The Gentlemen
Ever
wondered what made Guy Ritchie the director he is? Some would argue
that he's made some terrible films (Revolver, King Arthur) and some
truely amazing films (Lock, Stock..., Snatch, RocknRolla) and when he's
stepped out of his comfort zones, mixed reviews (Aladdin). But Ritchie
is a creature of habbit. He is at his best in London making up stories
about gangsters. That's literally what this is mixed in with a scandal.
It's pure Brit grit classic gangster shenanigans with a witty script and
even better weird characters that inhabit the grim ends of London. I
enjoyed it for what it was but I think a lot of people were underwhelmed
by Ritche's latest, saying it was the same old same old. True, it is.
But its what he does best and I can appreciate him at his best. 3/5
Hustlers
Can't believe I overlooked this film when it first came out... and here I am dedicating an entire post to it.
HERE.4/5
The Personal History of David Copperfield
Not
my favourite Dickens as it is very depressing, however the amazing cast
assembled was too good to miss and I was not disappointed. David goes
from loved son to outcast to loved nephew to gentleman to poor man to
author and its all mapped out through the eccentric characters he meets,
collecting scraps of paper to remember each person and their
mannerisms. Very funny and depressing as hell in places, but its as
expected as it is Dickens. But this is one of the best adaptaions I've
seen of his works. 4/5
Queen & Slim
Starts
out like other films but takes the 'lovers on the run' genre trope and
twists it on the head. Two fantastic characters in an extraordinary
situation with only one way to end. Topical and socially adept, a
brilliant film that I hope stretches as far as the characters in the
film reach. 4/5
Weathering With You
Made
by the creators of 'Your Name' so I knew I'd love it. The animation is
beautiful, with dahses of fantasty one minutes and crashing reality on
the streets of the city the next. Ultimately a heart warming and
wrenching story at the same time throughout. The dramatics teenagers are
going through is heightened to the skies when runaway Hodaka Morishima meets Hina Amano
,
a weather maiden who can stop the rain and pray for the sunshine. The
story and the characters are even set in the same world as 'Your Name'
characters but the film doesn't quite have the emotional punch the
previous film had but its still a wonderfully animated film complete
with indie rock soundtrack to keep you in the mood. 3/5
Parasite
Truely
worthy of being the film to make Oscar history and be internationally
celebrated. Without giving away the story, a family living in a basement
level flat in poverty, trying to secure minimal paying jobs, work their
way into a wealthy family's home. But even this small, reasonable ideal
can come with a heavy price. There is so much subtext, with twists and
shocks to keep you transfixed on the screen. A thriller with few
thrills, a horror story with little blood and a drama that is subtle
where it counts, its a fantastic film. As above, so below. 5/5
Birds of Prey
Absolutely
loved this film. Far better than the other films in the DC cannon. Fun,
funny and emotional. Plus now all I want is to find a sandwich that
would be good enough for Harley Quin to nearly die for. I wrote about
the film in a bit more detail
HERE in case you'd like to know more. 4/5
Ready or Not
The
concept for this horror-esque thriller is brilliant and yet so simple.
When Grace marries into the Le Domas, on her wedding night she has to
pick a card to determine what game she plays to initiate her into the
family. But instead they try to kill her. Its brilliant. These sort of
things only happen with ridiculously wealthy people and usually
Americans, lets face it. Its chilling but somehow fun at the same time
along with a few laughs. Grace, is also refreshingly normal. She reacts
the same way anyone would in her position, even punching a kid in the
face (he deserves it, watch the film). Fun and games and the occult. 4/5
Greed
Steve
Coogan playing a billionaire arsehole, its very dark, very funny and my
gad does it have a gut punch third act. My full review will be over on
Vulturehound
HERE. 4/5
