Somehow, I had managed to live my life up to 2020 without any knowledge of Ma Rainey as an icon of early American music. The untimely death of Chadwick Boseman was the main reason many folk were drawn to this film, which had a fair Oscar buzz around it on release. Would he win an … Continue reading Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
So, as a lifelong Star Wars fan (born 1973, New Hope original) and stoic defender of even Disney's weakest efforts in the continuing saga, I have to confess I did not yet enjoy either animated series of Clone Wars or Rebels. This being the case, I am not completely versed in the history and deep … Continue reading Ahsoka
So. Let's take a look at one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Great because it was the best in any category? No. Great because it was consistently good. No. Great because it had an X factor that cannot be quantified: Yes. It is my humble opinion that with this show, TV more … Continue reading The X Files
I do like a good sports movie. Especially if it's more or less all true. The reason to find this decade old hidden gem is primarily the curiosity factor of seeing the talents of the sadly gone-too-soon Chadwick Boseman - most famous for his portrayal of the fictional icon of T'Challa AKA Black Panther. But … Continue reading 42
This soft-courderoy trouser of a movie is perfectly harmless and almost entirely forgettable. Not bad enough for a spot on a "Bad Movie Triple Bill" post, not good enough to deserve a longer review. Basically, Woody Allen fantasises he is Timothy Chalamet (who emerges blameless and as utterly charming as always) whilst walking around some … Continue reading A Rainy Day in New York
As a massive fan of the British original created by Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant, I rejected the idea of an American adaptation vehemently. To the point that I refused to give it the time of day for many years, despite a plethora of amazing reviews and positive responses from trusted sources. The Office was … Continue reading US Office
Back in March 2021, one year on from the onset of Covid, yet still deep into lockdown, the opening move of Marvel's phase 4 graced our screens for 9 very interesting episodes. There had been some cryptic teasers around since before Christmas, hinting at the show being some sort of 50s sitcom pastiche. The why … Continue reading WandaVision
From the Irish based Cartoon Saloon came this wonder of dreams and innocence, their 2nd piece of pure magic, in 2014. Following the equally loved The Secret of Kells (2009) and preceding the increasingly impressive Wolfwalkers (2020) and The Breadwinner (2018). Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey's superlative animation studio offers a welcome alternative to Pixar, … Continue reading Song of the Sea
This sumptuous film is often considered an inferior version in the same vein as the perhaps obviously superior In the Mood for Love, also starring Tony Leung - the Chinese Humprey Bogart in a different age and a different continental aesthetic, where the hero never smiles. The main difference I have always felt is the … Continue reading Lust, Caution
I wasn't quite impressed enough by this one to devote anything more than a micro-post to it. It is very watchable; Hanks does his stuff with ease, growing into his age and his beard very well. He engages us in every scene as he always has in everything he does. Yet here he exhibits some … Continue reading News of the World
The Wasteland 