Tag: 2016

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"Split", directed by M Night Shyamalan

Movie, 2016 Thriller horror about the abduction of three teenagers by a multiple-personality crank played with some gusto by James McAvoy. A well paced film with some interesting photography and composition, dogged by an all-too predictable back story retold in the mind of the main character, and some pretty exploitative schlock which at times, borders on misogyny. Not great overall, but not bad. The acting … Continue reading "Split", directed by M Night Shyamalan

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"Florence Foster Jenkins," directed Stephen Frears

Movie, 2016 Star studded film about a patron of the arts, wonderfully played by Meryl Streep. This is a film about culture, relationships, class and trust, with a great balance between comedy immediately and frequently undercut with touching scenes of deception and undying energy and optimism. The film’s pace and direction are seamless, drawing the viewer directly in with the characters. Some real charm and … Continue reading "Florence Foster Jenkins," directed Stephen Frears

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"Free Fire," directed by Ben Wheatley

Movie, 2016 A film with one fairly hackneyed idea, which is pushed to breaking point, but is ultimately rescued by some great and at time over the top acting and a possibly dubious sense of fun at having every protagonist n the film getting battered by their rather dishonest trade. A parable, possibly, about power and guns and evil corrupting and leading to anarchy. It … Continue reading "Free Fire," directed by Ben Wheatley

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"His Bloody Project", by Graeme Macrae Burnet

Novel, 2016 Interesting and old-fashioned feeling book about a crime, told through different (fictional) documents relating to a murder, near Inverness, in 1869. While the use of the murderer’s journal, court and medical records and like give the book a pep and vitality through their tight, controlled writing, and while the story is nonetheless told in a linear way, the end of the book feels … Continue reading "His Bloody Project", by Graeme Macrae Burnet

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"The Power", by Naomi Alderman

Novel, 2014 Science fiction vision of women taking over the world, but taking it in some fairly depressing and rather familiar directions. A book that kicks off at pace, although the jumpy narrative looking through to different characters’ points of view and shifting in both time and geography make for what can be a disjointed read. Hugely powerful in places, mind, even if and when … Continue reading "The Power", by Naomi Alderman

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"David Brent: Life on the Road", directed by Ricky Gervais

Movie, 2016 Reprisal of the David Brent character, who’s giving rock and roll a proper try out in order to try and escape the drudgery of his sales job. This is a film which treads the line between rehash and some occasional moving scenes, but is never too far away from a good laugh or two. It’s a savage character portrayal, very much in line … Continue reading "David Brent: Life on the Road", directed by Ricky Gervais

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"The Fundamentals of Caring," directed by Rob Burnett

Movie, 2016 Excellent road movie, featuring a carer taking his patient, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, on a road trip and rite of passage. There are almost too many points where the film could have slipped into schlock, though it avoids doing so with some aplomb. Some genuinely funny moments, some genuinely touching moments and while manipulating the emotions in that very American way, it … Continue reading "The Fundamentals of Caring," directed by Rob Burnett

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"Hunt for the Wilderpeople", directed by Taika Waititi

Movie, 2016 Touching and funny buddy story with a non-cloying performance by a child actor on the run from an over zealous child protection team in the New Zealand wilderness. While this is in no way a radical breakthrough film, the humour is well-balanced and the characters work well together, even if aside from the main protagonists, they tend to be very crudely drawn. The … Continue reading "Hunt for the Wilderpeople", directed by Taika Waititi

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