The Shape of Water: a magic realist mash-up of several genres lays on the identity politics and self-indulgence thickly
Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water” (2017) Inspired by the famous Hollywood classic “The
Multi-media Presentations | North American Films
Rethinking Putin: stripping away Western criticism and fantasy, and painting a picture of pragmatic and steady leadership
Stephen F Cohen, “Rethinking Putin”, Annual Nation Cruise (2 December 2017) Professor Stephen Cohen is
The King of Comedy: a dark and cynical work on the cult of fame and its dark twin, in a world where reality and fantasy may be one and the same
Martin Scorsese, “The King of Comedy” (1982) I suppose most directors worth their salt who
Serpico: a character study of how one police officer’s personal crusade against corruption destroys him
Sidney Lumet, “Serpico” (1973) As character studies go, “Serpico” is very good indeed: based on
Australian and New Zealand Films
Glenn Murcutt – Spirit of Place: a documentary as graceful as the man and the career that it describes
Catherine Hunter, “Glenn Murcutt – Spirit of Place” (2017) A beautiful and graceful documentary as
The Post: a plea for freedom of speech and of the press, and for women’s progress in a film driven by dialogue and character study performances
Stephen Spielberg, “The Post” (2017) A taut and minimalist political drama, “The Post” is driven
Risk: a supposed character study about Wikileaks founder is a confused mess
Laura Poitras, “Risk” (2016) Filmed over six years, its focus on the life of Julian
Italian and Italian-language Films | North American Films
All the Money in the World: a solid if dull and heavy-handed lesson on the importance of family ties (and how they’re exploited)
Ridley Scott, “All the Money in the World” (2017) Intended as a character study on
Round-up of Films seen in 2017
Dear Under Southern Eyes Readers and Followers, Another year has come and gone and 2018
“Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks” – a futuristic setting for a police-state society beset by political rivalries
Charles Norton, “Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks” (animated version, 2016) Originally filmed in