Monthly Film Roundup: April 2022

Films Watched: 23

How Many Were First-Time Watches: 21

Best Films: Boyhood (2014), The Worst Person in the World (2021), The Departed (2006)

Worst Films: Morbius (2022), Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)

New Releases: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Morbius, The Worst Person in the World, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, The Lost City, The Northman, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Operation Mincemeat

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FULL LIST AND REVIEWS

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Enemy of the State (1998)
Tony Scott gives us an energetic thriller with an intriguing and entertaining narrative – even though the tech is a little far fetched. Gene Hackman steals the show, but Will Smith still delivers a solid performance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Black Mass (2015)
A slightly sluggish crime story is saved by a phenomenally assembled cast. Johnny Depp’s best role in years sees him inhabit the frightening intensity of Bostonian gangster Jimmy ‘Whitey’ Bulger
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Steve Jobs (2015)
Only two months after my first watch, I couldn’t resist revisiting this movie, and it has quickly cemented itself as one of my favourite biops. Unlike most ‘greatest hits’ biopics (Bohemian Rhapsody), Aaron Sorkin’s ingenious script allows the film to capture the very essence of one simple question; who was Steve Jobs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
Exactly as could be predicted, this is another fun if forgettable sequel. Just like it’s predecessor, it mainly benefits from Jim Carrey playing his most entertainingly whacky role since the noughties 
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Morbius (2022)
A poorly written script, a bland central performance, and a score that rips off The Dark Knight, this superhero film is an incredibly bland affair. Only Matt Smith’s entertainingly hammed up performance is enjoyable enough to justify the film’s existence 
⭐️⭐️

The Worst Person in the World (2021)
A beautifully delicate meditation on life, this Norwegian film proves that no age is too old for a ‘coming of age’ narrative. Cannes Best Actress winner Renate Reinsve delivers a fantastically nuanced performance, and director Joachim Trier sprinkles the film with several moments of cinematic wonder
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
Truly one of the most boring and uneventful films I have ever seen. Nothing happens, Dumbledore reveals no secrets, and only Mads Mikkelsen adds a little delight to an otherwise appalling script by J.K.Rowling
⭐️⭐️

The Lost City (2022)
Though it’s plot is very low stakes, and Daniel Radcliffe is miscast as the villain, this film has a fun central double act and just enough inspired moments to make it an entertaining watch
⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Wrestler (2008)
No one makes a film about addiction quite like Aronofsky. Mickey Rourke gives a career-best performance, and the film brutally examines the impossibility of giving up who you think you are
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
An endlessly charming American adventure between two unlikely friends. Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen make a brilliant pairing in this sweet celebration of being an outsider
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Northman (2022)
Though he occasionally gets lost in the sheer scale of his epic, Robert Eggers remains one of Hollywood’s boldest and most confident directors. Alexander Skarsgård delivers a brutal performance in a breathtakingly visceral revenge tale that revels in Norse mythology
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Boyhood (2014)
A coming-of-age film like no other, this 12 year long project is a truly stunning achievement. Richard Linklater directs a heartwarming and totally charming narrative with central star Ellar Coltrane delivering the literal career of his lifetime
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Easter Parade (1948)
Glorious technicolour and bouncing tunes can’t quite forgive a stuffy narrative that goes round in circles. Thankfully, Fred Astaire and Judy Garland’s obvious talent make for thoroughly entertaining viewing
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
An entertaining and satirically funny documentary, but one whose fiercely one sided debate doesn’t always go down easily. Meandering narratives mean the doc looses steam as it stretches towards the 2hr mark 
⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Departed (2006)
Perhaps one of the best ensemble casts ever assembled, Scorsese’s Oscar winner is a fast paced, double crossing masterpiece. The central duo of Damon and DiCaprio are on top form, and Jack Nicholson gives the last great performance of his career
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dr. No (1962)
Though it’s narrative and energy levels start to wane during the second half, this film that kickstarted a franchise cannot be ignored. An iconic central performance, a swinging score and ambitious sets make for great spy entertainment
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rush (2013)
Though it isn’t as interesting when it leaves the track, Ron Howard’s FormulaOne biopic remains a fantastically exciting true story. Daniel Brühl and Chris Hemsworth make great rivals, with Hans Zimmer adding a pulsing score to excellent racing sequences
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cyrus (2010)
A naturalistic, down to earth indie comedy. Sure the plot is simple and formulaic, but the film elicited constant chuckles, mainly due to John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill’s hilarious performances
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chaplin (1992)
As a celebration of Chaplin’s achievements, this film works a charm, with Robert Downey Jr delivering a superb performance. However, as an actual film, this biopic falls apart on almost all counts by being overly rose-tinted, lacking any real drama, and favouring chronological event explanations rather than interesting narrative storytelling
⭐️⭐️⭐️

RoboCop (1987)
Paul Verhoeven directs a gory, action-filled satire about the American justice system. By implementing a Frankenstein-style subplot, this sci-fi flick overcomes what could’ve been a simple over the top explosion fest
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
Nic Cage and Pedro Pascal are hilarious together in a fun and entertaining action comedy. It could’ve been more off-kilter and even more self-referential, but it’s mainstream appeal is the reason this bizarre project even got made, so for that I’m grateful
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From Russia With Love (1963)
After a so-so debut, the James Bond franchise really finds its footing in this action packed second instalment. Boasting a tightly plotted narrative filled with espionage thrills, the outdated politics are the only thing that really let it down
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Operation Mincemeat (2021)
A well performed true story, but one whose filmmaking finesse leaves something to be desired. It’s crucial failing was to add an unnecessary and likely fictitious romantic subplot that goes nowhere, thinking it is adding extra drama. In actuality, it majorly detracts from what is a deeply fascinating real story
⭐️⭐️⭐️