films
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.
Joyland, 2022 - ★★★★
Oof, this was everything I expected, and more. A devastating story of identity, repression, love, pride… The fact that it is a debut makes it all the more remarkable.
There’s so many layers that I would have liked a little more time with the characters, especially Mumtaz and Biba. You know they had more of their lives to share.
Wayfinder, 2022 - ★★★½
Sometimes I can forget that film is an art form. I get caught up on narrative or action and forget to experience how a film makes me feel. Wayfinder reminded me.
I enjoyed the stillness of the visuals, the poetry of the narration and the almost hypnotic music and folk songs that accompany them. I wasn't concerned with following the story so much as paying attention to certain words or phrases that spoke to me.
I'm glad I set aside the time to watch this in its entirety. I can't help feeling that the people who popped their heads in to the gallery for just a minute or two, instead of immersing themselves in it, have missed out.
