Napoleon Bonaparte is a figure that has loomed large in the history of Europe. As Emperor of France, he ruled over an empire that stretched from the Spanish coast to the borders of Russia (and a little beyond). As a man his life was filled with political intrigue, family drama and a passionate, enduring love, … Continue reading Napoleon review
2023 has felt, at least to me, like an odd year in film. Long-running, tentpole franchises misfired (I'm looking at you Mission Impossible, Marvel and Indiana Jones), while projects, which on paper, had a smaller draw, ended up smashing box office records. And, that's before the recent writer and actor strikes are taken into account. … Continue reading Best of 2023: Films
Hollywood is known for drawing on true stories for inspiration... and Cocaine Bear is no exception. In 1985, drug smuggler, Andrew Thornton unloaded his illegal cargo over Georgia national parks when his aircraft started to crash... the cocaine survived the descent, Andrew Thornton did not. The cocaine was then discovered by a brown bear who … Continue reading Cocaine Bear review
If ever a film had a recipe for success it's Where the Crawdads Sing. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, starring Daisy Edgar Jones (fresh from her breakout role in Normal People) and produced by Reese Witherspoon. To steal a sports analogy, it should have been a home run. Despite the star … Continue reading Where the Crawdads Sing review
It’s important to know when stop, to bring things to an end and say goodbye, even when audiences are clamouring for more. Advice, the creators of Downton Abbey should have heeded, leaving well enough alone after the drama’s first cinematic outing. After all, by the end of the original film, the Dowager had passed the … Continue reading Downton Abbey: A New Era review
Every so often a film comes along that captivates you, gets under your skin and haunts you. With it’s primal, brutal, visceral intensity, Robert Eggers' The Northman, is one such film. While narrative inspiration is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Eggers unapologetically leans into the world of Norse mythology, as protagonist Amleth, played by Alexander Skarsgard, … Continue reading The Northman Review
Every single one of us has that small collection of films that we'll watch over and over again, even though we can quote it line for line and know all the twists and turns. These films are our comfort blankets, the escapes we turn to when we need a lift and the friends we know … Continue reading Steel Magnolias review
In the world of 21st century cinema, films must thrive despite vast competition during their opening weekend, leading to a studio tendency to over-hype supposed brilliance in the weeks before release, in a desperate bid to sell tickets. Too often phrases like 'greatest film of the year' and 'masterpiece’ are bandied about without the film … Continue reading 1917 review
For 150 years the story of four sisters has captured imaginations around the world, selling millions of copies and spawning numerous adaptions... so when Greta Gerwig announced that she was following her highly successful directional debut, Ladybird, with a new version of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, it left many of us asking if there was anything new to be added to such a well loved, well told tale?
I admit that I didn’t know what to expect from Stan & Ollie, although familiar with the name Laurel and Hardy, I am ashamed to say I had never previously encountered their work… and being more familiar with the work of stars Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly, I knew that the film could go … Continue reading Stan & Ollie review
Elle's Scribbles 