Cronenberg's notorious adaptation of J.G Ballard's equally notorious novel has been shocking and delighting audiences in equal measure for over twenty-five years. This extreme, transgressive - yet unnervingly existential - drama confronts the viewer with a journey into apparent depravity as it explores ever blurring lines between sex, death and destruction. It is a chaotic … Continue reading Crash (1996) (Reissue Review)
The true story of Leroy Logan is the inspiration for the third instalment of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series. This exhibits the masterful visual storytelling you would expect, and deftly deals with powerful and pertinent themes. Though primarily about a young Black man, Leroy (John Boyega), joining the police force with the aim of combatting … Continue reading Red, White and Blue (Small Axe) (Review)
Legendarily odd filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite, The Lobster and Dogtooth) delivers a characteristically bizarre short. Feeling like a direct descendant of Possession, this atonal and abstract tale of doppelgängers and replacement is a twisted delight. Matt Dillon (one of the very few good things about The House that Jack Built) stars as a passive … Continue reading Nimic (Review)
The second instalment of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe is a masterclass in visual storytelling. McQueen and his crew take us to a house party in the early 80s, showing us the setup and the narrative of night, while also interweaving a love story. There is very little dialogue here, and what does exist is natural … Continue reading Lovers Rock (Small Axe) (Review)
Aaron Sorkin's drama about a landmark court case that revolves around issues of police violence, corruption of the legal system and racism begins with a getting the gang together style montage. The pre-credits sequence is edited to playful music that evokes a caper or adventure. The key figures of the trial are introduced here, sort … Continue reading The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Review)
Towards the end of Mangrove, during the court case which occupies the second half of the film, a character proclaims that the history books will talk of this. It is a line that stings, and one that feels purposeful. The man speaks from 1970, but is depicted in 2020 as part of a five film … Continue reading Mangrove (Small Axe) (Review)
Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa is the master of the uncanny. This is most evident in his J-horror staples - and cult classics - Pulse and Cure, but carries into wider work that takes place in filmic worlds that are always slightly uncomfortable, sometimes in a way that's hard to articulate - in a way you just … Continue reading To the Ends of the Earth (Review)
There is a lot going on in Remi Weekes' horror film. For the most part, this is a great thing, as this narrative that follows the lives of a couple from South Sudan - who have been forced to flee to England, where they now live as refugees - encompasses so many important issues. However, … Continue reading His House (Review)
Review based on BFI Screening from Film Africa 2020 Festival There is an urgency and clarity of purpose to Damilola Orimogunje's film that makes it defy conventional criticism. This is, formally, a deeply flawed film: it has technical issues with sound; the acting is often substandard; it too often looks like filmed theatre and the … Continue reading For Maria Ebun Pataki (Review) (Film Africa 2020)
Assorted Opinions 