21 January 2022. By Neptune NIGHTMARE ALLEY  *** This is a film noir in the hypnotic, colorful decor of Guillermo del Toro’s rich imagination.  Del Toro is one of three Mexican directors (the famous triumvirate of Alfonso Cuaron for GRAVITY and ROMA; Alejandro Inarritu for BABEL and BIRDMAN; and del Toro for PAN’s LABYRINTH and […]

14 January 2022. By Neptune CINE-CLUB PERSAN at the Grütli Cinema – January 20, 19h COUP 53 **** (vo English/French subtitles) For only one night – Thursday, January 20th – the exceptional documentary, COUP 53 will be screened at the Grütli cinema. Its director, Iranian physicist and filmmaker, Taghi Amirani will be a special guest […]

7 January 2022. By Neptune THE KING’S MAN  ***  Here is history and adventure rolled up in one engrossing action film. This prequel by Matthew Vaughn, who has done the previous Kingsman films, harks back to WWI and the intrigues behind the different countries involved, with such actual characters as Czar Nicolas, Rasputin, Lenin, President […]

26 November 2021. By Neptune HOUSE OF GUCCI ***1/2 There are films that from the get-go you know you are in good hands. There’s a feeling of anticipation, of mastery of the situation, of the melding of fine acting, dialogue and pacing. But then, it’s a Ridley Scott film – he of such diverse works […]

5 November 2021. By Neptune COMPARTMENT No. 6 ***1/2 (vo Russian, Finnish) A Finnish archeology student (Seidi Haarla) who has made a few friends in Moscow wants to go to Murmansk to see some rare cave paintings. On the long train ride she has to share a compartment with a drunken Russian fellow. This case […]

29 October 2021. In the past two weeks we have had six excellent films released, four of them French. This week is unfortunately the opposite, with three disappointing films from important directors and one crazy black comedy. Even known talents can’t win all the time. Next week has a few fine works coming out, so […]

22 October 2021. By Neptune LES ILLUSIONS PERDUES  ****  (vo French)   This sumptuous tableau set in 19th century France about a young, idealistic poet’s coming-of-age (perfectly embodied by the delicate Benjamin Voisin), is based on one of Honoré de Balzac’s novels from his grand collection, ‘La Comédie Humaine’. With his brilliant cast of character actors […]

15 October 2021. By Neptune As there are five very different worthwhile films opening up this week, I will make my reviews short. Depending on your taste and inclination, they are each fascinating in their own right. So do catch them before they’re gone. And don’t forget the sublime AFTER LOVE, which I reviewed last […]

AFTER LOVE  ****  You can’t get more contrasted than Dover and Calais, or an English wife and a French mistress who have shared one man whom they both loved deeply. But as often in life, the facts are far deeper than the surface appearance. For here it’s less about infidelity and more about the view […]

NO TIME TO DIE – 007   ***1/2  Bond is back and he is excellent! Directed by California-born Cary Joji Fukunaga (“Jane Eyre”, “Sin Nombre”), it has everything and more that 007 aficionados have come to love about the franchise which has been going on since 1962 with 24 films in all. Action, amazing stunts, […]