I hoped I might appreciate this more on a second viewing but my opinion didn't really change. It always felt like I should be enjoying it more than I actually was.
March 04, 2016 at 07:07PM04 March 2016
Lapse Of Honour - ★★★½
Another impressive directorial debut at #KFF17, like The Violators it has it's flaws but places Rayna Campbell on my radar as a director to watch.
Followed by Q&A with Rayna Campbell
March 04, 2016 at 07:05PMThe Closer We Get, 2015 - ★★★★
A fascinating and intimate documentary which would have been just as compelling if it only focussed on caring for the mother after her stroke. The fact that even more family secrets are revealed during the film makes it even more remarkable.
Followed by Q&A with Karen Guthrie
March 04, 2016 at 07:04PM03 March 2016
Court, 2014 - ★½
Most films and television use the court room to deliver drama, tension and excitement. Court portrays the dullness and tedious procedural nature of real life. The film is slow (although well shot) to the point that every passing minute rips away another piece of patience. Early on I realised that film would probably end on a overly long held static shot that would irritate me. It did, but that was not the final scene and another entirely superfluous ten minutes destroyed what little good feelings towards the film that remained.
It is a well made film but in no way pleasurable, almost exactly the opposite of ChickLit which opened the festival.
March 03, 2016 at 10:08PMLife in a Fishbowl, 2014 - ★★★★
A film of three intersecting stories that would have been better as two. None of the "banking" stories add anything and it feels like the film would have been so much better without them. The prostitution story also feels quite cliched and as it's main purpose appears to be to join the stories together you end up thinking that could've been told better as well. Most of the rest of the film works really well though, making me think there is a 5 star film in there somewhere.
March 03, 2016 at 09:59PMThe Violators, 2015 - ★★★★
An impressive debut which the director acknowledges was influenced by Clio Barnard and Andrea Arnold. There is a familiar feel to it all but it's all done so well. Not everything works, tonally Rachel often feels like she's stepped in from another film but I didn't see where the story was going (which feels like a rarity these days). The final third doesn't
work as well as it should to bring everything together in a more satisfying way but that was only a small complaint. Both director Helen Walsh and star Lauren McQueen are ones to watch.
Followed by Q&A with director Helen Walsh.
March 03, 2016 at 09:52PMThe Second Mother, 2015 - ★★★★
Often uncomfortable to watch but also full of charm, joy and laughter with a strong lead performance from Regina Casé.
March 03, 2016 at 06:41PM02 March 2016
The Yes Men Are Revolting, 2014 - ★★★½
Informative, entertaining and frequently very funny. It's a shame that there isn't a stronger narrative thread throughout the film because it often feels episodic and perhaps focusses too much on their personal lives without offering much insight.
March 02, 2016 at 08:58PM01 March 2016
ChickLit - ★★½
Perhaps better suited for television rather than the cinema there's a feeling throughout that the great cast should be producing better results. This was a preview and there were several sound issues and some colour grading problems which hopefully will be resolved before release. Despite the slightness and broad appeal I found myself laughing along with the audience at several moments. Perhaps not a great film but one I did enjoy.
March 01, 2016 at 07:45PM29 February 2016
#52FilmsByWomen
Inspired by http://ift.tt/1RkiU1v
This is a list of all the films directed by women that I watched in 2016. I don't plan on watching one film per week, I don't even intend to change my viewing habits. So we'll see how many films I end up seeing.
February 29, 2016 at 03:59PM28 February 2016
21 February 2016
Run Lola Run, 1998 - ★★★★½
Run Lola Run with The Bays Live at Ilkley Film Festival
I was slightly apprehensive about seeing a band I didn't know perform a live soundtrack to not only one of my favourite films but one of my favourite soundtracks. I was also curious how well the film would stand up after nine years since I last saw it. I needn't have worried about the film because it still feels incredibly fresh and current (much like La Haine, shown at Ilkley Film Festival last year). It's a film bursting with energy, ideas and style. The live music worked really well but it was also odd not hearing the original especially the lack of any vocals.
I've already listened to the soundtrack again and now I want to watch the film again.
February 21, 2016 at 10:55PM
WolfCop, 2014 - ★★
Not funny enough to be truly entertaining or good enough to have cult appeal.
February 21, 2016 at 12:31PM20 February 2016
A Bigger Splash, 2015 - ★★★½
Feels like a broken vase super glued together and placed precariously on the edge of a shelf. It's always obvious that the vase will eventually fall (and it's shattered pieces are shown in the trailer) but it perhaps takes too long to eventually tumble.
February 20, 2016 at 08:30AM19 February 2016
14 February 2016
Come As You Are, 2011 - ★★★
Another perfectly fine film. Surprised it won the Audience Award at Keswick FIlm Festival last year but it's also charming enough to understand how it could win people over.
February 14, 2016 at 08:49PMThe Inbetweeners 2, 2014 - ★★
This one really does just feel like a TV special and whilst it isn't exactly bad there also doesn't appear to be any reason to justify watching it.
February 14, 2016 at 08:46PMNatural Born Killers, 1994 - ★★★★
Completely insane and unlike anything else but also highly influenced and influential.
February 14, 2016 at 08:44PMPapadopoulos & Sons, 2012 - ★★★
A charming, but predictable, little film with lots of heart.
February 14, 2016 at 08:42PMAmerican Reunion, 2012 - ★★½
Like an actual reunion it felt like this should be watched out of curiosity rather than enjoyment. Purposely nostalgic is passes the time but is largely forgettable.
February 14, 2016 at 08:41PMGrease Live, 2016
I thought it was ambitious to start this with a Birdman-esque backstage Jessie J rendition of Grease but the rest of the production was even more spectacular.
I only had it on in the background but I was surprised about how well this was staged.
February 14, 2016 at 08:36PM11 February 2016
Spotlight, 2015 - ★★★½
Of all the award films this was the one I was looking forward to the most. A great cast, an investigative journalism story and a director I like. Perhaps that level of anticipation was part of the reason why I was left slightly underwhelmed. Spotlight is a good film, full of engaging performances but for me it lacked any sense of urgency to make it really great. I thought I'd like the deliberately understated nature of the film but compared to the razzmatazz of The Big Short it left me a little disappointed.
February 11, 2016 at 10:00PM09 February 2016
We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story, 2015 - ★★★
Watched on Tuesday February 9, 2016.
February 09, 2016 at 11:29PMPride and Prejudice and Zombies, 2016 - ★★½
As a fan of Austen and zombies I quite enjoyed the book and was interested in the film adaptation. Unfortunately most of the interesting people attached to the project left and it feels like the film has been passed around a few times too many. It isn't as bad as many reviews would lead you to believe but it's also not especially good either. It feels like two different stories rather than a mash-up of the two. The Austen parts feel forced and the zombie bits are just not especially interesting. I don't remember any of the Lazarus plot in the book but it is a while since I read it.
It is fun though and Matt Smith is fantastic as Parson Collins, it's almost worth seeing the film just for his performance.
February 09, 2016 at 11:26PM
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