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

The Wedding Banquet - BFI Flare

Remakes, or a reimagining, can be construed as long overdue, unnecessary or a welcome addition. Based on Ang Lee’s 1993 film, The Wedding Banquet, directed by Andrew Ahn of Fire Island fame, fits very comfortably in the ‘welcome addition’ category. With a truly fantastic cast taking the reigns on this new version, rather than updated, the comedy hits and the emotions flow and for anyone who loves a romantic comedy, this one is most definitely for you.

Full review over at Filmhounds. 

Jess Plus None - BFI Flare

 

When old and close friends are gathered together for an important occasion in an unusual location, chaos, intrigue and revelations are bound to be happen. Jess Plus None has exactly the right mix and perfectly uncomfortable setting; a wedding in the woods involving camping, to create a romantic comedy that follows the same genre beats but has an entertaining group of characters that gives the film a boost above ordinary.

Jess Plus None screened at BFI Flare 2023

Full review at Filmhounds HERE.

Egghead & Twinkie - BFI Flare

 
Egghead & Twinkie is nothing ground breaking, we’ve seen these characters many times before and seen this story play out with both tragic and happy endings. However, there is something very charming and blissfully idealistic about the two best friends’ journey. But this is primarily Twinkie’s story, despite the title suggesting otherwise. Wanting to meet the girl she’s been talking to online for months, Twinkie convinces her best friend Egghead, who may still harbour feelings for her, to come with her on a last-minute road trip. Along the way truths are shared, feelings are hurt and new friends found. A ‘classic’ road trip film for the Gen Z crowd.

Egghead & Twinkie will have it's International Premiere at BFI Flare 2023.  

Full review at Filmhounds HERE. 

Nico - BFI Flare

 

Understated stories where the plot is minimal, the characters are few but the message and heart of the film speaks volumes don’t tend to get as much attention. A story like Nico is one that has probably happened to many people and to see it on screen portrayed in such a way is heart-breaking but it is a story that needs to be told. 

 

Nico is a free-spirited geriatric nurse living in Berlin. She spends her free time drinking and partying with her best friend Rosa. One night, after attending a party in the park, Nico is victim to a brutal xenophobic attack, leaving her unconscious and later hospitalised. Once back on her feet she is determined to not be left in that position again so she takes up karate lessons. But as she becomes more involved with learning this new art, she distances herself from Rosa and even her clients notice she is not the same happy and cheerful as woman anymore.

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE. 

Cop Secret - BFI Flare

We all know the genre action thriller featuring two cops or agents, working together to bring down the powerful violent criminal wreaking havoc through a city. We know it so well from years of Hollywood spinning out these stories time over time. Rarely do we get a taste from outside the studios and from around the globe. Iceland may seem like an unlikely location for such a film, usually exporting low key comedies and art house films. But Cop Secret, based on a fake trailer, directed by an ex-Footballer, is a hilarious brilliantly underplayed action-comedy romance.

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE.

The Novice - BFI Flare

 
Alex is in her freshman year at college, she works hard to be the best. When she decides to sign up for the college rowing team, she becomes determined to become the best novice and make the varsity team. Alex likes a challenge, having majored in a subject she doesn’t initially excel in, she soon lets her rowing obsession take over. Her friends and girlfriend, even her school work is left behind as she propels herself further into her obsessive and damaging behaviour to the point, she can’t think of anything else. 

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE

Boulevard! A Hollywood Story - BFI Flare

 

Sunset Boulevard was one of the stories that Hollywood told about itself, not hiding the fact about how difficult it was to make it in the business and how it was when you were no longer in the spotlight. Gloria Swanson was perfectly cast as the forgotten film star, Norma Desmond, who falls in love with the younger screenwriter Joe who she hires to edit the script for the film that would be her return. The role was also very much close home for Swanson for she had been a famous silent film star and had seen roles dry up over the years as she aged. Sunset Boulevard should have been her grand come back. But after the release, the roles just weren’t there. In another part of town, actor Richard Stapley had had enough with bit parts and along with his partner Dickie Hughes, had started work on a musical. Thinking Swanson would be perfect they reached out to her but instead of wanting to do something new, she proposed a musical version of Sunset Boulevard.

Full review is on Filmhounds HERE.

Watch List 2021

 

It’s been yet another strange year, in general and for film too. Having stopped posting my monthly watch lists, which I thought weren’t needed anymore, I didn’t want to miss out on the year round up or rather what I feel are my top films from the year. Unlike like every other year, I haven’t been able to get to the cinema as much as I usually do. Even during 2020 I managed to see the ‘big’ and festival films. This year however, with a mix of virtual and in person events, I haven’t seen all I wanted. Including not making it to all the festival films I wanted. This list comprises of those that were released this year. There are a few omitted because they are released in cinemas/online next year and will most likely appear on my list in December 2022. 

Having forced to be more select, due to availability and the films being on at the cinemas near me, I saw all these films online rather than a cinema. This also meant I missed out on more of the big blockbuster films which is why they don’t appear on my list. I absolutely loved The Suicide Squad but I felt that it wasn’t as good as the other titles on the list.

This was always going to end up on my best films of the year list, although I saw this in 2020, the film was officially released in 2021. The sheer brilliance and captivating character of Cassandra and her request for revenge is poured out HERE if you care to relive this film with me. 

Another early in the year favourite that had stuck with me throughout. A horror story with a thriller twist and fascinating character at the centre of it all. I got to talk to the director Jill Gevargizian which gave me more insight into the filmmaking and creation, which is maybe why I love this film more than other female fronted films this year. Interview in full HERE as well as the review HERE. 

As a very avid fan of Tove Jansson and her Moomin books, I was of course very excited to see a film about her life. A very specific part of her life is explored in the biopic and love hate relationship with her own creations as well as her broken heart over her first love affair. The review in full can be read HERE. 

I have been meaning to write a full post dedicated to this great film but I could never quite capture the glee and joy I had watching this film about female friendships as well as teenage rebellion that didn’t feel cliché. Plus, the use of zines and riot grrrl camaraderie was always going to be a win my eyes, personally. Directed by a favourite of mine, Amy Poehler so I knew this would have an edge to the other teen dramas before and this definitely stands out in the sea of lesser than films. 

Story aside, because who can resist a film set entirely at a wake where a young woman is trying to hide several lies, she’s told to several people, plus avoiding certain people and try to find out more about the older guy they’ve been sleeping with, all in a closed environment, its brilliantly executed but truly, it’s the soundtrack that gives this film the perfect horror like atmosphere. If you want to read more, full post is HERE. 

Based on a true story recounted on Twitter, enough said. This was either going to be a hard sell or the best film adapted from said Twitter story. There’s nothing quite like it. Read more about the film HERE. 

 

With the video nasties of the 80s as a backdrop to this sinister story about a censor who believes her long lost sister is in of these horror films, reality is blurred with hallucinations and dreams. It was great to be back in the cinema for a special event after such long time. The entire post can be read HERE. 

Having no clue what this film was about except that I had been very excited to watch it, this slow twist thriller was one that exceeding my expectations. My spoiler free as possible post is HERE. 

Like most films this was pushed back and there was a worry we wouldn’t even get this in the cinemas. A science fiction saga spectacle deserves space, especially such a story as this. Although the books by Frank Herbert have been adapted before, they hadn’t had the Denis Villeneuve treatment and going by his previous sci-fi films this was the right director to bring this story of spice, warmongering houses and chosen ones to the life. It was exciting to see such an epic back on the big screen again, perfectly timed it turned out to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring, the film that brought back the epic and changed the landscape of cinema. Dune feels like its going to be the start of something spectacular. 

 

I feel like I’ve been writing about this film for months (I actually have). The film that shook Cannes, the film that will shock you and all that PR jazz, this film is fantastic, do believe the hype. Read more about it HERE.

If anyone is interested, I have zines for PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, THE BETA TEST and TITANE - message me on Twitter or Instagram (@shelikesmovies_)

Dramarama - BFI Flare

 

Coming out stories can vary from film to film, but when they are of the teenage variety, there is usually drama to be found. Dramarama is not a fresh take on this momentous moment in a queer person’s life but it is a familiar set up with a fun and sometimes playful story with cookie cutter characters. The group of friends feel stagnated but also comforting to watch, a throwback to being young and ambitious and when a time when everything felt like a huge step. This story is ultimately not about someone coming out to their friends but rather a last hurrah to teenage-dom and a farewell, for now, to friends.

 

On the eve before Rose leaves for college, she hosts a murder mystery party for her friends to enjoy. All into drama, musicals, literature and theatricals; Claire, Ally, Oscar and Gene, lepat the chance to play one last game before they too leave for college. Being close friends, knowing each other better than themselves, there is of course the fights, the secrets revealed and the religious discussions. All the while Gene struggles without how to come out to his friends unsure how they will take this news.

Set over one night, five very close friends spend the evening and night hashing out everything they’ve kept bottled up as well as remembering the good times, including games they played, quoting films they love and just having or trying to have fun. The group all have very clear-cut personalities which is laid out so meanly by JD, the only outsider to feature in the film. Seen as the cool drop out by some, sad and pathetic by others. Rose, the party host is the uptight one, needing to control everything. Claire is the innocent prude who is happily going off to Christian college. Oscar is the blowhard who tries to impress others but really doesn’t know what he’s doing and hasn’t quite admitted to himself who he is. Ally is the straight talking honest one, out of everyone, she is open minded. Then there’s Gene, who is going to community college and just doesn’t know how to come out to his surprisingly narrow-minded friends. At least, they are narrow minded when it comes to religion which comes quite frequently throughout. At times its uncomfortable to hear their views, especially when they play a game where they pretend to be gay and re-enact tableau of gay couples getting caught in a flashlight. Really bizarre. Maybe there is some pent up energy that the group doesn’t want to admit to, at least that is most likely the case with Oscar.

 

The better moments are when the friends are in twos, those are when they open up to each other, sometimes tentatively, but these are still the more intimate and realistic moments. No drama, just being honest with each other. It’s clear this group of friends are going to miss one another out in the world alone so it’s nice to see that arguments are not left hanging and bad words aren’t exchanged towards the end. There is an optimistic feel to the end of the film that these friends will see each other again.

 

 

Tove - BFI Flare

 

Tove Jansson is struggling painter, deciding to find her own way in life outside her sculptor father’s studio. Taking a run-down apartment during World War two, she begins her life as a wild and care free artist. Her world is turned upside down when she meets the upper-class theatre director Vivica Bandler, whom she falls desperately in love with. Opening her up to new experiences and opportunity, Tove finds out how painful unrequited love can be, channelling her emotions into her art and into her most famous creations, The Moomins.

 

Full review can be read over at Filmhounds HERE.

 

 

Sweetheart - BFI FLare

 

Having been forced to go on holiday, 17-year-old April, but insists on being called AJ, is in a permanent state of annoyed as she made to spend quality time with her mum, her little sister Dayna, her older pregnant sister Lucy and her boyfriend Steve, whom is the only one AJ actually gets along with. But things start to look up when AJ meets Isla, one of the lifeguards at the holiday park. She starts to have a bit of fun, opening up to the possibility that the holiday might be better than she anticipated.  

 

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE.

Cowboys - BFI Flare

 

When Jo and his father disappear in the middle of the night, his mother calls the police and soon there is a search party out looking for him. Born a girl, Jo knows he is a boy and only his father seems to understand him. But his father has his own his issues to deal with, taking pills to help his mental health, he just wants his son to be happy. But choosing to take drastic measures to ensure that, doesn’t always end well.

 

Transgender children have been a more recent topic of conversation, in magazines, newspapers, TV shows, documentaries and of course all-over social media. The debate whether children should be allowed to transition at a young age still goes on and varies from country to country. But the first step before all this is the child coming forward and saying they are transgender. Various films over the recent years have created stories around this subject but there hasn’t be one (that I can think of) that has the father of a transgender child escape into the wilderness so that they can protect them. Cowboys is a story about Jo and his parents, Troy and Sally and how they act.

 

Sasha Knight who plays Jo is a revelation. Comfortably fitting into the character and finding the vulnerable and joyful aspects. The most tender and heartfelt stand out moments in the film are definitely between Knight and Steve Zahn who plays Troy. The chemistry between the actors is what makes this film a delight to watch. Jillian Bell also shows she isn’t just a comedy actress as Jo’s distraught mother, Sally.

The desperate nature of both Troy and Sally and trying to understand who they are is given equal time on screen as well as Jo’s own story. Although we learn through fragmented flashback scenes as to how the father and son ended up on the run, on horseback in the wilderness, we never really see Jo’s quieter moments or his journey to how he knew he was a boy in a girl’s body. All of this is off screen and we are shown him uncomfortable in dresses and arguments with his mother. These would have been vital scenes if this was just about Jo but as this was about an action with consequences, Jo’s personal journey is not included in the story.

 

My First Summer - BFI Flare

 

Having grown up in isolation, Claudia finds herself alone and scared after her mother suddenly dies. By chance Grace stumbles into her home and her life, igniting a friendship and special bond in both of them. But as the girls become closer, so do the police, trying find out what happened to the reclusive author who used to live in the middle of nowhere. With the threat of Claudia’s discovery coming ever closer, the girls try to make plan but can they’re new found love survive this?

 

Each of the girls crave something and when they find each other, a piece of them is found. Claudia, having grown up with just her mother and dog, Tobey for company, companionship, you can understand that she’ll behave slightly strangely towards anyone. She is both in shock and a state of grief throughout the film which is only paused once she gets used to having Grace around. Grace has a difficult home life and seeks companionship. With a neglectful mother and the uncomfortable presence of her boyfriend, she has no desire to be at home. She also doesn’t seem to have any friends. The girls give each other what they need. They’re slow and gentle cautious romance feels inevitable from the moment they meet and it unfolds at a pace befitting their characters. Nothing is done in haste, including the unfolding of what happened to Claudia’s mother. The realisation of her suicide is revealed in hazy sun-soaked flashbacks but doesn’t give much away as why she planned it out in this way. More back story for Claudia and her mother would have been helped explain a few things, including their relationship but as the focus is the girls, its given to us as an afterthought.

 

The scenes where the girls are just enjoying summer, playing, decorating Claudia’s room, eating fruit in the garden are full of joy. Even the tentative moments, as they kiss for the first time are treated with such care. It’s as if the delicate nature of which we find Claudia is expressed throughout the film. A tender first love, over the long hot summer story that weaves in elements of the coming of age genre, bringing hope that this genre can still offer up surprises.

The Greenhouse - BFI Flare

 

Grief is a difficult thing. Everyone grieves in their own way that others may not understand and interpret in other ways. The Greenhouse is a physical manifestation of one family’s journey through the past and present, centred around the death of a parent. 

 

On the weekend of her mother’s birthday, her siblings are coming back home, where Beth has never left. Still grieving for her other mother who died, Beth feels stuck where she is. But one day she enters the greenhouse which sends her back in time where she can watch moments in hers and her family’s life and she gets to see her mum again. But as she spends more time in the greenhouse avoiding her present, fractures and old arguments start to break through. 

 

The family dynamic is clearly set up within the first few minutes of The Greenhouse, giving us a great insight to how this family lives. With mums Lillian and Ruth at the head of the family, Beth and her other adopted siblings; Raf, Doonie and Drew seemed to have a rather harmonious life together. But outside their home there were issues faced. Things seems to have fallen apart after the death of Lillian yet Beth still can’t leave her childhood home or her mum Ruth. As the child left behind it feels as if the other siblings resent her for staying yet don’t feel guilty for going, leaving Beth stuck in limbo. The Greenhouse itself feels like a gateway, a limbo like area that joins the past and the present but it’s unclear how long this gateway has been there. There is a possibility it was created after Lillian’s death as Ruth is fully aware of its power yet didn’t share the discovery with Beth. Once the other siblings enter the greenhouse, they too see visions of the past, which Beth tries to prevent, not wanting them to see certain moments. This only ramps up the tension between the siblings. Not respecting how their sister grieves is one aspect of the story but this angst that has built up comes to a head, giving them all space to say exactly how they feel.

 

Another part of the story is how Beth and her best friend Lauren fall in love as teenagers but as young adults Beth is unwilling to go any further. She is unable to leave town with Lauren, therefore prolonging her own happiness and denying her own feelings for the sake of her two mums. This sacrifice is used against her by her angrier siblings to call her out for not being her true self, causing even more pain for Beth. The love story element does muddy the main story about the family slightly but it is necessary so we can see Beth as more than just the one who stayed behind.

 

Blending family grief with a science fiction twist in the form of time travel makes for a sombre watch at times, given the subject matter, but it is beautifully shot and the family members are well rounded characters are believable that they are an actual family.

Jump, Darling - BFI Flare

Fledgling drag queen Russell packs up his bags and leaves the city after a breakup. He ends up staying with his grandma out in the sticks under the pretence that he’s just collecting the car. Instead, a few days turns into a longer stay when he finds a gay bar in town, he meets someone new and believes he can take care of his grandma. But when realisations come to light, Russell has to decide what he really wants to do with his life.

 

There are different layers to this story, Russell and his Fishy persona are just one. On the surface it’s about an actor struggling to find an identity and cautiously embracing drag as a way to express himself. Then there’s Margaret, who faces being placed in an assisted living home and losing grip on her own life. There are also the flashbacks to how Margaret’s husband killed himself and the hint that Russell could end up on the same path. These parallel stories from the past and the present collide through half hazy dreams while Russell indulges in drink and drugs and then towards the end when Margaret goes through photographs of her younger self when she used to skate. Holding on to something creative is key here and whether someone is strong enough to keep going. 

 

One of the main aspects of the film is how artists are seen and how they view themselves. As Russell is an actor but can’t seem to find work, his boyfriend ends their long-term relationship because he doesn’t take Russell’s drag act as serious work. It doesn’t help that Russell is still finding his way and downplays his drag act as a ‘just a hobby’. His grandfather was also an artist or rather, he saw himself as an artist, according to Margaret, but couldn’t take the pressure and just drank. Margaret herself was an ice skater, she was so good that she could have taken her talent further but she didn’t, excusing her stopping for the war going on at the time. It seems that art and creativity flow in the family but doesn’t have positive outcomes. Russell is the one who has to break the chain and continue performing.

Jump, Darling is being streamed as part of BFI Flare from 17^th March

March Watch List

 Emma

Jane Austen adaptations are really a dime a dozen. There are stand outs and there are those that are screaming out to be made, again, maybe. But 'Emma' wasn't one of them. Surprisingly this is Austen's most adapted novel and is very unlike all her other stories. The major exception is that Emma Woodhouse is wealthy and stays so throughout. She's also rather full of herself, at times selfish, rude and careless. But those are only her bad qualities, she will happily share her good ones. Although we've seen Emma very often on the big screen, small screen and the youtube screen, this fresh faced adaptation is a very welcome addition to the collection. Not only do you actually feel the 'heat' between Emma and Knightly (Emma Approved also gets this chemistry, but its modern day) but you also feel like connection between Harriet and Farmer Roberts which is a new and again welcome exploration (again except in Emma Approved - which deserves its own post really). A fine film which I really wish was given a better chance at the box office. 4/5

Issi & Ossi

As Netflix originals go, they are hot and miss, BUT I think this sort of rom-com-dramady gets it just right with a simple but convoluted set up and equally confusing execution with two great leads. Rich girl Issi who isn't academic in any way wants to go to go a fancy cooking school BUT her parents don't want that. Boxer Ossi is stuck working in his mum's ill fated petrol station and losing time training for a big fight as well as trying to keep his recently released grandad from turning to crime again. He needs money to make his big career making fight to happen, she needs a 'dodgy' boyfriend to annoy her parents SO they make a deal. But like all rom-coms with a similar deal set up, you can guess what happens next, well except Ossi's grandad's rap career taking off. It's light, silly in all the right places and such an easy going watch, especially in these lockdown depressing times. 3/5

A beautiful documentary about life long friends supporting each other through their transitions. My full review is over at Vulturehound and can be read HERE.  5/5

Ralph Breaks the Internet

As Pixar sequels go, I will always watch Toy Story, although I think that story is done now, I never liked Cars or its spin offs, literally the worst and I liked Monsters University, thought it was hilarious and clever despite obvious plot issues. But Wreck-it Ralph, which I didn't think was the strongest films in the bunch, was an odd one to give a sequel to. I still think it. But two best friends on a journey together with self discovery and very funny jabs at Disney and every inventive way to show the internet behind its scenes, it wasn't bad. But that virus making worm guy will haunt me for sometime. 3/5

Jack & Yaya - BFI Flare

Seeing as BFI Flare along with lots of other films festivals have been cancelled and postponed due to the pandemic that has gripped the world, there will be a severe lack of festival posts this year, which in turn will mean there will be a lack of posts this year from me and the outlets I would write for. This will have a knock on effect into next year as well.

BUT BFI Flare did still have some features available to watch on the online library which press still had access to. I was late to this, however I was able to see one of the films I had been looking forward to, a documentary about two best friends who have supported each other through everything, including when they both came out as trans. Its a truely beautiful film and I was please I got to review it. My full review will be available on Vulturehound HERE very soon.

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