A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
Walter Salles, “Ainda Estou Aqui / I’m Still Here” (2024) Based on Brazilian writer Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir of the same name, “Ainda Estou Aqui /…
Gia Coppola, “The Last Showgirl” (2024) Running to 90 minutes, this psychological drama about an ageing showgirl packs in much nuance and conflict, more so than…
Marc S. Nollkaemper, “The Space Between Us” (2015) In a future post-apocalyptic world, where the air is toxic to breathe, and scientists are experimenting with giving…
British Films, Middle Eastern Films
Craig Murray, “Ceaseless Fire” (2025) Continuing his tour of Lebanon, UK citizen journalist Craig Murray visits southern Lebanon to find that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)…
Drew Hancock, “Companion” (2015) A low-budget sci-fi thriller film with a young cast and a deceptively simple, straightforward plot becomes a magnet for commentary on aspects…
Jack Arnold, “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954) For a film of its vintage, made over 70 years ago with a straightforward story and an unremarkable…
British Films, Middle Eastern Films
Craig Murray, “What the Hell is that?” (2025) Currently visiting the Middle East as a citizen foreign-correspondent journalist, British ex-diplomat Craig Murray chanced to see part…
Italian and Italian-language Films, North American Films
Edward Berger, “Conclave” (2024) Who’d have thought that a film about a group of Roman Catholic cardinals electing a new Pope could turn out to be…
Pedro Almodóvar, “The Room Next Door” (2024) Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language feature film addresses the issue of voluntary euthanasia / suicide and its effects…
Robert Eggers, “Nosferatu” (2024) Incredibly the years 2023 and 2024 saw two remakes of F W Murnau’s famous horror silent film “Nosferatu – Eine Symphonie des…