Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula review – a zombie sequel with more bark than bite November 19, 2020 Train To Busan broke records around the world while bringing something new to the zombie craze. Four years later, the inevitable sequel arrives with grimly ironic timing for a world where infection rates and quarantine are now the norm. The reason for the ‘presents’ in the title is that it’s a sequel with little relation [...]
You Cannot Kill David Arquette documentary film review November 18, 2020 Remember David Arquette? He played the lovable cop in the Scream movies, the lovable brother in Never Been Kissed, and for a brief time was the not-so-lovable World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. Whether you’re aware of that last credit or not is likely to determine how interested you are in this new documentary that follows his [...]
Hillbilly Elegy film review: Netflix Oscar-bait falls flat November 18, 2020 This awards season may see Netflix get its clearest run yet at the coveted Best Picture Oscar, with the streamer’s output thriving in the wake of cinemas shutting down. But while there are contenders in its catalogue, it’s doubtful Ron Howard’s new drama Hillbilly Elegy will give voters any trouble. Based on a memoir of [...]
The Mandalorian season 2 episode 3 review: S2E3 action and revelation in hit show November 13, 2020 *** SPOILERS AHEAD: If you haven’t watched the most recent episodes of The Mandalorian Season 2, look away now*** Thus far, The Mandalorian Season 2 has been about self-contained adventures, where the fun comes from the twists and turns in our hero’s path. This week was a bit more action packed, with some huge plot [...]
Lennox: The Untold Story review – a rose-tinted documentary of a fighter’s journey November 12, 2020 The world of boxing is dominated by loud, braggadocious personalities. Figures like Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson and, of course, Muhammad Ali became as famous for their personal journeys as they were for their pugilism. But while much is known about those names, we know less about Lennox Lewis, despite the British heavyweight champion having a [...]
Billie documentary review – an oral history of Billie Holiday November 12, 2020 Great documentaries are often founded on great discoveries. In the case of James Erskine’s Billie, that discovery is a treasure trove of interviews by the late Linda Lipnack Kuehl. A writer based in Washington, she spent a decade between the 60s and 70s researching a book about Billie Holiday, interviewing friends, fellow performers, and key [...]
The Mandalorian Season 2 episode by episode: S2E1 review November 6, 2020 *** SPOILERS AHEAD: If you haven’t watched the most recent episodes of The Mandalorian Season 2, look away now*** The debut episode of Season 2 was something to behold. The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) got to lean into the show’s Western influences by defending a small town from a giant dragon, alongside a great guest star [...]
Lucky Grandma review – growing old disgracefully November 5, 2020 Chinese legend Tsai Chin will be a familiar face to many, with six decades of success including two Bond films, 90s hit The Joy Luck Club, and a recurring role on the series Gray’s Anatomy. Those unfamiliar with her talents will certainly remember the name after seeing her as the grouchy lead in this striking [...]
Luxor review – Andrea Riseborough shines in a story of love and trauma November 5, 2020 An early selling-point of cinema was its ability to allow people to see locations on the other side of the world, places they could never dream of getting to in person. A century on, current restrictions mean we are once again travelling through our screens, and new drama Luxor provides the perfect antidote for those [...]
Mogul Mowgli review: Riz Ahmed shines in timely rap drama October 29, 2020 There’s something joyous about seeing a star let loose in a passion project after a long period in Hollywoodland. Mogul Mowgli’s co-writer, producer and star Riz Ahmed revels in the project, putting in a performance that stands as one of his best. He plays Zed, a British-Pakistani rapper living in New York where his music [...]
