Downsizing

I like this! I mean, it's by no means perfect, but I like what it's trying to do with strange solutions to issues such as global sustainability, and how what was intended as a solution to a problem ends up being used as a method of punishment or political torture as well. Matt Damon's Paul …

Suburbicon (2017)

Such potential, such a disappointment. On the one hand, I'm a fan of Matt Damon and Julianne Moore, and they are good, or as good as they can be. On the other, the two storylines just don't mesh at all. The (presumably) Coen brothers-penned thread is full of dark humour and sees Damon and Moore involved in …

The Great Wall

Clearly a film that has been made for showing in 3D (which I didn't). While it was a bit silly (particularly the monsters) there were a few things which I really liked looking at. There's a gorgeous scene with some stained glass which looked absolutely stunning. And the bungee-jumping blue ladies were magnificent. I also …

Jason Bourne

Why, Alicia Vikander, why? Why would you do this? Tapping furiously at a computer keyboard and barking "copy that" for two hours is not worthy of you. Vikander's character (Heather Lee) dragged this whole thing down. She is way out of her depth and would have been eaten alive by Pamela Landy. Her motivation is unconvincing, …

My top films of 2015

I did try to do what everyone else does - list top 10 films of the year. Honest. But every time I tried to narrow it down to 10, I felt guilty for leaving others out. Then I realised it's my list, and I can do what I want. So I'm listing my top 15. …

The Martian

At last, an intelligent space film that isn't full of navel gazing introspection, and which is fun without being silly. Helped by Matt Damon's natural charm as a screen presence, this is actually a film about science and problem solving. Figure this first thing out, you're one step closer to your goal. After you've found …

My top 10 films of 2013

Some really good films appeared this year, and yet again it's been difficult to select the final 10. But without further ado, here they are, with links to longer opinions if you want to take a peek. Number 10 - Behind the Candelabra Blingingly touching story of Liberace and his relationship with a younger man, …

Behind the Candelabra

Director Steven Soderbergh seems to have been courting publicity this year with statements that he has had enough of film making and is calling it a day. I sincerely hope he doesn't. Behind the Candelabra is the blingingly touching story of Liberace and his relationship with a younger man, on whose memoir the story is …

Hereafter

Oh Matt Damon, why do you do this to me? Every now and again Matt's artistic judgement seems to completely fail, and this is one of those occasions. A ridiculous premise (a man has a gift for speaking to dead people) is the first thing wrong. Two ...

The Adjustment Bureau

Are you really in control of your own destiny? Or does a man in a hat have a different plan for you? And who cares, if your fate may include Matt Damon? 🙂