We managed to squeeze in five movies ranging from excellent to reasonably good at the cinemas early in 2020 before they were forced to shut as COVID-19 struck.
Category Archives: Movies
Down the bunny’s hole with Hitler by Richard Jones
A look at Jojo Rabbit (M)
I’m not averse to an occasional humorous take on a serious historical event so I was looking forward to Taika Waititi’s spoof movie. He’s very busy with this production. He directed the film and played the role of Adolf Hitler who’s 10-year-old Jojo’s imaginary friend and adviser, occasionally a bit gruff with the little lad. And as well Waititi had written the script which won him the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at this month‘s Academy Awards. Continue reading
Blonde sedition unravels bombastic boss by Richard Jones
A look at Bombshell (MA 15+)
Harassment of women with the accompanying lewd comments in the work-place has come under much more in-depth scrutiny in recent years. Far more than it did in the 1980s and 90s (where it was ever-present) and clearly through the influence and clout of the #MeToo movement. Continue reading
2019 musically by Les Everett
It’s taken a while but here are my live musical highlights of 2019.
Blundering through the mud-encrusted trenches by Richard Jones
A look at 1917 (MA 15+)
Director Sam Mendes had a large movie portfolio behind him before his interest in World War 1 was sparked by an ageing family member.
Some years back his paternal grandfather, Alfred Mendes, told him a tale about a young soldier instructed to cross enemy lines, alone, to alert a fellow-British outfit they were about to run into a carefully staged German trap. So Mendes took up the story although instead of a single soldier entrusted with the information he enlists two. Continue reading
Trying to milk the conman narrative by Richard Jones
A look at The Good Liar (MA 15+)
You’d think with mega-stars Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen in the two leading roles a movie focussing on rip-offs and cons would be a sure-fire hit. Well, almost but not quite. It’s a near miss with some intriguing off-shoots. Continue reading
A case of betraying government for her country by Richard Jones
A look at Official Secrets (MA 15+)
Every now and then we go to a movie not expecting all that much, but certainly hoping to be entertained. Such was the case with Official Secrets. Continue reading
Best movies for 2019 by Richard Jones
We had a bit of a blank stretch through October and November but still managed close to our normal annual tally of 30 movies. And there were a few trips to mainstream cinemas during school holiday periods to keep the granddaughters entertained. Not surprisingly, those films such as Ralph Breaks The Internet, Dumbo and Secret Life Of Pets don’t make this Top Ten list. Continue reading
The 2019 lists by Vin Maskell
Reading
Death Of A Typographer by Nick Gadd
You like fonts? You like murder mysteries? You like 1970s Dutch prog rock? You’ll love Melbourne writer Nick Gadd’s second novel. ‘Clever, witty and very stylish,’ said The Age. Lots of fun. Continue reading
An intriguing class-war black comedy by Richard Jones
A look at Parasite (MA 15+)
We’ve seen a few South Korean epics lately and this one from director Bong Joon-Ho rates as one of the very best. Continue reading
