I have no idea what general audiences will think of Del Toro’s newest monster movie, but I loved it. A mute woman working as a cleaner inside an American government laboratory encounters a wondrous creature they have captured. But her blossoming feelings for the captive cause her anguish as ruthless authorities want to experiment on…
Review: The Cloverfield Paradox
The Cloverfield Paradox surprised everyone with its release… after viewing it my feelings are somewhat torn. British scientist Eva Hamilton commits to joining an experimental space program to test an advanced particle collider in hope that it might solve Earth’s debilitating energy crisis. But operating the machine, even in Earth’s orbit, has bizarre and far-reaching…
Review: Loving Vincent
What a gorgeous, mesmerizing and sad experience. Depicting the last months of Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh’s life in France, the story follows a post master’s son and his attempts to deliver the artist’s final letter to his brother. How can you write a review of Loving Vincent without immediately talking about the animation…
Review: Downsizing
Well that was disappointing. Paul Safranek lives a pretty unfulfilling life, always supporting others but not especially giving in to his own wants or needs. Drowning in debt, living small with big dreams, he convinces his wife to join him on a newly discovered science: Downsizing. Living in a miniature world, being only ten centimeters…
Review: The Post
Spielberg can make a great film from filming paint dry, and The Post is very deliberately made in this day and age of political anxiety. A widow is placed in charge of The Washington Post newspaper firm after her husband passed away, taking on the responsibility of a legacy just when strongly guarded Government secrets…
Review: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Award season begins strong, a movie that is surprisingly funny, tragic, subtle, deep and ambiguous. Seven months after her daughter was brutally murdered, an angry and grieving mother takes matters into her own hands and advertises the local police department’s negligence in catching her killer on three huge roadside billboards. However, does she appreciate how…
Review: Bright
The title is a misnomer, this isn’t very bright. In an alternate reality where humans live alongside orcs and elves, the LA police department learn about an ancient magical artifact designed to return The Dark Lord to life. Officer Ward and his new recruit, an orc named Nick, find themselves in the middle of an…
Review: Pan’s Labyrinth
Of course I’ve seen this film before. I am having a “me” day: this is my favourite film. During the chaos of the Spanish civil war, a young girl cares for her mother who is pregnant with the child of a fascist army captain. But the girl finds herself captivated by another world that beckons…
Best and Worst of 2017
2017 has proven to be a critically successful year, but in terms of genre films it has given some pretty divisive experiences. Personally, this is the first year that Disney / Marvel Studios has failed to deliver a Top 10 worthy experience. While their three heavy hitters this year, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor Ragnarok and Guardians…
Review: Life
A competent claustrophobic sci-fi horror, but it does require a lot of suspension of disbelief to enjoy. A damaged reconnaissance probe returning from Mars returns to the orbital station above Earth so that scientists on board can study what it brought back. But to their surprise and initial joy, the probe brought back signs of…