12 May 2023. By Neptune THE POPE’S EXORCIST *** With this semi-horror film I had expected an embarrassing downturn for the once-revered Russell Crowe (at the height of his fame in the early 2000s Crowe had received an Oscar for “Gladiator”, a BAFTA for “A Beautiful Mind” and multiple nominations for his outstanding acting.) I […]
FILM: PLAN 75 – citizens over the age of 75 can register to be euthanised
5 May 2023. By Neptune PLAN 75 ***1/2 (vo Japanese) A 78 year-old woman, lonely and somewhat lost in her life; a young, handsome recruit for a new government project; a caring Filipina trying to make ends meet. All three connect somehow in this audacious film. The premise is an intriguing idea which may make […]
FILM: BEAU IS AFRAID – I have never seen a film so sick and despicable
28 April 2023. By Neptune BEAU IS AFRAID – (yes, that’s a minus) I believe I have never seen a film so sick and despicable. It is three hours of one poor loser (the always convincing Joaquin Phoenix) having delusions about his miserable, dangerous surroundings, his mother, his childhood, his therapist. Such depravity and ugliness […]
FILM: THE QUIET GIRL – a quiet film that will move you
21 April 2023. By Neptune THE QUIET GIRL ***1/2 (vo Gaelic) Why is it that some children have to suffer for the problems and hangups of their incompetent, often cruel parents? There have been many films dealing with the abuse of children within the family. This one, an Irish film done mainly in Gaelic, shows […]
FILM: DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS – Honour among Thieves
By Neptune DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS – Honour among Thieves **1/2 This whole theme of medieval adventure and humour was originally an interactive game. Hugely popular, it has been turned into another blockbuster franchise to draw in the young crowd. It is mostly innocent fantasy escapades, with all sorts of tricks and strange creatures – something […]
FILM: AIR *** Ben Affleck and Matt Damon together again
7 April 2023. By Neptune AIR *** Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, long-time friends from school days in Massachusetts, have always been powerhouse actors and creators, especially while working together, as they did in 1997 when, on their first collaborative film, they won screenwriting Oscars for Gus van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting”. Well, they’re back […]
FILM: THE LOST KING ***
31 March 2023. By Neptune THE LOST KING *** Great – another Stephen Frears film! The works of this English director – such as “My Beautiful Laundrette” (with Daniel Day Lewis), “Dangerous Liaisons” (with John Malkovich and Glenn Close), “The Queen” (with Helen Mirren), or “Florence Foster Jenkins” (with Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant) – […]
FILM: JOHN WICK – Chapter IV *1/2 – one kill per minute
24 March 2023. By Neptune JOHN WICK – Chapter IV *1/2 Apparently there is one kill per minute of runtime – bodies being shattered and smithereened – in the latest instalment of this brutal franchise. That really says it all. The film, almost 3 hours long, is pure mayhem, with a few moments of respite […]
FILM: HALLELUJAH : LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG ****
17 March 2023. By Neptune HALLELUJAH : LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG **** Seriously, this documentary is one not to be missed! Especially if you are in the AVS category, and lived the delights of the 1960s. And for all others who appreciate a charismatic ‘mensch’. From his sublime “Suzanne” in 1967 to “Dance […]
FILM: WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? ***
10 March 2023. By Neptune WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? *** A good romantic comedy is a rare thing these days, so this one is a gift that you should not let slip by. The title actually says it all, for this film is about diverging views on finding lasting love. With the […]
