House of Gucci (2021) ★★★☆☆

Gaga’s latest LoveGame. Directed by Ridley Scott and adapted from Sara Gay Forden’s “A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour and Greed”, House of Gucci follows the teeth-clenching legacy of the Gucci family, exploring the nasty taste of greed. Its true crime lies in its tabloid-familiar, bland execution and a lacking passion for more, only…

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) ★★★☆☆

Who you gonna call? Not Ray Stantz. Directed by Jason Reitman, Ghostbusters: Afterlife centrals on a historical approach to the franchise, introducing a whole new generation, and walks of life. Quite literally. While Paul Feig’s 2016 remake proved divisive, its comedic approach and direction certainly proved more solid and exciting. Afterlife had a tough time…

Spencer (2021) ★★★★★

“I watch, so that others do not see.” Pablo Larraín directs a devastating portrait of Princess Diana in the desperation to be herself. He carefully draws upon the course of three heavy days at Sandringham, capturing the devastating brink of a breakdown. Larraín’s directing debuts usually feature an emotion-centric construction of the life of its…

I Care a Lot (2021) ★★★☆☆

“All I do every day is care…” Directed by J Blakeson, I Care a Lot tells the story of Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) — a “Legal Guardian” who finds herself a little caught out this time around. Scamming the elderly for profit is what Marla excels in, particularly robbing their assets and everything they’re worth. While…

Promising Young Woman (2020) ★★★★☆

A masterful caricature of revenge. Directed by Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman shines a not-so-bright light on the life of Cassie, a former medical student whose life has been turned upside down by the rape of her best friend, Nina. Cassie is left boiling over with rage. Despite the horrifying topics it addresses, Promising Young…

& Juliet | Theatre Review ★★★★☆

“What if Juliet didn’t kill herself?” In the streets of Verona, all is not what it seems. Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway take hold of the quill one last time and rewrite the tragedy of the star-crossed lovers. Hang on, so Juliet doesn’t kill herself over a boy after all? Shocking considering their “very…

Top 5: Watches During Lockdown

I’m back. And I’m still watching…film after film, of course. One of the benefits lockdown has graced me with, is being able to dive headfirst back into the glorious world of film. Which, admittedly, our reunion was long overdue. Work-life got busy and film was only consumed in frustratingly small doses. You could say my…

Jackie (2016) ★★★★☆

Where is the Best Picture nomination?  All from her point of view, Grief-stricken Jackie Kennedy (Natalie Portman) recounts the events leading up to the assassination of her husband. This is captured through an interview with an unnamed journalist (Billy Crudup). You’d expect this version to strike as nothing more than a run-of-the-mill Oscar bait biopic. In fact, Jackie surprises…

Moonlight (2016) ★★★☆☆

Sticks to subtly, and veers clear of clichés.  Narrated at three different points of his life, Chiron’s story is based on growing up in a rough neighbourhood in the slums of Miami. Drugs, violence and acceptance all play a crucial role in his upbringing. Chiron’s mother, Paula (Naomie Harris) happens to be a drug addict, while…

The Founder (2016) ★★☆☆☆

The Wiener takes it all.  In his 50’s, Salesman, Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), decides to switch up his living, from selling milkshake mixers, to becoming the head of the infamous fast food giant, McDonald’s. He soon forces the McDonald brothers out of their own business, and steals the spotlight all for himself. John Lee Hancock directs…