From arthouse to trash: film reviews and discussions about new releases and classic cinema
Much has been made about how much darker The Last Jedi is compared to the satisfying nostalgia-fest that was the previous The Force Awakens. Much has also been made about gaping plot holes, cringeworthy comedy moments and some ridiculous moments. Nevertheless, episode eight of the Star Wars saga is a hugely enjoyable popcorn movie.
Ingmar Bergman's The Magic Flute is a charming and enjoyable film, now restored by the BFI.
Wim Wenders's second film was virtually out of circulation for over three decades. It's now been restored and will soon get a UK blu-ray release. I was lucky to catch the restoration's UK premiere screening at London's historic Regent Street cinema. For Wenders fans it's a fascinating taste of the riches to come.
Wim Wender’s 1974 feature Alice in the Cities has been restored and its aspect ratio finally corrected. The director discussed it at the restoration's UK premiere.
French director Henri-Georges Clouzot is nowadays best known for a pair of thrillers from the early 1950s, Les Diaboliques and the incredibly tense The Wages of Fear. By contrast, La Vérité (The Truth) is almost forgotten despite a hugely successful release in France and showing the world that sex-kitten Brigitte Bardot can really act. A new restoration, shown… Continue reading La Vérité (1960)
The shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 shocker Psycho is famous for its technical audacity, but does this two-minute sequence merit an entire 91 minute documentary? This fascinating and insightful film left the audience wanting even more.
Part coming-of-age tale, part supernatural horror, Joachim Trier's Thelma is a sensitive thriller.
Michael Haneke makes uncomfortable films. Happy End - his latest - is surprisingly light in tone and even funny in places. A departure of sorts, it's certainly less extreme than we've come to expect, although its dark themes linger.
Let The Corpses Tan is the latest from French film makers Helene Cattet and Bruno Forzani. This time they set their sights on a crime thriller with spaghetti western influences. Their most coherent film so far, it's stylish, breathtaking stuff.
From the director of the BAFTA-nominated Sherpa and narrated by Willem Dafoe, Mountain explores our fascination with mountains by combining gorgeous footage, contemplative narration, and a bespoke soundtrack.
Dave's film blog 