Lesbian Space Princess

Courtesy of Peccadillo Pictures

The animated space is far too often predominantly aimed at a younger audience, or is automatically assumed to be more for children. But thankfully the animators out there that make animated content aimed at adults or exploring subjects that are more for an adult audience are doing excellent work. The latest names to be added to this group, writer-directors Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese have created what should be the newest obsession for fans of animated films and comedic entertainment. Lesbian Space Princess is a hilarious, relatable sci-fi adventure, with a fun appealing style that feels right at home amongst the likes of Adventure Time, Tuca and Bertie and Final Space.

Introverted Princess of Clitopolos Saira, is devastated when her girlfriend, Kik the Destroyer dumps her right before the Lesbian Ball, especially as she was looking forward to not attending alone this year. Saira already feel inadequate and overshadowed by the Queens, her moms who are very popular. But when Kiki is kidnapped by the Straight White Maliens, Saira has to make the dangerous journey to save her, and then maybe this will convince her ex to take her back.

Hough Hobbs and Varghese have created such a fun world with a very entertaining variety of characters, all while exploring the themes of self worth and of course, self discovery. The LGBTQ+ themes that runs throughout are also very much appreciated. The jokes are on point, whether they are subtle or absolutely in your face, with great voice performances from a fantastically assembled comedic and dramatic cast. The setting of space doesn’t dilute any of the themes or topics and is frankly, a refreshing science fiction adventure. There is very little to fault Lesbian Space Princess, except maybe some parts of the story are rushed through and not given the proper time they deserve, mainly when some important information comes to light about why Saira may be so shy, anxious and lonely. But maybe this could be explored further in a follow up adventure? Here’s hoping there may be more to explore.

Arco

 

Courtesy of Picturehouse Entertainment

In the distant peaceful future, 2932,, time travel is a normal occurrence, where anyone aged 12 and over is able to experience. Impatient to travel through time himself, 10 year old Arco steals his sister’s flight suit and sets out, only to find himself, by mistake, in 2075. Robots are common in homes and society, performing essential jobs and services. Extreme weather conditions ravage the Earth, but most homes and buildings can be kept in protective bubbles. Here is where Arco befriends 10 year old Iris who had been wishing for something in her life to change.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

LITTLE AMÉLIE (or The Character of Rain)

 

Courtesy of Vue Lumiere

Animation outside of the major studios has been evolving. While we’ve all been slowly getting fed up with the sequels (except for Zootropolis 2) and uninventive stories being churned out, animated films have been making a huge impact. The likes of K-Pop Demon Hunters dominated last year, Flow making a historical win at the Oscars and one for the adults, stop motion animation film, Memoir of a Snail leaving an impression on audiences, animated films are evolving, or at least more are being seen by wider audiences. It's exciting to see the weird and unusual animated films alongside the more emotional and grounded stories being honoured at award ceremonies. Little Amelie or The Character of Rain is a shining beacon of hope that progress is being made.

Based on the memoir by Amélie Nothomb, the film follows Amelie, the youngest of three, born into a Belgium family living in Japan. We witness Amelie from birth, as she learns her place in the world and discovers the wonders of the world and her close bond with the family’s housekeeper Nishio-san.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

How to Train Your Dragon (live action)

 

The usual approach to any live action version of any animation is to be cautious. Disney’s tack-less parade of live action remakes that have been one bore after another and in some cases, not as profitable as the House of Mouse had hoped for, have become a staple in the cinematic calendar. Each year a new abomination makes it’s way to the big screen or small screen and reviews are usually middling, good but not great, ok but not necessary. The obvious reason as to why these films get made is, money. Disney want to make money but peddling the same ideas and not creating new ones, which is a creative shame. The worry that other studios that have produced beloved animated films would follow suit had been at the back of my mind for sure. But I never thought it would be Dreamworks with How to Train Your Dragon.

How to Train Your Dragon first arrived in cinemas back in 2010 and was a welcome sensation. Spawning two sequels in 2014 and 2019, along with spin off series and shorts exploring the world of dragons with the same characters. The world built around these characters and their dragons felt like nothing before, hence why the films and extras were so successful. When the filming was quietly announced, it felt like a prank that a live action version was being filmed until suddenly a cast was ensembled and the film had been shot. You could say, the film’s release coincided on purpose with the opening of Isle of Berk at Orlando, Florida and that maybe the two were creates to market the other. All is probably true but we still got a film that we didn’t see coming.

HTTYD is essentially, if not shot for shot, sometimes line for line, the exact same as the 2010 original. But its still feels the same. Carrying the emotional wave, we felt 15 years ago but just a little more realistic. Hiccup is still the outsider in Berk, his father is still the chief disappointed that his son is not exactly Viking material. Hiccup still injures and eventually creates an unbreakable bond with Toothless the Night Fury dragon and together they change the course of Viking and dragon history. Story wise, it is the same. There is nothing to fault the storytelling or the plot, its what we know, what we love and nothing to fault it.

The casting for the film is very satisfying, especially with the re-casting of Gerard Butler as Chief Stoick the Vast. The stand outs are of course is Mason Thames who embodies Hiccup completely and Nico Parker as Astrid who jumps into this role whole heartedly.

But the most magical and they always will be, are the dragons. Apparently, some thought they were too scary for kids, but this film is really for the adults who saw the original, if we’re being honest. The dragons still maintain their characters, which is usually what is lost in live action films when it comes to animals. Thankfully, Toothless still feels and looks like Toothless. The other dragons too have their moments and it’s a relief to still see them maintain that wonder. 

Overall, apart from a few wobbly non important contextual plot points but in essence, HTTYD live action has the same beating heart of the original animation. So, beyond saying, its all for money, if the film is essentially the same, no matter how good it is, what was the actual point?

Flow

It may feel like there hasn’t been a challenger to Disney/Pixar for a long time, but in fact, the house of mouse has missed out at the Oscar’s for Best Animated Film the last three years. Not only is this refreshing but it shows that more animated films are finally being able to make an impression and break through to audiences. Dreamworks of course has been working away and creating some truly spectacular films over the last few years as well (bar that new Shrek film by the looks of it), but its with Studio Ghibli winning last year with The Boy and the Heron and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio the year before, there finally feels like a shift happening with animation. This feeling was cemented with the historic win this year when Flow took home the prize, a first time ever win for Latvia and for co-writer and director Gints Zilbalodis.

Flow follows a black cat who lives in a world where humans no longer exist, though there are remanences from what they left behind. When the land is suddenly flooded, the cat, by chance encounters other animals, equally lost, who all end up in a boat together. As they drift along, the group must learn to work together and navigate these new waters.

 

Full review over at Filmhounds.

The War of the Rohirrim

 

The Lord of the Rings has a lot to answer for. As much as this trilogy has shaped cinema, whether those who dislike the films and fantasy don’t want to admit, TLOTR were three films to be admired. Changing the way blockbusters are made, stepping up the use of practical and VFX and not to mention the rich storytelling and world of Tolkien, these films have stood the test of time. However, once they had all released, they left a void that studios wanted, needed to fill. The Hobbit was made, but unfortunately three films was too much. Then Amazon decided we needed another prequel, and instead of following the many books Tolkien wrote about Middle Earth, we were gifted The Rings of Power. The show divided fans of TLOTR and the books alike. But the most irritating part of The Rings of Power is the use of The Lord of the Rings name, using like a brand. This was disappointing we; the audience couldn’t just enjoy the show for what it is, a story with new exciting characters. We are forever doomed to have the characters from TLOTR loom over these tales. When it was announced that there was another film on the horizon, this time animation and set in Rohan, there was intrigue and even excitement. But when once again TLOTR was slapped on the title, you could feel fan’s hearts sink. This branding that studios insist on having ruins the feel and tone of the film before anyone has even seen it. We are pre-programmed to expect to love what we are about to see just because of the branding. Something the studios really need to rethink. Leave The Lord of the Rings alone. By all means, create something new but stop branding it incorrectly, especially as War of the Rohirrim has nothing to do with TLOTR.

Set many years before The Hobbit, and years before The Lord of the Rings, we are told about Hera, daughter of king Helm Hammerhand of Rohan. Narrated by none other than the Shield Maiden of Rohan herself, Eowyn, she tells us of a tale about someone who could have very much inspired Eowyn’s actions in TLOTR. When Wulf, a banished son of a disgraced lord of Rohan returns for vengeance, set on killing Helm, Hera and her two brothers, the entire Rohan is threatened. After a brief battle, the people of Edoras retreat to their stronghold, a place very familiar for fans. There they try and out wait their enemies who surround them. After a series of tragedies, Hera is the one who stands up for her people and executes a plan to win back the crown and defeat this villain once and for all.

With very brief mentions of neighbouring Gondor and dig about how they cannot be trusted, along with one quick relevant cameo and a name drop. The War of the Rohirrim thankfully doesn’t fall into the same trap as The Rings of Power. The story and characters are heroic, stoic, and devastating but despite being new additions, they are far from fresh. Acting as stock characters in any other fantasy or historical drama, the story feels more like a Studio Ghibli film, complete with a ‘strong female lead’ who even mentions several times she doesn’t need a man and doesn’t want to get married. While this may seem progressive and what people think feminism is, by now, this feels old hat. Even the entire reason for the war in the first place seems like a very tired trope, with the villain, Wulf wanting revenge for his father’s death, it seems far more obvious he was annoyed Hera rejected him romantically. Thousands die - its war after all - but all because a woman said no to a man. Stripping the narrative to the bone, this is essentially what happens.

Another aspect that lets the film down is the length. A third of the film is set during a siege in Winter whether nothing momentous happens. Apart from a not so mysterious being is killing the enemy one by one. But this section drags out and it’s a shame as the action and momentum the film began with grinds to a halt and tries very hard to pick up the pace at the end but fails to rekindle the magic that could have saved it.

But it is not all cold weather and angry little men, we learn some of Rohan’s history and some mythology about certain creatures. Though the battle scenes feel and look very familiar, one is very much like the Pelennor Fields and the other is literally at Helm’s Deep (spoiler, the stronghold was named after Helm), but they are thrilling to watch, especially without the presence of Elves and the Fellowship. The animation is also the most stunning element of the film. The filmmakers have captured why we all fell in love with Middle Earth and focused in on lands that are (at first) intriguing to explore. But as for further tales of Rohan? If they were to be something completely new then they would be welcomed but of its more of the same, we have certainly reached journeys end.

The Secret of NIMH

 

There is an argument to be had about the animation renaissance and when it truly began. Most would say it came with Disney and The Little Mermaid, but some may equate the changes began with Don Bluth and The Secret of NIMH. Released in 1982 the film was released to a modest fanfare making double its budget at the overall box office but the real success was on home video, the old reliable (back then) VHS market. Based on the book, Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien, our heroine’s name changed to Brisby for the film due to trademark issues. The idea to adapt the book has originally been a possible project for Disney but they weren’t interested. Don Bluth felt there was a story needing to be told and he knew exactly how.

Recently widowed Mrs Brisby is in desperate need of help. Moving day has arrived early, Farmer Fitzgibbons is about the plough the field where she lives. But Timmy, one of her four children, is sick with pneumonia and cannot be moved. Advised by the wisest creature around, The Great Owl tells her to seek help to move her home from the mysterious and secretive rates that live in the rosebush. These aren’t just any rats, as they have a secret, just like Mrs Brisby’s husband Jonathan before he died, and these rats want something in return.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

Robot Dreams

 

How do you encapsulate loneliness, friendship, happiness, desperation, and grief all into one story with no dialogue and yet speak volumes? Robot Dreams, released earlier this year but did the festival circuit in 2023, is an understated, beautifully created film that barely scratched the surface of the box office. 

Released by Curzon in the UK, it might have appeared that Robot Dreams was an arthouse film, an animation not particularly aimed at children and more for adults who know all too well what the Dog and Robot are each going through, to a point. Having no dialogue make seem like its cutting itself off but with no speech to change the tone of the story, the characters that inhabit this world (animals, some anthrophonic) are free to just be. Retaining some typical characteristics, such as Dog’s happy wagging tail, actually makes these characters more relatable, aligning with the animals with what we already recognise. This aspect could also be appealing to children in the audience. But overall, the absence of dialogue gives more space to take in everything. This beautifully animated and on the whole joyful style of the film is pleasing to the eye. The story is told through actions but it is the expressions that really hit home. This is the part for the adults watching to appreciate. Animation has for too long been associated with a younger audience, but its films like Robot Dreams, showing there is a careful balance so anyone can enjoy the story.

Robot Dreams certainly is a gem hidden among all the bigger animation studios and probably even overlooked in favour of the ‘bigger’ films, but its one that stands on for its style, story and unconventional approach to those more complex situations we can find ourselves in.

My Father's Dragon - BFI London Film Festival

 

Fantasy stories aimed at children are made of a special kind of magic. Not everything is filled with logic and you tend to believe everything put in front of you. There is a delight in letting go and being taken along for the cinematic ride. My Father’s Dragon is a story that fills your heart and soul with joy and even despair at times. It captures the innocence of childhood and offers up harsh reality alongside its fantastical moments. Cartoon Saloon has done it again, created another film that you’ll want to watch over and over, no matter what age you are.

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE. 

Seal Team

Animated films are usually thrown into four different categories; those that are Disney/Pixar, those that are considered Anime, those from major studios and those that are none of the above. Just like independent film, animation also struggles to get a look in. When films appear on the streaming platforms you subscribe to, there is no doubt going to be a fair few animated films aimed at across the ages, unceremoniously dumped there alongside the latest films, TV series and documentaries. One of these films, caught my eye. 

Seal Team is about a colony of Cape Fur Seals (that look very much like sea lions, but fur seals are a separate species of pinnipeds) who go on a mission to defeat sharks threatening their home. But it plays out like an 80s action film and its actually really entertaining. 

Why am I writing about a film about command unit of seals? Firstly, I love seals but I’ll settle for an action film about fur seals. There’s even a basking shark that goes on the radio wanting to discuss how sharks are portrayed in the media. Plus, singer Seal is featured playing Seal Seal and as an added bonus Dolph Lundgren plays a dolphin named Dolph who smokes cigars and has ridiculous catchphrase. How could you resist this? 

When his best friend is taunted then eaten (off screen) by an extra evil great white shark named Grimes, Quinn stumbles about grizzled commando-esque Claggert who used to run navy missions (alongside humans) until he made an error blowing up the ship he now haunts. Quinn brings together a crack team of seals, with Claggert’s guidance, to defeat the sharks once and for all and defend their colony. 

As promised, this is an 80s action film, complete with weird ocean related gadgets, amusing backstories, fool proof plans and an over-the-top military plan that goes wrong until it goes spectacularly right. The comedy mixed with the comradery of the team works amazingly well. Each team member brings something bizarre and unique to the team and the film as a whole. Granted there are more laughs adults would get rather than the children watching who will just enjoy the seals being seals (but then, who doesn’t enjoy watching seals flop around on land?) but the smaller touches, more obvious jokes (Seal Seal of course and its actually him) and the homages to the typical action genre are for the older viewers. I would go as far to say this is a spoof but that would be taking away the essence that this film is, pure joy. 

Why aren’t there more films like this random gem?

Watch List: May & June

Luca

Pixar and Disney's latest about two sea monster pals who dream of running away and exploring the world is adorable. The sea monsters themselves are intricate characters who feel more than just legends of the deep. When curious Luca meets confident Alberto, another sea monster living alone on an island, the two immediately bond over their desire to explore. Once the boys make their way to mainland, set in Italy, their story really begins. They meet Giulia, a little girl who's Dad is a fisherman with a cat that finds the boys very suspicious. The story it seems is about friendship and knowing when to let go and move on, but of course with Pixar there always has to be statements. The film morphs from one lesson to another, accepting others, trustung your friends and about family. One aspect which is neglected is the reason why Alberto is alone on an island when we first meet him. We get a slight insight but nothing more than one tear soaked scene and nothing more, which is shame. Overall, its an adorable story set by the idyllic Italian coast, a sweet getaway when you can't travel. 3/5

Shiva Baby

 

Full review HERE 4/5

The United States vs 

Billie Holiday

 

Full review HERE 

Summerland

 

Having missed this film, the first time round last year, I caught up with the sweet story about a reclusive writer of folklore and young boy separated from his family, far from home. Although there is heartfelt story of lost love in flashbacks and a revelation at the climax of the film, this is really all about two lost people needing comfort, one knowing and other not realising they missed it. Gemma Arterton is brilliant as the moody writer who has shut herself away from the world to the annoyance of the village, but this role suits Arterton perfectly. Adding the beautiful location, this sweet story by the coast during wartime is a delight. 3/5

Dinner in America

 

Full review HERE

When Marnie was there

 

Adapted from the book of the same name, the film brilliantly exports the story from its origianl location to a small country town in Japan. Anna is sent away to stay with relatives of her foster mother so that she can get well again. While in the town Anna becomes obsessed with a house that sits away from the town across a marsh. She has dreams about a girl named Marnie until she actually meets her in person. But its very clear the two girls are from different times but somehow can interact with each other at certain times. Over her stay, Anna tries to find out the mystery of their connection and who Marnie really is. The story is very on brand for Studio Ghibli, feeling grounded in the real world and the spirit world. The friendship between the girls is developed very quickly as if they already had a predetermined connection. Capturing pure joy and lonliness is the art that Ghibli has created so well over the years and this is no different. 4/5

God's Waiting Room

 

Full review HERE 

Nomadland

 

There was such a lowkey hype about Nomadland at festivals that I didn'y may close attention. There is no clear storyline or plot, just a year in the life of Fern, a nomad who drives from site to site taking on seasonal work in different states. We get to see her with her fellow nomad friends, on own adventure, with her sister who doesn't understand her lifestyle and in her town that no longer exists. Not only a comment on how the recession affected certain people and age groups, its showing that there are other ways to live but there is an underlying comment on how town can be so reliant on a factory to keep everything turning but within a blink of an eye that town can just disappear. Beautifully shot, a sombre character piece that is full of sadness and joy at the same time. 4/5

Away

 

Rarely has a film intentionally silent film been ab keto capture the imagination without uttering a single word like Away does. There are animated films such as WALL-E where half the film is without a large amount of dialogue but incorporates different sounds and eventually robotic voices and noises before introducing characters that talk. Away shows us a world that looks like something we’ve seen somewhere and lands us immediately into a story that could be interpreted in a myriad of ways, which is, apart from the beautiful simplistic style of animation, is its key charm.

 

A young boy finds himself in a strange island after waking up suspended in a parachute. After narrowly escaping a strange entity, the boy ends up on a journey across the island. Along with a little bird as his companion, meeting other animals and encountering beautiful landscapes, they try to reach civilisation and out run the ominous entity that pursues them.

Director Gints Zilbalodis creatively constructs a world, its rules and brings us along for the ride through the boy in the story. By choosing no dialogue, there is no point of the film where you feel as if you’ve been removed from the world created. There are moments of pure bliss and freedom followed by those of ever closing despair that are all portrayed by creatures that show little emotion yet these immense feelings are manifested. At first glance is seems as if the film is not yet completed but the simplistic style of the animation strips back what is needed to enjoy the story being told. The scenes details, the landscapes are beautiful, in particular the mirror lakes. As the film doesn’t try to manipulate the audience into thinking how and why the boy ended up on the island, one interpretation is that it feels like a video game. As the boy collects items along the way, following a road that is mapped out with giant rings that signify a change in terrain, he also encounters different creatures, all the while checking where he is going according the postcard map, he finds with the backpack and motorbike he finds at the start of his journey. It’s as if he must complete levels at each chapter of the story.

 

It is indeed a beautifully formed film that feel unconventional and a style that needs to be used more in feature films. A journey story that is unlike any other, whether it is real, a dream or a game that one has to play, Away is the ultimate escapism that we all need right now.

 

 

Now available on Curzon Home Cinema and available to buy on all digital platforms

Merry Christmas

Every year I watch a Christmas film I’ve never seen before, may be old or new. The added tradition now is I add the latest Netflix Christmas film too, but this year only a series caught my eye, Dash & Lily which was exactly what I had expected from Netflix. Wholesome, teen orientated romantic, family drama with a smattering of comedy. It got me in the Christmas mood at least. Instead of adding one more film to the mix, I ended watching several Christmas films I had never seen before. In these times, what else was there to do? I can at least savour the fact that I got to watch two favourites in the cinema before we were all deprived of that joy.

 

One film in particular has stayed with me throughout the month as I saw it in the first week of December. Released last year, on Netflix BUT not the typical Netflix film, Klaus. No idea how I missed this film last year. It is one of the most beautiful animated films I’ve seen in a very long time (Wolfwalkers aside here, this is Christmas). It tells the story of how Christmas was started or at least how the myth, the legend, the story of how Father Christmas was created and not from his point of view but from a spoilt arrogant postman sent to the back of beyond as a punishment. Rolling into one film a Scrooge type character who begins his quest to post 6,000 letters in a year by getting the children to send letters to the reclusive, woodsman who makes toys. The story isn’t forced or cliché as it unfolds, its magical, heart-warming and doesn’t go over the top. Even the side plot about the rivalry between two families in the town doesn’t derail this very wholesome tale of friendship, gift giving and yes, letters. The filmmakers even manage to include folklore and the Sami people too.

 

How on earth did this film lost out at the Oscars to Toy Story 4, which wasn’t the greatest, I’ll never understand. But at least the film will get a lease of life every Christmas season and hopefully more people will enjoy and know the wonder that is Klaus.

 

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas wherever you are!

 

Wolfwalkers - BFI London Film Festival

 

Magic, folklore and an unlikely friendship all wrapped up in a beyond beautiful animated splendor from Irish animation house Cartoon Saloon. I cannot express how much I loved this film, every frame is pure delight and it was just so refreshing to see a film about friendship and something other than a fairytale. Folklore is so rich with stories, there is so much to explore.

My full review can be read HERE over at Filmhounds.

Watch List: April & May & June

This really should be called Watch List: Lockdown edition but as I don't really want to look back at posts in the future and see the words 'lockdown' in the title, I'll stick to the months. I've rewatched quite a few TV shows and binged throughed new ones but I seem to be winding down. I've gone back over my watch list on Netflix mainly and plucked a few films from there to watch. As there are no new cinema releases, the excitement of going to the cinema is still yet to happen, new releases on streaming services are less exciting but non the less available. I've taken to renting a few titles as well as watching films on Sundays with friends over Zoom but I haven't included every single film I've watched. This is a selection I wanted to write about as I really don't think me mentioning 'Mr Nanny' is going to add to anything.

The Platform

Not always eager to watch the latest horror film but the premise of this Netflix film was something that disgusted and fascinated me. Also having watched this at the start of lockdown really was the cherry on top of the hell cake. Set in a gigantic concrete tower spanning suposedly 200 floors, each floor with two peopl, some criminals, others volunteers and a rectangle hole in the floor, a platform travels down the tower stopping at each level for 1 minute. This platform is filled with food but as it travels down, there is less and less food for everyone. The film is literally a comment on the distribution of wealth and how humanity has failed this. The film is bleak, there's no way to shy away from that but its discussions between the protagonist and his cell mates are what give this story meaning and hammer home that there could be enough food for everyone if they rationed. The realisations at the end are the real horror as they aren't shock moments, they linger in your mind long after the credits roll. 4/5

Love. Wedding. Repeat.

Standard. Rom-com. This literally is a colour by numbers rom-com ticking all the boxes you'd find in the genre. But it is set apart from other films set at weddings by offering several possible outcomes, all with a very amusing scenarios but each ending in chaos and disappointment for most of the characters. With an assortment of characters each with their own plot, it is entertaining and romantic in all the right places. Would be interesting to see the original French film, 'Plan de Table' and its any different. 3/5

Proud Mary

This was a film I almost saw at the cinema, if it had been given a decent release so I was very excited to see it pop up on Netflix. Unfortunately I was left with a knot in my stomach at how disappointing it was. I love hitman films, I love them more when its female protagonist and I love Taraji P. Henson BUT there was literally nothing beyond that. Henson deserved so muc more. The plot was so thin that it didn't make any sense and it ended up being about a kid and how Mary ended up helping that kid. Why do all stories set up to seem like a thriller end up being about a woman protecting a kid? Or falling for the wrong guy? Seriously?? When are we going to get a story about a hitman or hitwoman where she's free from this and able to have her own storyline?? 1/5

The Matchmaker

As an avid fan of Janeane Garofalo I of course went looking for films she was in and hadn't seen and this very hidden gem from 1997 was one that was accessible. As with this type of rom-com, fish out of water, out of towner, culture clash, the plot is high concept for little impact. Garofalo works for a Boston politician running for re-election and sends her to Ireland to look for his supposed Irish roots. But when she arrives in the small town, its right in the middle of the annual matchmaking festival and guess what? She is a a cynic when it comes to romance. There's laughs, there's some kind of love and a bit of sad note before the end but on the whole, its was surprisingly good. 3/5

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote

We've waited over 25 years for Terry Gilliam's magnum opus and after all those changes and re-writes, i think the moment has passed. My full review is over at Vulturehound HERE.

Circus of Books

There are stories within stories when the main subject begins with a book or a film or a beloved and famous bookstore within a local community. Director Rachel Mason delves deep inside the bookstore her parents owned as it plans to close its doors, talking to the people who loved, patroned and worked at the store. The otherside to this film is about how her brothers and her didn't know until much later that it was a gay pornography store, their family history and how their parents kept it this information quiet from them. At times uplifting and inspiring but the personal history of the family steals the hard hitting moments. 4/5

Misbehaviour

Released on the cusp of the cinemas closing down and with little flare, I fear that this brilliant piece of British film will suffer the fate of 'Emma'. Based on the events surrounding the 1970 Miss World competition when Women's Liberation activists staged a protest during the live televised show. We get an insight into the activists lives, the contestants in the pagent and those hosting. These are the films and subjects that need to be shown. The end shots of the real life people and what happened to them after the event is beautifully edged into the frame and inspiring to see what these women accomplished. More of this please. 4/5

To the Stars

An unexpected gem that came out of nowhere, hopefully this will be a hit later on when an audience discovers it. Rent/buy this film!! My full review can be read HERE. 4/5

The Lovebirds

I thought this would get a cinema release but having seen it, I can see why it didn't depsite having the dynamite duo of Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani who are so fun to watch but even they can't save the mediocre plot about a secret organisation, blackmail and a corrupt cop. The jokes are there but the couple plot verses the film plot doesn't quite have a balance. Can we get these two in another film together? Also, enjoyed seeing the town where I live appear on screen at the end. 3/5

The Man Who Cried

This film caught my eye while looking through the endless list of films on Netflix (that will happen quite a bit as its lockdown...) and as this is a Sally Potter film, thought it was long overdue to check out her filmography. Potter directed and wrote this story about a young Russian Jewish girl who is separated from her father when he travels to America and her village is burnt down. Her journey back to her father takes her to Paris where she first becomes a dancer then part of an opera company, until the Nazis invade France and she must decide whether to stay or escape. There are low key brilliant performances all round here and it surprising how I hadn't heard of this film before, especially with the cast. An unexpected gem amongst the teen dramas. 3/5

The Legacy of the Bones

I read the first in this trilogy, 'The Invisible Guardian' and was pleased to see the rather faithful adaptation. This second enstallment focuses much closer on Amaia and her psychotic mother, delving deeper into her past and the connect that she has with serveral suicides. Discovering baby bones buried on the family home property and the possible resurrection of a witch like cult, the story and cases become entangled with Amaia once again. This story was even more terrifying than the first as we learn what Amaia's mother was really up to, more family secrets start to surface. 3/5

Body Cam

A horror film that I think was released at either the wrong or right time. My full review is over at Vulturehound HERE. 3/5

Splitting Heirs

A riduculous black comedy from 1993 where Eric Idle and Rick Moranis were switched at birth, now the latter is the Duke of Bournemouth and the former spends the film trying to bump him off so he can claim his rightful title. It is amsuing, far fetched beyond recognition but with John Cleese thrown in there as a shady lawyer along with Catherine Zeta-Jones before she disappeared off to Hollywood and had to fake her own Welsh accent, its not as unwatchable as anticipated. 3/5

The Assistant

This film was much more than I thought it was going to be it deserved it's own post which can be read HERE. 5/5

The Addams Family

Having rewatched the 90s Addams Family films many many times, its hard to picture anyone else as the family. Although the voice cast are quite good matches, the animation is not as pleasing. The story is bold and very in keeping with style of the Addams we know, involving a power hungry TV home make over host and her plans to get rid of the Addams whose home is not fitting with her asthetics but I can't help but going back to the quirky delights of the 90s. 2/5

Plus One

Two best friends from college agree to be each others plus ones at 10 weddings that seem to be happening all in the same year. This is the kind of rom-com I get enjoy, both the leads are cynical, forthright and funny, plus they are the OTP right in front of each other but take a while to realise it. There's genuine friendship followed by genuine attraction and affection. Apart from having to swallow the unrealistic amount of weddingings that they are both invited to, I really enjoyed this one. 4/5

Watch List 2019

This year, I keep saying it, has been an odd one for films, especially at the festivals. There has been notable ends to massive franchises, Avengers and now Star Wars, as well as some fantastic stories with women front and centre as well as films by women getting the praise they deserve. These are my films of the year, usually picked from what I've written about each month, but we all know I lapsed towards the end. I have included films from festivals as they were brilliant and I think count as a release in the UK. If you're wondering where Jojo Rabbit and Portrait of a Woman on Fire is, they come out next year so I'm afraid won't be included in this year.

This one crept up and made a huge impact on all comic book fans. Its the best comic book film I've seen, maybe even better than my beloved Guardians of the Galaxy. This Spider-Man film not only manages to side step some of the terrible films that came out, it even pokes fun at them. The fact that there are multiple universes and each one there is a Spider-Person must mean that there are multiple versions of all the Marvel characters. In this film, this is Miles' time to shine. The film introduces a new Spider-Man, passes the baton, gives him a worthy story to work with, gives him THE best mentor a would be hero could ask (Peter B. Parker perfectly cast/voiced by Jake Johnson) for AND even has time to introduce 4 other great Spider characters from multiple universes AND bring villain King Pin back to his original place, fighting Spidey as well make Dr Oct a woman voiced by the amazing Kathryn Hahn, literally all my dreams came true with this film. Story and characters aside, the film is brilliantly animated, making it look like a comic literally came to life, with the voiceover, speech bubbles, the black lines of the panels. This film is so brilliantly constructed, it shows up all the previous efforts, this film is pure comic book heart.
 
I first saw the trailer late at night while clicking through various posts and immediately regretted and was excited by it. Using a classic hip hop song to lure you in to the hellscape that await you - genius. A simple story at the core of the film, a family goes on vacation to the beach and are then terrorised by their distorted doubles, leaves so much room for the bigger issues being explored. Appreciating every aspect of the film and how much actual detail in the film is actually enjoyable, inbetween stuffing my mouth with my jacket to stop me yelling out in fear of course. The fact that Jordan Peele's horror film(s) are grounded in the horrific nature of human beings mkaes the horror feel much closer to home, even if a little bit of sci-fi is used to enhance the premise. With creepy twists and turns throughout as well as forehsadowing galore, its much more than I expected.

 So much has been said about Claire Denis' science fiction slightly horror toned drama where Robert Pattinson looks after a baby, at least that's putting it lightly. Death row inmates are given the chance to serve science by journeying into space to extract energy from a black hole. Aboard this particular ship is Dr Dibs, who is obsessed with making babies. She collectes sperm from the willing male inmates and tries to impregnate the female inmates. There is also the terrifyingly shot 'fuck box' which the crew uses to masturbate, all except Monte, nicknamed, the monk. Existence on the ship shifts from sedative induced nights to bleak days, some of the crew finds solace in the ship's garden, others stare into the vast space around them. The mystery unfolds of how Monte comes to be the only crew member left, plus a baby to care for but the true myteries are left unanswered. Such as why were they sent there, what crimes brought them to the ship (only two inmates' backgrounds are revealed) and are there more ships apart from the one with stray dogs? It's a science fiction peice of art that you can dwell on for days. Horror, is other people and the feeling that you're not in control seeps into the cracks of the ship and story and never really leaves you, as well as that damn 'fuck box'.

 An ode to being in the 8th Grade or in the UK, I think this is first year of secondary school. Captures exactly how it feels to be this age. I wrote all about how much I loved this film and everything its about HERE. 

Is it an origin story or is a slow burn thriller into the dark and dirty depressing side of comedy? Well maybe both. Its the film that caused the biggest discourse of the year. I wrote a long post on this one, so brace yourself, especially if you didn't like the film. Read it HERE. 

A brilliantly scripted story about two best friends and one night where they want to prove they are fun as well as smart. My post about the film is HERE.

This was my favourite film from EIFF and its about a woman who really can't be bothered to 'grow up', its superb. Really hoping this still gets a release in the UK. My review is over at VultureHound HERE.

Pedro Almodovar is back and he's back not with a vengence or comedy or thriller but a story very close to his heart, or at least it feels that way. Full review is over at Vulturehound HERE.

Jean Dujardin is Georges. He is obessesed with his deerskin jacket. What if his jacket was the only one in the world? Armed with a video camera, a plastic poncho and a ceiling fan blade, he can make that dream come true. The full review is over at Vulturehound and can be read HERE.

Two best friends, one writer, one party connoisseur, live in Dublin drinking their way through life, until one starts to look at their live without the ‘fun’ filter. I wrote more about the film HERE.

Based the novel 'The Sopranos' taking us back to the 90s, a group of friends are let loose on the streets of Edinburgh before a school choir competition, all with similar things in mind, booze, boys and having fun. My full review can be read HERE on Zavvi.