The Independent film 2023 review: All-star cast fail to ignite this political thriller February 27, 2023 Political movies used to be a specialist subject, but whatever side of the aisle you sit it’s safe to say everyone is better versed in his world than they were a few years ago. Sky’s new original movie, The Independent, seeks to look into our polarised world. Jodie Smith-Turner plays Eli, an ambitious young reporter who [...]
Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda is back with the brilliant Broker February 24, 2023 Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda is back after almost four years, taking his talents to Korea for a drama with echoes of his Palm D’Or winning 2018 film Shoplifters. Broker is based around a heart-breaking reality. In many countries, overwhelmed mothers bring new-born children to Baby Boxes – drop off points at churches that guarantee the [...]
Why Cocaine Bear is exactly as good as it sounds February 24, 2023 You know the kind of movie Cocaine Bear is. It’s what made films like Snakes On A Plane, Sharknado, and last years The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent headline news. Director Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2, Charlie’s Angels) has the task of making it more than a one line joke. Based loosely on real events [...]
The Son film review: Florian Zeller returns after the success of The Father February 17, 2023 Florian Zeller’s incredible drama The Father won Anthony Hopkins an Oscar, and traumatised all who saw it with its harrowing portrayal of dementia. While his new film, The Son, isn’t a direct sequel, its themes continue the story started three years ago. Hugh Jackman stars as Peter, a man making a new life for himself [...]
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On review: Adorable animation February 17, 2023 The ungainly title isn’t the only thing unusual about this imaginative family film. Conceived as a YouTube short by former spouses Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp, it centres on Marcel (Slate), an anthropomorphic shell who lives with his grandma. He meets documentarian Dean (Fleischer Camp), who makes him an internet phenomenon, prompting Marcel the [...]
The BAFTAs 2023 – Who is going to win vs who SHOULD win February 16, 2023 The BAFTAs are back with a bang this Sunday. After years of turmoil in the film industry, there’s a strong group of contenders led by sci-fi hit Everything Everywhere All At Once and The Banshees of Inisherin. But who’s likely to take home the famous mask, and who should be getting their moment? City A.M. [...]
Tanning Tatum’s abs return for Magic Mike’s Last Dance February 9, 2023 Magic Mike has been the most surprising global franchise of the past decade. What started as a gritty, semi-autobiographical journey through Channing Tatum’s early days as an exotic dancer has spawned sequels, a worldwide stage show, and a forthcoming TV series. Now, hot off the success of 2022 hit The Lost City, Tatum is back [...]
Women Talking review: Sumptuous cast make this remarkable drama sing February 9, 2023 Independent cinema fans will rejoice at the return of Sarah Polley to the big screen, a decade on from the filmmaker’s success with Take This Waltz and Stories We Tell. She brings a mouth-watering cast to this adaptation of the 2018 Miriam Teows novel Women Talking, set in a remote religious commune that eschews technology. [...]
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish review: Paw of the same good stuff February 2, 2023 Nineteen years after his first appearance in Shrek 2, and ten after his first spin-off movie, Antonio Banderas swings back into action as Puss In Boots. The animated film’s financial success has sparked speculation about a fifth Shrek movie, but is there really anything more to be squeezed from this long-running series? We reunite with [...]
Brendan Fraser is imperious in flawed masterpiece The Whale February 2, 2023 One of the biggest stories of Oscar season 2023 has been the comeback of Brendan Fraser. In the Hollywood wilderness for years, the Mummy star returns this month in The Whale, where he plays a morbidly obese man mourning the death of his partner. The film has polarised critics, but now fans can make their [...]
