Homemade toy Forky, unable to comprehend that he is alive, and then unwilling to accept his new role as a plaything, is desperate to be disposed of as a used spork should be. For him trash means warm and safe, and his constant attempts to throw himself in the rubbish basket (with “get in… Toy Story 4 Read More
Solo: A Star Wars Story (Cannes 2018) 3.5 stars
Solo is terrific fun, a blast, a movie that never feels too long. But also doesn’t quite reach the heights it aspires to. WARNING – this is slightly spoilery, including Han and Chewy, so if you want to go into the cinema in blissful ignorance about this and some other plot points, leave now, with… Solo: A Star Wars Story (Cannes 2018) Read More
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 3.5 stars
There’s a cosiness to the word-count guzzling Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society, in a lie-back-and-think-of-postwar-England kind of way. We know what we’re going to get: fabulous 1940s fashions (wide-leg high waisted jeans, here I come); clattering typewriters; bosom-hoiking landladies; beautiful views. Plus love, loss, and employment for several British national treasures. But it… The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Read More
The Shape Of Water 5 stars
This is an ode to gods and monsters, and fittingly it is set in the early 1960s – when America has become used to strange creatures on screen, warning us of our failings as a species, or terrifying us into submission. And with so many B-movies allegories for East-West relations, it’s also appropriate that The… The Shape Of Water Read More
Downsizing 3 stars
Downsizing could have been a burning satire on social save-the-planet activism being twisted to support the newly idle, newly rich. But instead it becomes an apocalyptic tale about the power of love. Which is all very well but has nothing to do with being small, apart from only needing an ark from Toys ‘R’ Us…. Downsizing Read More
All The Money In The World 4 stars
“A man who has children gives hostages to fortune” said billionaire miser J. Paul Getty’s own father to him, a maxim that is not about money but about saying or doing something that sets you up for trouble in the future. Though in this case it is both, as descendants of billionaires are obvious kidnap… All The Money In The World Read More
Justice League 4 stars
When it comes to superhero films I’ve ploughed a lonely furrow over the years, as try as I might, I can’t get my head round a grown man dressing up as a bat to fight crime. But thanks to Justice League I have finally found someone else like me. Step forward… Aquaman! The man from… Justice League Read More
Thor: Ragnarok 3D 4 stars
If, like me, you don’t know your avenger from your enemy, don’t worry. Thor: Ragnarok is full of useful exposition that’s wittily done. In fact the whole film is awash with gags. You could call its humour Shakespearean, as slapstick punctures the bumptuousness and self-aggrandisement of the film’s heroes and anti-heroes, and if that isn’t… Thor: Ragnarok 3D Read More
Leatherface 3 stars
As a mother I’ve got to agree with one of the life (death?) lessons in Leatherface – never diss someone’s mom. This is a prequel to the 1974 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and it has some good moments, though it never reaches the heights of that classic. The central metaphor of the teen shedding… Leatherface Read More
IT 4 stars
It’s October 1988 and Bill is in his bedroom making a sailboat for his little brother, as music tinkles in the background. Though it turns out that this isn’t the soundtrack, but their mother playing her piano. What isn’t really real turns out to be there, in the house, after all. IT is a very good movie… IT Read More
Nut Job 2 – Nutty By Nature 2 stars
Surly the purple squirrel has been sitting back on his furry haunches and not living as a wild animal should. A local nut shop has recently closed, and with its easily accessible basement still full of, dare I say it, nut sacks, Surly (Will Arnett) and his little friends are ignoring their animal instincts and settling in there for the… Nut Job 2 – Nutty By Nature Read More
Dunkirk 5 stars
If there’s one thing war films have taught me it’s that conflicts are long periods of quiet boredom interspersed with flashes of horrific fighting, injuries and death. Dunkirk isn’t boring but it is a film that feels remarkably quiet, which is odd as though there is little dialogue there is music everywhere, along with screeching bombs… Dunkirk Read More