Month: August 2020

Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui – former BAFTA nominees for McQueen – and executive produced by Richard Curtis (Love Actually) and Barbara Broccoli, this stunning docu-feature charts the history of the Paralympic games from their genesis to their place in global modern-day culture. 

Celebrating some of the most incredible and inspiring Paralympians, Rising Phoenix recalls, to name but a few, the Italian fencer Bebe Vio, the Aussie swimmer Ellie Cole, the French runner Jean-Baptiste Alaize and UK gold medallist Jonnie Peacock. All are on hand to tell their compelling stories of triumph over adversity. 

This lovingly made and deeply moving film highlights the sacrifices made by some of the best athletes of our lifetime. Footage from London 2012 is bound to trigger a certain twinge of nostalgia, but the film also carries a wider message about how disability is perceived in the world we live in. 

In absence of the 2020 Paralympics, which has been postponed to next year due to COVID19, Rising Phoenix presents a timely opportunity to revisit some of the most memorable moments of this extraordinary event down the years.

4/5

This review was first published in the Daily Mirror on 28/08/20

This wickedly funny horror comedy marks the feature directorial debut of former music video director Ninian Doff. It follows a trio of wayward Glasgow schoolboys who, as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, embark on a character-building trip to the Scottish Highlands, alongside a strait-laced camper.  

Hilarity ensues as the boys find themselves hunted down by a shadowy figure (played rather brilliantly by Eddie Izzard). Hot on their trail, too, is a group of hapless police officers – played by Kate Dickie, Alice Lowe and Kevin Guthrie – who believe them to be a terror gang. 

Watch out for the presence of legendary Scottish actor James Cosmo, who delights as a hip hop-loving local farmer. 

4/5

This review was first published in The Daily Mirror on 28/08/20

The prolific young Canadian director Xavier Dolan (Mommy, It’s Only the End of the World) also takes a lead role in this tender gay drama about two friends from childhood, Max and Matt (played by Gabriel D’Almeida Freitas), whose passion for each other is reignited by a playful kiss for a dare. As a result, both men question their sexual identities.

Matthias and Maxime is a dazzling and intricate slice of French-Canadian life. Accessible and heartfelt, and full of perfect attention to detail, it is one of Dolan’s best films yet.

Stars 5/5

This review was first published in The Daily Mirror on 28/08/20

After endless delays and continuous doubt over it being released this side of Christmas, Christopher Nolan’s latest sci-fi juggernaut Tenet is finally here, and boy, was it worth the wait.

Star of BlacKkKlansman (and son of Denzel) John David Washington is fantastic as the unnamed Protagonist. He plays a CIA agent who finds himself caught in a world of ruthless arms dealers, hitmen and assorted criminals as he navigates a complex time-bending plot against humanity. 

In order to halt the start of World War 3, our hero teams up with the enigmatic CIA operative Neil – Twilight’s Robert Pattinson in his best role yet – and Kat (Elizabeth Debicki), the ex-wife of criminal mastermind Andrei Sator (played by Kenneth Branagh). 

Nolan mixes classic spy tropes and clever modern sci-fi to give us a handsomely made film packed with twists, turns and stunning action set-pieces. Those familiar with his other complicated narratives like Inception or even Interstellar will be relieved to know that Tenet is in the same vein. While the plot here might require more concentration, there is still much to enjoy even if you find yourself baffled by the highly complex premise. 

Composer Ludwig Göransson, who has taken the place of Nolan’s longtime musical collaborator Hans Zimmer, provides an oddly, but appropriately Zimmeresque score. 

Meanwhile, Dibecki and Washington both perform magnificently, she as the femme fatale willing to do anything to be free again and he as the man who hold humanity’s fate in his hands. For me, however, it’s Pattinson who truly nails it as Neil, impressive and beautifully measured. 

Tenet plays around with ideas of space and time, but at its heart is an oddly traditional spy thriller. The result is admittedly uneven, but by far Nolan’s most ambitious film yet. Just don’t think too much about it and enjoy the ride.

STARS: 4/5

This review was first published in The Daily Mirror on 28/09/20