In the 18th century, English traveller and cartographer Jonathan Green journeys from Russia to China encountering dragons, black magic wizardry and a dragon king during an incredible but deadly adventure. Imagine a slapstick comedy with Jackie Chan and Arnold Schwarzenegger hamming it up as prisoner and gaoler in Regency London, combined with a children’s adventure mystery as… The Iron Mask Read More
Abominable 4 stars
This is the third family film about mythical apes in a year, after Smallfoot and the sadly underseen Missing Link. I’m not sure that’s a bad thing though – even the most cynical child (they do exist, I used to be one) will be delighted by Everest the yeti, who when rolled up resembles a giant fluffy snowball…. Abominable Read More
The Farewell (Sundance London) 5 stars
The Farewell is writer-director Lulu Wang’s second feature, and it’s a funny, bracing, tender and profoundly moving film. “Sexy but poor” is how Billi (Awkwafina) describes herself half-jokingly to her mother, visiting her parents while trying to avoid the apartment she always owes rent on. Her parents also live in New York, the whole family… The Farewell (Sundance London) Read More
The Meg 3 stars
Even as a B-movie The Meg could have been scarier, funnier and sillier. But bitching about it would be like kicking a particularly boisterous, fluffy kitten. It’s quite enjoyable if not particularly memorable. There are a couple of terrific action set pieces, particularly Jonas being pulled through the sea at top speed with the Meg… The Meg Read More
A Gentle Night (Short Film) Short Film 4 stars
Parental love is a wonderful thing but the other side of the coin – guilt – is never far away for most of us, to varying degrees, sometimes deserved but mostly not, or at least not completely. Linlin’s parents already look drained, with her mum (Shuxian Li) particularly careworn. It’s partly what has just happened and partly the lighting and… A Gentle Night (Short Film) Read More