The Lighthouse (2019) – Robert Eggers [SPOILERS]
“The era-specific, meticulous details are apparent from costume to set design, which shows the care the director and crew put into the piece.”
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind (2004) – Michel Gondry [SPOILERS]
“From the muddled recesses of his mind emerge distorted figures and faces, voices bleed into scenes from external sources and everything combines to create a layered piece.”
The Truman Show (1998) – Peter Weir [SPOILERS]
“An ordinary man can become a star simply because he’s televised, which feeds into today’s society’s obsession with reality TV and the stars that are borne from it.”
Hot Summer Nights (2017) – Elijah Bynum
“The setting is a big part of what makes the film, it comments on the divide between the residents and the ‘summer birds’ and the way Daniel doesn’t fit into either group – an outsider.”
Leash (2020) – Jamie Thornham
“The straight-forward premise becomes clouded by the obscurity of unlit alleys and the unnerving sensation that there is someone else there.”
The Platform (2019) – Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
“There’s a disconnect between what the people need and how these needs are being met in such an absurd, surreal way.”
Three Colours: Blue (1993) – Krzysztof Kieślowski
“it’s these glimpses and hints we’re given that build the story and situate Julie.”
Good Time (2017) – Safdie Brothers
“The cinematography by Sean Price Williams and the way the film is shot adds vigour to each scene.”
American Psycho (2000) – Mary Harron
“Bale brings so much to this role, he’s able to show the deadpan manner of Bateman, whilst also coming alive in frantic, erratic scenes of terror and hysteria”
Lady Bird (2017) – Greta Gerwig
“The fundamental tension in the film however is created through the strained relationship with her mother Marion”
Fight Club (1999) – David Fincher
“The film is loaded with philosophical rhetoric and can be analysed through many lenses, which is why it is still a relevant film, over twenty years after its release”
Nightcrawler (2014) – Dan Gilroy
“This is the cruel, seedy underbelly of the media and those that lurk in the shadows to feed it”
Lost in Translation (2003) – Sofia Coppola
“The use of cityscapes in the film, and the Tokyo setting is integral to the fabric of the film. The characters are constantly looking out of windows at the bold, neon lights”
Parasite (2019) – Bong Joon Ho
“what stirs under the surface is an ominous tension that builds and rises to a destructive crescendo”
Queen & Slim (2019) – Melina Matsoukas
“The bond between the two is juxtaposed with an inescapable violence that they are constantly running away from”
Her (2013) – Spike Jonze
“Throughout the course of the film Samantha evolves and grows, she has a connection with Theodore that she explains does not stem from any logical foundation, it just is”
The Art of Self-Defense (2019) – Riley Stearns
“Satirical in the way it portrays America, from topical issues of gun control and hyper-masculinity, the film feels current”
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) – Quentin Tarantino
“the film presents itself as a slow burn character piece which affords the viewer an insight into the protagonists’ lives – Rick’s misery in becoming a “has-been” and Cliff’s comical and unruffled assured sense of self”
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) – Barry Jenkins
“Long shots are used throughout the film, and moments linger to allow for more tenderness and intensity”
Fargo (1996) – Coen Brothers
“In Fargo the witty dialogue, paired with the ‘Minnesota nice’ mannerisms of the characters, adds to the dark comedy aspect of the film”
Sorry to Bother You (2018) – Boots Riley
“The events in the film are deeply disturbing, more so due to their resemblance to our world. While things are hyperbolic and exaggerated to absurd extremes, the corruption and greed shown in the film is real”
Reservoir Dogs (1992) – Quentin Tarantino
“Michael Madsen (Mr. Blonde) inflicting horrific pain while dancing to ‘Stuck in the Middle with You’ creates a tone prevalent in much of Tarantino’s work”
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) – Ethan and Joel Coen
“The Western genre is fully explored through the use of sub-genres, and thus every story has its own identity while still being a part of the whole”
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) – Peyton Reed
“Ant-Man and the Wasp has a much needed lighter tone, with lower stakes, to serve as a breather from the spectacle that was Infinity War”
Hotel Artemis (2018) – Drew Pearce
“The cinematography, by Chung-hoon Chung, feels stylish and having a majority of the film set in the location of the hotel adds to the charm of the place”
Ocean’s Eight (2018) – Gary Ross
“not every character has the opportunity to shine, but that is okay as the foundation of this film is cooperation and teamwork”
Love, Simon (2018) – Greg Berlanti
“it feels as though film institutions are becoming more conscious of the need to embrace LGBTQIA+ characters and be inclusive and progressive”
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) – Ron Howard
“His drive and ambition for a better life are palpable, and Ehrenreich’s performance portrays an excitement and eager nature to the character of Han”
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) – J.A. Bayona
“there are attempts to make the film bigger and more action-packed, and the film clearly has a core message about humanities role and behaviour towards other creatures”
Deadpool 2 (2018) – David Leitch
“an exuberant, humorous film with unapologetically bold choices, similar to the first Deadpool”
Isle of Dogs (2018) – Wes Anderson
“you feel the attention to detail and the amount of care that has gone into every frame”
Tully (2018) – Jason Reitman
“the film felt so real that it almost became stressful to watch, as the screams of children seemed to bellow out of the screen”
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – Anthony and Joe Russo
“Anthony and Joe Russo have done a marvellous job at capturing the true essence of the characters, whilst allowing them to explore new situations and character dynamics”
A Quiet Place (2018) – John Krasinski
“The film is a roller-coaster in regards to the tension and while there are moments of calmness, the tension is very prevalent, and towards the end of the film, it never lets up”
Rampage: Big Meets Bigger (2018) – Brad Peyton
“fun to watch if you do not take it too seriously”
Ready Player One (2018) – Steven Spielberg
“undoubtedly a visual spectacle that is worthwhile seeing at the cinema, purely for the magnificent world of the OASIS that it presents”
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