My Top 10 Films of 2017

Disclaimer: These are films released in UK cinemas in 2017 (some may technically be 2016 films). I haven’t seen every single film this year but I have seen the vast majority of wide releases, and sought out smaller indies (most don’t come to where I live so despite my best efforts I couldn’t justify a…

Beyond 2017

It can be hard to predict which films will live on far past their year of release. Even the awards ceremonies can’t always be relied upon to point them out; there are plenty that haven’t quite retained the power that they had when they first came out. Some films will become classics, some will gather…

‘Pitch Perfect 3’ Review

I’ve written before about my love of Pitch Perfect, and my disappointment that it got taken into the sequel machine that pumps out lazy victory laps, when it could have stood on its own as a singular, cult, successful film. I didn’t hate the second film, I just felt that it lost its spark and…

‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Review

After most of the trepidation surrounding the new Star Wars trilogy was eradicated with J.J. Abrams’ incredibly well-received Episode VII, there was more room for anticipation in the run up to Rian Johnson’s follow-up. However, where The Force Awakens’ biggest criticism was perhaps it sticking too closely to the familiar feel of the original films,…

2017: Progress in the Industry

To clarify, I am only focusing on the film industry…for the world in general, progress would definitely be the wrong word. 2017 seems to be a game-changer for the film industry. Events and releases of this year seem to have started a necessary chain of reaction to change what we see on screen, who is…

‘Stronger’ Review

*This is a modified repost of my LFF review* The second film this year to depict the Boston Marathon Bombings of only four years ago, this is so much more than most of the other overcoming adversity biopics we have become accustomed to, and delivers a really poignant, authentic-feeling account of Jeff Bauman’s experiences as…

Christopher Nolan BAFTA: A Life in Pictures

I attended BAFTA’s career retrospective of Christopher Nolan on 1st December, a talk between interviewer Edith Bowman and Nolan himself which covered the breadth of his filmography and allowed for more casual insights into his work. Held in BAFTA’s headquarters – specifically the Princess Anne Theatre – just off of Picadilly Circus, there was a…

‘Good Time’ Review

Since Twilight ended, Robert Pattinson has seemingly had to prove himself as a serious actor as being in the billion-dollar franchise damaged his reputation, as opposed to promoted him as an actor. He has since poured his energy into interesting indies, and this is no exception. The Safdies’ Good Time is a unique and gritty…

‘Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool’ Review

An aging Hollywood film star and a young Liverpudlian theatre actor isn’t exactly a pairing you might expect, but this true tale proves it is one that happened. Showcasing a wonderful partnership between Annette Bening and Jamie Bell, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool delivers a tender love story about the unlikely pair. Plotting the…