The greatest mysteries tend to have simple, even prosaic explanations: motives can mostly be distilled down to love or/of money. In Rian Johnson’s traditional murder-mystery, Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is rich and lonely, with a huge grasping family so used to him paying for them that they’ve forgotten that he doesn’t have to (though he… Knives Out Read More
Stanley A Man Of Variety – 1 minute video review Includes Video 2.5 stars
Click here for my full Stanley A Man Of Variety written review
Stanley A Man Of Variety 2.5 stars
Stanley is incarcerated in a grim-looking institution, and has been for some years. He studies books in the library to assess whether he’s entitled to a hearing; or he’s cleaning the floors with his mop and metal bucket. Or he’s watching cassettes of old comedies, the shiny white brick walls of his narrow cell decorated with… Stanley A Man Of Variety Read More
King Of Crime 1.5 stars
King Of Crime starts off pretty well. It’s got the British gangster flick trademarks we all recognise, from the big house to the London-accented ageing crime boss to the blonde wife and feuding kids. Plus violence – early on and shockingly abrupt, as if to warn us that this isn’t going to be a “salt… King Of Crime Read More
The Old Man And The Gun 3 stars
“This story, also, is mostly true”, says the title card at the beginning of David Lowery’s stylish and witty film, presumably referring not just to facts but also because it is clearly Forrest’s truth, that myth of a smart and courteous gentleman thief who still threatens his victims, terribly politely, with a gun. The Old Man… The Old Man And The Gun Read More
Widows 4.5 stars
Widows is a bold and blazing movie that positions complicated women firmly at the centre, yet still finds time for little scenes which deal with the complexities of grief, the numbness and the desperation for physical contact, even when a dead husband has been a vicious waste of space. (How often is a death or… Widows Read More
Holmes & Watson Trailer Is Certainly Elementary
UPDATE: Read my Holmes & Watson review now. Our queens have to put up with a lot when meeting the Great British Public, but Victoria’s audience with Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson at Buckingham Palace must stretch even her reserves of decorum to breaking point. She’s probably the only person who could maintain that blank… Holmes & Watson Trailer Is Certainly Elementary Read More
Bad Santa 2 1.5 stars
It’s probably not a great idea to include the line “welcome to the shitstorm” in your sequel as the temptation for disgruntled movie reviewers to start their review with it is just so strong. Luckily I am more creative than that. But unfortunately Bad Santa 2 is really not a great movie. Where the first… Bad Santa 2 Read More