1 March 2024. By Neptune Two completely different releases this week – one a thrilling blockbuster, the other a wry, delicate tale of loneliness and trying to fit in. Pick your genre, or try both, as they are each excellent, making for double satisfaction. DUNE: PART TWO **** Once again, and rare for a sequel, […]
FILM: FUNNY BIRDS (AU FIL DES SAISONS) – Catherine Deneuve is a star
23 February 2024. By Neptune FUNNY BIRDS (AU FIL DES SAISONS) **1/2 (vo English) There’s no doubt about it – Catherine Deneuve is a star. She has been for many decades since her first big splash in “Les Parapluies de Cherbourg” from 1964. She is not only a treasured national icon in France, but also […]
FILM: ALL OF US STRANGERS – brilliantly acted
16 February 2024. By Neptune ALL OF US STRANGERS (Sans jamais nous connaître) ***1/2 This is the type of film that will have each person who sees it come out with a different impression of what it is meant to be. Adam, a 40ish solitary scriptwriter, lives in an almost deserted high rise in London. […]
FILM: THE BREAKING ICE *** – Singaporean choice for Foreign Oscars
9 February 2024. By Neptune THE BREAKING ICE (Un hiver à Yanji) *** (vo Mandarin/Korean) In a blessed hour and a half, Singaporean director, Anthony Chen, takes us into China and gives us a glimpse of a remote corner of this immense country. This is not a travelogue, but rather a tender, modern tale of […]
FILM: ARGYLLE *
2 February 2024. By Neptune RETOUR EN ALEXANDRIE ***1/2 (vo French and Arabic) Two beautiful actresses play a mother and daughter duo in this exquisitely filmed tale of nostalgia and going back to one’s roots. The stylish mother is played by the French Fanny Ardant (who started her brilliant, lengthy career under the tutelage of […]
FILM: BONJOUR TICINO *** Swiss vote on becoming a one-language nation
19 January 2024. By Neptune BON SCHUUR TICINO (CIAO CIAO BORBINE/BONJOUR TICINO) *** (vo German, French, Italian) Here’s a wonderfully amusing satire of what it is to be Swiss, with 4 different languages co-existing in this small, peaceful country. At least it was peaceful, until these filmmakers got hold of it! The Swiss are good […]
FILM: POOR THINGS **** – a film that will go to the Oscars
19 January 2024. By Neptune POOR THINGS **** Yorgos Lanthimos makes strange films. With his twisted, unbounded imagination, the Greek director’s works have included “The Lobster”, about a colony that forces single people to find a partner or be eliminated; the ultra weird “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”, once again about choosing a sacrificial […]
FILM: MEAN GIRLS ** high school girls run the show
12 January 2024. By Neptune This week all the releases are about women. Even the turn-of-century French artist Bonnard is overshadowed by the women around him. They are taking over the world! MEAN GIRLS ** It seems in high school girls run the show too. This one is a colorful, bouncy musical with well written […]
FILM: IO, CAPITANO **** a grand odyssey and personal story
5 January 2024. By Neptune IO, CAPITANO **** (vo Wolof/French) The renowned Italian director, Matteo Garrone (“Gomorrah”, “Dogman”) takes us on a grueling journey of two young Senegalese before they reach their destination, Europe. Seydou lives a warm family life with his mother and siblings in his village, but is egged on this voyage by […]
FILM: ROBOT DREAMS **** – best animated feature of the year
29 December 2023. By Neptune These reviews will be shorter since, like you, I am also on holiday. Just trying to keep you in the loop. May the New Year treat the rest of the world as well as us lucky ones here in gentle Switzerland. 🙏🍀 ROBOT DREAMS **** This has to be the […]
