With my summing up of the year done, I think it’s probably time I start my annual ranking. Before we get into it, there will be omissions due to me not having seen every film released this year. It should be pointed out that I am also very easily scared, so haven’t yet braved horror … Continue reading The Best and Worst of 2019 in Film
What a year for film 2019 has been; record breaking box-office successes, terrible Disney remakes, fist-pumping musicals, exciting action, emotional dramas, shocking plot-twists and whatever the hell 'Men In Black: International' tried to be. With that, let’s reminisce about 2019 in film.
In Olivia Wilde’s debut as a feature director, Booksmart is that rare teen comedy that does more than tell a couple of sex jokes about apple pies (too subtle?). Though the film is not as emotionally rich as ‘Eighth Grade’, it still remains a tightly crafted, acutely observed and down-right hilarious coming-of-age comedy.
From director Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) comes the 7th adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel 'Little Women'. As someone unfamiliar with the source material, this film was my first interaction with the story, and I found it utterly charming while confirming that Gerwig is a triumphant filmmaker to watch.
I did it. I watched it. I just about survived it. And though I’m scarred, I can at least now brag I survived the worst movie of 2019.
“A thousand generations live in you now”. Luke’s utterance must have also been what J. J. Abrams heard when he was asked to direct the final episode in the Skywalker Saga. Every generation of child, young or old, was waiting to see what he was going to do with the final chapter. The answer? He … Continue reading “A thousand generations live in you now” (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker review)
From Noah Baumbach (director of The Squid and the Whale) comes Marriage Story. Another sublime comedy drama, it tells the story of a coast to coast divorce in a film that is a masterpiece of brutality. Charlie Barber, a successful theatre director, is married to Nicole, a successful actress. After giving up on marriage counselling, … Continue reading A heartbreaking portrayal of divorce (Marriage Story review)
Years in the making and decades in the narrative, The Irishman (titled onscreen as “I Heard You Paint Houses”) is Martin Scorsese’s latest epic crime drama, telling the life and confessions of Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran. Though it doesn’t feel it’s 3 ½ hour run time and the drama is beefy enough to fill it, it also never feels like enough excitement or emotion occurs within the film to justify it’s length.
From Bill Condon (director of Mr Holmes and Beauty and The Beast) comes The Good Liar, a dark crime thriller based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Searle. With an intriguing but weird story, this film walks dangerously close to mediocrity and is only saved by two fantastic performances.
From director Paul Feig and writer Emma Thompson comes a charming festive rom-com that the title sequence brags is “based on George Michael’s eponymous song”. With great performances but a cliché story, it’s a fun film that fails to fully give cheer to someone special.
Daniel Robinson: From Reel to Real 