Most critiques of the criminal justice system focus on how it lets down the innocent. This documentary, Time, focuses instead on how it mistreat the guilty, and is a stronger critique because of this. In a way, this is similar to Kieslowski’s masterpiece (one of his many) A Short Film About Killing, where showing how … Continue reading Time (Review)
The Woman Who Ran (Review)
Few films represent the complexity of everyday human interactions as well as Hong Sang-soo’s The Woman Who Ran. It is a film that asks a lot from its viewer but one that rewards in the process, presenting an effortlessly real but deeply cerebral portrait of everyday life. This is a narrative-light film, we follow Gam-hee … Continue reading The Woman Who Ran (Review)
Lynn + Lucy (Review)
To a great extent, Lynn + Lucy is defined by what what you do not see, focusing instead on aftermath and assumption. Some of this is shown in small ways: focusing on a central character while you hear an argument from offscreen or showing insulting graffiti on somebody’s house, as they enter it, without showing … Continue reading Lynn + Lucy (Review)
African Apocalypse (Review)
Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is used as the impetus into an exploration of the ongoing effects of colonialism in Niger in this excellent documentary. Where many historians, and public figures, relegate colonialism to the comfortable past - pushed back as far as possible despite its actual proximity to the present - this documentary focuses on … Continue reading African Apocalypse (Review)
Education (Small Axe) (Review)
The final chapter of McQueen’s Small Axe begins and ends with footage of space - specifically evoking space exploration. It is such a potent symbol: synonymous with potential, achievement, hope and the future. This, and other aspects, allow Education to speak beyond itself - in subtle ways. It is a perfectly composed period piece, one … Continue reading Education (Small Axe) (Review)
David Byrne’s American Utopia (Review)
Over 36 years ago, Talking Heads teamed up with acclaimed director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs) to produce Stop Making Sense. This masterpiece is not only frequently viewed as the best concert film of all time, it is also one of the highlights of 20th Century cinema. Now, in 2020, the ex-frontman of … Continue reading David Byrne’s American Utopia (Review)
Cold Meridian (Review)
The new ASMR based short film from Peter Strickland is exactly what you would expect. Exactly what you would expect in that it is almost indescribably strange and uniquely compelling - as all things Strickland are. With films like The Duke of Burgundy and In Fabric, Strickland has established himself as one of the most … Continue reading Cold Meridian (Review)
Alex Wheatle (Small Axe) (Review)
There is a scene towards the end of Alex Wheatle in which spoken-word is placed over archive photographs. The combination of poetic words, rhythmic phrasing and captured reality is striking. It is easily the most powerful moment of this short film: showcasing how history looked while contextualising it with an authentic voice, making it hit … Continue reading Alex Wheatle (Small Axe) (Review)
NastyPALs 27: Flesh for Frankenstein
A classic for a reason? Maybe. https://soundcloud.com/user-782108692/27-flesh-for-frankenstein
Mank (Review)
David Fincher's Mank is yet another example of Netflix clearly letting a filmmaker make the exact film that they wanted. There is an entertaining irony here, seeing as Mank chronicles the writing of - and inspiration for (in two discrete timelines) - Citizen Kane, focusing on conflicts between filmmakers and executives who all want to … Continue reading Mank (Review)
Assorted Opinions 