Films you have seen at the cinema 2022

[Jeff Robinson]

Drive My Car - (okay, I rented this online, rather than watched it at cinema). It's too long, unbearably deadpan (is this a Japanese thing?) and irritatingly high brow. For all its artistic merits, I found this a real snooze-fest - literally a genuine struggle to stay awake to.

 

[Looby]

The Lost City - an unashamedly trashy action romcom staring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt. I went in with pretty low expectations but ultimately it was fun and pretty funny. Parts don’t work but overall an enjoyable experience.

Yeah I saw this last weekend with a shocking hangover. It was total toss but I really enjoyed it. Quite silly and funny.

I can’t take Daniel Radcliffe seriously in anything after HP so this probably suited him well.

 

[Dr. Furface]

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

So bad that it's good. It's so knowing. And silly. Very silly. So it's entertaining enough.

I thought it was amusing for about the first 30-40 mins but then it wore increasingly thin and I couldn't care less. I missed the last 15 mins or so as I needed to go to the loo and figured it wasn't worth the bother going back.

 

[Gramsci]

Drive My Car - (okay, I rented this online, rather than watched it at cinema). It's too long, unbearably deadpan (is this a Japanese thing?) and irritatingly high brow. For all its artistic merits, I found this a real snooze-fest - literally a genuine struggle to stay awake to.

It won't be everyone's cup of tea. But I found it a moving film.

I agree it's to long. First two thirds were particularly good. I did feel in last third there was to much tying up of ends. So to speak. It was better when there was more ambiguity.

As a story about loss and relationships it worked well. How people often fail to communicate even though they are very close. Which rings true to life. Unbearably sad when he realizes his marriage wasn't all he thought it was.

Unlike a lot of recent films/ drama series I've seen this is slow cinema. Which I like sometimes.

It's on Mubi.

 

[Cloo]

We enjoyed 'The Ubearable weight...' at the weekend - it's not big or clever but it was funny and sweet. Great Pascal/Cage bromance.

After months of there being nothing we wanted to see we're going to try to see Operation Mincemeat and Dr Strange in the next week. Having seen the latter called 'Professor Peculiar's Parallel Planes of Perplexity' on Twitter, that's what it's name is to me now.

 

[QueenOfGoths]

The new Dr. Strange film. We enjoyed it though the Small One was a bit scared at times.

Elements of horror, strong performances from Elizabeth Olsen and Xochitl Gomez, visually interesting, good action sequences and Bruce Campbell!

 

[Knotted]

Third time I've been in a decade... Went to see the Northman last night. I'm genuinely fanatical about Robert Eggers films and I've got to say it was a brave decision to give him a big budget and probably one the studio regrets.

Eggers films are of a historical/folkloric/mythical character. Well researched in a way that's not just objectively historically accurate but subjectively taps into to the beliefs and legends of the time in question. This is a grand operatic viking saga that tells [or aims to tell] the story as it would have been told. It's based on the sagas that Shakespeare's Hamlet were also based and it's a story that you'll know already. It's direct, simple, straightforward.

I had some trepidation going into it. I thought that the big budget would make it hollywoodish and shallow. And it was hollywoodish and shallow! But I actually thought that suited the story telling. The protagonist is this red hot furious force of vengeance, who at the same time is cold and distance to the world. Almost abstract. There is literally nothing to him except violence and I think that's the point. The film itself gets colder, and more distant the more the hand fate takes control of this character, even as he becomes dissatisfied with his fate, and I found that strangely emotional.

It depicts a class society of kings and masters on the one hand and slaves on the other, with women as trophies. And it does so in a way that doesn't either disguise it or casually state "well that's the way it was suck it up". The slaves and the women in the story have a strangely subversive character, the women in particular having a sorcerous quasi command over their fate in the way that the ultra masculine men don't. The most powerful men end up losing everything hacking at each other, fulfilling their destiny. There is something in this which is interesting I think. Unfortunately the film will go down well with white nationalist and/or manosphere types, but it's not the thing they think it is.

I have to give special mention to some of the rituals depicted in the film. Those were the parts of the film that really came alive IMO and I felt there was a real sense of indefinable violence to them. Overall I have slightly mixed feelings about it, but watching it I was absolutely enthralled and tbh that rarely happens.

 

[Jeff Robinson]

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. An absurdist, sci-fi comedy about a first and second generation Chinese American immigrant family navigating the multiverse. I'm usually not a fan of 'wacky' cinema but this just about pulled it off for me. The visual effects are particularly impressive, especially given the relatively small budget they had to work with. The movie probably works because, despite its madness, it has a relatable, emotional core about family dynamics. Plus Peter Bradshaw gave it two stars in the Guardian so you know it must do something right!

 

[paul mckenna]

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. An absurdist, sci-fi comedy about a first and second generation Chinese American immigrant family navigating the multiverse. I'm usually not a fan of 'wacky' cinema but this just about pulled it off for me. The visual effects are particularly impressive, especially given the relatively small budget they had to work with. The movie probably works because, despite its madness, it has a relatable, emotional core about family dynamics. Plus Peter Bradshaw gave it two stars in the Guardian so you know it must do something right!

2 stars ? The whole cinema was in hysterics. Great fun and really inventive direction

 

[T & P]

The new Dr. Strange film. We enjoyed it though the Small One was a bit scared at times.

Elements of horror, strong performances from Elizabeth Olsen and Xochitl Gomez, visually interesting, good action sequences and Bruce Campbell!

Fully agree. I’ve long complained of both superhero genre and CGI fatigue, but enjoyed this far more than I thought I would.

 

[krtek a houby]

New Strange last week. Messy but gorgeous Raimi stuff, and a bit of Lovecraft chucked in for good measure. Nothing enough multiverses, though.

 

[Jeff Robinson]

2 stars ? The whole cinema was in hysterics. Great fun and really inventive direction

A good rule of thumb with Bradshaw reviews is that if he gives the film 2 or 3 stars it’s probably more like a 4 or 5. If he gives it a 5 it’s probably more likely a 2 or 3.

 

[DJWrongspeed]

Vortex by Gaspar Noe, recommended. Not an easy watch but a film made in lockdown conditions and with a brilliant cast who improvise the scenes.

 

[Sue]

Vortex by Gaspar Noe, recommended. Not an easy watch but a film made in lockdown conditions and with a brilliant cast who improvise the scenes.

Saw this the other day. Gave me a headache initially (split screen with two lots of action/sounds going on at the same time and subtitles to boot) but guess the disorientation was deliberate. Thought it was excellent and a big departure from Noe's usual though found the subject matter difficult.

 

[Jeff Robinson]

Men.

New Alex Garland horror movie about misogyny. This was one of the scariest movies I’ve seen for a few years now. The scariness comes not from jump-cuts and gore (though there’s plenty of the latter) but from the unbearable tension and constant sense of danger lurking round every corner.

Thematically, the central message of the movie is pretty clear cut but there’s just enough ambiguity at times to prompt a good post-movie analysis with your fellow cinema-goers. Recommended (if you like a good fright!).

 

[Orang Utan]

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. An absurdist, sci-fi comedy about a first and second generation Chinese American immigrant family navigating the multiverse. I'm usually not a fan of 'wacky' cinema but this just about pulled it off for me. The visual effects are particularly impressive, especially given the relatively small budget they had to work with. The movie probably works because, despite its madness, it has a relatable, emotional core about family dynamics. Plus Peter Bradshaw gave it two stars in the Guardian so you know it must do something right!

I went to see this three times (one a closed caption screening), which is a first for me. I was partly curious to see it because I'd read that one of the Kevins was diagnosed with ADHD while writing for Evelyn's character. It blew my mind how ADHD it was and I truly love this absurd film sincerely and uncritically. A common criticism, even from those who otherwise loved it, was that it was too long, but I didn't want it to stop, like I was watching a legendary gig or summat. Also exhilerating to be laughing in a theatre with many strangers.

 

[Jeff Robinson]

I went to see this three times (one a closed caption screening), which is a first for me. I was partly curious to see it because I'd read that one of the Kevins was diagnosed with ADHD while writing for Evelyn's character. It blew my mind how ADHD it was and I truly love this absurd film sincerely and uncritically. A common criticism, even from those who otherwise loved it, was that it was too long, but I didn't want it to stop, like I was watching a legendary gig or summat. Also exhilerating to be laughing in a theatre with many strangers.

This is one of those films that has gone up in my expectation the more I’ve read into it. It’s a very symbolically rich and socially and philosophically layered film. Definitely requires more than one viewing to pick this all up.

 

[T & P]

Thor: Love and Thunder. Mad and thoroughly amusing

it is mostly a slapstick & camp comedy, frankly. There is some drama, villains and superhero action of course, but at times this feels like Deadpool meets the Carry On franchise. Great cameos too.

Anyway, very silly and entertaining fun, and recommended.

 

[moonsi til]

I have a new plan of flicks on a Wednesday using Meerkat code only been doing for 2 weeks. Choosing films based on the time I can attend but struck super lucky so far.

First up was Elvis which left me wanting more & to visit Memphis.

Thor Love & Thunder: laughed all the way through this which was exactly what I needed.

 

[DaveCinzano]

Titane by Julia Ducournau. Her second feature (after Raw) and winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes.

I must admit I was disappointed. All felt a bit too random/implausible which I could've lived with if I'd cared about the main character. Except I didn't really apart from a bit right at the start.

It's got something (there were certainly a few moments when the entire audience gasped and others where I laughed quite inappropriately) but not enough of whatever that something is.

Saying that, I'm still looking forward to seeing her next -- whatever else this is, it's not dull (in fact it's quite audacious at times) which is more than you can say of lots of directors.

Spoiler

It reminded me quite a lot of Aronofsky's mother! which I liked.

I bought a good friend a metal hair chopstick thing for Christmas. Must remember not to piss her off...

Well the trailer makes it look fucking awesome, and yer man Lindon is a sturdy anchor

 

[DaveCinzano]

Deadpool meets the Carry On franchise

Put this on the poster

 

[skyscraper101]

I enjoyed Elvis, and I'm not a fan by any stretch. Nor am I all that into Baz Luhrman films, but this one was quality. Visually, it looked great and the music was almost entirely re-imagined for extra punch. I thought Hanks was actually pretty good despite people saying he wasn't.

 

[krtek a houby]

I enjoyed Elvis, and I'm not a fan by any stretch. Nor am I all that into Baz Luhrman films, but this one was quality. Visually, it looked great and the music was almost entirely re-imagined for extra punch. I thought Hanks was actually pretty good despite people saying he wasn't.

As an Elvis and Moulin Rouge fan, am looking forward to this... even come round to Hanks over the years... he's done some good roles

 

[Fez909]

a closed caption screening

Where do you find these? My girlfriend is deaf so misses a lot of what is said when we go to the cinema

 

[Orang Utan]

Where do you find these? My girlfriend is deaf so misses a lot of what is said when we go to the cinema

They’re on at multiplexes - always a couple or so screenings of the bigger films

 

[nottsgirl]

Brian and Charles. Touching, funny and surreal film about love and friendship. Bit too much jeopardy in the second half for me but I enjoyed it overall. 4/5.

 

[Sue]

For any London-based Urbs...

The newish Garden Cinema in Holborn is currently doing a lifetime membership for £20. That includes a free ticket, £2 off all future tickets and free member screenings. Their programming looks good, especially if you like older/classic films. (I've just bought one myself after a friend told me about it last night. He's been and says it's a nice space and the people involved in running it seem to be big film fans.)

Unlock Exclusive Benefits with Garden Cinema Membership, London

Enjoy access to premieres, discounted + free tickets, special events when you become a Garden Cinema member. Join today for just £20 a year!

www.thegardencinema.co.uk

 

[Sweet FA]

Saw Elvis last week. I love Elvis and fully expected to hate this but it's great. I had something in my eye for the last half hour.

 

[Yossarian]

Thor: Love and Thunder was one of the shittiest movies I have ever seen, which was a disappointment because I liked Ragnarok a lot.

Whatever it was that Taika Waititi did to make Ragnarok great, he did way too much of it in Love and Thunder. He over-Waititid.

 

[surreybrowncap]

For any London-based Urbs...

The newish Garden Cinema in Holborn is currently doing a lifetime membership for £20. That includes a free ticket, £2 off all future tickets and free member screenings. Their programming looks good, especially if you like older/classic films. (I've just bought one myself after a friend told me about it last night. He's been and says it's a nice space and the people involved in running it seem to be big film fans.)

Unlock Exclusive Benefits with Garden Cinema Membership, London

Enjoy access to premieres, discounted + free tickets, special events when you become a Garden Cinema member. Join today for just £20 a year!

www.thegardencinema.co.uk

Have just become a member...