Films Watched: 10
How Many Were First-Time Watches: 8
Best Films: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Rye Lane, CODA
New Releases: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Rye Lane, The Flash, Tetris, No Hard Feelings, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Asteroid City
FULL LIST AND REVIEWS
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) In exponentially expanding the universe, some of the understated spark from the franchise has gone, and the huge story – while still emotionally impactful – doesn’t have as much space to breath as its predecessor. BUT, every frame is *EXQUISITE* in this lavishly animated spectacle that, at least from a visual perspective, manages the difficult job of improving on the first instalment ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Steven Kings timeless story of humanity and salvation is adapted to perfection with this masterclass in movie making. The performances, the story, the direction, the score – there’s a reason why everyone loves it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rye Lane (2023) With wide-angle lenses and meticulous production design, if Wes Anderson, Terry Gilliam and Spike Lee collaborated on a Brit-Com, this would be it. At just 80 minutes, this 21st Century answer to Before Sunrise is a stunning debut by Raine Allen-Miller; zippy, funny, romantic and stunningly well directed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Flash (2023) It’s messy and does have some very questionable CGI… but my word what an enjoyable, funny and occasionally emotional blockbuster this is. The cast are great, the story is an entertaining twist on the butterfly effect, and you can’t NOT love seeing Michael Keaton back in the iconic batsuit! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tetris (2023) Jon S. Baird directs a zippy biopic about the unlikely stranger-than-fiction story of licensing the game of Tetris. Taron Edgerton is typically charismatic, and Lorne Balfe’s score adds constant driving momentum to the story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (2022) It was only my second time watching this, and my first time post-hype, so I was worried it might not live up to my memories of it. Those worries were uncalled for. It’s a flipping fantastic movie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
No Hard Feelings (2023) Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman do their best with what they’re given, but frankly that isn’t enough to save it. This movie is underwritten with a misjudged, icky premise – and worst of all it’s just not very funny ⭐️⭐️
CODA (2021) A predictable but emotionally fulfilling drama that, while a surprising win for the Best Picture Oscar, is still a thoroughly joyous watch. Great performances and an uplifting tone save the clichéd narrative from becoming overly sentimental ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) It lacks the pace and grit of the originals, but this is by no means a duff entry into Harrison Ford’s beloved franchise. Exciting set pieces and a nostalgic tone all culminate in a thoroughly enjoyable final movie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Asteroid City (2023) Despite assembling his largest ever A-List cast, this latest offering might be Wes Anderson’s weakest film. It’s beautifully designed as ever, but his narrative storytelling has never been quite so aimless ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daniel Robinson: From Reel to Real 