Paul Verhoeven’s Elle absorbs, entertains, and intrigues. After a lengthy break, Verhoeven reminds viewers exactly why he is a great filmmaker. After being attacked in her own home, Michèle seems to get on with her life. As she goes about her busy life, Michèle gets caught in a game of cat and mouse with the man who attacked her… Based on […]
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Blue Velvet Revisited is almost a video essay except it isn’t coherent enough to engage and not quirky enough to excite. Peter Braatz, then a film student, wrote to David Lynch and asked if he could cover the production of his latest film, Blue Velvet. The resulting film is a concoction of interviews with Lynch, cast and crew, photographs, audio and […]
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Cristi Puiu’s Sieranevada is a kitchen sink comedy drama that would have been excellent if it had been tighter. Doctor Lary and his wife are on their way to a family gathering. Lary’s family are coming together for a lunch and commemoration. As the family prepare for the service, they await guests and welcome unexpected arrivals… Writer-director Cristi Puiu’s Sieranevada is a chamber piece […]
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It is now a week into the 60th BFI London Film Festival, and so far it has offered some cinematic delights. Here are some LFF 2016 highlights from the first week of screenings… LFF 2016 Highlights – Unmissable La La Land From the opening sequence, it is obvious that La La Land is something special. Damien Chazelle does not disappoint […]
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Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation is a compelling drama that does not shy away from the realities of its narrative. Taught to read the bible as a young boy, Nat Turner grows up to be a literate slave. When his owner Samuel falls on hard times, he accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves… […]
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The Noonday Witch is an atmospheric psychological horror-drama that falters when it tries for the jump scares. Eliska and her daughter Anetka move to a remote house to start a new life. Eliska has told Anetka that her father is away on business, but the villagers seem to think otherwise. Meanwhile, Anetka is told about the noonday witch… Based on a […]
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Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival brings the spectacle and wonder. For the most part, the film is an engrossing watch. When mystery spacecrafts land on Earth, linguist Louise Banks is asked to try and communicate with the vessel in the USA. Teams across the globe face a race against time to find answers… Based on the short story by Ted Chiang, Arrival combines science […]
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The Graduation (Le Concours) is a fly-on-the-wall documentary that pays off, despite a slow start. Le Femis in Paris is one of the top film schools. Every year, numerous candidates compete for limited places at the highly selective school. Each of the prospective students need to go a rigorous selection process… Filmmaker Claire Simon goes behind the scenes at Le […]
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Terence Davies’ Emily Dickinson biopic is witty and beautifully shot. A Quiet Passion is a sincere portrait of the poet. Young Emily Dickinson’s views are at odds with the teachings of her religious school. As she grows up, her love of writing poetry grows, as does her reluctance to confirm to the social mores of the period… Writer-director Terence Davies […]
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Told by the subject’s own voice, David Lynch: The Art Life is an entertaining insight into Lynch’s life and art. Before he was a filmmaker, David Lynch was an artist. This documentary captures his early childhood memories up to working on Eraserhead, charting his interest in art and how this impacted his life… David Lynch: The Art Life is an entertaining […]
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