Film Reviews by GI

A nicely sentimental family drama set in the 1990s about a Korean American family who relocate from California to Arkansas. Jacob (Steve Yeun), tired of his chicken factory job has brought his family, wife Monica (Yeri Han), daughter Anne (Noel Cho) and young David (Alan S. Kim) out to the back of beyond to an unworked 50 acre farm where he plans to grow Korean vegetables for the growing Korean population. Monica is sceptical and feels that Jacob has promised much but delivered little. With young David having to be near a hospital due to a heart murmur and the hard work necessary to get the farm working she thinks they've made a huge mistake. Jacob agrees to allow Monica's elderly mother (Yuh-Jung Youn) to join them from Korea. She's a cantankerous woman prone to swearing who spends her time growing a Korean herb, Minari, by a creek in the woods. But her arrival affects them all. The story is a pursuit of the American Dream narrative and the reality behind the dream, mostly told through the experience of young David. This is a film of real heart and while you wait, rightly or wrongly, for a racism issue to arise the film avoids this. This isn't a film about race it's one centred on family and the drive for a better life and the strain that results on marriage and health when the work is hard in order to find that life. Sad, humorous and gentle this is a quite lovely film that is worth checking out.

A warm hearted and thoroughly pleasant little British drama that is just right for a cold winter's evening film. It starts with a tragedy when Sarah (Candice Brown) is killed in a tragic accident on her way to collect the keys for the Notting Hill empty shop her and her best friend, Isabella (Shelley Conn) plan to open as a bakery/coffee shop. Left financially in difficulty Isabella has no idea what to do. But Sarah's 19 year old daughter, Clarissa (Shannon Tarbet) in grief, thinks they should open it anyway but they need the help of curmudgeonly grandma, Mimi (Celia Imrie). They call the shop Love Sarah and when expert baker and former friend of Sarah's, Matthew (Rupert Penry-Jones) joins them it looks like success maybe coming their way. But the relationships between them are fraught with past memories and problems. The film could've had a touch more humour and the characters are a little too thinly drawn but overall this is nothing but a lovely little film. that will appeal to those who want a quiet drama with a happy ending.

Another of the great cycle of war films made in Britain during the 1950s and different for having a woman character as the main protagonist although the casual misogyny of the times is still very much evident. This is loosely based on the true story of Violette Szabo, a young woman from London who marries a French officer after a whirlwind romance in the early days of the Second World War. They have a daughter but after a couple of years he is killed in action. Violette is recruited into the Special Operations Executive, mainly due to her French language skills, and trained for operations in France. Virginia McKenna, a rising British actress, stars as Violette in one of her most famous roles. The story is one of British pluck, with love and patriotism the drivers behind her courage. In that sense it's a flag waver like most of the war films from the period but this has a great story if a little sentimental, it's been dramatised for the cinema so don't be caught believing too much of what you see on screen. This is a film that has romance, action and is also a bit of a tearjerker, it's a classic British film and very entertaining. Paul Schofield co-stars as a fellow SOE agent and the great Jack Warner plays Violette's father. Keen eyed viewers will spot Michael Caine in a very early role too. A film that deserves a modern audience, well worth your time.

The first in what later became the famous British comedy series although it was only after the box office popularity of this film and the following one, Carry On Nurse (1959), that the further films were planned using the 'Carry On' label. British film comedy has a rich history and this film is like the great Ealing comedies. It's set in the time of National Service, the dread of many young men in 1950s Britain, and follows a bunch of hapless new recruits through their basic training. Many of the actors who later appeared in the subsequent films are here including Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Connor and Hattie Jacques although this one stars Bob Monkhouse, who never made another of the films and is more remembered for his TV stand up work. These early Carry On films are situation comedies and are a real treat when watched today. There's the sheer nostalgia of seeing the Britain of the 1950s combined with a great laugh out loud comedy. It was only later as ideas began to wane that the films became pantomime farces often too silly but the first six films are well worth checking out. Here Drill Sergeant Grimshaw (William Hartnell - the first Dr Who - who often played strict NCOs) is due to retire and yearns to have the champion platoon for his last one. Unfortunately for him he gets a ragtag bunch of no hopers including Connor as a hypochondriac and Monkhouse as a lovelorn newly wedded husband pining for his beautiful wife (Shirley Eaton). You can spot a host of famous British actors who went onto later TV fame here but that aside this is a film that deserves to be seen not only because if its place in film history but also because it is a great British comedy film.

A bawdy female comedy that is a mix and match of silly ideas, with some laughs but overall a film that seems to think that women talking about sex is always funny. The plot has some promise with Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne as Mia and Mel, two best friends since forever who are partners in their own cosmetics company. Unfortunately it's financially struggling and so an offer from ubër bitch, Claire (Salma Hayek), a big cosmetics company owner, to buy 49% of their business divides the two friends allowing Claire to attempt a full take over. Sadly the film relies overly on camp and silly dancing to try and retain some comedy along with shoe throwing and vagina references. The film doesn't waste the opportunity to remind the audience that Mia is black and Mel white and the social issues that go with this, all unnecessary really. There was the promise of something here, a kernel of being a good descendant of Bridesmaids (2011), but it relies on the mistake that women will be thrilled by jokes where they just talk filthily about sex all the time.

One of the great and iconic horror movies and still a great film experience, which, if you've never seen this before, makes it a film to definitely make sure you see. Adapted from the first novel of Stephen King this is a horror story that doesn't fit easily into any of the usual sub-genres. There are narrative connections with The Exorcist (1973) and The Omen (1976) but Carrie isn't a demonic possession story nor a devil worship story. The elements of extreme religious belief are there and some may read the film as one involving demonic power. However the themes here are more involved and complicated. Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) is a High School student, she's shy, introverted and a social outcast mainly due to the sheltered life she lives under the domination of her deranged mother, a religious zealot. Unprepared when she has her first period while at school she is ruthlessly bullied by the other girls led by Chris (Nancy Allen) and Sue (Amy Irving). Sue feels remorse and arranges for her boyfriend, Tommy (William Katt) to take Carrie to the school prom but nasty Chris devises a prank to pull on Carrie to humiliate her further. Unfortunately for them Carrie has a unique gift that they are unprepared for. In many ways this is a coming-of-age story linked with a narrative around feminine empowerment. The horror elements are left unexplained but that matters not because the shocks are enough in their own right. Director Brian De Palma carefully lulls the audience before unleashing the full effects of what Carrie can do and the film has some very famous scenes. This is a key film of the 1970s and today it retains the power to be unsettling and full of dread. This is also John Travolta's first major screen role. This is a great film, if you haven't seen this then give it a go, you maybe surprised. There is a remake but, in my opinion, this original is the better film

A spectacular, enthralling science fiction film made in Switzerland and mightily impressive it is too. Set in the 23rd century where the Earth has become uninhabitable and the surviving population live on overcrowded and epidemic ridden satellite cities. The dream of everyone is to be able to buy a ticket to the planet Rhea. Laura (Anna Katharina Shwarbroh), a doctor, takes a job on a huge cargo vessel in order to earn the money to join her sister on Rhea. The journey to the destination, a space station, takes eight years there and back and for the most part the crew remain in cyrosleep with each having an eight month shift awake to maintain the ship's systems. On Laura's shift she begins to suspect a stowaway is aboard and awakens the crew. Soon strange things begin to happen. A great story that has mystery, intrigue and unravels into a really interesting idea. The effects are fantastic and film aficionados will see the influence of other sci-fi films including Alien (1979), The Matrix (1999) and Event Horizon (1997) in the look, style and elements of the storyline. This is bold, ambitious film and once that has slipped under the radar probably because it's a European production. But don't be put off by that because this is an excellent film and well worth your time.

A tragic and passionate love story set in the wilds of the USA in the 1850s. With two wonderful central performances this is a film that is quite spellbinding. The cinematography beautifully captures the landscape and draws you into the harshness of the times, an element central to the story. This follows Abigail (Katherine Waterston), a stoic farmer's wife, both of whom are grieving after the death of their five year old daughter a year earlier. Abigail keeps a diary the entries of which, with a voice over narrative, allows her to share her thoughts and loneliness. Her husband (a nice underplayed performance from Casey Affleck) is caring but distant so Abigail devotes herself to the routines of their isolated life. When couple Finney (Christopher Abbott), a dour, unfeeling man and Tallie (Vanessa Kirby) , his beautiful and carefree wife rent a neighbouring farm Abigail is shocked by Tallie's attitudes to life and they begin to ignite hidden passions within one another. Kirby and Waterston are really remarkable in this restrained yet rather lovely film. The patriarchal and misogynistic elements of the times resonate with a contemporary view of relationships which here drives the story to tragedy but at the same time highlights that deeper feelings that, once set free, give life a true purpose. A delight and a film well worth checking out.

This is basically The Lord Of The Flies in space. The premise is good and the idea very apt in these days of worrying climate change but the film stays rather muted and errs on the side of caution. This its a shame because it would have benefitted by being a more adult orientated and gutsy narrative. Set in the late 21st century with the Earth steadily becoming more uninhabitable. To ensure the survival of humanity a space mission is planned to reach and colonise a distant planet. The journey will take 86 years and so mission specialist Richard (Colin Farrell) has the crew genetically engineered from birth. He will manage them on the flight which it's known will mean the grandchildren of the original crew will be the ones to colonise the new world. But when, as teenagers, they start to develop emotions including jealousy and anger the mission begins to go awry and different factions vie for control. The idea of emotionless future people (in this film they are given a drug to suppress them) has been done before and it creates a good contrast when they suddenly discover love, fear etc etc. But the film then slips into a good guys/bad guys mode without the excitement of the violence or passion that has been built up. This makes it all very tame and whilst it looks good, for the most part, it drifts along to the inevitable and predictable end. Tye Sheridan and Lily-Rose Depp are the good guys with Fionn Whitehead the one who lets his emotions get the better of him!. Watchable but nothing special.

A gloomy and uninspiring drama with a fairly predictable storyline. It's a story of two brothers, Stan (Charlie Hunnam) and 'Lion' (Jack O'Connell), down on their luck and with Stan dreaming of making it rich on the back of Lion's boxing skills. But they're stuck in the world of illegal bare knuckle fights and Lion is becoming tired of Stan's dreams whilst he gets ever more injured. Stan wants Lion to fight in a big tournament in San Francisco that has massive prize money and secures Lion a place with the help of a loan shark on the condition they deliver a package to a gangster en route to the tournament. This package turns out to be Sky (Jessica Barden), a wayward girl who is coveted by a nasty gangster. The film then turns into a sort of road movie where loads goes wrong, mostly for Stan and inevitably Lion and Sky start to be attracted to one another. It all ends in a big confrontation that is under done and obvious. Hunnam and O'Connell are ok as the brothers but the relationship is stereotypical and doesn't offer much that hasn't been seen before. The baddies aren't nasty enough and of course the brothers' bond becomes tested to breaking point. This is an average film and whilst it looks good it's one that is quickly forgettable.

The few attempts at making films during the Covid 19 restrictions mostly met with dismal failures but British director Ben Wheatley has here made an interesting pagan horror film that for the most part is rather good, tense and at times very disturbing. It's an ambitious film considering there have been a few films set in forests where something may or may not lurk. This has a phantasmagoric feel to it, and if you like your horror films to be a little different then this is a bit of a treat. It's a part folk horror and part survivalist story where the backdrop is that a devastating virus is affecting the world. But this isn't the focus of the narrative. It begins with a young scientist, Martin (Joel Fry), who has come out of enforced isolation to embark on a journey deep into an ancient forest searching for his muse, Dr Wendle (Hayley Squires), who is conducting experiments at a camp and hasn't been heard of in awhile. Accompanied by a guide, Alma (Ellora Torchia), they head off on the two day trek but are attacked and have all their equipment including their shoes stolen. They are helped by a strange hermit, Zach (Reece Shearsmith), who turns out to be someone with a much darker agenda. There's some edge-of-your-seat stuff juxtaposed with some more relaxed scenes that gives the film a growing sense of eeriness and malevolence. Unfortunately though as it moves into the final third the film does lose its way a little with a bit too much exposition that really was unnecessary. That said though this has Wheatley's unique touch that gives his films that extra zing (be prepared there's some shocks) and whilst it's not perfect it is a welcome return to horror with a touch of difference. Worth trying.

This is an intriguing psychological drama with a stunning central performance from Olivia Colman (destined to become as treasured as Judi Dench). She plays Leda, a Yorkshire born academic now based at Harvard, who goes alone to a Greek island for a relaxing holiday. She's divorced but seeks the tranquility of the island where she spends her time on the beach working and reading. Her peace is shattered by the arrival of a brash and loud American family, which includes Nina (Dakota Johnson) and her toddler daughter. Leda views their intrusion with contempt but when Nina's daughter goes missing she helps in the search and with a kind of sixth sense, finds her and is hailed as a hero. As a sort of strange friendship develops with Nina this brings back painful memories of Leda's troubled past and her own relationship with her two daughters. These scenes are told in flashback with Leda played by Jessie Buckley. Colman's performance is outstanding as she makes the character so enigmatic, Leda is always teetering on the brink of some emotional collapse or revelation and her strained attempts at romance are inept, first with young handsome waiter Will (Paul Mescal) and with Kyle (Ed Harris), an American ex-pat who lives on the island. On the surface Leda appears just a shy, decent person but there's always something lurking under the surface. The film is worth seeing for Colman's performance alone. Overall this is a confident film, the ending is a little tame but for first time director Maggie Gyllenhaal its quite an achievement.

Here's one of the great conspiracy thrillers from the 70s. A film that is as exciting today as when it was released and cinema audiences cheered at the end. Basically a chase story with political intrigue and murder thrown in for good measure and directed at great pace by Peter Hyams. James Brolin plays Colonel Brubaker, the commander of a three man crew of the first space flight to Mars. It's a huge prestigious event for the USA but a mere 15 minutes before the launch the crew are pulled from the rocket which launches without anyone on board. They are told that faulty equipment on board has been detected and would have killed them but to avoid world wide embarrassment for the country they are asked to cooperate in a hoax to pretend that the flight, Mars landing and return all happen with the aid of trickery. When they show doubts their families are threatened and Brubaker realises that everyone is in danger and he decides to take action. Meanwhile a journalist (Elliott Gould) uncovers evidence of the hoax and finds his life threatened. He needs to find the crew to prove his theory. The story is influenced by the long standing conspiracy theory that the moon landings were all faked. It's a great story that has some great chase sequences and some gruelling survival scenes in the wastelands of the Arizona desert. The cast includes Brenda Vaccaro, Sam Waterston and Hal Holbrook plus Telly Savalas in a great cameo. A film well worth rediscovery and an example of a great action film.

Part biopic and part 'true crime' thriller this is an absorbing film dominated by a first rate performance from Philip Seymour Hoffman as the famed American author and raconteur, Truman Capote. The film tells the story of Capote's involvement in the investigation of the brutal murder of a family in Kansas in 1959. Looking for a new subject for a book he chances upon a press story about the murders and, accompanied by his best friend Nelle Harper Lee (Catherine Keener), heads off to Kansas. As the case develops with the arrest of the two killers Capote sees an opportunity for his book by forming a strange friendship with one of the them, Perry Smith (Clifton Collins Jr). Hoffman captures the intense intelligence but disturbing narcissism of Capote who casually lies to just about everyone in order to achieve his goals. This is especially the case with his relationship with Smith who believes Capote will be able to get him reprieved from the death penalty. The film is a first class character study intermingled with the very nasty crime, which is later shown in flashback after Capote's many attempts to get Smith to describe what happened. As a thriller this is a compelling film with first rate performances throughout including Chris Cooper as the investigating detective. A disturbing story not least because it's based on true events. NB The book by Capote is called In Cold Blood and it's a real page turner.

A disappointing film which does have a great central performance from Sienna Miller but it's the script that doesn't seem to know what sort of film it is. It also boasts the last film of the great Charles Grodin who is also brilliant in his small role but in a part that fails to properly fit into the narrative. Miller is Kate, a successful New York based actor, who accidentally shoots her abusive, criminal ex boyfriend after he threatens her. Panicked she hides the body in a big trunk and later pushes it into a lake. So far so good we have a domestic violence related story, a victim destined to be a suspect yet the film meanders off into a story of Kate's mental health that stems back to many years. She also narrates her actions as if she's writing a movie screenplay the film attempting I think to suggest the killing is in her mind. But then a detective shows up (Alec Baldwin) clearly suspicious of her explanation of when she last saw the dead man. Then we meander again into a family drama involving her Alzheimer's affected Grandfather (Grodin). None of this ties together and just when you think the film gets back on course it ends abruptly. The whole thing is perplexing and unsatisfying.