In the Civil War era American South, a group of slaves struggle to survive on a particularly brutal plantation. It’s one run by Confederate soldiers, to produce income and supplies for the troops, and their management makes Michael Fassbender’s in ’12 Years a Slave’ look positively sunny. As well as being repeatedly beaten and sexually assaulted, these slaves are also condemned to silence. Continue reading Antebellum (2020)
In the dying days of the Soviet empire, their boffins come up with a potential new superweapon; a revolutionary propulsion system that can render their submarines undetectable. The prototype is under the command of Marco Ramius, their most respected naval commander. But Ramius has a different plan; defect, and hand the sub over to the Americans. As the Russian and American fleets both try and track him down, Ramius has to use his wits to stay one step ahead; a high stakes poker game at sea. Continue reading The Hunt for Red October (1990)
In the depths of World War II, young Czech Milos gets a job working at the local railway station. He is of little ambition and thinks he has found his dream position; safe from the war, not overly busy, comfortable and secure. He also comes under the wing of Hubicka, a more worldly platform attendant who tries to teach the younger man what he knows about women. Continue reading Closely Watched Trains (1966)
Before ‘Tenet’, ‘Interstellar’ was Christopher Nolan’s biggest, most ambitious film. And like all of his movies it is a dense text, layered with surprising backstories, personal history, and Easter Eggs. Here are 11 things you may not know about this movie. Continue reading 11 Things You Did Not Know About ‘Interstellar’
Reuben Feffer is a risk assessor who leads a careful life. He has just married his long-term sweetheart, bought his dream house, and is on his honeymoon in the tropics: life is good. Then he catches his wife in bed with a scuba instructor, and his circumspect existence gets turned on its head. On the rebound he hooks up with Polly Prince, a childhood friend who has grown into a commitment phobic misfit. Can this mismatched pair make it work? Continue reading Along Came Polly (2004)
Pinky is a naive young woman who takes a job at an aged care facility. Showing her the ropes is Millie, a more worldly type that Pinky is instantly taken with. The older woman needs a roommate, and so they move in together. Pinky can now observe Millie as closely as she likes, and she tries to emulate her dress sense, mannerisms and interests; an unhealthy dynamic that Millie soon tires of. Continue reading 3 Women (1977)
Joan Wilder is a successful romance novelist, and a hopeless romantic. She is also something of a nebbish. But when her sister gets mixed up with some bad people, she is forced out of her comfort zone on an impromptu rescue mission. Out of her depth, in Colombia, she runs into Jack T. Coulton, an adventurous type looking to make his fortune. He’s willing to help Joan, for a price. And the T? That stands for ‘trustworthy’, so you know there’s nothing to worry about. Continue reading Romancing the Stone (1984)
On the vast plains of South Carolina, Brady faces a young life crisis. Born with a natural affinity for horses, gifted at riding and training, he has become drawn to the thrills of the rodeo. Then a serious head injury derails his career. The doctors tell him he cannot ride again, which forces him to examine his life. With that removed, what is left? Continue reading The Rider (2017)
Hannay is enjoying a night at the music hall, doubly so when he thinks he has picked up an attractive young woman. But back at his apartment, she reveals she had an ulterior motive; she is tangled up with a spy ring and her life is in danger. Foreign agents are going to steal British military secrets, she was on to them, and now they are on to her. When she is found murdered shortly afterwards, Hannay scarpers to Scotland, hoping to clear his name and thwart the villains. Continue reading The 39 Steps (1935)
A Russian Jew, Herschel Greenbaum, emigrates to America with his sweetheart in the early twentieth century. He finds a job at a pickle factory, and a very simple version of the American dream; the couple have each other, a young son, and a pair of side-by-side funeral plots to take care of them in eternity. Life is hard, but good. Then Herschel falls into a vat of pickle brine, right as the factory is condemned. Continue reading An American Pickle (2020)
