Finding a reason to enjoy this film at face value is challenging. With reactionary politics, poorly handled exploitative sexual violence, god-awful narrative structure, turgid expositional dialogue, a plethora of naff line reads, absolutely batshit internal logic, and some of the gaudiest costumes ever seen in the criminal underworld. It is a maelstrom of low-quality filmmaking.

Death Wish II left me struggling to enjoy a film that’s so bad it’s good and despising a film that is little more than a…

Porco Rosso is both charming and problematic in equal measure.

First the good, and there is quite a lot of it. Its soundtrack is stunning, as is typical with a Studio Ghibli offering. It has some beautiful piano-driven pieces that perfectly tie into the triumphant and redemptive arc of the film's eponymous character, with the track ‘The Bygone Days’ being a standout.

The animation is immaculate, warm pastel colours are used liberally in conjunction with the beautiful aesthetics of the…

A truly masterful debut feature film. Ivan’s Childhood has an effortless elegance, rarely delving deeply into the philosophy of violence in war or displaying large set-piece battles, instead focusing on the effect of war on the individual.

It is perpetually ominous, showing the disjointed lives of people in a time ravaged by war and not just the loss of innocence but also the futile quest to maintain it. The influence of German Expressionism is felt throughout, with Tarkovsky’s shot selection…

Liminal, rhythmic and captivating. THX 1138 shows a society structured to a mechanical degree and THX's transformative journey to escape it.

With its constant use of black and white coupled with the prevalent binary symbolism, THX 1138 establishes a sterile sci-fi landscape where dehumanization is the norm, and escape seems abstract instead of hopeless.

The soundtrack and sound design are standouts for me. Walter Murch and Lalo Schifrin put on a masterclass, crafting a varied soundscape that features droning synth,…

La Haine is a rare cinematic experience offering rich social commentary, superbly natural and well-realised characters, stunning cinematography, powerful symbolic editing and one of the most evocative soundscapes ever put to film.

Something key for me is how it feels to watch first-time viewers engage with this masterpiece. Which character will resonate with them most from the central three? I love Hubert for his relentless desire for escape, Said for his perpetual quest for acceptance and commonality, and Vinz for…

This ethereal and sincere film conveys the concepts of freedom and hope through a masterful blend of kitchen sink drama, coming-of-age drama, and magical realism. It is a perfect combination of three genres I adore.

First, the acting, and hot dang, there is much to discuss here. Nykiya Adams gives an incredible debut performance, capturing Bailey's anger, frustration and entrapment with aplomb. Bailey is headstrong. Bailey fights tooth and claw for what she loves and desires, and in the end,…

It is one of the most iconic films from my childhood, and I still recall the first time I watched this movie at 9 years old. My horror at the death of Williams, my first introduction to Bolo Yeung and his hilarious facial expressions, the exquisitely crafted fight scene in the hall of mirrors, one of the most legendary Lalo Schifrin scores, and Bruce Lee waxing philosophical while kicking the crap out of anyone foolish enough to stand in his…

The very definition of a mixed bag. With biting satire that is just as relevant today as it was in the late 90s and some solid critiques on the glorification of female beauty, the infantilisation of women, and how that all ties into the American/Christian cultural fabric, executed with varying degrees of success. However, the disgraceful abelism directed towards Will Sasso’s character undermines the satire as the film spends its time punching down and being utterly mean-spirited. A real shame…

Aliens is so close to a perfect action sci-fi, but it is hampered by some bad writing and one particularly terrible character.

Its feminist subtext is very on the nose compared to the first, but I don’t think it hurts the film at all. That opening edit of Ripley’s face in cryosleep dissolving into Earth from space is a wonderfully corny way of establishing the Mother Earth saviour role she has.

The dialogue is very schlocky in part but they…

I went into this hoping to enjoy something. Jeshush chrisht it was bad.

The plot is non-existent and meanders from one event to the next with no connection whatsoever. The main character of Dickie has a loose arc which is essentially the same as Tony Sopranos’ relationship with Jackie Jr in The Sopranos. However, unlike the original show, this arc is established poorly and is only developed once it sort of forces itself on the viewer and rushes to a…

No Dogs or Italians Allowed is a poignant stop-motion film that grants the audience an intimate look at conversations between Alain Ughetto and his grandmother Cesira, as she recounts the struggles and joys she experienced witnessing two world wars and the rise of fascism in Italy.

A constant throughout this feature is the theme of memory and the heritage of working-class labour. A theme that is perfectly established in the opening sequence of Alain Ughetto fashioning the pieces for his…