And who is Melvin actually in love with: Lisa or Georgia? We’ll have to wait until 3 December to find that out, though judging by this trailer the movie itself fulfils my strict but simple rules for a fantastic festive film. To stop me going all bah humbug on exhausted moviemakers, they need to provide… Boxing Day trailer: does true love triumph? Read More
The Nest ending: did you twig?
If you can remember the ’80s, were you really there? Do you want to remember? What, even the shoulder pads? Very spoilery. (My five star review is here.) “Rory. Stop.” So ends The Nest, with wife Allison finally asserting her authority, literally and figuratively now at the head of the table, when he skulks in… The Nest ending: did you twig? Read More
Cruella 3 stars
Prequel covering the rebellious early days of one of cinemas most notorious – and notoriously fashionable – villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil. Cruella may be all fur coat and no knickers but it’s also bouncy fun with bite, as we are blessed with the two best Emmas (sorry Hermione and Baby Spice) fighting it… Cruella Read More
Locked Down 3 stars
Just as they decide to separate, Linda and Paxton find life has other plans when they are stuck at home in a mandatory lockdown. It may have more holes than my bubbling sourdough starter, but I enjoyed Locked Down a lot more than I enjoyed lockdown, the claustrophobia-induced frenzy of Doug Liman’s film all too… Locked Down Read More
A Christmas Gift From Bob 2.5 stars
James looks back at the last Christmas he and Bob spent scraping a living on the streets and how Bob helped him through one of his toughest times – providing strength, friendship and inspiration – and ultimately teaching each other about the true meaning of Christmas spirit along the way. A typical Christmas gift from… A Christmas Gift From Bob Read More
Invasion Planet Earth 2 stars
It never rains but it pours as we like to say in weather-obsessed Britain, and that’s certainly true of Invasion Planet Earth. Not literally. This isn’t Geostorm. But our planet, already on the brink of a world war, is faced with an alien invasion. Simon Cox’s feature (he directed, produced and co-wrote the screenplay) has been… Invasion Planet Earth Read More
Judy 3.5 stars
Despite Judy Garland’s far-too-early death at the age of 47, there’s a sense in Judy that by then her life had come full circle, and not in a good way. Interweaving her five-week engagement at the Talk Of The Town club in London a few months before her death with her teenage years in Hollywood,… Judy Read More
Trailer: The Last Tree – identity and belonging, from rural Lincolnshire to inner London
Shola Amoo’s second feature, the semi-autobiographical The Last Tree, is an accomplished, absorbing and witty film about Femi (Sam Adewumni), a Black teenage boy struggling to create his own identity and sense of place from disparate memories, experiences and expectations. I was lucky enough to see it at Sundance London; you can read my 4-star review… Trailer: The Last Tree – identity and belonging, from rural Lincolnshire to inner London Read More
The Last Tree (Sundance London) 4 stars
Shola Amoo’s second feature is an accomplished and absorbing film, following the teenage Femi as he struggles to create his own identity and sense of place from disparate memories, experiences and expectations. Little confusions, which for teenagers can still loom large, are woven into far more serious choices. There’s a sweet scene when Femi, walking along… The Last Tree (Sundance London) Read More
Pop-Up Screens are back for the summer in London
Pop-Up Screens is back in London for the summer with a fantastic line up of old and new movies to watch outdoors. Running from 19 July to 29 September, this summer’s line up has classics and blockbusters (and classic blockbusters) and includes: The Breakfast Club, Labyrinth, Dirty Dancing, Jurassic Park and Ghostbusters, Baby Driver, Mama Mia:… Pop-Up Screens are back for the summer in London Read More
Pack Your Factor 30 & An Umbrella, Pop Up Screens Is Back!
*** There’s still time to enjoy outdoor cinema in London with Pop Up Screens – check out the rest of the season, below *** Corams Fields, Russell Square Friday 21st September: Donnie Darko Saturday 22nd September: Dirty Dancing Sunday 23rd September: Easy A How much are tickets? Tickets will be priced from £7 for a… Pack Your Factor 30 & An Umbrella, Pop Up Screens Is Back! Read More
London Has Fallen 3 stars
“It’s what I do” says Mike Banning, as he prepares once more to get American President Benjamin Asher in a shit-load of trouble, I mean protect him on his official trip to the funeral of the British Prime Minister, who has died unexpectedly. To give Banning credit he does later get the president out of… London Has Fallen Read More