Not a new film but just watched ‘The Rifleman’ on Amazon Prime. Latvian film about a soldier in WW1. Highly recommend.
I saw that a while ago, it’s very good.
Another film that isn’t that new that I watched recently was Lee with Kate Winslet. It’s about the life of Lee Miller, who worked as a journalist for Vogue during WW2. It was brilliant
I saw three films at the London Film Festival last month that have, or are about to, become available on Netflix. All of them are, in my view, worth a watch.
Joy (UK)
I believe it comes on Netflix tomorrow. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and it far exceeded my expectations. It's the true story of three British pioneers who challenged societal norms and defied the odds to realise the world’s first IVF baby. Working principally in a run-down hospital in Oldham, they faced fervent opposition from the Church and the medical and the political establishment, who saw their work as an aberration.
It's an important story and piece of history that deserves to be told. Excellent performances, especially from Thomasin Mackenzie, and some nice moments of humour.
Emilia Perez (France)
This musical (almost operatic) crime thriller is now screening on Netflix. Rita, a smart undervalued lawyer, is hired by a Mexican cartel boss to help him fake his death and undergo gender affirming surgery in order to live as a woman. Years later, a deep friendship blossoms between them when Rita helps Emilia reunite with her family.
Entertaining, with good music/dancing and performances. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film is France’s Oscar entry for the Best International Feature and, with Netflix’s lobbying power, it will probably be nominated. A solid 7/10.
The Conclave (UK/USA)
Following the death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) must lead the Conclave to select the new leader of the Catholic Church. As high-ranking cardinals gather in the Vatican, he has to navigate political factions and unearth secrets that might destroy a future pope and threaten the Church itself.
Good production values and a fine performance from Ralph Fiennes, who does all the heavy lifting. Isabella Rossellini is also very impressive as a senior nun, although the Italian papal candidate was a cartoonish, almost Mafia-like boss figure. Good overall and reasonably entertaining, although I found it a shade predictable and thought the film lacked something (Seeing lots of cardinals in red also makes me think of Father Ted being tasked with kicking Bishop Brennan up the arse).
The film's theatrical release is at the end of this month and it will be available on Netflix shortly thereafter.
Also watched Kneecap yesterday. It's the true story of the same-named Belfast hip-hop trio who try to keep the Irish language alive by rapping in their native Irish. It's funny, bonkers... superb!
Also watched Kneecap yesterday. It's the true story of the same-named Belfast hip-hop trio who try to keep the Irish language alive by rapping in their native Irish. It's funny, bonkers... superb!
This is my favourite film of the year, @Chunes ! With definite vibes of Trainspotting, I found it highly original, hugely energetic, subversive and, at times, riotously funny.
I was surprised at how well the band members could act, ably supported by a handful of professional Irish actors, notably, Michael Fassbender. Because Kneecap are a real band, I thought the music had an authenticity and vitality that fictional musical biopics struggle to replicate.
No strangers to controversy - having antagonised politicians and radio stations on both sides of the border - I was interested to read that Kneecap successfully applied in 2023 for a £15,000 grant from the music export growth scheme, an independent government-backed arts initiative that provides funding to promote artists overseas. A panel of the British Phonographic Industry, which administers the scheme, approved the request, only for the then Business Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, to rescind it on the grounds of their Republican politics. Whilst appreciative of the publicity, the band successfully applied in June for leave to seek judicial review, with a full hearing likely to be heard any time now when they return from a US tour. Whatever the result (and I'd expect them to win), the further publicity will certainly do them no harm.
One of my favourite films of the year, Everyone knows how good a story it is, and the film really does it justice. In French with subtitles but the 3 hours flew by.
9/10
Haven't seen it yet but it is hard not to make a good film out of that story. Maybe if they decided to make it a musical!
Also watched Kneecap yesterday. It's the true story of the same-named Belfast hip-hop trio who try to keep the Irish language alive by rapping in their native Irish. It's funny, bonkers... superb!
This is my favourite film of the year, @Chunes ! With definite vibes of Trainspotting, I found it highly original, hugely energetic, subversive and, at times, riotously funny.
I was surprised at how well the band members could act, ably supported by a handful of professional Irish actors, notably, Michael Fassbender. Because Kneecap are a real band, I thought the music had an authenticity and vitality that fictional musical biopics struggle to replicate.
I didn't realise it was the actual band members until the film ended...! They were all great but the DJ in particular is a very gifted actor.
Music-wise they've got some bangers as well.
Brilliant film. What were your other picks for the year?
One of my favourite films of the year, Everyone knows how good a story it is, and the film really does it justice. In French with subtitles but the 3 hours flew by.
9/10
Alongside Anora (wildly different but equally brilliant), I'd agree that this was my film of the year. This version of the Count is superior to all the old versions I've seen, even if there is some poetic licence in moving off-script towards the end - dangerous to do that with an all time classic book but if anything they improved on the original script and created something more coherent and less morally ambiguous - the original count wasn't so much an anti-hero as much as a jerk who was wronged. There's a reason why Stalin revered the Count of Monte Cristo and read it over and over...
Watched Gladiator II and thought it was plain awful. Can;t get my head around the praise for Denzel either. He might have been marginally better than the rest of the cast but that's an abjectly low bar.
Watched Jury number 2 last week. Felt like a straight to TV picture. Very lightweight and improbable for a courtroom drama. Amazing that Clint is still directing at 93 but on this viewing, it might be time to enjoy the retirement.
One of my favourite films of the year, Everyone knows how good a story it is, and the film really does it justice. In French with subtitles but the 3 hours flew by.
9/10
Will have to give this a watch myself, the version with Richard Harris is one of my all time favourites.
Watched The Last Dual last night. I think it got a slating when it came out if I remember rightly. But Jesus, the 3rd chapter, from her point of view made me angry/sad/sick all in one go. For that scene alone it’s worth putting up with the rest. How can Ben Affleck go from being brilliant in Argo & being absolutely shit in this film? Strange.
I enjoyed the first 2/3rds of The Substance – It reminded me of Sorry To Bother You – it sets up an interesting premise, but then proceeds to completely shat the bed. It still deserves credit for being one of the more original films I've seen lately and the direction was on-point with all the intense close-ups and use of colour. I definitely averted my eyes on a few occasions. Eurgh.
Watched a new Netflix film Emilia Perez last night . Did well at Cannes , got a seven minute ovation ( which isn’t saying much ) - A very different type of movie which is also a musical about a cartel gang leader who changes sex for personal reasons and to escape his way of life. I’m still not sure what to think of it .
Watched a new Netflix film Emilia Perez last night . Did well at Cannes , got a seven minute ovation ( which isn’t saying much ) - A very different type of movie which is also a musical about a cartel gang leader who changes sex for personal reasons and to escape his way of life. I’m still not sure what to think of it .
I saw it at the London Film Festival and thought it was entertaining, with good music/dancing and performances. The film is France’s Oscar entry for the Best International Feature and, with Netflix’s lobbying power, it will almost certainly be nominated and may well win it.
I agree with your assessment @Bedsaddick. For me, it's a solid 7/10 - worth a watch but not, in my view, a film out of the top drawer. Now streaming on Netflix.
Also watched Kneecap yesterday. It's the true story of the same-named Belfast hip-hop trio who try to keep the Irish language alive by rapping in their native Irish. It's funny, bonkers... superb!
This is my favourite film of the year, @Chunes ! With definite vibes of Trainspotting, I found it highly original, hugely energetic, subversive and, at times, riotously funny.
I was surprised at how well the band members could act, ably supported by a handful of professional Irish actors, notably, Michael Fassbender. Because Kneecap are a real band, I thought the music had an authenticity and vitality that fictional musical biopics struggle to replicate.
I didn't realise it was the actual band members until the film ended...! They were all great but the DJ in particular is a very gifted actor.
Music-wise they've got some bangers as well.
Brilliant film. What were your other picks for the year?
Also watched Kneecap yesterday. It's the true story of the same-named Belfast hip-hop trio who try to keep the Irish language alive by rapping in their native Irish. It's funny, bonkers... superb!
This is my favourite film of the year, @Chunes ! With definite vibes of Trainspotting, I found it highly original, hugely energetic, subversive and, at times, riotously funny.
I was surprised at how well the band members could act, ably supported by a handful of professional Irish actors, notably, Michael Fassbender. Because Kneecap are a real band, I thought the music had an authenticity and vitality that fictional musical biopics struggle to replicate.
I didn't realise it was the actual band members until the film ended...! They were all great but the DJ in particular is a very gifted actor.
Music-wise they've got some bangers as well.
Brilliant film. What were your other picks for the year?
@Chunes- some other favourites from films I’ve seen this year:
The Holdovers (USA)
I found this tremendously entertaining - an excellent, poignant and very funny comedy. Alexander Payne reunited with Paul Giametti 20 years after Sideways. A very good period piece set in the Christmas holidays of 1969/70 - hence a number of cinemas are screening it over the festive period.
The Zone of Interest (UK)
Jonathan Glazer’s haunting drama on the life of Rudolf Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller), as they live a seemingly idyllic life right next to the infamous concentration camp. A chilling film and a deserving winner of the Oscars for Best Sound and for Best International Feature - a first for a UK non-English language film.
Small Things Like These (Ireland) - 8/10
As Christmas 1985 approaches in a small town in County Wicklow, Ireland, coal merchant Bill Furlong discovers disturbing treatment of a pregnant young girl at the local convent, which serves as one of the infamous Magdalene Laundries. The experience causes him to reflect upon his own difficult childhood as the son of a young single mother, ostracised by her family but permitted to work for a wealthy and independent landowner.
I thought this was a really fine adaptation of Claire Keegan’s excellent novella. One scene between Bill (Cillian Murphy) and the chilling Mother Superior (Emily Watson) really is something else.
I saw a good number of films at the London Film Festival in October, although most of the ones I particularly rated are not scheduled for theatrical release until 2025. I posted details earlier on the thread but my top 5 were probably:
Thank You for Banking With Us (Palestine) - UK release date not known
I’m Still Here (Brazil, Walter Salles) -UK release date 7 February 2025
Three Kilometres to the End of the World (Romania) - UK release date not known
Hard Truths (UK, Mike Leigh) - UK release date 31 January 2025.
BLITZ. What a stinker. A slight, cliched story full of toe-curling clunky dialogue from two dimensional cardboard cut-out characters and all overlaid with an inappropriate, but no doubt contemporary crowd-pleasing, polemic about racial prejudice.
Me too Beds. Went for himselfs birthday. Wasn't really expecting much tbh, the first was so good how could it compete? But in the first scene........GOATS!!! And they kept coming.....Happy Sis! All joking aside I was really impressed with yer man. I mean I thought he was just a silver necklace after Normal People but wow, the nose may have sold it to Ridley but he really nailed it. He's come a long way from the sausages 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
The first film with Russel Crowe really changed cinema for me, as much as I appreciate films like Jurassic Park and Star Wars for the spectacle they were on a big screen I was maybe a generation or 2 behind star wars and Jurassic Park whilst having some real classic moments didn’t hit me in the same way gladiator did. I thought Ridley Scott made me as a viewer feel immersed, the noise, the chaos, the sets and then the definition of a powerhouse performance by Russel Crowe as Maximus. I could not take my eyes off it in the cinema and felt like people must have felt watching Ben Hur for the first time
The sequel also captures the feeling of chaos and the sets are perfect. The story rattled along quickly, at no point did I feel bored, the action was mind blowing. I'd worked out the twists early on and was happy with them, there are some really strong acting performances and the bad guys are excellent. Paul Mescal does an admirable job of leading the film and whilst he cannot compete with Russel Crowe for pure presence he acts his socks off more than ably supported by Pedro Pascal, Denzel and Joseph Quinn not to mention Fred Hechinger and those two take mental to a good level clearly influenced by Joaquin Phoenix's performance in the first film.
I am biased slightly as I adored the first film and it is still what I want to see when I think of a massive budget big event movie however I loved this. It has enough nods and links to the first film and I'm sure the plot can be dissected by someone more objective than me I loved it. The first film is a 10/10 this one is a solid 9/10 just because it isn't the original film
I made the mistake of re-watching the original Gladiator the night before we went to see the sequel. It was a mistake as a) you don’t need to have a clear memory of the first one, they catch you up on all the pertinent bits, b) the sequel is great, but the first is superior and I couldn’t help but compare which I think undermined my enjoyment.
One slight criticism of the sequel is that the links to the first film felt slightly tenuous/shoe-horny.
Oh, final thought which probably goes without saying, Denzel Washington is a spectacular actor.
Also watched Kneecap yesterday. It's the true story of the same-named Belfast hip-hop trio who try to keep the Irish language alive by rapping in their native Irish. It's funny, bonkers... superb!
This is my favourite film of the year, @Chunes ! With definite vibes of Trainspotting, I found it highly original, hugely energetic, subversive and, at times, riotously funny.
I was surprised at how well the band members could act, ably supported by a handful of professional Irish actors, notably, Michael Fassbender. Because Kneecap are a real band, I thought the music had an authenticity and vitality that fictional musical biopics struggle to replicate.
I didn't realise it was the actual band members until the film ended...! They were all great but the DJ in particular is a very gifted actor.
Music-wise they've got some bangers as well.
Brilliant film. What were your other picks for the year?
Just seen that Kemi Badenoch blocking an arts grant to Kneecsp has been declared unlawful, and the payment will be sent through to hel people in both communities. Well played Kneecap.
Prima Facie - a film of a play, a one woman performance by Jodie Comer and one of the strongest pieces of acting I have seen for some time. Not your usual fare but wow was it good - just home from watching it
Watched the French version of "Count of Monte Cristo" which was released this year, after reading the reviews on here
Think I'll need to watch it again, but decided to read the plot behind the book afterwards, as its different to the 2002 release, was curious to learn which of the two was closest to the original material, and ultimately found it interesting that both versions have their snippets from the original novel, but equally deviate themselves
I wasn't a massive fan of the constant jump between the years, until it finally settled down after finding the treasure.
Think the 2002 is still my favourite, the plot from Monte Cristo to get revenge was a little bit easier to understand
Then again relying solely on subtitles probably didnt help, as you're probably having to remember what you read, rather than what you heard earlier in the film.
Comments
Here is my review
https://boxd.it/7RMBN9
The film's theatrical release is at the end of this month and it will be available on Netflix shortly thereafter.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0DJP449C8/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
I was surprised at how well the band members could act, ably supported by a handful of professional Irish actors, notably, Michael Fassbender. Because Kneecap are a real band, I thought the music had an authenticity and vitality that fictional musical biopics struggle to replicate.
No strangers to controversy - having antagonised politicians and radio stations on both sides of the border - I was interested to read that Kneecap successfully applied in 2023 for a £15,000 grant from the music export growth scheme, an independent government-backed arts initiative that provides funding to promote artists overseas. A panel of the British Phonographic Industry, which administers the scheme, approved the request, only for the then Business Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, to rescind it on the grounds of their Republican politics. Whilst appreciative of the publicity, the band successfully applied in June for leave to seek judicial review, with a full hearing likely to be heard any time now when they return from a US tour. Whatever the result (and I'd expect them to win), the further publicity will certainly do them no harm.
Music-wise they've got some bangers as well.
Brilliant film. What were your other picks for the year?
Watched Gladiator II and thought it was plain awful. Can;t get my head around the praise for Denzel either. He might have been marginally better than the rest of the cast but that's an abjectly low bar.
Watched Jury number 2 last week. Felt like a straight to TV picture. Very lightweight and improbable for a courtroom drama. Amazing that Clint is still directing at 93 but on this viewing, it might be time to enjoy the retirement.
I think it got a slating when it came out if I remember rightly.
But Jesus, the 3rd chapter, from her point of view made me angry/sad/sick all in one go. For that scene alone it’s worth putting up with the rest.
How can Ben Affleck go from being brilliant in Argo & being absolutely shit in this film? Strange.
I agree with your assessment @Bedsaddick. For me, it's a solid 7/10 - worth a watch but not, in my view, a film out of the top drawer. Now streaming on Netflix.
@Chunes- some other favourites from films I’ve seen this year:
The Holdovers (USA)
I found this tremendously entertaining - an excellent, poignant and very funny comedy. Alexander Payne reunited with Paul Giametti 20 years after Sideways. A very good period piece set in the Christmas holidays of 1969/70 - hence a number of cinemas are screening it over the festive period.
The Zone of Interest (UK)
Jonathan Glazer’s haunting drama on the life of Rudolf Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller), as they live a seemingly idyllic life right next to the infamous concentration camp. A chilling film and a deserving winner of the Oscars for Best Sound and for Best International Feature - a first for a UK non-English language film.
Small Things Like These (Ireland) - 8/10
As Christmas 1985 approaches in a small town in County Wicklow, Ireland, coal merchant Bill Furlong discovers disturbing treatment of a pregnant young girl at the local convent, which serves as one of the infamous Magdalene Laundries. The experience causes him to reflect upon his own difficult childhood as the son of a young single mother, ostracised by her family but permitted to work for a wealthy and independent landowner.
I thought this was a really fine adaptation of Claire Keegan’s excellent novella. One scene between Bill (Cillian Murphy) and the chilling Mother Superior (Emily Watson) really is something else.
I saw a good number of films at the London Film Festival in October, although most of the ones I particularly rated are not scheduled for theatrical release until 2025. I posted details earlier on the thread but my top 5 were probably:
Absolutely brilliant
My review is below
https://boxd.it/7ULb2V
Went for himselfs birthday.
Wasn't really expecting much tbh, the first was so good how could it compete?
But in the first scene........GOATS!!! And they kept coming.....Happy Sis!
All joking aside I was really impressed with yer man. I mean I thought he was just a silver necklace after Normal People but wow, the nose may have sold it to Ridley but he really nailed it.
He's come a long way from the sausages 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
The first film with Russel Crowe really changed cinema for me, as much as I appreciate films like Jurassic Park and Star Wars for the spectacle they were on a big screen I was maybe a generation or 2 behind star wars and Jurassic Park whilst having some real classic moments didn’t hit me in the same way gladiator did. I thought Ridley Scott made me as a viewer feel immersed, the noise, the chaos, the sets and then the definition of a powerhouse performance by Russel Crowe as Maximus. I could not take my eyes off it in the cinema and felt like people must have felt watching Ben Hur for the first time
The sequel also captures the feeling of chaos and the sets are perfect. The story rattled along quickly, at no point did I feel bored, the action was mind blowing. I'd worked out the twists early on and was happy with them, there are some really strong acting performances and the bad guys are excellent. Paul Mescal does an admirable job of leading the film and whilst he cannot compete with Russel Crowe for pure presence he acts his socks off more than ably supported by Pedro Pascal, Denzel and Joseph Quinn not to mention Fred Hechinger and those two take mental to a good level clearly influenced by Joaquin Phoenix's performance in the first film.
I am biased slightly as I adored the first film and it is still what I want to see when I think of a massive budget big event movie however I loved this. It has enough nods and links to the first film and I'm sure the plot can be dissected by someone more objective than me I loved it. The first film is a 10/10 this one is a solid 9/10 just because it isn't the original film
Gladiator the night before we went to see the sequel. It was a mistake as a) you don’t need to have a clear memory of the first one, they catch you up on all the pertinent bits, b) the sequel is great, but the first is superior and I couldn’t help but compare which I think undermined my enjoyment.
Oh, final thought which probably goes without saying, Denzel Washington is a spectacular actor.
Well played Kneecap.
Also Joy, a great film, very well produced and acted
Think I'll need to watch it again, but decided to read the plot behind the book afterwards, as its different to the 2002 release, was curious to learn which of the two was closest to the original material, and ultimately found it interesting that both versions have their snippets from the original novel, but equally deviate themselves
I wasn't a massive fan of the constant jump between the years, until it finally settled down after finding the treasure.
Think the 2002 is still my favourite, the plot from Monte Cristo to get revenge was a little bit easier to understand
Then again relying solely on subtitles probably didnt help, as you're probably having to remember what you read, rather than what you heard earlier in the film.