‘Message from the King’ is on the surface, a typical and generic revenge action thriller. However the film has many flairs that help it to stand out in the slew of revenge thrillers released every year. Chadwick Boseman plays Jacob King, a man from Cape Town, South Africa, who journeys to Los Angeles, California as …
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’ is a film filled with quirky fun, intentionally ridiculous visuals, and a sweet tone. However, underneath this layer of sweet bliss is a bitterly harsh and realistic film about friendship and loss. The strange combination of whimsical scenes, light and fluffy, like candy floss, then intersected with a …
The Lighthouse (2019)
‘The Lighthouse’ centres on a wise old lighthouse keeper, played by Willem Dafoe, and his new apprentice, played by Robert Pattinson. Alone besides the other person, madness starts to settle in after a short while. The sound design and score of this film is superb, the constant ominous boom of the horn instantly adds a …
Uncut Gems (2019)
‘Uncut Gems’ is a slice of life film about Howard Ratner, played by Adam Sandler, a Jewish jeweller who can never settle on one win, and always needs to double his money, and make more and more. This film feels wholly unfocused, and meandering, with so many different aspects of Howard Ratner’s life on show, …
Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
In the final chapter of the fondly named “Sequel trilogy” of the Star Wars saga, The Resistance, and the First Order come to a head in a fight for the galaxy. The Disney Star Wars films have been on a sliding scale of quality, some very well made, and entertaining films; ‘The Force Awakens’, ‘Rogue …
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
When eight year old Bruno is told he is moving far away from home because his father, a soldier in the German army, has been promoted, he lives a lonely life until he finds a friend in Shmuel, a Jewish boy in a concentration camp. This film perfectly encapsulates the innocence and wonder of what …
Marriage Story (2019)
When a married couple who have been together for 10 years with one child decide they need to split up, they try to remain a family in this hyper realistic story of the effects of divorce. The story concept is very formulaic and paint by numbers, parents are getting a divorce, fighting over custody, further …
Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood (2019)
Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood focuses on Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, a superstar of the 50’s and how he is adjusting to being phased out and used as a stepping stone for the new stars of 1969, as well as his stuntman come personal driver, Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt. This is …
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
Kubo shares a cave with his sick mother, whom he takes care of every morning and evening. In the day, Kubo heads to the local village to weave stories about great samurai warriors, monsters, and fire-breathing chickens. However Kubo has a very special gift, as he tells his story and plays his Shamisen, a Japanese …
Split (2017)
When three girls are abducted by an eerily calm kidnapper, they soon learn while prisoners that this man has split personality syndrome and that one of the personalities wants them for something special. James McAvoy is absolutely fantastic as the lead, utterly convincing in each of the unique personas he’s given. Including accent, posture, and …