USA 2019
Dir: Greta Gerwig
IMDb
SEAT IN THE STALLS - Cinema Diary; Film Archive from 1960
December 26, 2019
December 23, 2019
December 16, 2019
December 11, 2019
December 09, 2019
December 06, 2019
December 02, 2019
November 2019 at the Cinema
BEST FILM
The Irishman - USA
PERFORMANCES
Robert De Niro (The Irishman)
Mia Wasikowska (Judy & Punch)
The Irishman - USA
PERFORMANCES
Robert De Niro (The Irishman)
Mia Wasikowska (Judy & Punch)
November 26, 2019
Judy & Punch
RATING: 8/10
Australia 2019
Dir: Mirrah Foulkes
IMDb
Big hit at the 2019 London Film Festival and now on a limited release in the UK this is a must see movie. Hugely entertaining and highly original take on the misogynistic Punch and Judy puppet show this is an impressive first feature from the writer/director. The two leads, Damon Herriman and Mia Wasikowska are the puppeteers in this vivid, stylistic, dark fairy tale which is both rousing and inventive. The music is particularly good and plays a large part in the success of the film. Bizarre, unconventional but a gem. Recommended.
Australia 2019
Dir: Mirrah Foulkes
IMDb
Big hit at the 2019 London Film Festival and now on a limited release in the UK this is a must see movie. Hugely entertaining and highly original take on the misogynistic Punch and Judy puppet show this is an impressive first feature from the writer/director. The two leads, Damon Herriman and Mia Wasikowska are the puppeteers in this vivid, stylistic, dark fairy tale which is both rousing and inventive. The music is particularly good and plays a large part in the success of the film. Bizarre, unconventional but a gem. Recommended.
November 21, 2019
The Irishman
RATING: 10/10
USA 2019
Dir: Martin Scorsese
IMDb
Outstanding film of epic proportions. From his nursing home Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran (Robert De Niro) recalls his life from truck driver to gangster. Army vet Sheeran, friend of mafia boss Russell Buffalino (Joe Pesci) and union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino) are all vividly brought to life by masterful performances by the three leads. In addition, a virtually wordless Anna Paquin shines in a minor but important role as Sheeran's grown-up daughter. Compelling throughout it's 209 minutes run time this is one of the director's best. Cinematography, screenplay, production design, editing and score are all superb. I had no problem with the de-aging process. For me a modern classic. Unmissable.
USA 2019
Dir: Martin Scorsese
IMDb
Outstanding film of epic proportions. From his nursing home Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran (Robert De Niro) recalls his life from truck driver to gangster. Army vet Sheeran, friend of mafia boss Russell Buffalino (Joe Pesci) and union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino) are all vividly brought to life by masterful performances by the three leads. In addition, a virtually wordless Anna Paquin shines in a minor but important role as Sheeran's grown-up daughter. Compelling throughout it's 209 minutes run time this is one of the director's best. Cinematography, screenplay, production design, editing and score are all superb. I had no problem with the de-aging process. For me a modern classic. Unmissable.
November 18, 2019
Sorry We Missed You
UK 2019
Dir: Ken Loach
★★★★♡
Hard-hitting drama is a devastating account how a married couple face insurmountable obstacles in bringing up their children whilst they are forced to work under zero-hour contracts. Superb screenplay by Paul Laverty and unflinching performances by a mostly unknown cast. Special mention to Debbie Honeywood who won the Best Actress award at the 2019 Chicago International Film Festival for her role as mother, wife and care worker in trying to keep her family together. A difficult watch but essential viewing.
Dir: Ken Loach
★★★★♡
Hard-hitting drama is a devastating account how a married couple face insurmountable obstacles in bringing up their children whilst they are forced to work under zero-hour contracts. Superb screenplay by Paul Laverty and unflinching performances by a mostly unknown cast. Special mention to Debbie Honeywood who won the Best Actress award at the 2019 Chicago International Film Festival for her role as mother, wife and care worker in trying to keep her family together. A difficult watch but essential viewing.
November 14, 2019
The Peanut Butter Falcon
USA 2019
Dirs: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
★★★½♡
Small, feel-good quirky film is a real charmer with a lots of heart. Zak is a young man with Down syndrome who wants to follow his dream to become a wrestler. He escapes from his care home, meets and befriends Tyler a fisherman and small-time crook. The pair set off on an adventure meeting a variety of strange characters. Zak's carer Eleanor joins them before they reach their final destination. The three leads all give terrific performances and there is a fair amount of comedy in the impressive script. Recommended.
Dirs: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
★★★½♡
Small, feel-good quirky film is a real charmer with a lots of heart. Zak is a young man with Down syndrome who wants to follow his dream to become a wrestler. He escapes from his care home, meets and befriends Tyler a fisherman and small-time crook. The pair set off on an adventure meeting a variety of strange characters. Zak's carer Eleanor joins them before they reach their final destination. The three leads all give terrific performances and there is a fair amount of comedy in the impressive script. Recommended.
November 07, 2019
Monos
Colombia - Argentina 2019
Dir: Alejandro Landes
★★★½
A group of armed youngsters keep guard over a female hostage on a remote Colombian mountain. Visually stunning, breathtaking scenery combined with a brilliant score this is a film for the senses. The plot doesn't quite match the superb production design.
Dir: Alejandro Landes
★★★½
A group of armed youngsters keep guard over a female hostage on a remote Colombian mountain. Visually stunning, breathtaking scenery combined with a brilliant score this is a film for the senses. The plot doesn't quite match the superb production design.
November 04, 2019
Official Secrets
UK 2019
Dir: Gavin Hood
★★★½
Political drama based on actual events the film opens with Katharine Gun, British whistleblower working at GCHQ appearing in Court following charges relating to the Official Secrets Act. Through flashbacks we learn how she came to be arrested. Took me a while to engage with the film as I found the early scenes not very interesting and dialogue-heavy. It does improve and develops into a solid, compelling movie due mainly to fine acting from Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Matt Smith. Wanted more courtroom scenes.
Dir: Gavin Hood
★★★½
Political drama based on actual events the film opens with Katharine Gun, British whistleblower working at GCHQ appearing in Court following charges relating to the Official Secrets Act. Through flashbacks we learn how she came to be arrested. Took me a while to engage with the film as I found the early scenes not very interesting and dialogue-heavy. It does improve and develops into a solid, compelling movie due mainly to fine acting from Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Matt Smith. Wanted more courtroom scenes.
November 01, 2019
October 2019 at the Cinema
BEST FILM
By the Grace of God (Grâce à Dieu) - France
PERFORMANCES
Renée Zellweger (Judy)
Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)
By the Grace of God (Grâce à Dieu) - France
PERFORMANCES
Renée Zellweger (Judy)
Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)
October 31, 2019
By The Grace Of God
(Grâce à Dieu)
France 2018
Dir: François Ozon
★★★★♡
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival 2019 the film follows three friends (and the effect it has on their families) as they confront a priest who abused them during their childhood, at the same time trying to break the code of silence surrounding the Catholic Church. Powerful, thought-provoking with excellent performances and handled sensitively by director Ozon. Engaging throughout. Apparently the film was shot in secrecy with the working title Alexandre. My film of the month for October 2019.
France 2018
Dir: François Ozon
★★★★♡
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival 2019 the film follows three friends (and the effect it has on their families) as they confront a priest who abused them during their childhood, at the same time trying to break the code of silence surrounding the Catholic Church. Powerful, thought-provoking with excellent performances and handled sensitively by director Ozon. Engaging throughout. Apparently the film was shot in secrecy with the working title Alexandre. My film of the month for October 2019.
October 27, 2019
The Last Black Man In San Francisco
USA 2019
Dir: Joe Talbot
★★★
Well meaning, award-winning drama on the gentrification and displacement of Jimmie Fails, a young man trying to reclaim his childhood home in San Francisco. His friendship with Montgomery Allen (Jonathan Majors) is touching. There is much to admire in this unusual film notably a wonderful score, superb cinematography and impressive set pieces. Taking the film as a whole however, there were moments where I struggled to fully engage with it due to the structure and slow pace. Wanted to like it more.
Dir: Joe Talbot
★★★
Well meaning, award-winning drama on the gentrification and displacement of Jimmie Fails, a young man trying to reclaim his childhood home in San Francisco. His friendship with Montgomery Allen (Jonathan Majors) is touching. There is much to admire in this unusual film notably a wonderful score, superb cinematography and impressive set pieces. Taking the film as a whole however, there were moments where I struggled to fully engage with it due to the structure and slow pace. Wanted to like it more.
October 25, 2019
London Film Festival 2019 - My Top 10
Alphabetical Order
Babyteeth AUSTRALIA
Bacurau BRAZIL
A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood USA
Blackbird USA
First Love JAPAN
House Of Hummingbird SOUTH KOREA
Marriage Story USA
A Son TUNISIA - FRANCE
Western Stars USA
Wet Season SINGAPORE - TAIWAN
Babyteeth AUSTRALIA
Bacurau BRAZIL
A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood USA
Blackbird USA
First Love JAPAN
House Of Hummingbird SOUTH KOREA
Marriage Story USA
A Son TUNISIA - FRANCE
Western Stars USA
Wet Season SINGAPORE - TAIWAN
October 22, 2019
October 14, 2019
October 13, 2019
October 12, 2019
October 11, 2019
October 10, 2019
October 09, 2019
October 08, 2019
October 07, 2019
October 06, 2019
October 05, 2019
October 04, 2019
October 02, 2019
September 2019 at the Cinema
BEST FILM
For Sama (UK, Syria)
PERFORMANCES
Waad al-Kateab (For Sama)
Florence Pugh (Midsommar)
For Sama (UK, Syria)
PERFORMANCES
Waad al-Kateab (For Sama)
Florence Pugh (Midsommar)
October 01, 2019
September 2019 at the Theatre
Hamilton ★★★ Victoria Palace Theatre, London
The Secret River ★★★★★ National Theatre, London
The Secret River ★★★★★ National Theatre, London
May 02, 2019
April 2019 at the Theatre
Come From Away ★★★ Phoenix Theatre, London
Fiddler On The Roof ★★★★★ Playhouse Theatre, London
Waitress ★★★★ Adelphi Theatre, London
Fiddler On The Roof ★★★★★ Playhouse Theatre, London
Waitress ★★★★ Adelphi Theatre, London
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