2010s
With its shallowness of character and its failed continuity of plot, Queen of the Desert is a film made as if to remind us of why we call films ‘pictures’, since the only good thing about the film is its mise-en-scenes.
Oh Lucy! is an inventive and poignant story that’s remarkably relatable, touching on loneliness and the sometimes outrageous lengths one will go to to escape the world and discover one’s own happiness.
The Music Of Silence lacks emotional weight, developed characters, a coherent linear story, and sufficient enough acting to make a passable biopic of a living legend.
Bomb City makes an impassioned statement in a sometimes messy way, but the energy it gives off is far more effective than any staid, overly safe version of this story could ever be.
Mute is riddled with unoriginal elements, from the Blade Runner inspired visuals to the generic missing persons story, to the underdeveloped characters; it is a misfire on all accounts.
With occasional heartfelt moments that catch you off guard and the laughter you expect from a comedy, When We First Met falls flat, lacking a fresh enough story to save it from feeling limp.
Sebastian, the directorial debut of James Fanizza is a heartfelt and honest portrayal of the small moments that lead towards falling in love.
Unsane has been filmed with an iPhone, giving the picture a paranoia-fuelled low-fi fuzz. This is more than just a marketing gimmick, as Soderbergh’s film centers on the idea of stalking – a timely focal point considering the mass of sexual allegations that Hollywood has found itself mired in.
The Lodgers never quite meets its potential. This is the kind of Gothic horror mystery that has been done before, better, but that keeps us optimistic for the future of those involved.
Whilst there are some scenes in 12 Days that make you wonder what director Raymond Depardon is trying to say, for the most part his documentary is an engaging exploration into the lives of people at the very edge of society, filmed with warmth, humour and humanity.
The Cured is a fantastic zombie film with intelligent writing, precision direction, top-tier acting, and sincere sociopolitical themes and parallels that are essential in elevating horror films to something greater than just scares and gore.
What Sanctuary shows is that a film can come from humble beginnings and a small budget but can have a big outcome on society. It also shows that film should and can be ready to show more diverse stories from the people who have experienced it and who still experience it.
Survivors Guide to Prison is a terrifying must see. Featuring a vast array of legendary celebrities, it is less a documentary and more of an alarming SOS to America.
Half Magic succeeds with the help of Graham’s stellar writing and direction, the cast’s adherence to Graham’s comedic and dramatic vision, and three central characters that serve as great role models to women of all ages.
Dark River feels more like a transitional gateway to better films, bridging the gap between Clio Barnard’ older social realist efforts and flirtations with experimental works likely to come.