Mickey 17: a mishmash of ideas and themes needing proper attention and treatment
Bong Joonho, “Mickey 17” (2025) Based on the science fiction novel “Mickey 7” by Edward Ashton, “Mickey 17” takes that novel’s premise – a space colonist…
Hollywood Films
Companion: a tale of self-discovery, transformation and freedom in harrowing circumstances of abuse and manipulation
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…
Creature from the Black Lagoon: a straightforward plot lends itself to many interpretations
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…
Italian and Italian-language Films, North American Films
Conclave: political ambition and questions of faith collide with a thin plot filled with bizarre twists
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…
Nosferatu (dir. R Eggers): lavish remake in need of better script with sympathetic characters
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…
British Films, North American Films
Lee: a tired and flat biopic that does its heroine no justice
Ellen Kuras, “Lee” (2024) An earnest biopic, “Lee” follows the career of US photographer / photojournalist Lee Miller (played by Kate Winslet) during two periods in…
Apartment 7A: regurgitating a classic psychological horror film as a boring profit-making exercise
Natalie Erika James, “Apartment 7A” (2024) Essentially a remake of Roman Polanski’s famous psychological horror flick “Rosemary’s Baby”, this film is set just before the events…
British Films, French and French-language Films
The Substance: devastating satirical critique of Western culture’s obsession with surface appearances and material worth
Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance” (2024) It may be called “The Substance” but this film’s style – in its boldly colourful (and confrontational) visual style, its minimal…
Jaws: a flimsy story redeemed by good acting and surprisingly powerful themes
Stephen Spielberg, “Jaws” (1975) After nearly 50 years since its release, the big surprise about “Jaws” is that this flick hasn’t aged as much as it…
Longlegs: psychological horror drama of childhood trauma and fanaticism falls flat in silly plot
Osgood Perkins, “Longlegs” (2024) As horror films drawing on past classics like “Silence of the Lambs” go, Osgood Perkins’s “Longlegs” would seem to have a lot…