Sometimes you end up watching a movie simply because its title and description sound way too arresting to ignore. “Anglican nuns in the Himalayas” was outlandish enough to draw me into watching this unusual and darkly sensuous 1947 British drama with Deborah Kerr.
cinema
The Talented Mr. Ripley – Film Review
I’ve been rewatching some of my old favourites lately, including this underappreciated 1999 thriller written and directed by Anthony Minghella. Though, judging by the amount of online articles that seem to be popping up to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary, maybe it’s not so underappreciated after all.
Downfall – Film Review
I finally got around to watching this dark and gripping 2004 German drama about the last days of Hitler and the Third Reich. Realistic, hard-hitting, impeccably crafted, meticulously researched and detailed, Downfall is easily one of the best historical war films I’ve seen.
The Lighthouse – Film Review
I went to the Astor Theatre with a friend for a Robert Eggers double feature: last year’s The Lighthouse and his debut film, The Witch, that I was happy to re-watch on the big screen. T’was a fun night of creepy folk tales and period horror. Now that the coronavirus is shutting theatres down, it’s strange to think that this might be my last cinema outing for a while, and that the last two films I’ve watched are about people going insane and killing each other in confined spaces.
1917 – Film Review
I’m slowly catching up on the acclaimed 2019 movies, most recently this World War I drama from the director Sam Mendes. I always have to overcome a barrier of reluctance with war movies set in the modern era, but I’m glad I managed to watch 1917 on the big screen (and in the plush comfort of Village Gold Class too!)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire – Film Review
My first reaction to the title of this movie was to wonder if it was something in the spirit of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, maybe a horror parody of Henry James’ The Portrait of a Lady? But no, instead this exquisite French film is a sumptuous and sensual drama about an impossible love between two women in 18th-century Brittany.
Little Women – Film Review
I appreciated this new take on Louisa May Alcott’s beloved semi-autobiographical novel more than I loved it, which is not to say that there weren’t things I unabashedly loved.
If you haven’t read the book or seen any previous adaptations, some spoilers to follow.
Hustlers – Film Review
A somewhat overlong but still fabulously entertaining caper movie about the lesser-known effects of the Global Financial Crisis, with a career-best performance from Jennifer Lopez.
Locke – Film Review
A film about Tom Hardy driving a car late at night and talking to people on the phone. Yep, that’s literally what the movie is about, and it kept me engrossed from start to finish.
Under The Skin – Film Review
I can’t say if I “enjoyed” this artsy and perplexing sci-fi film in a conventional sense, but I always appreciate a unique movie and Under The Skin is certainly an original experience unlike anything I’ve seen before.
