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 #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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Movies of the Week #7 (2023)
Diamantino (2018): If you’re looking for an(other) unusual movie, look no further. This is a trip, both visually and narratively, and the only thing I can say against it, is that Diamantino reveals its cards too soon, lacking a gut-punching finale. That said, if you want to find out how a global football icon, fluffy… Read more
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Movies of the Week #6 (2024)
Love and Death (1975): A whimsical Woody Allen partakes in philosophy, Russian lit and Bergman references in this much appreciated satire. Starring alongside the ever-excellent Diane Keaton, both playing their characters with childlike foolishness and enthusiasm, Love and Death scores highly on the quotability scale, even if one needs to be decent at remembering gushes… Read more
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Movie of the Week #5 (2024)
Pentru mine tu ești Ceaușescu (2021): Sebastian Mihăilescu stood out with the controversial Mammalia (2023) last year, but his debut feature should ruffle considerably fewer feathers, while staking its own claim for your attention. In an unconventional (and artsy) documentary, Mihăilescu challenges a group of teenagers to audition for the role of young Nicolae Ceaușescu,… Read more
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Movies of the Week #4 (2024)
Navalny (2022): There are many reasons to feel down when thinking of the current (geo)political climate, with the state of affairs in Russia near the top of the list. I only knew of Navalny by reputation before this and I’m not sure I really know a heck of a lot more after it. Sure, he’s… Read more
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Movies of the Week #3 (2024)
Silver Servers (2023): As a big tennis fan and actual practitioner, I look forward to any tennis-related movie-materials. This little documentary I came across on HBO Max follows four octogenary+ tennis players, readying themselves for the ITF Senior World Championships. It might be a cliche, but it is emboldening to see people at that age… Read more
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Movies of the Week #2 (2023)
Master and Commander The Far Side of the World (2003): One of the few promising mainstream movies of the 00s that I had not seen, this reteaming of Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany is an exciting seafaring flick. The visuals and sound effects steal the show, but the movie also achieves something that often eludes… Read more
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Movies of the Week #1 (2024)
“Lost in America” (1985) delves into the complexities of relationships and the allure of adventure, while “This is the End” (2013) offers a refreshing take on doomsday movies with its meta-humour and memorable finale. “Time Bomb Y2K” (2023) captures the essence of the Y2K crisis through archival footage, and “Fast Charlie” (2023) delivers an entertaining… Read more
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