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Reviews
There She Goes (2018)
Captures the emotional complexity of raising a disabled child
Many Hollywood movies or tv shows have used learning disabilities or autism as plot devices, shallow narrative tools to elicit sympathy for main characters. However, none of these come close to describing the real lived experience and day to day struggle that this type of family life really entails.
As someone who parents a child with a learning disability, I've never watched a tv show that captures the unique blend of hope, love, shame, dedication and getting-on-with-it as this one. It was a unique experience to feel "seen" in all of lice's upside downs, from experience with an inadequate government supper system to the daily judgement of kindness of strangers.
This show may not have the viewership it deserves, but it has ready been really important to so many people.
Mr. Right (2015)
Absurd rom com is a joy to watch
"Silly but fun" is the best description of this surprisingly engaging and underrated film.
Stars Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell are given room to play to their considerable strengths as their two oddball characters meet and sparks (and a lot of other things) fly. Tim Roth also adds his unique flavour of helter skelter to the mix.
The result is a film that entertains from start to finish and is grounded in the connection between the two leads and their mutual desire for escape.
Director Paco Cabezas is better known for his thrillers, and after Mr Right transitioned to a list of darkly entertaining TV such as Penny Dreadful, The Strain, and The Alienist. With "Mr Right" he's brought a uniquely refreshing angle to the tired rom com genre, which is no mean feat.
Leave the World Behind (2023)
M Night Shyalaman homage by creator of Mr Robot
No this isn't an M. Night Shyalaman movie. But that was clearly the brief that Sam Esmail, creator of Mr. Robot and Homecoming, was given.
The film doubles down on Shyalaman classic features like constant tension, inverting the natural world, and wildly unpredictable circumstances putting pressure on family dynamics.
Features solid performances from reliable Hollywood greats Ethan Hawke and Mahershala Ali. Esmail, like many directors, has his favourites, and Julia Roberts seems increasingly confident taking risks here where she can rely on the director she worked with in Homecoming.
Look out for a couple cheeky nods to previous Shyalaman films that show this was a very deliberate homage.
The Princess (2022)
Girls can make average medieval fantasy action movies too
A curious clash of genres: opening on a picturesque castle like every Disney movie you've ever seen, it segues from fairy tale to final girl survival flick, to feminist swordy swashbuckler.
The film probably would have worked well for a younger female audience but the frequency of bloodshed means it struggles to find an audience.
It's incredibly silly. The moral lessons are over the top and the heroine seems to be wearing a polyester ice skating costume. But the film believes in itself and this sincerity, along with Cooper's reliable villain, manages the balancing act of never falling into unintentional parody.
No one could accuse the script of subtlety or originality, but it's a fairly watchable romp.
See How They Run (2022)
Less than the sum of its perfect parts
Stellar cast? Check.
A cheeky but dedicated homage to Agatha Christie with twists, red herrings and nods to the classic whodunnit? Check.
Sumptuous sets, fabulous costume design and Hitchcock inspired storyboards drawing you into a nostalgic cinematic world? Check.
This latest straight-to-Disney offering has all the pieces needed for a truly great film experience, yet somehow manages to lose the attention of the viewer somewhere between throwing away its best actors' talents and the narrative losing steam about halfway through the film.
It's certainly better dressed than its 2019 cousin Knives Out, but lacks the same narrative punch.
Although in a somewhat bizarre show of solidarity, See How They Run has also asked its lead hard boiled detective to cross the Atlantic, this time in the other direction: Sam Rockwell's London bobby sometimes misses the mark but is still more believable than Daniel Craig's belabored Southern drawl.
It's still a fun watch and fans of the genre will find plenty of winks to entertain.
6 out of 10 under-used supporting characters.
Revolver (2005)
Even die hard Ritchie fans can't defend this one
Watching this film is akin to listening to an elderly relative recount the plot of any random Guy Ritchie film, without coherence or narrative.
A rambling disaster, it's like the director took cut scenes from all of his other films and strung them together in no particular order.
Watch out for the bizarre, unexplained and incongruous animated sequences which are dropped in just to highlight the lack of respect the film's creators have for its viewers.
Or don't - and save yourself from watching of this film at all.
This Means War (2012)
Silly but fun, one for the ladies
Is this movie ridiculously stupid? Absolutely.
But if you're in the mood for something that doesn't make you engage your brain, it's fast paced and funny enough to be entertaining.
It's certainly got star power and I enjoyed watching Tom Hardy and Chris Pine vie for the affections of Reese Witherspoon more than I expected.
A guilty pleasure watch that pairs perfectly with Ben and Jerry's for a night in.