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.

Edinburgh International Film Festival - Stop-Zemlia

Sometimes the internet is so saturated that we don’t venture outside of our own bubble. We are given a stereotypical picture of what life is like elsewhere and we don’t try to seek out stories that we can relate to. Stop-Zemlia is a film that feels partly like a documentary and part teen drama that isn’t quite coming of age and isn’t the teen drama you imagine. There are moments of peace and tranquillity followed by reckless behaviour and words of wisdom shared between friends. Its feels like a scene from a film and from your own life.

Full review is over at Filmhounds HERE.

Fantasia Film Festival - Dear Hacker

 

One day director Alice Lenay notices that the camera on her computer flashes red on and off several times then suddenly stops. Wondering whether this is a hacker, a ghost, a spirit, she decides to investigate through a serious of conversations with friends and acquaintances. Sharing their ideas of what this red light could be, what does this possible hacker want and trying to communicate back and whether it is a good idea.  

 

Full review and coverage is over at Filmhounds HERE.

Watch List: January

 

Femme Fatale

Femme Fatale, released in 2002 was not received well, despite a few high-profile critics giving it a great review. Starting out with a exciting heist and double cross, the story takes a weird turn towards doppelgangers and stolen identities. Our femme fatale and self-proclaimed 'bad girl' of the title was full of intrigue. If the film had continued towards an actual conclusion and not the cliche dream switch at the end, this could have been a hit. 2/5

 

The Broken Hearts Gallery

As Rom-Coms go, this wasn't too bad. It was something different in the sense it was about a woman who wanted to open her own gallery and the main guy was trying to open a boutique hotel (whatever that is), both creative, both entrepreneurs. Also the love interest angle could be seen a mile off but wasn't fully addressed until their relationship had reached the 'greats friends' milestone. The main reason to watch this is for Geraldine Viswanathan who is a delight, despite her character being very annoying and pathetic to begin with. 3/5

 

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

After watching a few documentaries on Netflix about serial killers I naturally gravitated towards this film. Thankfully this wasn't a gruesome play by play of Ted Bundy's crimes. Being based on
Elizabeth Kloepfer's memories this was a very different look at the lead up to Bundy's arrest and trial. Zac Efron is superb as the killer, he got the charismatic unsettling psycho just right. Its insane to think how long the trial took and that he was allowed to represent himself, but there it is, in the real footage at the end. 3/5

 

Promising Young Woman

 Full throughts on the film HERE. Zine to follow soon. 4/5

 

Anything for Jackson

 Full review HERE. 3/5

 

Rams

 Full review is over at Filmhounds and can be read HERE. 3/5

 

The Capote Tapes

Full review is over at Filmhounds and can be read HERE. 4/5

 

The Capote Tapes

 

Documenting from his start and first novel, where the photograph on the book jacket was more talked about than the book itself, Truman was unashamedly himself. This was not only brave but dangerous in a time when being gay was illegal. Capote created a character for himself to play throughout his life whenever he was in the spotlight and in private, he tried to live up to his creation. 

 

My full review is over at Filmhounds HERE.

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

Comfort Zone

Everyone has their own comfort zone and what their go to films, TV, books and music are. But my comfort zone has stretched no farther than what I watched last month. I'm sure there are a billion other posts are there like this one, but this one is mine.

I'm admiring all the other bloggers and film writers out there who are continuously writing. Those who are able to get past any personal issues that may get in the way of their writing. Anyone who can carry on despite there being less 'new' content to talk about. I not only admire and commend you all but I envy that ability. I haven't been consistant with my writing since January (moving house stress, starting new job stress, having guy problems, feeling demotivated then lockdown happening) and I've tried a few times to get back on the writing horse but haven't been very successful. I have been working on other side projects (latest zine - coming soon) and other interests (tarot readings - if intrigued ask me) but my love of film has been diluted of late and this isn't because of all the pre lockdown things, its literally been because of lockdown. I know I'm not the only one out there feeling like this and there really isnt a magic cure for this very odd variation of writer's block. So instead I've retreated into my comfort zone of rewatching films that I find an easy watch or could have on in the background and TV shows that make me laugh no matter how many times I watch them.

To try and get me out of this comfort zone, I have watched a few films I haven't seen before whether I wanted to (hopefully my Charlie's Angels review will be up soon, either here or on Vulturehound) or because I'm watching it with my friends (my uni friends are still having our film nights/days over zoom) or because I was so intrigued I made myself watch it (The Platform on Netflix, its horrible but very good) and finally I made a pile of all the films I own that I haven't watched yet BUT that pile was then tidied away when I reshelved my collection. Instead of watching all the films I wanted but didn't have time before I have rewatched 'Ready Player One' and 'Oceans 8' many many times as they are both easy watches.

But the real comfort has been TV. In between watching 'Tiger King' over a few days and managing to cram in 'The Pale Horse' and wait impatiently for the next Mandalorian episode, I've rewatched 'Brooklyn Nine Nine from seasons 3-6 twice. I have also rewatched Schitts Creek seasons 3-5 twice, not including when I watch the entire show the first two weeks of March before lockdown. These two shows have taken the place of my favourite go to comfort show, 'Parks & Rec' which I regularly from seasons 2-7 (first season isn't great). I have watched the latest season of 'Kim's Convenience' in the middle of all this but otherwise its been title of your sex tape jokes and enjoying David's quips and outfits.

The need for comfort TV or films is having something familiar and reliable, you know how it ends and you know what to expect which is what I've needed in these very uncertain and terrible times. My attention is also not fully needed as, again, I know what happens. BUT I have avoided my Lord of the Rings marathon, even though these are my favourite films and this is the perfect opportunity to rewatch them. But I have avoided the films and others as they deserve my respect and full attention. It may seem an odd way to look at it but that's just how I'm feeling right now.

I actually had several posts planned out, which I wrote out last month, here's hoping that my motivation returns and I can steer myself out if this block as no matter how many crumpets and gin I consume, its not changing my state of mind. Hope you're all doing better than me out there!

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 was previously published on Vulturehound HERE.

It is rare to find a story about genuine friendship which is set against a background of a topical issue which doesn’t feel clouded in doom and gloom. Finding a story such as this, especially in the cinematic climate, is not only a joy to watch but is an insight into what it means to be transgender and even though there are struggles along the way, there is a wave of positivity to be found in friends and family.

Having grown up next door to each other, Jack and Yaya, now officially named Christina, share a friendship that is both precious and just like any other close friendship. From the minute they met, when Jack and his family moved next door to Yaya’s, they knew they’d be friends for life. The connection their shared, the feeling that they were both, what Jack says frequently, ‘freaks’, is what they joke about still in adulthood, despite family and friends seeing them as who they are, two friends who are so much fun to be around. After 30 years of friendship Jack travels back to New Jersey to celebrate with Yaya and their families, sharing stories, reminiscing and having fun being themselves. As Jack goes through major points in his transition to administering daily injections needed, Yaya finally changes her name by deed pole, a step she had been anxious to make.

What separates Jack and Yaya’s story from others exploring the same subject matter, is the wealth of positivity and genuine support that they have from family and each other’s families. They are one huge unit of love and friendship which resonates throughout the film as both friends go on their journey of transitioning. Both Jack and Yaya had difficulty and heartbreak when they came out and at first had problems with a few family members when they came out as trans, but over time and many talks, the determination from both Jack and Yaya who each have their own hurdles to overcome, they are lucky to have such a strong an supportive network, which I’m sure a lot of other trans men and women don’t have.

Directors Mary Hewey and Jen Bagley have documented and created a beautiful story about friendship and a positive view of being transgender that is very much needed in the negative climate. The use of family videos from when Jack & Yaya were young, as well as the extensive archive of photos from every aspect of their lives is woven into the film and paints an intimate picture that you feel privileged to be apart the story. If there are more stories like Jack & Yaya’s out there, we’d like to see them. A positive film overall, that doesn’t in anyway gloss over the hard parts of their journey, but gives hope that there are happy endings out there that we should all see.

Watch List December

The leftovers from 2019...

Hail Satan?

 Who'd have thought that a documentart about a religion would grab my attention and even make me think twice about religion on the whole? I was surprised at how straight forward the story of the Satanic Temple was. On the surface it looks like its a group of satan worshipers who to put a statue representing their beliefs next to the 10 Commandments statue outside a courthouse BUT in fact is actually a fantastic positive group of people who came together to form the temple. They stand for all the things that those Bible bashers claim to be but aren't. As someone who was brought up Catholic, now not, I know exactly what those 'Christians' are like, maybe not to the extreme that the Americans are but I know them. Thought provoking and brilliantly told story. Hopefully the separation of Church and State will be realised, soon. 4/5

Little Women

SPOILERS

Honestly, I was very disappointed when I heard that this was to be Greta Gerwig's next feature. I haven't enjoyed the previous adaptations I've seen, I don't really like the story but I do love the characters. My main problem is that I can't understand why Jo and Laurie don't get together, not married, just not to together. His 'romance' with Amy is literally just filling the void and in any version I've seen, its always going to be like that. Anyway....I loved this film. It was full of passion, creativity, Laura Dern and four brilliant sisters. Each were given a story, each was given a personality and each were fierce and brave in their own way. I was most pleased that Beth was given the heart of the story with just a few simple exchanges and her piano playing. A fantastic film that changed my mind about the story on the whole BUT still think Jo and Laurie would have been better suited, but thats just me. 4/5

Uncut Gems

Lots of screaming, lots of yelling, lots of money, not that many gems. My full review is over at Vulturehound HERE. 3/5

Frozen 2

Unlike the truly terrible (apart from Olaf) Frozen from yesteryear, this is a rare occurance. This Disney sequel is far better, still flawed, than the first. Great songs (can't remember them really) and finally Jonathan Groff stops talking like his reindeer and is given a song and its hilarious. There's an amazing water horse spirit thing and an enchanted forest, plus the cutest little fire lizard. The highlights come from Olaf who recaps the entire first film which is, again, hilarious as well as dropping inspirational and terrifying instagram quotes all over the place. It really was so much better and there's even barely any rock troll moments!! But the entire story is flawed and alot of what Elsa has to do it a bit obvious. But who cares! There's a cute fire demon thing in it! 3/5

6 Underground

I'm not a Michael Bay fan, at all but this cast was too good to ignore. And that is exactly what it is, a fantastic cast who deserved a whole better. The concept is borrowed and twisted and not in a good way. But the characters really do save this piece of high budget trash. Ryan Reynolds wants a franchise but the only way it could work is if he took the reins and made it better, like he did with Deadpool. 3/5

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

For the full experience, please read HERE.  3/5

Watch List: September/October/November

This Autumn has been a strange one, what with the job hunting, doing the whole of LFF and then dealing with the come down which happens every year. I see so many films crammed into a few weeks I need a break. However, there are still a few more reviews from that festival I want to post BUT these might have to wait until cinema release dates. Other than festival films, I haven't ventured out to the cinema much. Missed lots of films too. But these are the ones I've seen over the last 3 months outside of festivals.

SEPTEMBER

 After champion swimmer Matthias insults a reporter using a homophobic slur, he is suspended from competing again unless he apologies and coaches the male water polo team for the Gay Olympics. A highly unusual premise and with a host of great characters, this is more than just a feel-good sports film with an LGBTQA+ focus. This is a story about friendship and about supporting your team no matter what. A rather personal story from writer directors Maxime Govare and Cédric Le Gallo, as the latter, who after he came out joined a water polo team just like in the film and felt a part of a community. Not sure if the team did or will get a wide release or whether it’ll get a DVD release at least. 4/5

Greta

Missed this one at the cinema and so glad I caught this on DVD release. I wrote about it in depth for Halloween which can be read HERE. 3/5

OCTOBER

Joker

I don't want to make you read any more than what I wrote HERE so there it is. 4/5

Shirkers

This was a documentary that had been in my Netflix queue since it was released. The mystery behind the disappearance of the feature film Sandi Tan and her friends made when they were teenagers and the man who had helped them but also disappeared was a mystery that had haunted director Tan. But as the story unfolds, home truths are told as well as how Georges Cardona had behaved with other people who he had ‘helped’. Comprising of a mixture of footage from the original film and interviews conducted decades later. The fact that everyone knows each other quite well, there is no holding back which gives the film and the story overall an extra added layer of truth despite the main mystery never being told, only speculation is left. 3/5

Brittany Runs a Marathon

 I wrote two posts for this, one from the Birds Eye View screening which can be read HERE and one review for Vulturehound. 4/5

The Laundromat

 I was surprised to see Steven Soderbergh ‘s latest suddenly arrive on Netflix and was eager to watch it BUT it comes across as less intellectual ‘The Big Short’ even with the natural charisma from Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas the film lacks a direction and instead feels like several different stories that don’t quite knit together and because of the subject just left me very angry and dissatisfied.  2/5

Apostle

As someone who tries to avoid horror films, I’m usually drawn in if it’s about cults, ghosts or is actually a psychological thriller. As ‘Apostle’ is a period piece set on an island and involves a cult that has kidnapped a wealthy woman and holding her to ransom, I’m going to be intrigued enough to watch it. Finding out that there is something far more disturbing in the barn and that there is a supernatural being, the guardian of the island, who is behind the cult like mannerisms, is horrifying and again, much better than I could have hoped for. A mixture of ‘hell is other people’ and ‘there’s something nasty in the woodshed’ vibe, I was surprised and honestly, scared. 3/5

I Do....Until I Don't

 I love Lake Bell. I loved her first feature BUT I couldn’t get into this story about an arrogant British filmmaker who wants to prove that marriage should be a 7-year contract which is open for renewal from both parties. She essentially wants to prove that marriage is dead. Then there are three couples, who have their own issues but overall love triumphs. The plot is all over the place and soon loses any connection, with everything being neatly tied up at the end and not really making much sense. I’m really hoping that her next film gets a proper release and is more like ‘In a World…’. 2/5

NOVEMBER

Doctor Sleep

 ‘The Shining’ is a film that rightly holds its status as one of the greatest horror films and a story I didn’t think needed a sequel but clearly creator Stephen King thought otherwise by writing about what grown up Danny would be like. Apart from being traumatised by events at The Overlook Hotel, he descends into drink and drugs and violence. His turn around and how he harnesses his ‘gift’ to help others feels genuine and it comes as no surprise that there are other kids just like him and that there is a beyond sinister group of people who hunt them. Rose the Hat is terrifying and is one of the best villains cinema has seen in a long time. Praying on children and torturing them, makes this a horror film but it also plays out like a thriller when Danny meets Abra, a young girl with great power. They work together to try and stop Rose the Hat as well as trying to find where they buried their last victim. With nods to Kubrick’s film, this is no nostalgia trip, but more like a last stand. 4/5

Support the Girls

 Set over one day, Lisa is the manager of one those sexist sports bars where they only hire girls and make them wear skimpy uniforms. I am not a fan of these kind of bars. However, this film not only humanises the staff, not to say that they aren’t but this is a flipside to how the staff work day to day along with all the bs they put up with. This is also another excellent example of Regina Hall just being brilliant. The more films I see with her in, the better. 4/5

Ideal Home

 This had been in my Netflix queue a long time. I had originally wanted to see this in the cinema BUT I don't think it got a proper cinema release which is criminal. Paul Rudd and Steve Coogan are a constantly bickering couple who work on a cooking show, Paul and Erasmus. Paul produces, Erasmus is the host. Their somewhat perfect life but by no means not perfect marriage is thrown a curve ball when Erasmus' grandson arrives and has to stay with them. The premise is not new but the characters and how they bond is brilliant. I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. Very funny and equally frustrating, mostly because of Coogan's character. 4/5

Let it Snow

 My thoughts on this particular Christmas film can be found HERE.  3/5

One for the Money

 In all honesty, this film did not have my attention. I was bored after 10 minutes and I really didn't care what was happening. I thought the voiceover was completely out of place until I found out the film is based a popular book series. There was no chance this film would spawn a franchise. It gets the bare minimum because Sherri Shepherd is great and deserves better. 1/5

BFI London Film Festival Picks 2019

 This has been an odd year in terms of festivals, overall, I think. My picks from the festival this year are very different from each other and there wasn't really a running theme that I found throughout the festival for me. But if I had to pick, religion and faith did come up quite a few times in film in different capcities.

I obviously have to mention the two 'big' films I was excited to see and they are again, of course part of my picks, Knives Out and Jojo Rabbit. But I have praised them enough in their own reviews/posts. Instead I wanted to focus on other films which may or may not be getting as much attention.

I'm usually quicker off the bat with my top picks but after breaking my record and watching 24 films, you'll excuse the delay. With still a few more reviews to be posted and at least 4 from Zavvi to be released too and one that is actually being posted in November by Vulturehound, this year has been all over the place. Anyway, these are my top picks:

Deerskin

An unexpected film by all accounts, this French dark as night comedy about a man so obsessed with his 100% deerskin jacket disappears into the countryside, pretends to be a filmmaker and plans on making his jacket the only one in the world.  Its bizarre and brilliant at the same time but will it get a release? Only time will tell. If there is cinema justice, it will.

Our Ladies

Another unexpected delight for me at the festival, about a group of friends who decend upon Edinnurgh one afternoon before a school choir competition. Its funny, irreverent and just an all round 90s set delight.

You Don't Nomi

Each year I manage to see one documentary and as this is a celebration as well as an exploration into the cult of 'Showgirls' of course I'd pick this one.

Arab Blues 

Beautifully understated dramady about a woman returning home to set up her practice as a Psychoanalysist but as her family doesn't believe in her or the need for her as well as the local police stepping in and adding to the disruption, she proves to herself and the doubters and even some of her clients that she is indeed needed and wanted. 
 
Review for this coming soon! 

You Don't Nomi - BFI London Film Festival

As a fan of the notoriously damned film 'Showgirls', watching a documentary that not only celebrates it but also goes deeper into why it failed at the box office and how it found a second life as a cult film was really what got me hooked. Its a film that not only loves 'Showgirls' but also an ode to film criticism.

My full review can be read HERE over at Zavvi.

Love & Bananas

We can sometimes be blinded by the wonders in the world, especially if we’re on holiday. We want to experience things that we wouldn’t anywhere else. This would involve seeing views, visiting landmarks and interacting with the animals of that exotic place. We don’t stop to think if it is right, we just want to say we’ve been there and done that. Ashley Bell’s film not only opens up our eyes to truth but also doesn’t hold back. From the brutal and uncompromising beginning to the hopeful end that things can change for the better. 

The hard hitting exposition introduces us to the cruelty inflicted upon Asian elephants who work in entertainment and in trekking camps. The animals go through brutal bloody abuse in what is known as ‘the crush box’, literally breaking their spirit and beating them into submission. As well as this more than rude awakening, we are introduced to Through icon graphics we are given the context to why we need elephants and how endangered the Asian elephants are, leading us into conservationist Lek Chailert and her story. Lek’s family owned a trekking camp and subsequently disowned her for revealing the truth of the animal abuse to the press and the world. Lek’s mission has been to care and rescue as many elephants and safely bring them to her elephant sanctuary and others like hers.

The story of the film, after the much needed and devastating informative beginning, Bell returns to Thailand to be part of a rescue. Rather than a covert operation, the trekking camp owner has agreed not only to let one of his elephants be rescued, but has agreed to the filming as well. Noi Na is a 70-year-old elephant who wear her years of abuse, mapped out all over her body. Getting this elephant across Thailand, in 48 hours, proves to be far more dangerous than anticipated. 

Bell’s documentary not only shares the amazing work of Lek and the lives of her rescued elephants but it also informs without feeling like the audience is being preached at. The story naturally unfolds gently and isn’t given the soft-focus treatment thankfully, making sure every moment, not matter how honest is not orchestrated for the sake of the film. One particular moment, amongst the tears and hope post rescue, is when one of the elephants at the sanctuary wants attention and chases one of the cameramen, wanting a close up. The painfully truth at the start is what makes us sit-up and take notice of the plight of the Asian elephant, Lek and her work as well as the rescue gives us the heart of what changes are possible. It was also pleasing to see that after the happy ending we all hoped for, is a message from Bell herself, asking us to make a difference by not going to these shows where elephants are kept or go to the trekking camps, this is now a difference can be made. 

A brilliant documentary, full of emotion and passion at all the right moments, its hard not to fall in love with these animals. 

To find out more about the film and where you can watch it, head over to the film’s website.