Week In, Week Out
Weekly collections of five mini-reviews capturing a wide range of films—old and new, obscure and iconic. A personal film journal in snapshots, offering quick, insightful takes on whatever’s been on the screen lately.
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Movies of the Week #19 (2024)
Late Night with the Devil (2023) is a stylish film that explores the golden age of possession and its relation to consumerism and media brainwashing. Buzzard (2014) follows Marty Jackitansky’s unconventional life and finds purpose in his character’s purposelessness. Funny Pages (2022) depicts the fringes of society through a young cartoonist’s story, and You’ll Never… Read more
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Movies of the Week #18 (2024)
The Iron Claw (2023) is a lengthy biopic about the van Erich wrestling family, balancing tragedy and artistry. Vermines (2023) is a harrowing spider horror with social commentary. Vicious Fun (2020) is a solid slasher film, though playing it safe. Pinball (2022) features a strong start but loses impact. Love Lies Bleeding (2024) starts strong… Read more
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Movies of the Week #17 (2024)
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010): I’m surprised this is only the second (okay, third) time I’m writing about the Pilgrim. Judging by my boast of having watched it six or seven times, seven years and seven evil exes ago, this means I must have gone above the single digits since. What I have noticed Read more
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Movies of the Week #16 (2024)
“La chimera (2023)” is a slow, but beautiful movie set in the 1980s, depicting the reconciliation of past and present. With a foreigner’s perspective and a romantic, anti-establishment vibe, it’s a cinephile’s delight. “Civil War (2024)” by Alex Garland offers a fresh take on a hypothetical American civil war, featuring a distinguished cast and memorable… Read more
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Movies of the Week #15 (2024)
Summary: The Pigeon Tunnel (2023) is a captivating documentary about John le Carré, portraying his engaging storytelling. Monkey Man (2024) offers energetic action but feels generic. Good Grief (2023) presents a minor melodrama with likability issues. The First Omen (2024) delivers a coherent, atmospheric origin story. The Beautiful Game (2024) evolves from clichés to touching… Read more
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Movies of the Week #14 (2024)
“The Zone of Interest” by Jonathan Glazer brings a fresh perspective to a Holocaust drama by portraying Rudolf Höss’s family life. Ramy Youssef’s stand-up special “More Feelings” addresses political tensions and intertwines family and romance. “Scrambled” offers humor and poignancy but falters in the final act. “Immaculate” explores women’s rights but lacks depth. Read more
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Movies of the Week #13 (2024)
The movie “Gloria Bell” is a compelling remake that resonates strongly, with Julianne Moore delivering an exceptional performance. “Infinity Baby” explores a unique concept but falls short in fully developing its ideas. “Big Trouble in Little China” offers entertaining absurdity, led by Kurt Russell. “Tigru” captures the tension of a town chasing a loose tiger,… Read more
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Movies of the Week #12 (2024)
American Fiction (2023) is a cleverly written movie, winning the best adapted screenplay at the Oscars. It portrays a black writer’s struggle with stereotypical depictions and features strong, entertaining characters. Next Goal Wins (2014) is a compelling documentary about American Samoa’s quest for a football victory. However, Drive-Away Dolls (2024) fails to provide consistent entertainment. Read more
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Movies of the Week #11 (2024)
“An exploration of diverse movies from different eras, including ‘The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover’ (1989) and ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ (1968, 1999). Each film delves into unique themes, characters, and settings, leaving a lasting impression. From captivating performances to intricate plotlines, these films offer a range of emotions, experiences, and insights.” Read more
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Movies of the Week #10 (2024)
The second part of “Dune” follows Paul’s immersion into the fremen way of life, with a focus on his love life. While the story picks up pace towards the end, it leaves much unresolved for future sequels. “Hai, România!” reminisces the impact of Romania’s 1994 World Cup performance, lacking deeper societal exploration. “The Death of… Read more
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Movies of the Week #9 (2024)
Land des Schweigens und der Dunkelheit (1971): An early Werner Herzog documentary, I was immediately taken aback and promptly shattered by the casual soul-crushing factualness of Fini Straubinger’s solitude. It’s a particularly striking experience, because Fini appears to all extents (and, I assume, also purposefully through framing) to be a perfectly common person, a determined Read more
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Movies of the Week #8 (2024)
This week we’re having a Birbigliathon! Buckle up for some nerdy stand-up. Mike Birbiglia, whom you might know from many a minor role in movies, or maybe even from the movies he wrote and directed, Don’t Think Twice (2016) or Sleepwalk With Me (2012), is also an everyman’s comedian. So here goes: Mike Birbiglia: What Read more
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