Film Pick UK

  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Make no mistake, the central character of this film is Paris. The characters and their narrative are layered against its sweeping backdrop.  Beautiful camera work slightly grainy in parts, sometimes a blur. French write/director Mikhael Hers, is in love with this city of dreams and as a city lover myself I get it. Elisabeth, Mother of a teenage boy and girl is grieving the collapse of her marriage. Suddenly thrust into the position of  breadwinner she finds work at a radio station.  Set in the 80's, an era that seems so near (to me) yet so far. A time that pre dates the internet and all that entails, mobile phones, laptops, the strange ways we now communicate with each other. The lost and lonely listen to late night radio, they call up and tell their stories to the night.  One caller, Talulah a teenage girl living on the streets touches Elisabeth and she invites Talulah into her home and her family.  The views from the wide windows of Elizabeth's apartment are stunning,

Are you struggling with Lockdown two? I went into a low grade meltdown just at the thought of it. But a week in I've come round to the idea, maybe its not as bad as I thought. The thing about sequels is they can be so atrocious. A complete and utter insult to the original, a let down, a disappointment, a mistake.  The British PM with his rolling script has implemented Lockdown II in what I may say is rather a Mike Leigh sort of affair. By which I mean the whole thing is being improvised along the way, by us, the cast in this government production. We can shape the story to suit our lives just as we have started wearing our masks as a statement of our individuality and personal freedom.  In order to be worthy of the 'Part II' status there must be a resolution to some kind of cliff hanger from the original. Also the cast and the creators must remain the same. Lockdown Part II only partly meets my criteria as I don't see any resolution on the horizon. But maybe there will

I'm a lush for the plush in cinematic experience. I mean is it even really a cinema if the seats are not covered in red velvet? All mainstream chains take note as you re vamp your screens, with large vinyl covered seats and vinyl flooring. There is something fundamental about going to the movies that they have failed to take into account. The magic.  The heart of cinema is pure magic.  The swish of the curtain, the dimming to darkness of the lights, the hush that falls across the audience as the screen comes to life with another dimension, another view to this world or worlds imagined. We are transported  My first visit to a cinema couldn't have been more epic. It was the Odeon Astoria in Finsbury Park. This cathedral of picture houses is now a church which couldn't be a more fitting end for this glorious building. My early expectations were set very high I know and I search everywhere for cinemas that live up to them. My local cinema growing up was the Odeon Dalston, I rem

"Number one, why aren't you in when I fucking told you to be in"? - In Bruges "Number three, you better fucking be in tomorrow night" - In Bruges "Why don't you both put your guns down and go home"? - In Bruges Ray: "I'm not being funny. We can't stay here" Ken: "We have to stay here until he rings" Ray: "Well what if he doesn't ring for two weeks"? Ken: "Then we stay here for two weeks" Ray: "For two weeks? In fucking Bruges? In a room like this? With you? No way"  - In Bruges "I want to be alone" -  Grand Hotel "We go to the mattresses" - The Godfather "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in" - Godfather part 3 "They may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom" - Braveheart "Nobody puts Baby in a corner" - Dirty Dancing "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain" - 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "There's no place like home"  (said Dorothy in 1939)  Now ain't that the truth! Well "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore" (also Dorothy in 1939)  Where ever you are in the world right now, hunker down and make it home at least for a while. Get cosy in your own private Kansas and watch some funny films. This is my Skinny on Comedy, let's get some laughs in for Gods sake. (There is no ranking system of any kind here) The Life Of Brian - 1979 Monty Pythons finest. This religious satire, always relevant, addresses religious dogma with humour. Brian, the simple boy next door gets mistaken for the Messiah. Cue big laughs and great lines "he's not the Messiah he's a very naughty boy" The film finishes with a message to us all; "Always look on the bright side of life"  Blithe Spirit - 1945 David Leans sublime adaptation of the Noel Coward play. This classic was restored and re released by the

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Eternal Beauty  - Written and directed by Craig Roberts. A defiant and tender new perspective on the subject of mental illness; Sally Hawkins is both fragile and feisty as June the central character with a super power labelled Schizophrenia. This film should go on to receive major recognition. Bold, brilliant, groundbreaking. Hope Gap  - Bill Nighy and Annette Bening play a couple whose 29 year marriage abruptly ends. Bening is wonderful as the fierce, feisty wife. Nighy is perfect as the infuriating, passive aggressive husband. Although a sad story it is peppered with humour and some real laugh out loud moments. JoJo Rabbit  - A fresh, daring take on WW2 Director/Screenwriter Taika Waititi tackles the subject of racism and nationalism using his unique style of humour to illustrate how ludicrous it is. Wickedly witty, there are also some acutely sobering moments. A  film that challenges the pursuit of hatred and dogma.   Calm with Horses - (Adapted from a short s