Parallel Mothers review: Another glorious Pedro Almodovar movie February 9, 2022 For reasons unrelated to cinema, it feels like an age since we last saw a new film by Pedro Almodovar. In reality, it’s only been a couple of years since his Oscar-nominated love letter to creativity Pain and Glory, which proved the Spanish filmmaking legend shows no signs of losing his edge. His new film, [...]
Jackass Forever is an affectionate tribute to 20 years of chaos February 8, 2022 “The world waited for what felt like forever” begins the narrator of Jackass Forever’s trailer. In truth, few could have predicted the return of the madcap crew for a fourth film (seventh if you include spin-offs). Financially, it makes sense – they’re cheap to produce, draw a crowd, and tug at early noughties nostalgia. However, [...]
One Shot film review: Single take movie is a violent action curio February 8, 2022 Scott Adkins, undisputed king of the On Demand action movie, saves the free world once again in ‘single take’ action thriller One Shot. He plays Jake Harris, a Navy SEAL leading an elite team to a prison island where terrorists are being held. His mission is to escort government analyst Zoe Anderson (Ashley Greene) and [...]
The Eyes of Tammy Faye: Jessica Chastain bats eyelashes at award judges February 7, 2022 Despite appearing in some of the best dramas of the 2010s, Jessica Chastain often gets overlooked by awards voters despite stellar work in films such as Molly’s Game and A Most Violent Year. Undeterred, she’s back in the awards race with this new biopic, based on a remarkable life. She plays Tammy Faye Bakker, the [...]
Sing 2 reivew: Illumination animation has no problem playing the hits February 7, 2022 It’s a tough time for animated movies, as families have tended to stay away from the cinema. This has resulted in the last three Pixar movies going straight to streaming, much to the chagrin of the animators if reports are to be believed. Rivals Illumination don’t seem to have had as much trouble. The wildly [...]
Belfast is Kenneth Branagh at his sentimental best January 21, 2022 While many might associate him with his acting roles, Sir Kenneth Branagh has been prolific behind the camera, too. Belfast is his nineteenth film as a director, with a CV that has included everything from his epic 90s adaptation of Hamlet to the first Thor movie. This new film, however, comes from a personal place. [...]
Nightmare Alley is another sumptuously dark tale from Guillermo Del Toro January 21, 2022 The 2010s were an interesting time for Guillermo Del Toro. The first half of the decade was spent in blockbuster land, exiting The Hobbit before making divisive sci-fi blockbuster Pacific Rim. The second half was devoted to two eerie period fables in Crimson Peak and The Shape of Water. The latter was a surprise hit, [...]
Hotel Transylvania 4: Let this tired franchise finally rest in peace. January 15, 2022 Sony Animation’s Hotel Transylvania franchise comes to a conclusion after 10 years, three films, and just under $1.4billion in box office. That last number is unlikely to change, given the film will roll out on Amazon Prime Video following a $100million purchase by the streamer. It’s a curious move for the franchise, but these are [...]
Memoria – Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s weird and wonderful journey January 15, 2022 It’s always exciting when a celebrated director tries something new. Apichatpong Weerasethakul is the director of Palm d’Or winner Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, as well as the adored drama Cemetery of Splendour. Memoria marks his first foray outside of his native country, but his filmmaking language appears intact. Tilda Swinton stars [...]
Munich: The Edge of War is a stylish but predictable wartime pot-boiler January 7, 2022 Like superhero movies, the war drama is a genre that never seems to tire. Just when you think every aspect of a conflict has been covered, a new story is found, or in this case created. Based on the novel by Robert Harris, Munich: The Edge of War stars George Mackay as Hugh, an assistant [...]