18.3.24 Years from now, when scholars and film enthusiasts discuss films that masterfully balance the mundanity and disturbingness of evil, The Zone of Interest will no doubt be mentioned as a seminal reference. Director Jonathan Glazer’s unique approach to shooting and crafting the film, coupled with a truly unsettling soundtrack, contextualises the pure evil and […]
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22.4.24 The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare aims to recreate the vibes of a pulp comic book, like a ‘diet’ version of a Tarantino film, and it succeeds. With its direct action sequences and bravado-laden dialogue, it delivers gleeful enjoyment that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I have no shame in stating that its British charm
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31.12.23 What a pleasure it was to watch my first official film of 2024, on the last day of 2023 with my family during the extended Christmas break. Ideally, The Holdovers really should have been released in the UK before the 25th, although due to the awards recognition it’s getting, it makes sense to delay
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21.3.24 Despite its ridiculous opening premise and satirical clumsiness despite a real-world issue of old people getting ripped off by telemarketing conmen, The Beekeeper really works as another Statham-led OTT action film. Feeling like John Wick meets The Saw franchise, in terms of a simple revenge tale patchworked up with some inventive deaths and a
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18.4.24 Spaceman is an interesting and ambitious sci-fi offering that deserves credit for tackling such an abstract, metaphysical premise. Director Johan Renck takes a big swing, and while it doesn’t deliver a fully convincing philosophical message, Adam Sandler’s committed lead performance keeps the film at an accessible level free of pretence. The high-concept setup follows
14.4.24 Scoop had the potential to be a gripping dramatisation of one of the most cringe-worthy interviews in TV history, but sadly it does little more than regurgitate the original car crash between Maitlis and Prince Andrew. Director of The Crown Philip Martin gives it the Netflix treatment, adding no new insights or depth, feeling
13.3.24 In Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos creates a gorgeous, fantastic world of boundless energy and creative spirit. Emma Stone’s Bella, resurrected by Willem Dafoe’s well-intentioned but unhinged scientist Dr. God, possesses a novel outlook on life, untainted by the passage of time, social prejudices, or the fear of causing offence. Lanthimos’ technical prowess shines through
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16.4.24 Like most of Wim Wenders’ work, Perfect Days is a slow, hazy, and reflective tale that meanders at its own pace. While I typically enjoy Wenders’ contemplative style and the film’s connection to 70s rock icons like Patti Smith and The Velvet Underground, Perfect Days left me feeling underwhelmed. Apart from piquing my curiosity
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17.4.24 I swear that with each year, British directors get more impressive and skilful with their debut films. Electrifying, tense and culturally rich, Monkey Man greatly balances self-aware action against a fleshed-out backdrop of Hindu nationalism, a bold first outing from one of the UK’s most promising leading men Dev Patel. Monkey Man is set
23.4.24 Late Night with the Devil works very well on two fronts – as a short, sharp horror movie, and as a vehicle to showcase David Dastmalchian’s leading man potential. Ever since his standout turn as Polka Dot Man in the brilliant Suicide Squad reboot, I’ve felt he deserves a chance to take centre stage.
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