movies by or about women opening UK/Ire Dec 19–20
Daisy Ridley costars in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]
Little Women (2019) movie review: looking askance, with love, at a classic
A very welcome feminist interpretation of Alcott’s beloved novel, layered in sly, winking awareness of Hollywood clichés and the cultural pressures on women. Alive and electric, an absolute treasure.
movies by or about women opening US/Can Dec 13
Sophia Takal directs and writes, with April Wolfe, Black Christmas, starring Imogen Poots and Aleyse Shannon; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]
What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael documentary review: art and trash in measured quantities
A terrific portrait of the legendary critic, as objective as she was proudly subjective. Pulls no punches on her complicated life and work but rightly hails how she revolutionized thinking about film.
movies by or about women opening UK/Ire Dec 13
Sophia Takal directs and writes, with April Wolfe, Black Christmas, starring Imogen Poots and Aleyse Shannon; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]
Richard Jewell movie review: innocent man, guilty movie
Cluelessly simplistic rendering of a 1990s media injustice ignores all the context in which it happened and demonizes the one journalist who acted professionally. Fails even as a conservative screed.
Jumanji: The Next Level movie review: this game needs to be over
It’s more of the same tedious nonsense, all action sequences bereft of excitement and body-swap comedy minus any real laughs. An abysmal lack of fun with stakes way too low to generate much suspense.
I’m hosting a postscreening Q&A at London’s Regent Street Cinema on Sunday Dec 15th (CANCELLED)
Fancy checking out Estonia’s submission to last year’s Oscars, drama Take It or Leave It? (Q&A cancelled, but the screening will go on.)
Ordinary Love movie review: marriage story
A Cancer Movie but not a horror story. Funny, moving, hopeful; an intimate portrait of a couple who know how to support each other and why that matters. Oh, and it’s also a love letter to the NHS.
movies by or about women opening US/Can Dec 06
Jessica Hausner directs and writes, with Géraldine Bajard, Little Joe, starring Emily Beecham; more… [This post is for Patreon patrons only for the first month.]
