Ben Rivers' experimental film begins with the filmmaker being given a tarot reading. This moment is looped back to at the end and foregrounds the film's major themes. On its most basic level, this a filmic scrapbook that chronicles the passing of time: there are twelve chapters, one per month, and each is made up … Continue reading Ghost Strata (Review)
Tag: arthouse
The Lighthouse (Review)
There are moments of undeniable brilliance in Dave Eggers' second feature. The atmosphere is consistently superb and the performances are outstanding. In addition to this, it's a film of obvious technical brilliance - a brilliance that is complemented by a clear sense of style. However, the Lighthouse does also feel like a purely stylistic exercise. … Continue reading The Lighthouse (Review)
A Hidden Life (Review)
Terrence Malick's latest film, a cerebral drama about an Austrian farmer during World War 2, is an engrossing and powerful portrait of idealism. The film centres around a choice that is obviously admirable now but - at the time - brought huge negative consequences on the individual: refusing to fight for the Nazis. The film … Continue reading A Hidden Life (Review)
The Nightingale (Review)
With the Nightingale, Jennifer Kent (of The Babadook fame) continues to be one of the most interesting voices in cinema, achieving with this - her second film - her second masterpiece. The film is an astonishing achievement on every level, as beautiful and thoughtful as it is brutal and uncompromising. It's an art-house exploitation film … Continue reading The Nightingale (Review)
Varda by Agnes (Review)
Agnes Varda is one of my favourite filmmakers; actually, Agnes Varda is one of my favourite artists full stop. Though her catalogue varies (somewhat varies - the vast majority is incredibly strong) everything she does is interesting and brings something for the table. Her latest film, a sadly posthumous release, takes the form of a … Continue reading Varda by Agnes (Review)
In Fabric (Review)
We'll never know what it would look like if Dario Argento made an episode of Inside No. 9 but, it might turn out like In Fabric. I say might because, though Peter Strickland's latest has a clear stylistic link to the extreme and transgressive European cult cinema of the 70s (an era of cinema I … Continue reading In Fabric (Review)
Madeline’s Madeline (Review)
Where does art end and reality begin? It's a pretentious question, but a pertinent one that merits exploration. It's also one of the many questions that Josephine Decker's sublime film tackles. The focus of Madeline's Madeline is more experiential than narrative. It's nominally about a troubled teen, Madeline (played astonishingly by Helena Howard), and her … Continue reading Madeline’s Madeline (Review)
Assorted Opinions 