Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
A fantastic script with two amazing performances. It would have made my top films of the year BUT its releasedc next year. You can read the full review over at VultureHound
HERE. 4/5
Voyeur
I read an article last year, on The New Yorker website, The Voyeur's Motel and couldn't stop reading. It was fascinating and disturbing at the same time. Stories about and from Gerald Foos' exploits as a motel owner who created a special sound proof annex so he could spy on his guests are strange. This man admitting that he did all this was bizarre enough but the fact that he got away with it, especially witnessing a murder by not reporting it is unsettling. The documentary is more of a visual version of the article, except for the big disappointing twist at the end which turns out to be less of a twist and more of a white lie. The story is brilliant but only while you think its all non fiction. 3/5
The Odyssey
The Real Life Aqautic, an account of part the life of famous explorer, Jacques Cousteau and his relationship with his younger son, Philippe. You can read my full article over at VultureHound
HERE. 3/5
On Body and Soul
There are film that 'change your life' and those that just get through the day, then there are films that creep up on you and make you see something completely unique. Written and directed by Ildikó Enyedi, the film takes place in a slaughterhouse, where two workers discover they are sharing the same dreams. It is essentially a love story with a delicate touch of fantasy. These two souls find each other through unbelievabley strange circumstances. Endre is an older man, who seems to be cut off and as he puts it 'out of the game'. Maria is socially awkward and struggles to communicate with others as well as unable to have a physical connection, she teaches herself to cope with things so that she can be closer to Endre. Their development isn't subtle but it isn't loud booming declarations. They meet each night as deer in a forest, sharing leaves and walking through the snow covered land. There is a tragic peaceful feeling throughout, especially as it is set in death ridden place. Those who are distressed by animals being killed in salughterhouse, I would suggest you skip a long scene near the start, but this horror show moment is coupled with calm moments where pure joy is wonderfully conveyed through stares across a room and forest. It is a beautifully crafted story, colour drained shots make the characters emotions shine through making this film a strange one to watch a declare, this is one of the amazing films I've seen. 4/5
The Disaster Artist
I saw the infamous 'The Room' while at university for the first and only time. One of the guys on my course organised it. He printed out sheets about what to say when and brought in spoons for us to throw. It was hilarious and delivered on the worst bad movie, but this was back when the mysterious
Tommy Wiseau still claimed the film was meant to be serious. Sometime ago he must realised the potential and ran with it, saying it was funny on purpose. The book by his friend and co-star, Greg Sestero, The Disaster Artist detailed how they met, what it was like to make the film and the aftermath of its failure then success. Turning this in a film is exactly what the fans wanted. James Franco goes full meta, acting as Tommy and also directing. His brother Dave plays Greg, is a dup made in bad movie heaven. The film is hilarious from the opening scene. With recreations from The Room along with how Tommy and Greg met and how they made the film is pure brilliance. As well as constant laughter, the emotional and strange happenings is felt by all. But I really think Josh Hutcherson who plays the actor who played Denny should get an award just for his hair, its stole every scene it was in. 4/5
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
I want to avoid spoilers for as long as possible so I will write up a review on another post a little later. Just know that I loved how things were mostly handled and I sort of understand others' qualms. I'm very tempted to give a higher scoring but I'll think again after my second viewing. 4/5
Christmas Inheritance
I don't usually watch these types of 'christmas films' but Netflix were offering up a few to choose from. I like the actors in this one so lumped for a trip back to the stereotypically named Snow Falls, where an heiress goes back to her home town to learn from the people there so she is worthy of taking over the goft company her dad owns and runs. Rtaher silly and very basic but I need something like to distract me and it is full of Christmas cheer, small town weirdness, pleasingly preditable romance and snow storm drama but not drama. 3/5
El Camino Christmas
This was the other Netflix Christmas film I picked which seemed different to the others on offer. An out of town guy comes looking for his father but instead is accused of crimes he didn't commit by a corrupt cop and his naive colleague and accidentally becomes involved and blamed for a heist at a local liquor store. Begins like any other small town vs out of towner but dramatically twists into a strange hostage story then again into serious territory of the truth being revealed at the wrong time. something definitely different for Christmas but doesn't stand out. 2/5
