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What We Do in the Shadows
The jokes are spread very thinly in this faux-documentary on New Zealand vampires but it’s a decent enough watch. →
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Pom Poko
A fun and surreal Ghibli animation that’s weirdly preoccupied with magical racoon testicles →
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The Weight of Water
Oppressively-banal and lumpen drama that aims for erotically-charged and instead hits cold shower. →
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OSS-117: Lost in Rio
French spy spoof sequel that’s weaker than its predecessor and a bit more homophobic. Oh well. →
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Near Dark
Fantastically-grotty vampire flick, all dust and hobo. Features Bill Paxton at almost his Bill Paxtoniest. →
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Boogie Nights
Endlessly watchable, if occasionally a little intimidating. →
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Blue Steel
Early Bigelow thriller, pretty dumb yet still watchable. Jamie Lee Curtis in her ‘adorable smile’ phase. →
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Tank Girl
So forgettably loud, colourful and obnoxious it’s like watching a post-apocalyptic episode of Channel 4’s The Word. →
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Jackie Brown
Everything about this pulpy Leonard adaptation feels right. Great editing, amazing soundtrack, Pam Grier & Robert Forster. →
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OSS-117: Cairo, Nest of Spies
French spy-spoof from the people behind The Artist. Funny & artfully-made, though weirdly homophobic at times. →
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Slow West
A wonderful vignette of a western. Beautifully shot, scored and performed, with not a single moment wasted. →
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Sweet Smell of Success
Perfect. A script that’s 100% quotable, horrible characters, amazing score. Never tire of it. →
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Anchors Aweigh
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Kingdom of Heaven
Extended cut is a big improvement on the original but nothing can help Orlando Bloom’s blandness, and Eva Green is wasted →
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Automata
Middling bit of sci-fi that threatens to be interesting for a while before losing it. Like a cheap Asimov adaptation. →
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The Man from Earth
Engrossing, thoughtful piece of sci-fi of the stuff that Star Trek used to be made of. Intensely conversational. I like. →
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Inherent Vice
A bit like The Big Lebowski without the wit, coherence or directorial flair. Might do better on multiple viewings though. →
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The Third Man
Cinema’s greatest smirk →
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The Fugitive
A perfect film. Thrilling story, haunting score, intense performances, great stunts, Andreas Katsulas. →
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Ex Machina
Great bit of classically-old-school SF. Oscar Isaac chilling as a Larry Page/Dr. Moreau hybrid, Alicia Vikander also brilliant. →