The Christophers

courtesy of Picturehouse Entertainment

 

The art world is brutal. Art is only considered art once someone else has deemed it worthy, let alone worth anything. The difference between creating art and making a living in the art world becomes clear very quickly in Steven Soderbergh’s latest. There is no heist, no grand plan, but there is most definitely a crime taking place. This near two-hander story about two artists confronting truths, whether they sound pretentious or not is beyond what is comprehended. This Christophers is an intriguing and beguiling story with Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel taking centre stage, capturing our attention with every word and stoney glare.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

Thrash

 Shark movies have long been considered a sub-genre, whether its action, thriller or horror, sometimes even reducing films that aim to be something more substantial to just another shark film. Thrash is a survival thriller, bringing in severe weather and focusing on various characters in peril, but once the sharks start to appear the film very quickly enters the sub-genre as characters not only have to contend with mother nature on the weather front but also from vicious sharks taking advantage of the situation.

In South Carolina, when a Category 5 hurricane is predicted to hit coastal towns, residents evacuate. A few people remain behind, either because they believe they can ride out the storm or just too late to escape the wrath of the hurricane. Dakota, a young woman who has become agoraphobic since her mother died decides to stay home., Lisa, a heavily pregnant woman left by her fiance tries to leave town only to be swept up in the initial wave of damage and young siblings Dee, Ron and Will are forced to shelter by their foster parents.

With most survival stories, we usually focus on one or two people and watch them struggle to make it through whatever disaster is thrown at them. But here, Thrash follows various people through the storm and later, the sharks. This could have worked if the characters had been linked somehow or eventually ended up in the same place together, at least. Instead we get a disjointed fractured story, that is predictably surrounded by deaths of smaller characters that only provide blood and gore. The little information we have on each character also isn’t really enough for us to care who makes it to the end. Everyone is reduced to a stereotype, resulting in a lazy set up and making our real concern the sharks.

Aside from a very basic storyline, the effects are quite impressive and the stress factor is turns up to the max, especially during a rather horrific birth scene. As the water rises, so does our anxiety but at the back of our minds, we already know how this ordeal will end. Rescue is on the way, a predictable conclusion with no worry of a sequel looms.

Soldier

courtesy of Arrow Video

 

A science fiction action film from the 90s starring Kurt Russell as a military grade highly skilled soldier seems like a long forgotten gem that should be the cult film its been labeled as. However, all these elements only look good on the surface, beneath the shiny intriguing logline, is a script that was left in development for 15 years and is trying to be a spiritual spin off to Blade Runner. The fact that Soldier was released a year before the likes of The Matrix shows just how out of date the film was when it was being made.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

Couture

courtesy of Signature Entertainment

 

There is a never ending fascination into the creative worlds, fashion being one that mesmerizes many on the outside. Though Couture isn’t necessarily for those keen to get a glimpse into the fashion world, but maybe for those looking to see who are the artists that make the glitz and glamour happen and see the very human struggles that they experience.

During Paris Fashion Week, three women; filmmaker Maxine, make-up artist Angèle and new model Ada, all intersect in the lead up to a fashion show.

Full review on Filmhounds.

Madfabulous - BFI Flare

 

courtesy of Icon distribution

The famous quote from Oscar Wilde, “be yourself, everyone else is already taken”, rings true and is often said throughout the historical drama, Madfabulous. The story, based on the notorious Henry Paget, 5th Marquess of Anglesey, follows the young lord as he precariously navigates his family, his fortune and above all his theatrical dreams and desires, going completely against what is expected of someone with his position. With a cast that sparkles, costumes to evoke the past and some fantastic locations, Madfabulous captures a personality in history that we haven’t seen before. 

The 5th Marquess of Anglesey seems like a completely fictional character, brought to life for story purposes. His personality, his behaviour towards the peerage, his blatant disrespect for the stuffy old fashioned rules, all add to the strange character that was indeed a real person. Though Madfabulous does take quite a bit of artistic licence, which makes sense to bring the story to life, the truth runs through, capturing moments that did take place.

Full review over at Filmhounds

Snubbed, Baby

Courtesy of Picturehouse Entertainment and Late Nite Picture Show

Last month I wrote about those films snubbed by the Oscars this year. Though there are many, a few stand out. Snubs happen every year, not every film released can be considered for awards. I go into detail about the subject in Late Nite Picture Show.