Pawel Pawlikowski's Ida went on to win a number of accolades and prizes, including inspiring Paul Schrader for First Reformed (2017) (see my earlier review). On that basis I was hoping for a masterpiece, perhaps I was too expectant. Ida is set in 1962 Poland and is about a young woman (Anna) who grew up … Continue reading Ida (2013)
It's oh so quiet, Shh shh, being quiet is what you need to be to thoroughly enjoy this film, it stars real-life couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski (who also directs) as the Abbotts who are doing their best to protect their children from alien like creatures who hunt based entirely on noise. The family … Continue reading A Quiet Place (2018)
'Courage is the solution to despair, reason provides no answers. I can't know what the future will bring; we have to choose despite uncertainty. Wisdom is holding two contradictory truths in our mind, simultaneously, Hope and Despair. A life without despair is a life without hope. Holding these two ideas in our head is life … Continue reading First Reformed (2017)
What ever happened? To man's best friend Falling - Spring - Blossom The above haiku is read by 12 year old Atari (the adopted son of Mayor Kobayashi) to the people of Megasaki in an attempt to save all dogs from being killed. This is the second animated film by Wes Anderson (the first being … Continue reading Isle of Dogs (2018)
Remember when journalism was about real matters and issues and you didn't have to double check everything that was written or published and what those in power told us? Well those days are almost over - perhaps due to the very reasons discussed in films such as All the President's Men (1976) and more recently … Continue reading The Post (2017)
Remember when people used to be nice? I quipped to a colleague days before our office broke up for the holidays (I can't remember what it was that made me ask that) anyway it was a rhetorical remark, but my colleague went on to mention a host of reasons why people are no longer nice … Continue reading Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) Nice
The opening overhead shots of Marshland are absolutely stunning, they show Andalucia so pristine, clear and calm but also full of mazes, little do we know what the marshes hide, in fact at certain points the shape of the marshes look like a brain, complex and mysterious. Marshland is set in 1980 Spain, it follows … Continue reading La Isla Mínima (Marshland) (2014)
I had the opportunity to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge a few days ago, it is quite an amazing place architecturally, and the art pieces inside. All the works are beautiful but I was particularly taken by French sculptor Aimé-Jules Dalou. Dalou was born in Paris on 31st December 1838 and died on 15th … Continue reading Jules Dalou
'America, they want someone to love, they want someone to hate' Tonya Harding I, Tonya is based on the real life story of American figure skater Tonya Harding, a self-confessed redneck who beat the odds to join the top ranks of the U.S Figure Skating Team only to have it all taken away by the … Continue reading I, Tonya (2017)
'A guy gets on the MTA in L.A and dies, think anyone will notice?' This is the line Tom Cruise's contract killer Vincent delivers to Jamie Foxx's cab driver Max at the end of a long day, it is quite a line. The evening starts well for Max after he has a good fare where … Continue reading Collateral (2004)
