Favorite films

Recent reviews

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  Custody 2017

  ★★★★ Watched 27 May 2023

  Rattled me to the core!

  Expertly crafted build-up by the director as he steers the committed cast to a searing climax. Discovered this film via an interview where Ari Aster said he’d hired Denis Ménochet for Beau is Afraid due to his towering performance in this film.

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  Super 8 2011

  ★★★★½ Rewatched 27 May 2023 3

  I’ve always had a chubby for this flick, it just works on all levels for me. Abrams obviously injected more of himself into this one and I reckon if it was released in the early 80’s it would still be thought of fondly. A great young cast, emotional heft and reverent nostalgia all wrapped up in a neat little bow. A perfect night in front of the box with my 13yo boy!

Popular reviews

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  Caché 2005

  ★★★★★ Rewatched 19 May 2014 30

  This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  “I like the multiplicity of books, because each book is different in the mind of each reader. It's the same with this film - if 300 people are in a cinema watching it, they will all see a different film, so in a way there are thousands of different versions of "Caché (Hidden)". The point being that, despite what TV shows us, and what the news stories tell us, there is never just one truth, there is only personal truth.”…

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  Where Is the Friend's House? 1987

  ★★★★★ Watched 10 Jun 2014 12

  Grandfather's Friend:''What I mean to say is, suppose the kid did nothing wrong. What would you do? What then?''
  Grandfather:''I'd find an excuse and give him a beating every other week. So he wouldn't forget.''

  Often it's the smallest and simplest observations on life that are the most emotionally resonant and impactful, as is the case with Abbas Kiarostami's 1987 film Where Is the Friend's Home?, where we see immense compassion and loyalty from a child who navigates a world…