Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020), doubles as both a fun action movie, and a fierce assertion of the female gaze in the male-dominated superhero genre. This article was originally posted on Blitz UNSW Viewers will know Harley Quinn from David Ayer’s appallingly bad Suicide Squad (2016), in…
Tag: Film Review
BOOKSMART: The Best Film of the Year
I’ve never laughed so much as I did when I saw Booksmart for the first time. I’ve since seen it four times since, and each re-watch confirms its spot as my favourite film of 2019. On the night before high school graduation, Class President Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and her best friend Amy (Kaitlyn Denver) are faced with…
Glasgow Film Festival 2019 Documentaries: LAST BREATH & ARE YOU PROUD?
My first day at Glasgow Film Festival was a thrill. I attended two world premieres, both with post-show Q&A’s with the cast and directors in what looks to be a great start to what looks to be an exciting weekend. I started the festival with Are You Proud?, a documentary chronicling the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the…
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD: Visually Dazzling End To Heartfelt Trilogy
We all know the story: an animal and a kid enter into a forbidden friendship, and are forced to keep it secret from everyone they know. Dogs, Horses, Whales, Loch Ness Monsters, the movies are all more less the same. But never have we seen this story told with such visual flair and emotional heft as…
My Top Ten Films of 2017
Surprise! My review of the best of 2017 managed to only be a whole month late! (Hey, it’s better than 2016’s April release). My problem, admittedly, is once I start writing about the films I love, it’s hard for me to stop. Please enjoy my ‘Best of 2017’ list, and comment below what you think…
PADDINGTON 2: A Warm, Furry Hug Of A Movie
In 2014, Paddington Bear walked off the pages of his cartoon, on to Paddington station and into our cinemas. It soon became an unlikely family favourite. It showcased some of Britain’s best actors – from Hugh Bonneville’s lovingly exasperated patriarch, to Sally Hawkins’ eccentric yet caring mother, and Julie Waters as the comic relief housekeeper. At the film’s soft, furry heart is Paddington, cheerfully…
Review: Their Finest
For those interested in historical drama or comedy, ‘Their Finest’ is a new film set in World War II, England during height of the Blitz. It’s about a government propaganda department tasked with creating ‘morale boosting’ films for the public. When the film opens, the male-only ministry has hired Catrin (Gemma Arterton) to write the trashy…
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.- 100 Word Review
Ritchie’s remake of the Cold War television show is a highly entertaining, action-packed romp. A CIA Agent, a KGB Agent and a nuclear scientist’s daughter, Gaby, unite to combat an international terrorist organisation led by the wicked Victoria. Like Sherlock Holmes, Ritchie directs the action with fast, energetic pace. The art design captures the style…
Slumdog Millionaire: Captivating and Heartwarming- 100 Word Review
Slumdog Millionaire’s a gritty and compelling drama about the power of destiny. A poor slum kid’s horrific childhood leads to his remarkable success on a TV quiz show. Boyle skilfully navigates the plot through three different time periods, each with compelling stories. The swift editing and exhilarating music shows the chaos of hustling Indian life….
Hacksaw Ridge: Gritty Sentimentalism- 100 Word Review
In Gibson’s true story Hacksaw Ridge, Staunch Christian Desmond Doss (Garfield) enlists to fight in WW2, but refuses to kill. Initially criticised by fellow soldiers and superiors, his awe-inspiring heroics are inevitably praised by all. HR’s beautifully shot with evocative sound effects in battle scenes. There’s many strong Australian performances, but the writing restricts characters…
Girl Asleep Reviewed- Podcast
Hi Everyone! My podcast review of the new Australian coming-of-age film Girl Asleep can be found here: Jo Bradley.
Jason Bourne-100 Word Review
The tagline ‘You Know His Name’ sums it up: Jason Bourne is a stock-standard action flick made purely to sell tickets to loyal fans. It’s CIA versus the little guy, if the little guy is an aging yet buff Matt Damon on a nondescript quest for knowledge about his past. Vikander is impassive and collected,…
Scribbles of Stage and Screen 