Monthly Film Roundup: July 2022

Films Watched: 12

How Many Were First-Time Watches: 11

Best Films: Rebel Without a Cause (1955), Before Sunset (2004), Brian and Charles (2022)

New Releases: Brian and Charles, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Thor: Love and Thunder, Where the Crawdads Sing, The Gray Man

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FULL LIST AND REVIEWS

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Leaving Las Vegas (1996)
Nic Cage delivers an electrifying Oscar-winning performance, and Elisabeth Shue more than stands up to him with delicate and nuanced emotion. The broken pair of characters shine together in an intriguing drama whose mood outshines its narrative
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brian and Charles (2022)

A beautifully sweet and optimistic British sci-fi comedy. While its ambition outgrows its budget, it sports a charming narrative and brilliant chemistry between co-stars and writers David Earl (Brian the human) and Chris Hayward (Charles the robot)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
Even for a ‘kids’ movie, this struggles to find a narrative to justify its runtime. Thankfully, the minions ARE funny, and that can’t be denied, so anytime they’re on screen you’re going to be entertained
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gosford Park (2001)
The ensemble cast may be an embarrassment of riches, but unfortunately the momentum built up by it’s snippy dialogue and constantly moving camera cannot save what is ultimately a stuffy and predictable murder narrative
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Though it’s the funniest Marvel film in some time, that does mean the emotional weight and dramatic stakes also suffer. The narrative and tone is all over place, but the performances lift it to be a perfectly entertaining romp
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rebel Without A Cause (1955)
James Dean’s seminal performance leads a ambitious social drama highlighting the generational gap of America in the 50’s. Its countercultural themes were groundbreaking for the time, even if by modern standards they don’t quite pack the same punch
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

The Man with Two Brains (1983)
Despite the fact it concentrates too hard on its bizarre B-Movie plot, this might still be one of Steve Martin’s funniest, goofiest movies. A clear showcase of his many talents, the movie is at its best when allowing him to be comical in whatever way works best
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dirty Dancing (1987)
A top-tapping soundtrack, blazing chemistry from the two leads, and a surprisingly dark subplot elevate this romantic drama from the cheese-fest it could have been to a uplifting (pun intended) classic worthy of its iconic status 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Before Sunset (2004)
Another tantalising, sparkling romance that continues the story of Before Sunrise. Playing out in almost real time, the conversations and beautiful chemistry of the two leads make for entrancingly optimistic entertainment
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Elvis (2022)
Anything I was missing on the first watch was there in abundance this second time around. The power of Baz Luhrmann’s filmmaking prowess is on full show in this epic retelling of The King’s tragic life story
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Where The Crawdads Sing (2022)
Daisy Edgar-Jones delivers a captivating performance, but unfortunately her emotion is lost in a tonally confused and narratively drawn out story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Gray Man (2022)
The Russo Brothers direct an entertaining but totally throwaway blockbuster. Plastic visuals and a cliché-ridden script let down some great performances and inspired action scenes
⭐️⭐️⭐️