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In Broad Daylight - 7.5/10

A Hong Kong set Chinese film about systemic abuse in care homes. It's an investigative journalism procedural and it ticks all the boxes you expect. It's very similar to the Weinstein exposé film She Said and follows more of less the exact same template.

I expected the horrors of the care home abuse to be frequent and harrowing, but it instead focuses more on the human relationships between the various residents that occupy the home. It is at its best in the quieter moments when human emotion is allowed to bubble up to the surface. The score and cinematography kick in, and you get way more heart-warming moments than I expected.

Towards the end the focus on the abuses does ramp up, but it is handled tastefully and doesn't contrive any unnecessary shock tactics to convey its message. Some of the subtitles moved extremely fast so there are a few snippets of info I didn't fully take in. It touches on the widespread scale of the abuse throughout the country and given that it has only recently been exposed the mainstream media, it makes it all feel extremely prescient.

An important film that approaches its difficult subject matter with respect, but perhaps in the hands of a better storyteller it could have been more impactful.

Much like the Anthony Hopkins film One Life that I saw a few weeks ago, at the end of the film everyone remained seated till the very end of the credits as a mark of respect for the subject matter.

Wonka - 8.5/10

An unashamed family musical that is perfect for this time of year. It took 2 or 3 musical numbers before it grabbed me, but when it did, I found myself comparing it to Aladdin in terms of how catchy the songs were and how much energy it had. Then I realised that I am comparing a classic Disney animation with live action, which is the biggest compliment I can pay this film. Paul King has effortlessly achieved something that is incredibly tough to pull off. It puts every single Disney live action 'remake' to shame.

The plot is a little messy, but they deserve credit for not just retreading the same Wonka story we've already seen twice on the big screen. I felt that King and Farnaby were looking at multiple Roald Dahl stories for inspiration. The three members of the chocolate cartel reminded me of the three farmers from Fantastic Mr Fox. The Giraffe bit reminded me of the The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me. Olivia Coleman and Tom Davies grumpy landlords were reminiscent of The Twits etc...

Paddington 2 is a tough act to follow, and whilst this is a little uneven and has slight pacing issues, I think you just must let those knit picks fall to the floor and go with it. It's a joyous and hilarious film. Neil Hannon's music is catchy and full of clever word play. Other than a few moments where Wonka's eccentricity is a bit of a stretch, Timothée Chalamet does more than enough to cement his place as the second-best screen Wonka. There's plenty of room for the Wilder cynicism to grow within him, but for now we have a much more wide-eyed and optimistic Wonka and I look forward to seeing where they take him in the inevitable sequels that follow.

Can Paul King make Wonka 2 as good as Paddington 2? He's certainly laid the chocolatey foundations.

Bite (with live Q&A) - 7.5/10

An impressive feature debut from local (to me) up and coming director James Owen. He is a former surgeon who has branched out into the world of film and decided that the horror genre is the perfect place to cut his teeth.

The story begins with two con artists on the run after a botched robbery attempt. One of the girls gets spit up from her partner and ends up stranded in the pouring rain, until a lovely old Lady comes along to pick her up. But when we get back to her place, perhaps she isn't quite as lovely as she seems...

It keeps throwing twists and turns at you. The performances are strong. The gore is used sparingly and looks suitably authentic. Considering the tight budget and way it was sporadically filmed in phases over many months, the end product is impressive.

I look forward to following James Owen's career as this shows that he is a more than capable director, brimming with ideas.

Oppenheimer - 7/10

Saw this on opening day at a sold-out BFI iMax with James Acaster in attendance. Proper bombs of dread.

Lots of anticipation for this one and I've long been curious as to how it justifies the 3-hour run time. I assumed that running that length would mean that we have multiple set pieces, but it really does just focus on the Trinity test. Hiroshima and Nagasaki happen off screen, and we instead focus on the Manhattan project and 'court room drama' that unfolds in the aftermath of the Trinity test.

This is Christopher Nolan's JFK, with a healthy dose of The Social Network and a sprinkling of abstract imagery. I would have liked a bit more surrealism, but I guess Nolan would be well aware of what David Lynch achieved in Twin Peaks: The Return episode 8 so he keeps it restrained. It's more history lesson than blockbuster and I'm sure there are many people out there that expected a completely different film. The marketing made it look like it could be an action-packed race against time but it's much more academic and dialogue heavy.

If you're interested in exploring Robert Oppenheimer's story in forensic detail, then this is the film for you. Just don't go expecting an all-encompassing retelling of the ending of the second world war.

It's a very well-made film, but it's intense and a lot to take in. You must be in the right mood. I won't be in a rush to see it again and I certainly wouldn't be raving about it and recommending it to everyone. A slog, but an interesting and worthwhile slog.

It will SWEEP at the Oscars.

Logan - 9/10 The third and final solo Wolverine film in the X-Men franchise. Unlike all of the other films in this franchise, this is inspired not so much by comic books or other Marvel films, but by the likes of Little Miss Sunshine and The Wrestler. Director James Mangold has opted for a much more sombre tone giving the film a weighty realism which lends itself very well to the on screen dramas that unfold.

Much like the finale of a beloved long running TV series, this is a meticulously planned out story that ensures Hugh Jackman gets to give Logan the swansong he deserves. The approval of an R rating by the studio meant that the filmmakers no longer had a vested interest that this film would play with children. Not only does this mean we're finally getting to see Wolverine in a gratuitous, ultra-violent, no holds barred manner, but also allows the films to tackle some tougher themes.

The Wrestler is frequently cited as a big inspiration for this film and whilst it's not quite as drenched in melancholy and poignancy, it certainly follows a lot of the same beats. Jackman and Rourke both portraying aging, lethargic men who lack a sense of purpose in life.

It's also great to finally see a comic book film which has ambiguity and unexplained plot points. At points it alludes to certain past events but doesn't feel the need to hold the audiences hand and show everything in a condescending way.

I was really looking forward to seeing Merchant but was left a little disappointed. He essentially just plays himself where I'd hoped this might have been a bit of a breakthrough role for him.

In general, the performances across the board are incredible. Stewart and Jackman find new depths to their characters almost 10 films in which is testament to their dedication to the role. Dafne Keen is all bite and no bark as the muted infant mutant.

Easily one of the best X-Men films which has both heartfelt sentimentality and severed head splatter in equal measure. Hopefully a bit of financial success here will pave way to seeing more R rated blockbusters being made. This film has benefited from the rating so much it has to be seen as a bit of a game changer.

Hacksaw Ridge - 10/10 I was completely blown away by this film. Not only is the true story that it is based on utterly jaw dropping but it is tailor made to be adapted to the big screen. Mel Gibson is the perfect vehicle to tell this remarkable story in a visceral, no holds barred manner. Filmed in under 60 days, this is a triumphant return to the directors chair for Mel.

The structure of the film is comparable to other great war movies such as Full Metal Jacket, where we start off at the boot camp and gradually progress to the 'hell on earth' of war. Gibson uses this structure to create a stark contrast between the light and the dark. The light being Desmond T. Doss's (Garfield) relationship with his girlfriend/wife being the light, the sequence on Hacksaw Ridge being the dark (or in this case the 'black').

The first hour of the film is at times, a bit too nice. It is plastered with bright colors, sunshine, picturesque scenery and its fair share of romance. This reflects against the personality of Doss brilliantly with his more than moral principles.

Whilst the majority of the first hour is a lot lighter than the rest of the film, it isn't without its gritty moments. Hugo Weaving puts in a solid performance as a drunk Veteran father who despite not having much screen time, has a fairly significant impact on the plot. We also have Vince Vaughan as a wise-cracking drill sergeant, who puts in a surprisingly capable performance (Into the Wild being one of few others).

The sequence on Hacksaw ridge is harrowing and then some. This is relentless, disturbing, shocking and does not hold back. It takes what was achieved at the opening of Saving Private Ryan and amps everything up a few levels. This is madcap movie making at its best. Gibson felt that it was important to try and show people exactly what these veterans went through. In fact, some things that reportedly happened on the ridge were cut out as it was felt that the audience would find them to be too unbelievable.

What Mr Doss went through that day is truly remarkable and this film demands to be seen by as wide an audience as possible. Some might find this film to be a little bit too patriotic and jingoistic, but that is almost unavoidable given the subject matter in question. How else do you portray an American hero without having a bit of flag waving? Perhaps some elements are slightly overcooked but a lot of that serves the purpose of amplifying the magnitude of Desmond T Doss's heroics.

A career best from Andrew Garfield although I haven't yet seen Silence which I am assured is equally impressive. Mel Gibson's follow up to Apocalypto was more than worth the wait.

Not nearly as bad as the critics are saying but it's certainly not good. This story about a bunch of misfit outcasts being thrown together feels strangely, thrown together. There have been reports that David Ayer penned the screenplay in just 6 weeks which would go someway to explaining the disjointed nature of the film. It is also common knowledge that there were plenty of re-shoots to ensure that Suicide Squad didn't fall into the pitfalls and traps of Batman vs Superman's overbearing murkiness. The aim was to inject some much needed humour into the caliginous world of the DC universe. Instead we end up with questionable editing and one liners which rarely raise a chuckle, often misfiring completely.

A few re-writes and I really think they would've had something here. I really enjoyed the character introductions, with their fast funky visuals and vibrant graphics. The performances mostly range from OK to good, with Jai Courtney surprising everyone with his Aussie Capt Boomerang. It's just a shame the final act is an absolute, wince inducing farce. As are all Harley Quinn and Joker scenes. Leto's joker and Delevingne's Enchantress are the worst things in the film by a mile.

I've seen Leto's joker described as 'the worst iteration of the joker so far' which isn't fair, as that would suggest there have been other terrible Joker's in the past. This is the first bad portrayal of the joker I've heard of... and it's woeful.

A nice idea executed with slapdash laziness. A baby step up from Batman vs Superman but a step up none-the-less.

I re-watched the first one on Friday night and enjoyed it a lot more than the first time I watched it. Having seen nearly all of the James Wan Horror films (Insidious, Annabelle, Saw) you have to appreciate that The Conjuring 1 & 2 are the best of these types of 'horror' film.

I say 'horror' because this isn't true horror. There is nothing in any of these films that any long time horror fan hasn't seen many times before. James Wan seems to have an approach where instead of trying to avoid the clichés and tropes of modern day horror, he just throws EVERY conceivable 'trick' into a blender and hopes for the best. The first few scares of Conjuring 2 fell completely flat with me. Just when I was beginning to lose all hope of seeing anything remotely scary, they did just about start to improve.

One of the things that really grated me with the first film, was the horribly out of tone use of 'Time of the season' by The Zombies and a completely pointless long shot. An odd tone shift that doesn't suit anything before or after it in the film. The sequel suffers from similar unwarranted tone changes. Patrick Wilson pulling out his guitar to give a rendition of an Elvis song is this films 'Time of the season'. It just doesn't work. In fairness though, this is an attempt at character development, it doesn't work, but at least they tried.

Another major gripe is that all of the Enfield based English characters sound like they've been taught diction by Don Cheadle in Oceans 11. Or perhaps Wan told them to base their accents on that little lad from Bedknobs & Broomsticks? Either way it's off putting and distracting.

Watching a James Wan produced/directed horror film is the cinematic equivalent of accompanying a toddler through the haunted house at the local fair; The loud noisy things that keep jumping out are very effective at scaring the younger ones, but only because it's all new to them.

I was in a packed screening of Inside Out at the Birmingham Everyman cinema on Saturday, consisting almost entirely of adults. Absolutely incredible movie and an early contender for the best picture Oscar. Can't remember the last time a film completely dazzled me like that.

It was overwhelmingly brilliant from the outset and the short 'Lava' set the tone beautifully. I feel as though Pixar have pushed boundaries here in terms of revolutionising the target demographic of animated films. It almost felt that this was a film aimed at adults with lots of winks for the kids rather than vice versa.

I like the way Pixar have scaled down the plot to something we've all seen before; kid moves to new place and find it tough to adjust, nothing new here. Yet Pixar managed to use this simple story arc to run havoc with their imaginations as to what happens within ones self at a time like this.

Hats off to Pixar for creating this stunning, intensely emotional family film. Still feeling all the feels.

Ant-Man - 7.5/10 Possibly my favourite Marvel film so far, not that i've seen them all yet. I'm sure everyone is well aware of the problems that they came across during the production of this movie with regards to Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish leaving the project due to creative differences. A lot of us were probably expecting a mess of a film which has lots of contrasting elements that don't really work. Well the end product here is as good as could possibly be expected considering the aforementioned problems.

The best things about this film are the things that (you imagine) Edgar and Joe contributed; Quirky comedy, sharp visuals and original set pieces. The other side of the coin would be the predictable plot, derivative villain and contrived links to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It may sound like the 'corporate' direction of the film clashes with Joe and Edgar's original script creating a movie that is tonally all over the place, but that is far from the truth. The end product is a solid, if a little too safe, family friendly action film with a lot of jokes that work really well.

The ties into the MCU are tenuous and there really isn't any need for it but that doesn't let the film down too much. Rudd, Douglas and Péna are all superb especially the latter. Péna adds some much needed comedic flair to the Marvel world and i'm sure a lot of people will be hoping he pops up again in the future.

This is probably the first Marvel film i've watched, other than the X-Men films, that I haven't got really bored of halfway through and started clock watching. Guardians of the Galaxy had good moments but on the whole just bored me to tears. This is a much better quirky comedy attempt. Shame they didn't take more risks with it.

Gravity - 8.5/10 Eye popping stuff. When Avatar was made, James Cameron said that he didn't want to overwhelm the audience with an overly complicated plot coupled with ground breaking visuals. What we ended up with was Smurf Pocahontas in Space. A film with two dimensional characters and a very bland script which is extremely forgettable.

Gravity offers a much more stripped down, easy to follow and dare I say it, 'realistic' story line. The characters are easier to relate to and fairly likable. Any film that is predominantly designed to showcase new technology/cinematic techniques is going to need a decent plot to go with it. Gravity gets this just right.

Some of the best CGI work i've ever seen. The seamless blend of CGI and real elements is impressive to say the least. Bullock holds the screen well, not many actors/actresses out there are capable of holding down such roles. The performance doesn't quite portray the loneliness and isolation of being in space as well as Sam Rockwell does in Moon but it's a decent effort.

A film that NEEDS to be seen in 3D on the big screen.

A stunning story which hits a wide range of emotions. The film really captures the different feelings we would all get if we had to visit one of those places. Very disturbing at times but also done very tastefully.

From the moment McMurphy (Nicholson) enters the ward it is clear the type of influence he is going to have on his fellow 'nuts'. At first he seems to mock them but he quickly learns to love them and brings happiness and hope to their lives.

The entire cast give perfect performances. It's great to see actors like De Vito and Lloyd performing so brilliantly so early on in their careers. They've all really thought about their characters various traits and acted them out consistently. Brad Dourif (nominated for an Oscar) steals the show towards the end although Nicholson is more than worthy of the Oscar. I've always said The Shining was his best performance but this is easily on par, probably even better. His relationship with 'the chief' becomes a heartwarming part of the story.

Nurse Ratched's (Fletcher) authoritative presence always makes you root for the 'nuts'. The way she treats the patients doesn't always seem fair and he role as the 'baddie' becomes clear when she asks to keep McMurphy on the ward.

This film swept the Oscars and rightly so. A stone cold classic.

The first thing that really hits you about this classic horror film is the score. I've read up a bit about it since watching and it was composed by a group called 'Goblin'. Possibly the greatest, creepiest score I've ever heard in a horror film. Coupled with the movies great sense of lighting and visuals, it makes for an endearing psychological, suspense driven horror film. Sometimes with an element of elegance.

Although the stand out element of the movie is the sound, there are some horrific deaths, the opening murders in particular were extremely violent and Dario Argento isn't afraid to show the gore.

The two main female characters begin to unearth some secrets about the ballet school they're living in. What are the secrets? A question that will intrigue any viewer enough to be gripped right until the climax.

A must for those who like the classics, Suspiria is best enjoyed in a dark room, with the volume turned right up (preferably with surround sound).

Was gonna give it an 8 but i just cared so damn much about the prawns that it made me realise that out of all the big summer blockbusters I've seen, this one really got me rooting for the main characters.

Brilliant concept for a film and i enjoyed the documentary style scenes, it really gives a huge sense of realism. The choice of Johannesburg is good as well, it allows for the film to tackle some real life issues as well as deliver a mind blowing sci-fi plot.

The film definitely has a point to make about apartheid and racial segregation. This movie shows how harsh humans can be when there is a different race looking to seek refuge in their country, it really makes us out as monsters at points.

The main character is played brilliantly by Sharlto Copley, looks like he could become a huge star off of the back of this film. The scene where he describes his wife as an angel comes at the just the right point and really makes you feel for him.

Perfect sci-fi film. Those who are going expecting loads of action and cool weapons won't be disappointed.

"Focking prawns!!"

Truly one of the best sequels ever made. Blends 2 elements to create a whole new element. it takes 1 situation that would be a dream come true and another that is your worst nightmare. Having a shopping mall free to yourself, but its overridden with zombies!

The combination of the 2 makes for extremely fun viewing. Its probably not gonna terrify anyone anymore but it definitely still packs a punch. This and night of the living dead are the only 2 zombie films that i'd say were "must see" films.

The film also features Tom Savini. What more could you want?!

George A Romero struck gold when he made this.

True Romance has it all. Likable central characters, over the top 'ultra' violence, dark humour, memorable quotes, poetic monologues, surrealism and above all else, incredible performances from a cast with an immense array of talent.

The script, which was originally a 500 page screenplay that was reportedly a hybrid of Natural Born Killers and True Romance, is Tarantino at his very best. The execution is even better. The film is a 2 hour whirlwind that never settles, keeps throwing plot twists at you and most importantly, never takes itself too seriously.

The supporting cast are the force that drives this movie and the protagonists (Slater and Arquette) are completely lovable. Their 'love at first sight' storyline is completely absurd but in a strange way believable. You really buy into their relationship and want to see their romance blossom.

As for set pieces, the confrontation between Hopper and Walken is just phenomenal. I won't give too much away but it's clear that Tarantino has always had a strange, sometimes disturbing obsession with the word 'nigger'. The delivery of both Hopper and Walken's dialogues is a an absolute masterclass.

We also see Gary Oldman showing exactly why he is one of the best actors of the past 2 decades. Casting him as a dread-locked rasta is both surprising and stunning in equal measure. He is, as always, completely believable. Comparing his performance in this with say, The Dark Knight Rises (which is a very understated and underrated performance) shows this actors amazing range of diversity. I have to admit, I thought his part was slightly underwritten.

Add to that Val Kilmer playing 'The King', Chris Penn playing a cop, a pre-sopranos Gandolfini as a hit-man, Brad Pitt as a mindless stoner and you have one of the greatest casts assembled in recent years. With some brilliantly ad-libbed scenes, industry 'in-jokes' and a thrilling climax, this is a must see piece of perfection.

Martyrs - 9/10 This is the only film i have ever seen that has left me feeling weak and a bit sick. I remember everyone on here talking about it when it first came out. I downloaded a dodgy version of it and when the download was complete I skipped forward halfway through the film to catch a random scene to see if I had downloaded the right thing...

I can't remember which bit i caught, but whatever it was it put me off watching it on my own. Which means it must have been really bad as I generally will watch anything alone or with friends. So this downloaded film sat on my PC for ages, there was no way my GF was going to watch it with me either. I finally found a good time to watch it... NO SUBTITLES So I found a blue-ray copy in one of those trade in stores over Christmas and sat down to watch it the other day. I knew from peoples comments on here that it was going to be a rough ride and was almost guaranteed to disturb me...

Well, all I can say is whatever short scene I saw that put me off watching it for years was deemed completely justifiable! To say 'it packs a punch' would be a massive understatement. The director tries his hardest to make you feel uneasy, you never know what is coming next. Just when you think you've figured it out, another twist comes along and completely unsettles you. This really isn't a film to can 'relax' and watch.

I've seen so many horror films but none like this. The film primarily has two acts; The first focuses on the highly disturbed and abused girl named Lucie, who escaped torture when she was young but is still haunted by a 'demon'. It becomes apparent that this 'demon' is merely a figment of her imagination long before it is fully revealed to the viewer, so the film lures you into the false sense of security that you've figured the ending out.

The scene in which the character Lucie thinks she has finally conquered her 'demon' but is also betrayed by her friend (and lover) Anna is the stand-out scene from the first act. Even though as the viewer you had known that the 'demon' was in her head, you are not prepared for the brutal demise of the first acts main character. Chilling.

What follows, I thought was a wind down towards the ending. Anna discovers that the 'demon' in Lucie's head was actually real and she had been wrong in thinking she was crazy for all these years. I was expecting the credits to appear at any moments but what actually followed was the most incredible, shocking piece of cinema I've ever seen...

The second act focuses on the boundaries of human suffering. It is clear that Anna isn't just being randomly abused, instead she is undergoing a much more calculated procedure with a specific intended outcome. "Why am I watching this young girl being maliciously tortured? There better be a point to this" is the general thought that any viewer would be going through at this stage.

The final scenes, which include a very beautiful piece of cinematography, contain a mixture of; brutality, gore, pain, violence.... and tenderness. It all mixes together perfectly and produces something that I've never seen in a film before. A very ambiguous ending that leaves the viewer to fill in the blanks with their interpretation of the events they have just been a 'Martyr' too. Laugier tries his very hardest to make you feel awkward and squeamish throughout this final act and he does the job perfectly.

Overall this film is absolutely stunning in many ways but I don't think I could ever sit through it again, which bewilders me! I actually rate this film very highly but could never say it was enjoyable.