Film Reviews by CS

A humorous, touching and extremely well acted exploration of our relationship with alcohol based around school teacher friends who are bored with their jobs and 

decide to apply science to their drinking. No easy moral lessons follow - this is no glib morality tale. 

It is understandable that this excellently cast and well-acted film should receive a lot of attention in the wake of the BLM movement but its important subject matter should not disguise the benefits that would have been gained by shortening its length and tightening up the narrative development. There are too many detours and the tension is allowed to dissipate accordingly too frequently in the run up to the dramatic ending. High expectations, but disappointing. 

Given the number of good reviews written about this film, I need to start by saying neither my wife nor myself suffer from attention deficit problems. We're just as happy as the next to enjoy foreign dialogue,  lingering sunsets, great cinematography,  the slow-burn build of developing characters and genre blending. These need to be part of a compelling narrative, however, and this film took an awful long time to reprise a plot that mashed up ethnographic detail and full on violence; a combination that has been done before. I could have happily toddled off, made a two course meal, come back, sat down and still feel time was dragging. There are some good performances (hence the star) and the kernel of a good idea that, better executed, would have produced a compelling film. Kernel got trodden on.

This blood splattered gore fest is for the strong of stomach. Based on a simple premise, the extreme violence has a cartoonish quality about it, is superbly filmed and choreographed, and is combined with a neat revenge/betrayal tale. At times it looked and sounded like the product of a deviant coupling between reservoir dogs and a classic spaghetti western, and if that sounds bizarre then it captures the impression we were left with having viewed this film. Different, engaging and definitely n to for the squeamish. 

Focusing on the interweaving of two families - one rich and one poor - this is a superbly shot and acted film which manages to be dramatic, funny and occasionally violent without in any way compromising the strong and coherent storyline which makes it such a good view. Definitely deserved the awards it has received.  

Exceptionally well acted and evoking a dramatic sense of the difference between locals and city tourists (which you can really feel, through the lingering shots of net mending and knot tying fishermen, on the one hand, and wine swilling second home occupants on the other), this film nevertheless came across as a triumph of style over substance. The grainy black and white film and overdubbing certainly made it distinctive but reinforced the feeling this was made for an art house audience. No film can appeal to everyone, of course, but the 89 mins running time felt longer...

A superb cast delivers this complex whodunnit in a light, entertaining and even amusing way. Never taking itself too seriously,  'Knives Out' serves up a highly engaging take on a good, old fashion murder mystery. A must see. 

Set in an ex mining community this is a gem of a film about growing up in the mid-1990s. The acting is superb and the story is caring and compassionate to its characters. Don't miss it!

Adapted from a Nick Horny book, this is the sort of film the British do well - well drawn characters, good acting, amusing script and some great locations along the Kent coast. Nothing too consequential but a feel good movie in which Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids), Chris O'Dowd (ditto and the fabulous Calvary), and Ethan Hawke (lots!) relax themselves into their roles and carry you along on an armchair of cotton wool in a thoroughly satisfying and well told story. Just the sort of gentle escapism that is needed in these times. 

Controversial, entertaining and also a social commentary on society's treatment of the marginalised, you don't need to be a fan of DC comics to enjoy this superb film. It works as a stand alone, best actor Oscar winning, work of great entertainment. 

There are serious, quality movies about human trafficking out there but this is not one of them. Poorly acted in general, with plot devices notable for their lack of  originality, you can see what is coming a mile off. Don't waste your time. Life is too short. 

Get Out was excellent but this follow up is even better. One of the best 'cross over' horrors ever and should appeal to mainstream audiences.

Instead of relying on blood and gore (though there's enough of that), the suspense builds within a narrative that explores the threat posed by the 'return of the repressed'. If Get Out was a commentary on American race relations, this is a far wider exploration of the role of 'others' within and outside the self. Excellently acted, taut in plot and well placed occasional humour to lighten the suspense, this is a must see that will probably reward repeat viewings. 

Based on the true story of aged drug courier Leo Sharp (a World War II veteran who became a drug courier for the Sinaloa Cartel in his 80s), Clint Eastwood gives an excellent performance in the lead role. The story is simple and effective but while Eastwood is excellent, the back story involving a mostly alienated family is scripted and acted in a way that seems somewhat contrived. Still well worth a watch - and there won't be many more films with Eastwood as a star.

A sensitive, dramatic and disturbing portrait of the events of the Utøya terrorist shooting filmed from the perspective of a single young woman caught up in the tragedy. Excellently acted by the young cast, the film generates a surprising amount of tension from this single-person focus. Sensitively put together, this is a powerful piece of movie making.

We rented this because of its good reviews but while the fight scenes have clearly been choreographed with care the narrative arc of crisis to success has been overdone in this franchise. For fans of Rocky and the Creed reboot it may be enough to see the same story played out with variations in pitch, tone and character, but for anyone wanting something fresh which promised new directions to traditional scenarios this was disappointing.