Teenage love. Acting. The correct way to pronounce Barbra StreiSAND. Yes, it’s the trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza, about a high school boy who falls in love. And gets a lesson from film producer Jon Peters on film star names. Here’s the very short synopsis: Set in 1970s San Fernando Valley, the film… “SAND! Like sands. Like the ocean”: The Licorice Pizza trailer is here Read More
The Last Bus 2.5 stars
An elderly man takes his wife’s ashes from Scotland to Cornwall, by bus. Tom Harper, the old man at the centre of The Last Bus, is one of those people who says little while conveying a lot. Part-way through his long journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End he’s staying overnight in a scruffy hotel,… The Last Bus Read More
Some thoughts on Summerland
Warning: this is very spoilery so if you came here via a search engine looking for my review, and haven’t seen the film yet, you can read it here. I said at the end of my review that everything is tied up very neatly. It’s not coincidence – that’s made clear – but it is… Some thoughts on Summerland Read More
Summerland 3.5 stars
In Kent during World War II, Alice, who has never got over a broken relationship, reluctantly takes in Frank, a young evacuee. Initially resolving to be rid of him within a week, she eventually opens her heart to him. Some of the insults and accusations aimed at women down the ages may be dependent on… Summerland Read More
Portrait of a Lady on Fire 5 stars
A love story set in the 18th century about Marianne, a painter, and the aristocratic Heloïse, whose pre-wedding portrait she has been commissioned to paint. Heloïse, unwilling to marry, has consistently refused to sit – so Marianne paints her secretly, having been introduced as a hired companion. Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a… Portrait of a Lady on Fire Read More
EMMA. 4 stars
When you get to my age it feels like Emma adaptations come round more often than unexpected Jon Bernthal cameos, so I was surprised to discover it’s actually 21 years since Gwyneth Paltrow’s big screen outing as the “handsome, clever and rich” – and meddlesome – heroine. And this EMMA is a hugely enjoyable, fresh… EMMA. Read More
“I’m not a career elf!” – the Last Christmas international trailer is here
*** Read my review of Last Christmas *** And this one goes in much more heavily on the dark side of the festive season. In this case it’s the illness Kate (Emilia Clarke) suffered the previous Christmas, which left her near death. 12 months on, the experience still has her in its grip and she… “I’m not a career elf!” – the Last Christmas international trailer is here Read More
Falling Inn Love 3 stars
To B&B or not to B&B, that is the question – as American city girl Gabriela wins an actual New Zealand guesthouse in a competition, meeting handsome local builder Jake when she turns up to view her beautiful but ramshackle prize (which at least comes with its own goat, Gilbert). To which I could also… Falling Inn Love Read More
Benjamin 4 stars
A second film, like a second album, is fraught with problems, but it also offers a rich seam of jokes, especially around the double edged sword that early success brings. “Ideally I’d have just made that film and died”, young filmmaker Benjamin tells his publicist, Billie about his first movie. “Is that not a good answer…?”… Benjamin Read More
Always Be My Maybe 3.5 stars
Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) is magazine cover-famous. She’s a top chef with a successful LA restaurant, another about to open in San Francisco, and a New York venue coming later. Her childhood friend friend Marcus Kim (Randall Park) is lamppost-famous. His flyers for his 15-year-old band Hello Peril have finally reached the other side of San Francisco,… Always Be My Maybe Read More
In Fabric 4 stars
With In Fabric, director Peter Strickland has built a world which conveys all that is best and worst about shopping: carnal, animalistic, beautiful, frightening and blackly funny, with as many touchable moments as teachable ones. Imagine a cross between 1970s department store sitcom Are You Being Served? and the original Suspiria, and that just about… In Fabric Read More
Long Shot 4 stars
This is a grown-up comedy, what with it being about politics, ethical journalism, the environment, personal integrity, Boyz II Men, boners, masturbation, and drugs. Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is Secretary of State, working under President Chambers (Bob Odenkirk) whose route to power was a decade spent playing the president on TV. Which is very funny… Long Shot Read More