films
Petite Maman, 2021 - ★★★★
Small and perfectly formed. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Celine Sciamma.
All of Us Strangers, 2023 - ★★★
There was a moment about three quarters of the way through the film when I became aware of the soundtrack of sobs in the cinema screen. I wondered briefly why my heart was so impenetrable today. Then Harry’s story reached its denouement and I felt my heartstrings being tugged.
This portrait of loneliness and grief made a lot more sense when the credits rolled and I saw it was based on a novel by a Japanese author.
Official Competition, 2021 - ★★★
I knew I was going to enjoy this as soon as Lola started flicking through her annotated script.
Maestro, 2023 - ★★
Lacking in chemistry, I got zero connection with the characters. Although very well acted, as you’d expect, it left me totally cold. Had I been watching on my own I reckon I’d have switched off before the hour.
Caramel, 2007 - ★★★★
There is great depth in the apparent simplicity of this film. Any film Nadine Labaki touches is immediately on my watchlist.
The Lost Daughter, 2021 - ★★★★
A mesmerising portrayal of the claustrophobia and loneliness of motherhood. There’s also something intriguing about how memories and the emotions they stir up are depicted.
As the film went on I found myself wondering how different it might feel to watch it as a mother.
Eager to see what Maggie Gyllenhaal does next.
The Truman Show, 1998 - ★★★★
Still holds up after more than 25 years. Watching now (and with Izzy for the first time) it seems remarkably prescient.
Home Alone, 1990 - ★★½
Introducing my wife to a classic. Not the best filmmaking but good fun nonetheless.
It’s amazing what you can forget about a film you haven’t seen for ~30 years though. I’d erased practically every scene that took place outside the house.
Love at First Sight, 2023 - ★★★
Described by a friend as an unexpected delight and I wholeheartedly agree.
Enola Holmes, 2020 - ★★
I’d heard good things about this. It was entertaining enough for a rainy Saturday afternoon but I have two lingering questions:
- Why did the there need to be a boy?
- Why did Susan Wokoma not get more screen time?
Fanfic, 2023 - ★★½
The story has so much potential. Sadly the execution didn’t match up. Feels like there would have been much more scope to develop the characters and give their stories more depth if it were a series.
Green Sea, 2020 - ★★ (contains spoilers)
This review may contain spoilers.
Not entirely sure what to make of this film. It felt like it could be a wholesome story about friendship but there was an edge of something sinister throughout that I couldn’t let go of.
And at the end I’m left with one overriding thought: Why did she take the dog?
My Neighbor Totoro, 1988 - ★★★★
Almost ashamed to say this is the first time I’ve watched this. I was tired and feeling a bit sorry for myself and some time with Totoro et al was exactly what I needed.
I’m kind of amazed that a film almost as old as me could feel so timeless, but I guess that’s the magic of Miyazaki.
Always Be My Maybe, 2019 - ★★
Needed something light for the end of my first week at work and this fit the bill perfectly. I enjoyed the broad story and central relationships. Not sold on the big name cameo though and at least one joke left a bit of a bitter taste.
Full Time, 2021 - ★★★★
Before we went to see this I was flippantly referring to it as Run Lola Run for the middle aged. It’s not quite, but it did get my heart racing in a similar way and a lot of that is down to the use of sound.
There were moments that had me on the edge of my seat, as well as a lot of subtlety in script, direction and performance.