The Menu

The Menu; Delightfully exhilarating, hitting all the right notes, straddling tone line between abject horror & uproariously dark humour. Entire cast is perfect in their respective roles, playing every nuance the cleverly crafted script offers. Will live on for years to come; A
 

Billie Eilish Live at the O2

Billie Eilish Live at the O2; Expertly shot w/stunningly up-close angles that add to the concert experience. A performer where a sense of intimacy and closeness compliments the music. Very little extra behind the scenes material but an excellent capture of the live event; B+

Darby and the Dead

Darby and the Dead; Tries to be a Paranorman Mean Girls but despite its talented cast, fails miserably by devolving into worst teen movie tropes w/little heart or humour. There’s a great story lying in aspects of the themes but the script goes to the most obvious banal places; D

Fall

Fall; Breathtaking (and at times, stomach churning) photography spruces up this straightforward adrenaline adventure focussed on some thrill seeking young people. The heights are dizzying and their struggle exhilarating. A B-movie elevated by its cast and camera work; B+

Confess, Fletch

Confess, Fletch; The return of the wise cracking, identity creating investigative reporter with a nose for trouble is in great hands as portrayed by Hamm. He hits all the right notes in a script that balances action, comedy and romance perfectly. Bring on the sequels please!; A-

The Territory

The Territory; A story very much ongoing, this documentation of continued destruction of the Amazon & encroachment upon Indigenous land is compelling in how it comes from the Uru-eu-wau-wau’s own telling of their pressing situation to the world. We must listen, and respond; B+
 

The Pale Blue Eye

The Pale Blue Eye; Murder mystery immerses the viewer from the first frame forward w/atmospheric filming and fine acting. Bale shows why he can’t be defined by his comic book characters as his presence infuses the story with depth, despair and detective work. A fine whodunnit; B+

Avatar: The Way of Water

Avatar: The Way of Water; Technically astounding. Finale has elements of Terminator, Aliens & Titanic. Some story moments are silly. The film struggles to overcome the fact that most of the Sully family isn’t very likeable. A remarkable visual feast from the peerless Cameron; A

Beast

Beast; Simple premise is exactly what the trailer was selling audiences. Single father of two fights to survive a lion attack in remote Africa. Elba’s solid acting works well in tandem with special effects to deliver exhilarating thrills with few surprises. Real life horror; B