoming my go to star as just about any movie she is in seems made better by her presence.
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