Following the appointment of Churchill (Gary Oldman) as Prime Minister he faces opposition from Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup) and Viscount Halifax (Stephen Dillane) due to his refusal to enter into peace negotiations as the British army is forced back to Dunkirk. The biggest detraction to Darkest Hour that may or may not impact you is … Continue reading Darkest Hour
Downsizing is a tricky film to give a synopsis for and clearly a difficult one to market based on the almost fraudulent trailers. This is a light drama about social injustice and environmentalism masquerading as a high concept comedy. It’s quirky, but ultimately it’s mishmash of ideas results in a dull directionless affair. The plot … Continue reading Downsizing
In 1973 John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer) was kidnapped in Italy. His grandfather (Christopher Plummer) was the richest man in the world but refused to pay his ransom. Instead he hired fixer Fletcher Chase (Mark Wahlberg) to resolve the issue whilst his mother Gail (Michelle Williams) fought for his release. Ridley Scott’s latest film … Continue reading All the Money in the World
For fans of the Western genre you will struggle to find a better film this year, despite the fact that it’s January. Writer/Director Scott Cooper has produced a brutal, stoic example of the genre with stunning imagery and a haunting score. The film sets the tone early as we see Rosalie Quaid’s (Rosamund Pike) entire … Continue reading Hostiles
Ferdinand is a gentle bull with a good heart who does not want to fight in the arena. He escapes to grow up happy with a human family only to find himself back in the running to be in the bull ring when he is mistaken for a wild animal. The original Ferdinand story was … Continue reading Ferdinand
A beautiful film that succeeds in being darkly comic, dramatic, hopeful and shockingly sad. Three Billboards begins months after the rape and murder of Mildred Hayes’ (Francis McDormand) daughter. Frustrated at the lack of arrests she rents the titular billboards and challenges local law enforcement to do better. The films focus is on Mildred but … Continue reading Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
A musical inspired by P.T. Barnum’s circus is the setting for what must be one of the most hopeful and aspirational films of the year. And what better time for it to be released, just before the new year when people are looking to be inspired. The plot covers the rags to riches tale of … Continue reading The Greatest Showman
As my first year of blogging comes to an end I am very grateful for the fact that I seem to have picked a phenomenal year in which to start. Picking out what I considered to be films of the year was a very hard task. I have to say I have really enjoyed putting … Continue reading 2017 – Year in Review
Set in a world where orcs, humans and elves coexist we follow LAPD cops Ward (Will Smith) and Jakoby (Joel Edgerton unrecognisable under orc make up) on an eventful shift. The Netflix Original film starts with a promising title sequence attempting to give us thousands of years of back story - orcs sided with the … Continue reading Bright
Misinterpreting an invitation to watch the current Barden Bellas as an opportunity to sing together again our favourite a capella group decide that their real jobs aren’t exciting enough and organise a swan song by taking part in a USO tour in Europe. The original Pitch Perfect is amazing entertainment, archly funny, full of fun … Continue reading Pitch Perfect 3
Phil the Bear's Film Reviews 