Watch List January & February

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

Portrait of a Lady on Fire - BFI London Film Festival

This was one of the films that I saved from LFF because I wanted to take my time over it as I felt rushed at the time. Well it took so long to ponder over the impossibly beautiful coast, sky and sea as well as the superb women that take centre stage that the film was to be released on the perfect day, Valentines.

My full review can be read over at Vulturehound HERE.

Birds of Prey (and the ridiculous judgement of female led films)

 When it was announced that there would be a sequel to Suicide Squad, most were deterred as this possiblely meant that we'd have to sit through a 2 hour film where Jared Leto method acts again but luckily that was squashed. A film about Harley Quin on the other hand would be new, fresh and a rare things amoungst the male dominated superhero genre. With only 'Wonder Woman' to date carrying the would be DC comic franchise, holding the torch for female fronted films of this nature, DC really needed to step up. Especially as all they had to offer was a sequel. Suicide Squad could boast three female heroines/villains in their line up; (not including Amanda Waller) Enchantress (killed off), Katana (deserved better, maybe more screen time?) and Harley Quinn (dressed in very overly sexual outfits throughout). So, it was time for something extra and something more than what was offered.

Enter Margo Robbie, not just as Quinn, but as one of the producers of 'Birds of Prey', also enter Cathy Yan, director. Although not as seasoned as previous choices for previous films, she's has a smart wit and hell, she was ready for a challenge, so it seemed. BUT seeing Birds of Prey as a 'challenge' just meant that, male directors either weren't interested or weren't approached. I hoping it was the latter. Yan is fantastic. She's created a superhero genre film that not only fits into the greater universe in big and small ways but it also extends past the stereotypical genre expectations. There are plenty of jokes about the 80s cop dramas but that's really what it is. Its a crime drama with a superhero comicbook flare that works so darn well, its immensely pleasing to see such a great blend. Not only does it sound and look amazing but the fact that there are five characters' stories woven into the story and doesn't become convoluted, or confuse or infuriate, it is a smooth and ridiculously fun ride from start to finish. I honestly cannot point out anything that is not needed or doesn't feel right and I'm not Robbie's biggest fan. But she is fantastic in this. The title does only make sense by the end (but who cares, plenty of other films do the same) and the rest of the title, that is played out to perfection, again, without being overbearing in anyway. Screen time is even shared out equally between characters. This brings me to my confusion as to why the film is hated by some audiences. And sorry but the evidence is damning, it is mostly guys.

From what I've read, women either don't care enough to get into a fight about this or they LOVE the film. But the guys, they hate it, not with passion, but with pathetic generalisations. From the tweets saying Huntress doesn't look hot enough, from the box office reporting that this is worst DC has had ever (really? want to check the BOR for Suicide Squad? or Green Lantern? No?) Other films that were actually terrible such as.... well any other DC film apart from Wonder Woman were panned by everyone, not just critics, yet more films were still made. It seems the bar was set ever so much higher for a female led film. This ridiculous behaviour was happening in 2016 and its just getting worse. There's actually a moment in the film where Quinn is trying to guess why she has annoyed Black Mask and one of the guesses is just because she has a vagina. I think with that she knew why guys didn't or wouldn't like the film.

With the film now getting a crap name change because the great title is not good enough and people are too dumb to recognise actors, feels like another nail in the coffin that is equality. BOR rule the cinemas, but the fact that the film made a big profit doesn't seem to enter anyone's minds. If it didn't hit the highest bar there is, its no good. Female led films are not a niche element to a film, its just part of it. Hell, I even still have to tag my posts if there are female filmmakers attached. I really don't understand why guys don't like watching films with female leads, especally when they aren't dressed in a hideous male gaze wanting outfit, I really don't get the guys who say female fronted films are just bad when they aren't. The worst films made in history were made by men, but no one wants to talk about that. Women have to work twice as hard that men for recognition, not an opinion, that's an actual fact.

Its only February and Birds of Prey is definitely going to be one of the best films of the year by the end but some male dominated crud will come out and 'top' it, but won't in fact top it. If you haven't seen it yet, go watch it, see for yourself what a film made by a brilliant director, starring five fantastic actors with a story that is both thrilling and satisfying really looks like.

Above and Below

Like many of you, I have not been lucky enough to see 'Parasite' yet. This week, thankfully, the wait is over. But just before we enter one of the most talked about films of last year and this year (so far) let us delve deep into the mind of Bong Joon-ho and see what lies beneath. In other words, lets go back and watch his previous films an revel in his fantastic genre twisting storytelling.

I wrote (at length) for Zavvi and the full post can be read HERE.

Why Jojo Rabbit should win Best Picture

Part of Zavvi's blog leading up to the Oscars, each film critic backs one of the nominees and the horse that ran out of the gate was 'Jojo Rabbit' by a mile, in my opinion. Its a black comedy war film where director Taika Waititi also plays Hitler, that's all you really need to be a winner. But if you want to know more about why I think this film deserves the 'top prize', head over to HERE.