1. EDDINGTON - usual Ari Aster fare - overly long, in need of editing, but intriguing ideas. Thought provoking commentary on COVID and anti-maskers, q-anon related conspiracy theories, Black Lives Matter, sovereign citizens, USA gun culture, falsely accusing Antifa of domestic terrorism; gun violence, as usual Ari takes it to the extreme - darkly humourous, but given the underlying truths about current USA society, also deeply disturbing. Joaquin Phoenix is brilliant. Just as I loved the first hour of Beau is Afraid, but loathed the next 2 hours, this is also too long, in need of editing, but better than Ari Aster's previous self indulgent material
2. ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - scary commentary on racism, authoritarianism in the USA today, the use of violence by all sides to promote their cause - Benita Del Torro, Leonard Di Caprio, Sean Penn and Chase Infinity (best name ever) are all compelling
3. UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE - whimsical, surreal, charming, hilarious with Wes Andersonian influences
4. BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND - charming comedy with themes of loss, grief and moving forward - set on a remote Welsh island, which adds to the appeal
6. MICKEY 17 - dark science fiction comedy - great story, sweet Creepers
7. HOUSE OF DYNAMITE - utterly compelling all the way through - good ensemble cast - tension building throughout. Reinforces one's concerns that Trump is the decision maker for the USA and holder of the nuclear codes...
8. SEPTEMBER 5 - fascinating depiction of the politics, ethics and mechanics of news making in the 1970s. Based on 1972 Munich Olympic Games and the taking of Israeli hostages.
9. BRIDGET JONES - MAD ABOUT THE BOY - funny, sad, poignant story of grief and loss. All our favourite characters return.
10. CONCLAVE - visually compelling; brilliant ensemble cast; fascinating exploration of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, class, & internal politics, and rituals in the Catholic Church; excellent costume design - and as it turns out, somewhat prescient, given the death of Pope Francis
Honourable mentions:
DEAD OF WINTER - Emma Thompson at her best (coincided with us watching Down Cemetery Road - also Emma in her prime). Thrilling and compelling throughout; magnificent scenery; and the ending - so moving
THE ACCOUNTANT 2 - interesting plot, great character development, humour, tragedy and action
WILDING - inspired documentary on re-wilding of Knepp estate, England. Some wonderful cinematography in capturing nature
THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME - Wes Anderson, hilarious, but not one of his best
EL JOCKEY - Spanish - colourful, bizarre, surreal
THE HISTORY OF SOUND - Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor are both brilliant; gorgeous soundtrack; depicts the long impact of the repression of same sex relationships; a story of loss and grief beautifully told
I SWEAR - based on the true story of a man living with Tourette's Syndrome - well acted. Inspiring, moving, educational and hopeful
THE GOLDEN SPURTLE - utterly charming documentary about how seriously some people take their porridge - delightful
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