A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
Australian and New Zealand Films
Nik Kacevski, “Mongrel” (2021) A very minimalist little film, featuring just two actors, “Mongrel” poses the universal question of what makes someone human or less than…
Ridley Scott, “Thelma & Louise” (1991) Two best friends – one a waitress whose musician boyfriend frequently leaves her on her own when he goes on…
Michael Koerbel, “In Captivity” (2011) Superficially in the style of a “Truman Show” situation comedy, this short film is an amusing riff on what a future…
Rebecca C Scott, “Together Forever” (2022) A well-made film, driven almost entirely by its characters’ dialogue, turns what could have been a maudlin romance tragedy into…
Carlton Meyer, “The Rebellious Colony of Mali” (Tales of the American Empire, 14 October 2022) A handy introduction into the geopolitics of western Africa and why…
Robert Rodriguez, “Alita: Battle Angel” (2019) Based on Japanese manga artist Yukito Kishiro’s cyberpunk “Battle Angel Alita” series, this film works as both an origin story…
Jocelyn Stamat, “Laboratory Conditions” (2017) A very tight little film with an unexpected twist, “Laboratory Conditions” initially presents as a crime or murder mystery starting in…
Christopher Nolan, “Batman Begins” (2005) I admit that getting to watch this film in its entirety took ages – I was put off by its length…
Peter Ghesquiere, “Downside Up” (2016) A sweet-natured film exploring concepts of normality and difference by turning them upside down, “Downside Up” may unintentionally get up quite…
British Films, North American Films
Tom George, “See How They Run” (2022) Here is a fun and light-hearted comedy mystery crime caper which pays homage to Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” and…