Category Archives: Movies
Depp shines as award-winning Life photo-journalist
A look at Minamata [MA15+]
I’m not a great fan of Johnny Depp so I never had any intention of ever watching his Pirates of the Caribbean extravaganzas. And of course there was the headline personal drama when he and his then partner Amber Heard illegally brought two Yorkshire terrier dogs into Australia in October 2015. Continue reading
Lady sings the blues and battles drugs problem by Richard Jones
The United States vs Billie Holiday (MA 15+)
Great 20th century female jazz and blues singers often formed strong bonds with violent and controlling men. Billie Holiday, one of the greatest of them all, was no exception. She’s bullied, hurt and financially ripped off by a succession of husbands, managers and lovers. But Billie has a largely supportive male entourage who tour with her on the road from the small town, smoky bars to larger jazz clubs. Continue reading
Selling milk-based products to the masses in 1820 by Richard Jones
A look at First Cow (PG)
These days everything we need can be bought at specialist downtown shops and supermarkets. We also can have food and beverages delivered after ordering on-line so it takes time to remember how different things were back in the 19th century. In those far distant times a simple beverage such as milk wasn’t available in bush or outback locations. Continue reading
Spies and teachers mixed in together by Richard Jones
A look at Six Minutes To Midnight (M)
Until we saw this movie I had no idea that an English finishing school for the daughters of high-ranking German Nazi officials existed in southern England in the late 1930s. Well, it did, in the coastal town of Bexhill-on-Sea in east Sussex.
Five cinema movies seen before lockdown (and some binges) by Richard Jones
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.
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
