Hell or High Water
- By Stephen Scott
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
Two brothers stage a few gnarly bank robberies to try and save their farm while keeping a cunning Texas ranger at bay.
What Did We Think?
Nick Bleeker says: Bolstered by terrific performances from Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water sets its scenes beautifully, capturing the dry isolation of the west and the characters within that world, it’s just a shame the plot is paper-thin.
Deepwater Horizon
- By Stephen Scott
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
The night in 2010 when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, causing the worst oil spill in US history.
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: While initially hamstrung by technical jargon and setup, the film goes from zero to a billion in the space of five minutes as the second act begins. The resulting destruction is an incredible spectacle that is grim, bloody, and ultimately, deeply saddening.
The Girl on the Train
- By Stephen Scott
- 9 years ago
What it’s about?
People learn to regret living by train lines.
What did we think?
Sarah Taviani says: I’ve read the book. I knew how the story would unfold. But half an hour in, it became clear the moral grey areas were off limits. Rachel’s more repugnant actions were omitted, and the development of other characters suffered as a result.
Emily Blunt does well with her portrayal of Rachel and Danny Elfman’s score was spot-on, but in the end, the film felt like a thought-provoking study of alcoholism rather than a thrilling mystery.
Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
Imagine if Tim Burton made an X-Men movie.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: A delightful flight of fancy that will tickle both the heart and imagination, Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children is a welcome breath of fresh air. We’ve had a glut of children’s books becoming franchises but this one has the right mix of intelligence and whimsy that will leave people of all ages wanting more. Masterful performances from an all-star cast make it hard to single out individuals but special mention should be made of Eva Green whose sudden jerky movements mimic the peregrine flacon she transforms into wonderfully.
The few faults – the climax isn’t as big as one would hope and the concept of time is a bit ‘wibbly wobbly’ – are minor and easily overlooked once you lose yourself in a world of hidden secrets and incredible powers. It’s very understated for Tim Burton who seems more focused on the story than excessive quirk, but any movie that makes you want to immediately buy the books is doing something right.
Storks
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
The storks have modernised and replaced their baby delivery service with an amazon-like corporation. The status quo is threatened however and the company’s heir apparent is tasked with making the final child delivery.
What did we think?
It’s an incredibly cute movie with genuine laugh-out-loud moments. The humour is unmistakably Andy Samberg’s so while the film lacks subtlety or real depth, it compensates with enough raw entertainment to overcome a predictable by-the-numbers plot. Good for all ages, it won’t go down as a classic but it’s fun enough.
Snowden
- By Stephen Scott
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
From Snowden’s early days contracting for the US government, up until he becomes responsible for the largest leak in history.
What did we think?
Nick John Bleeker says: Oliver Stone’s interpretation of the most significant leak in history highlights its sheer magnitude by making the man behind it have less of an agenda and more of a personal obligation. Despite that, the film struggles to dive deep on the ethical questions …but you’ll still find yourself taping up your laptop’s camera afterwards.
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Phantom Thread
What’s it about?
Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a renowned fashion designer to the elite in 1950s London. A confirmed bachelor, his cold personality and obsession with work makes it difficult for him to form a substantial relationship with anyone besides his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville). On a countryside trip, Reynolds takes an interest in waitress Alma (Vicky Krieps), whom he brings back to London as his assistant and lover; a romance which turns complicated, tense and deadly.
What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: Daniel Day-Lewis? Daniel Dresses-Ladies! (What? Never mind.)
Firmly in the grand “There Will Be Blood”/”The Master” style of Paul Thomas Anderson movies – not the needle-dropping “Boogie Nights”/”Magnolia” style – this is one of his good ones. DDL is, naturally, fantastic: there’s a shot where he’s just putting on pants and it’s utterly compelling. Woodcock isn’t prone to snap rants about drinking milkshakes, but DDL again brings such a soft-spoken intensity that you think he just might. The kitchen scene near the end is Tarantino-like in its suspense-building.
The movie looks and sounds great; a score that’s alternatingly beautiful and tense, gorgeous costumes and cinematography.
An unconventional “romance” question mark?
Molly’s Game
What’s it about?
After an injury derails her Olympic skiing career, pre-law student Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) finds her way into the world of underground, high -takes poker. As business grows, Molly soon finds herself in dangerous waters, attracting the attention of both the Mafia and the FBI.
What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: I dug this. That dialogue is unmistakably Sorkin; it’s like jazz – may not always get what’s going on, but damn it’s got a rhythm. His first time as director, Sorkin’s rapid editing style sometimes matches his dialogue style: more cuts than a game of cards. Chastain is great as Molly – a strong, smart and glamorous woman who takes no BS and (mostly) sticks to her principles in the face of very real danger. Idris Elba is solid as Molly’s reluctant lawyer, as is Kevin Costner as Tough Love Dad. Worth going all in on, and other poker puns.
I, Tonya
What’s it about?
The true story of a poor but gifted ice skater who became embroiled in an assault charge on a competitor.
What we thought
Dan says: I expected this film to be ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ but with skating and knee bludgeoning. Instead, the two dimensional villain from the 24/7 news cycle turns out to be a nuanced and tragic, actual human being. The tale is a poem of violence and bullying.
I’ve seen films with unreliable narrators before but the charm in this film comes from each of them wilfully fighting each other for narrative control. This film’s character work is intimately shot but will then “double axle” into the ice skating scenes that are so well crafted they actually make ice skating routines watchable.
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Editor's Choice
Phantom Thread
What’s it about?
Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a renowned fashion designer to the elite in 1950s London. A confirmed bachelor, his cold personality and obsession with work makes it difficult for him to form a substantial relationship with anyone besides his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville). On a countryside trip, Reynolds takes an interest in waitress Alma (Vicky Krieps), whom he brings back to London as his assistant and lover; a romance which turns complicated, tense and deadly.
What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: Daniel Day-Lewis? Daniel Dresses-Ladies! (What? Never mind.)
Firmly in the grand “There Will Be Blood”/”The Master” style of Paul Thomas Anderson movies – not the needle-dropping “Boogie Nights”/”Magnolia” style – this is one of his good ones. DDL is, naturally, fantastic: there’s a shot where he’s just putting on pants and it’s utterly compelling. Woodcock isn’t prone to snap rants about drinking milkshakes, but DDL again brings such a soft-spoken intensity that you think he just might. The kitchen scene near the end is Tarantino-like in its suspense-building.
The movie looks and sounds great; a score that’s alternatingly beautiful and tense, gorgeous costumes and cinematography.
An unconventional “romance” question mark?
Molly’s Game
What’s it about?
After an injury derails her Olympic skiing career, pre-law student Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) finds her way into the world of underground, high -takes poker. As business grows, Molly soon finds herself in dangerous waters, attracting the attention of both the Mafia and the FBI.
What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: I dug this. That dialogue is unmistakably Sorkin; it’s like jazz – may not always get what’s going on, but damn it’s got a rhythm. His first time as director, Sorkin’s rapid editing style sometimes matches his dialogue style: more cuts than a game of cards. Chastain is great as Molly – a strong, smart and glamorous woman who takes no BS and (mostly) sticks to her principles in the face of very real danger. Idris Elba is solid as Molly’s reluctant lawyer, as is Kevin Costner as Tough Love Dad. Worth going all in on, and other poker puns.
I, Tonya
What’s it about?
The true story of a poor but gifted ice skater who became embroiled in an assault charge on a competitor.
What we thought
Dan says: I expected this film to be ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ but with skating and knee bludgeoning. Instead, the two dimensional villain from the 24/7 news cycle turns out to be a nuanced and tragic, actual human being. The tale is a poem of violence and bullying.
I’ve seen films with unreliable narrators before but the charm in this film comes from each of them wilfully fighting each other for narrative control. This film’s character work is intimately shot but will then “double axle” into the ice skating scenes that are so well crafted they actually make ice skating routines watchable.
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Add-in an optional excerpt to describe your review. Lorem Ipsum is the standard dummy text.