cinema – Mark It Zero

Asteroid City

The setting of Asteroid City is perfect for Anderson’s style, and features some of his funniest dialogue in years. But the film sags from an over abundance of characters and an overly complex meta-setting.

‘Tenet’ review

A few people had told me watching Tenet was a waste of time. It was too hard to follow. It didn’t make sense. Or simply: it was boring. I don’t have a problem with films which are difficult to understand, even after repeated viewings. There’s something enjoyable in sitting back and letting a film washContinue reading “‘Tenet’ review”

Thin Chrome Line: RoboCop revisited

About half an hour into RoboCop, hotshot policemen Murphy has his hand blown off by a shot gun. Blood spurts into the air like a hose. The next shot removes his entire arm, before a gang of drug dealers shoot him to pieces. If you want to shock your audience by killing off your leadContinue reading “Thin Chrome Line: RoboCop revisited”

‘The Lighthouse’ Review

There’s something spooky about the sea. Writers from Homer to Hemingway have known how it drives people mad, and writer-director Robert Eggers has created a maritime psychodrama to make your skin crawl. A treasure trove of filmmaking techniques, including striking black and white cinematography and a pulsating score, help make The Lighthouse as entertaining asContinue reading “‘The Lighthouse’ Review”

‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Review

This review contains spoilers “The Empire, your parents, the Resistance, the Sith, the Jedi… let the past die.” I was reminded of Kylo Ren’s speech to Rey in The Last Jedi whilst watching The Rise of Skywalker, as I began to wish we could do one better and put this seemingly interminable franchise to rest.Continue reading “‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Review”

‘Joker’ review

Maybe the death knell for Western civilisation really has been sounded, because Joker shows that meme culture has completely overtaken critical and public reaction (in case that wasn’t obvious already). The trailer suggested a film that would show us how a downtrodden comedian who lives with his mother became a criminally insane maniac, after beingContinue reading “‘Joker’ review”

‘Bait’ review

Bait is an eerie and deeply strange film. Director Mark Jenkin uses editing, sound design and cinematography to maximum effect to baffle, unsettle and build tension to boiling point. This is not the kind of arthouse film that leaves viewers scratching their heads as to what it means, but leaves a deep emotional impression. TheContinue reading “‘Bait’ review”