Top 5: Best Films of 2021

Here’s 5 cinematic delights from this year that I had the pleasure of escaping (or sobbing) to. What was your favourite film of 2021? 5. Last Night in Soho (2021) Oh the stylish ’60s! *exhales* Appreciate Old Hollywood, neon lights and a gripping narrative? This one’s singing to you. Last Night in Soho will have…

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…

The Invisible Man (2020) ★★★★☆

“He said that wherever I went, he would find me, walk right up to me, and I wouldn’t be able to see him.” After Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) runs away from a toxic relationship with Adrian (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), she can finally start to relax. A strange series of events begin to happen and she must prove…

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…

Moana (2016) ★★★★☆

Returning to Disney’s classic formula with tiki’s and grass skirts.  In Ancient Polynesia, Daughter of the chieftain of their island, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) sets out on an adventure to seek the infamous demigod, Maui (Dwayne Johnson) in hope to persuade him to return the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, which he stole many centuries ago. With…

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…