Few films in the past five years have divided critical and audience opinion to the extent of ‘Joker’. Comments on the film have ranged from “It laughs at disability” through to “It is a dangerous exploration of mental health”. However, the truth is ‘Joker’ opens an uncomfortable door into societies views on criminality, isolation and mental health. A door that …
Placing Charles Dickens classic novel David Copperfield into the hands of Armando Iannucci (The Death of Stalin), may sound rather audacious. But Iannucci’s love of all things Dickens found itself highlighted back in 2012. With the fabulous BBC documentary ‘Armando’s Tale of Charles Dickens‘. In which the writer/director explored Dickens work with contemporary social eye. While equally focussing on the …
The Goldfinch provides a classic example of the challenges present in condensing a large sprawling novel into a single two and a half hour film. The novels complexity ultimately failing in the translation to the screen. While in turn creating a frustrating and disappointing film. With the films solid performances and beautiful cinematography drowned out by a three act structure …
For many years Fox News has provided America with a twisted, often controversial and evangelical right wing voice. Therefore, it is somewhat surprising that one of best known cases of the early #MeToo movement, came from the heart of Murdoch’s right wing news operation. Focussing on the abuse of corporate power, and the misogyny of a CEO (Roger Ailes) who …
Undoubtedly his most bold and ambitious film to date. Director Trey Edward Shults (It Comes at Night) new film Waves, oozes creativity and emotion in equal measure. While embracing its audience in a kaleidoscope of colour, sound and movement. Ensuring each person watching feels a part of the action on screen. In a sweeping family drama that not only creates …
Spoiler Free The horrors of the First World War have long been a staple of cinema. However, in more recent years film has begun the process of reflecting this horror from a new perspective. Dovetailing the innocence of the young people who fought, with the apocalyptic brutality of a war with no visible end. In turn combining the anti war …
In 2016 James Grey brought us the underrated ‘The Lost City of Z‘. A film that focused on the human need for exploration and understanding. Exploring the desire of humans to risk everything in answering the questions inherent in the unknown and unexplored. Ad Astra continues the themes of Grey’s earlier film. Mixing stunning cinematography with the human desire to answer the …
Mark Jenkin’s Cornish fishing tale ‘Bait’ is a masterclass in cinematic art and social commentary. Providing us with an hypnotic and salty soap opera. While mixing this with a unique, captivating and utterly beautiful piece of cinema. The grain of its 16mm black and white footage interfacing with modern Cornwall. As tradition and change combine with explosive results. Martin Ward …
In 2003 James Frey published his memoir, “A Million Little Pieces”. A piece of work that initially received widespread acclaimed on release. However, went on to court controversy after the author admitted fictionalising some key aspects of his apparent life story. This controversy was only heightened by an interview on the Oprah Winfrey show. Where Oprah asked Frey to apologise to readers over a book she …
On the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005 the Catholic Church found itself at cross roads. With the need for modernisation clashing with the continued conservatism of John Paul’s legacy. And it is here that Fernando Meirelles beautiful adaptation of a screenplay by Anthony McCarten starts. Taking us on a glorious if largely unknown journey into the relationship …