FILM OF THE WEEK
WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY
Rian Johnson’s deliciously eccentric whodunnit franchise that introduced the unconventional private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to the screen, returns for one more adventure. The original KNIVES OUT was the best of its kind since Agatha Christie’s heyday and the second in the series, GLASS ONION, was set on a Greek island, also boasting a glamorous cast with many clever twists and turns. Benoit’s current assignment is to solve a church murder mystery, and everyone is a suspect.
Young priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) is sent to assist Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), whose right-hand woman is the devout church lady Martha Delacroix (Glen Close). Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church) is the quiet groundskeeper while Vera Draven (Kerry Washington) is the intense lawyer. There is also town doctor Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), the aspiring politician Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack), the pompous novelist Lee Ross (Andrew Scott) and the disabled concert cellist Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny) …
Johnson’s multi-layered screenplay offers his eclectic cast fully fleshed characters and with some clever use of flashbacks a past and a motive is given to each one of the them. Craig relishes the witty dialogue and shares his investigation with the local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis). It is a strong ensemble and is often very funny particularly Glen Close’s entrance which pays tribute to Cloris Leachman’s housekeeper in YOUNG FRANKESTEIN. It will keep you in suspense and guessing until the end!
PILLION
Harry Lighton’s remarkable directorial debut follows the story of Colin (Harry Melling), a timid young man who can’t believe his luck when Ray (Alexander Skarsgard) a sexy blonde biker asks him for a date on Christmas Day. It is lust at first sight and Colin is drawn to Ray like a magnet. He soon moves in with him and agrees to become his submissive…
An intelligent film about sexuality and the extremes one endures in a submissive relationship. Melling is excellent as the vulnerable young man who is strongly supported by his too good to be true parents (Lesley Sharp & Douglas Hodge). Skarsgard was born to play this part-a godlike figure, striking and fearless and without a hint of any vulnerability.
A daring film with highly explicit sex sequences that will shock the easily offended but will entertain the rest!
THE THING WITH FEATHERS
Writer/director Dylan Southern’s moving drama is based on Max Porter’s novella “Grief is the Thing with Feathers” and is his first fiction feature following a plethora of music documentaries.
Benedict Cumberbatch excels as Dad, whose life is shattered following his wife’s unexpected death. He must stay strong for the sake of his two young sons and tries hard to keep things together until a Crow emerges from the shadows taunting him…
It is a dark piece and is much more than a study of grief – it is also about art and its healing powers. Southern’s stylish film is perfectly complimented by striking designs, clever animatronics and a brilliant central performance.
THE SESSION MAN
This terrific music documentary tells the story of Nicky Hopkins, the brilliant session man who played along with The Kinks, The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Hopkins was classically trained, and his piano playing was an essential ingredient on the success of all these highly profile albums. He contributed to over 250 albums and a vast number of single releases including “Revolution” by The Beatles and “Like A Rainbow”, “Sympathy for the Devil”, and “Angie” for The Rilling Stones along with many other classic singles.
Bob Harris narrates the story and many Rock ‘n’ Roll personalities including Bill Wyman, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend and Peter Frampton share their personal experiences and pay tribute to this special session man. A real treat for music lovers!
THE STRINGER: THE MAN WHO TOOK THE PHOTO
Bao Nguyen’s powerful documentary is based on the harrowing Vietnam War photograph “The Terror of War” also known as “Napalm Girl”. The image of Phan Thi Kim Phuc running from a napalm attack became a symbol of the Vietnam War and won its photographer many awards establishing him as a major artist. But for the last two years, conflict photographer Gary Knight and a team of journalists embark on a long investigation to trace down the real photographer known as “the stringer”.
The photo stringer is Nguyen Thanh Nghe rather than the officially credited Nick Ut, who refused to make a comment in this brilliantly researched and essential film. (Netflix)
URCHIN
Frank Dillane, the brilliant young actor, whose early career included PAPADOPOULOS & SONS, delivers a magnetic performance in Harris Dickinson’s remarkable feature film debut. Dickinson’s eloquent screenplay follows Mike, a homeless young man, who sleeps rough on the streets of London and is in a catch 22 situation from which he is unable to break free. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel when Mike is offered a job in the kitchen of a small hotel, but his self-instructive nature threatens to ruin everything once again…
It is a brilliant film, well observed and deserves all the acclaim it has already received at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. An intelligent film superbly made and performed, which boldly tackles a daring subject that most filmmakers avoid like the plague.
Any feedback is welcome: georgesavvides@hotmail.co.uk
