Donald Trump is one of the most controversial and divisive figures in contemporary American politics at the moment. And he has dominated the political landscape for the better part of a decade. In the lead-up to the 2024 election it’s easy to see why he and his campaign have tried to ban this drama. The…
Documentaries about actors tend to follow a well-worn path. And they often end up being more interested in glorifying their subjects than analysing them. But those charges can’t be levelled at Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, who provide a compelling look at the life and legacy of Christopher Reeve in Super/Man. Reeve, of course, was…
The classic German legend of Faust is transported to the British theatre scene of the 1930s in Anand Tucker’s stylish but dark film, The Critic. Tucker hasn’t directed a feature film since 2010’s Leap Year; but he has two very well-received films on his resume in Hilary & Jackie (1998) and Shopgirl (2005). While its…
The second instalment of the Joker series is, in part, a musical. Who would have thought that, notwithstanding the starring role for Lady Gaga? But it’s hardly mainstream entertainment. Rather, it has the feel of a dark independent film, which I appreciated for the layers within. Like he did so brilliantly in Joker, Joaquin Phoenix…
Best in Show (2000) was a delightful hoot. Now, nearly a quarter of a century on, we have a beaut family movie that again involves canine and human competition. Runt is a full-hearted Aussie comedy concerning a little girl from a salt-of-the-earth country town and the stray she befriends. Runt – the dog – runs…
The boys are back! Sure, the (nearly) 61 year-old Brad Pitt and the 63 year-old George Clooney hardly qualify as “boys” anymore, but their reunion in Jon Watts’ crime-caper Wolfs is still welcome. Their easy charm and almost telepathic on-screen chemistry elevate this amiable romp. I’m going out on a limb and suggest Watts (Spider-Man:…
Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather) brings a re-imagined Roman Empire into modern times in his passion project Megalopolis. He proposes that the American Republic is not all that different from old Rome and then asks whether it will fall victim to the appetite for power of a few? Coppola began developing Megalopolis in the early…
Imagine your older self visiting to give guidance on how to live your best life. Writer-director Megan Park (The Fallout) tries it out in the quirky comedy My Old Ass. And it works a treat. Elliott Labrant (Maisy Stella) has just turned 18 and is full of life. She can’t wait to leave behind her…
The past few months have been a boom time if you’re into European – particularly French – cinema. And that trend continues with the engaging A Difficult Year. I mean, the idea of a comedy about anti-capitalist activism doesn’t sound like a winner, but writer-directors Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano manage to pretty much keep…
The price of fame drives one of the most intense and remarkable films of the year. The Substance is about physical beauty, adoration, self-love and loathing. It explores the lengths someone will go to remain relevant. Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) used to be a movie star, before transitioning to hosting a successful workout show on…
