FilmMatinee Reviews

Troll (2022)

Norwegian Independence Day

[2 December 2022]

Having watched the trailer I was curious how much of the film was left out, and unfortunately, not a lot!

All the effort went into the look of this film, at the expense of both plot and character development. When the monster is the one with the emotional back story, it's a bit concerning. Troll is fun a times, but there's little to get invested in, and it plays out, more like a video game.

Near the end you'll see the Independence Day reference, but more than that, the two are similarly forgettable, for all the effort put into the spectacle.

If the idea a Troll movie appeals, watch Troll Hunter 2010. A smaller film, with actual tension and peril.

The Nightingale (I) (2018)

Humanity in its most barbaric and beautiful forms

[28 January 2020]

Much has been said of this film's violence and while unquestionably vicious; its inclusion is integral to the story, not a 'shock value' afterthought.

There are parallels between The Nightingale and the equally impressive Lady Macbeth (2016); which tells a similar story of the brutalization of women by men who view them not as human beings, but property. How they and those around them 'move on', is handled differently, but both are far more than simple revenge films.

While not an easy watch; The Nightingale is a powerful story, incredibly well portrayed, that seeks to provide a more complete picture, not heroes or empty sympathy. And for that, with caution of its content, The Nightingale is well worth your time and attention.

The War of the Worlds (2019)

A great book deserves a much better screenplay.

[2 December 2019]

So disappointing after the potential shown in episodes one and two. The final episode played as if it was the epilogue to a four part series, only they'd forgotten to film episode three.

Setting the story in Edwardian times was a good choice but with so little on screen action, the chasm in technology between human and alien was never fully explored.

Lacking any extended battles and with constant references to things not shown or previously discussed, the series ended in a rather confusing and frankly underwhelming manner.

Tell It to the Bees (2018)

A graceful and touching drama

[3 May 2019]

Tell It To The Bees, is a beautiful film set in a time that those, who gave this film one star, possibly wished would return. A time when to choose who we loved was considered a vile act, but to act vilely to those that did was expected behaviour. The film tells its story with grace, leaving the audience to decide who, if anyone in particular, are the victims. Special mention for Gregor Selkirk who is captivating as the young son, caught in the middle of the storm. Even though several have seemingly chosen to make a moral judgement in their score (for a film that isn't really that contentious) I will simply give what I hope is a more reasoned assessment. An excellent film and well worth your time.

The Boy (2016)

A creepy doll film that's just not that creepy

[1 July 2016]

An American in England gets a job as a nanny only to discover the "child" in her care is a porcelain doll.

Films with creepy dolls are nothing new and while The Boy offers a different approach, its lack of genuine tension becomes its downfall.

Visually it sets a suitably eerie and claustrophobic tone, based mainly in an old English mansion, however it too often lets go, dropping you back into rather mundane conversations that jar with what the film is trying to achieve. To make matters worse a side story involving an old boyfriend feel particularly shoehorned in. He also has some laughably hammy lines.

Eventually "things" do start to happen but just not enough to make the set-up worth the wait.

If the idea of a genuinely scary doll film appeals may I recommend Magic with Anthony Hopkins. This perfectly paced 1978 horror film really draws you in. It is to creepy doll films what Halloween was to the slasher genre.

Brooklyn (2015)

Parting is such sweet sorrow

[17 December 2015]

I must confess being a bit of a sucker for the 50s, especially America. I recently saw the equally beautiful Carol (Cate Blanchett & Rooney Mara) also set during the 50s and both films share a similar innocent suppressed vibe. And, it must be said, wonderfully elegant fashions.

Sixty years ago, for anyone to travel, with their family, half way across the world in search of a better life, was and still is a significant undertaking, but for a woman to do that on her own, took immense courage and fortitude.

The Brooklyn story is very simply told, not requiring any contrivances to keep things "interesting". It's this purity of focus that allows the audience to be drawn in to the world of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) as she experiences life in all its messiness and beauty.

Brooklyn is a film that, similar to Carol, relies as much on what isn't said as what is and with Saoirse Ronan's piercing eyes, a silent look can melt hearts.

Strong female lead roles are still a depressing scarcity and it's wonderful to find a film that succeeds because it "is" from a woman's perspective.

If you are jaded by convoluted romantic story lines and token female characters I urge you to give Brooklyn a watch.

Carol (2015)

A beautiful film with themes that resonate today

[2 December 2015]

Carol is a subtle and tender love story of two women from different worlds. Set in 1950's New York, the film is as much a socio-political comment as it is a romance.

Cate Blanchett's Carol is at once both assured and achingly vulnerable. Her fleeting glances saying as much as a page of heartfelt dialogue. Rooney Mara's Therese, while not as immediately magnetic, develops into a wonderfully understated character, that contrast beautifully with Carol's more overt personality. In supporting roles Kyle Chandler, as Carol's husband, and John Magaro, as an ally in Therese's life, both give strong performances. There are no cardboard characters, regardless of screen time; everyone adds something to the story.

Each shot drips with authenticity; the 50's costumes especially, are just beautiful and a real labour of love in their attention to detail.

Carol takes place some 60 years in the past yet it is sad to note that several in US politics would wish for America today to return to a society that quietly, but with rigid determination, rejected anyone that refused to comply with a particular "norm".

Many would say that, when it comes to acceptance of same sex relationships, we still have some way to go and such is the strength of this film you could move Carol to 2015 and it would not look so out of time.

My personal favourite film of 2015.

Before We Go (I) (2014)

More like watching a first draft read-through than a finished film

[23 July 2015]

Before We Go tries so hard to capture the style of Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise it plays more like a script read-through than a film with any genuine warmth and emotion.

The opening premise of damsel stuck in the city is nicely handled (several scenes are oddly reminiscent of Adventures in Babysitting), but the more the film tries to create an emotional connection between Chris Evans' and Alice Eve's characters the more they seem like brother and sister.

Alice Eve plays complex women in her sleep, but the script for Before We Go just lacks any real depth and substance. Also Alice's American accent is unusually inconsistent. I actually think her natural English accent would have given her character more depth. Do check out Some Velvet Morning, a powerful film also with just two characters but a really strong screenplay.

It's such a shame; I can certainly understand why several would like the gentle nature of this film. It is by no means a bad film, but in the end I found it too "staged" and rather false.