Knives Out Directed by Rian Johnson Starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Plummer Screening at LFF October 8th, 9th, 11th and 13th 2019 by Alex Plant After his 2017 Star Wars effort The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson seemed to garner fanboys and detractors in equal measure. However, his follow […]

The Current War Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Katherine Waterston, Tom Holland, Tuppence Middleton, Matthew Macfadyen and Nicholas Hoult In UK Cinemas July 26th, 2019 by Amanda Farley The Current War is the latest movie from director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon to hit our screens. Despite some good efforts, this lavish period drama […]

The Shape of Water Venezia 74 Directed by Guillermo del Toro Starring Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg and Octavia Spencer by Richard Hamer After the unintentional knockabout comedy of Crimson Peak, and the slick blandness of Pacific Rim, it’s a pleasure to see Guillermo del Toro return to form in […]

Directed by Matthew Ross Starring Michael Shannon, Imogen Poots, Michael Nyqvist, Justin Long, Stella Schnabel, Rosanna Arquette and Emmannuelle Devos On UK DVD and Blu-ray April 10th, 2017 Watch on iTunes by Joanna Orland Frank & Lola is a stylish noir romance with a wonderfully brooding performance by Michael Shannon, and an equally infatuating turn […]

Nocturnal Animals Directed by Tom Ford Starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Karl Glusman, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, Andrea Riseborough and Michael Sheen Watch on iTunes by Laura Patricia Jones Visually stunning cinematography, witty and gripping script, fast-paced narrative – it’s hard to know where to begin with fashion designer turned […]

In Competition Loving Directed by Jeff Nichols Starring Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Marton Csokas, Nick Kroll, Terri Abney, Alano Miller, Jon Bass and Michael Shannon Watch on iTunes by Joanna Orland Jeff Nichols has a distinct directorial style which he has carved out through his ambient rural dramas including Take Shelter and Mud.  It’s a […]

Directed by Ramin Bahrani Starring Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon and Laura Dern 99 Homes is out now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD by Joanna Orland Minimalist, realistic and dire, 99 Homes is a beautifully bleak drama pertaining to social class and the lure of the One Percent idea of privilege.  Intelligent script and direction […]

Man of Steel Starring Kevin Costner Not directed by Christopher Nolan In Cinemas June 14th, 2013 by Joanna Orland With headline writing skills like “Meh of Steel”, I should totally get a job at the Daily Planet!  (It was either that, or “S is for Subpar”.) Man of Steel is the latest superhero reboot, completely […]

I have been here for 3 days, seen 2 films (weak!), 3 press conferences, and  infinite weird things! The new Dennis Quaid / Zac Efron feature At Any Price was a disappointing Ambient Rural Drama (my new least favourite genre) about family and economy.  During the press conference however, it was being talked about like […]