Around the halfway mark of the year I had about five films in contention for my annual Top Ten list - moments before writing this post I had 17 titles all vying a place in the final countdown! It wasn’t easy to eliminate many of them and certainly wasn’t any easier ranking them once I … Continue reading MIB’s Top Ten Films of 2019
Survival Family (Sabaibaru famirî)
Survival Family (Sabaibaru famirî) Japan (2017) Dir. Shinobu Yaguchi Each successive generation is increasingly reliant on technology the further it advances, and this is perhaps most true of today’s world. So much of our lives are dependent on computerised technology, we are slaves to it. The Suzuki family of Tokyo are totemic of today’s reliance … Continue reading Survival Family (Sabaibaru famirî)
In Fabric
In Fabric UK (2018) Dir. Peter Strickland Many women spend their lives looking for that perfect dress, preferably within their budget, which will make them look great and knock ’em dead - that is referring to the people who see them in this spectacular gown. This would require a “killer” dress to be found, though … Continue reading In Fabric
The Headless Woman (La mujer sin cabeza)
The Headless Woman (La mujer sin cabeza) Argentina (2008) Dir. Lucrecia Martel We’ve all had moments of doubt regarding something we may or may have done - “Did I turn the TV off?”, “Did I set the recorder for my programme?”, “Did I take the cat out of the freezer?”. These may be standard concerns … Continue reading The Headless Woman (La mujer sin cabeza)
XL
XL Iceland (2013) Dir. Marteinn Thorsson We all know power corrupts but what exactly does it corrupt? Ego? Morality? Sense of judgement? Fears and weaknesses? I suppose the truest answer is “all of the above” but that is really only from the observer’s perspective; for the person succumbing to the power trip none of hits … Continue reading XL
MIB’s Top Ten Anime of 2019 (Japan)
2019 was the year of the Isekai anime. For reasons that continue to baffle, every season featured at least three to four new titles in which somebody from modern day Japan was transported to another world. This might have been through magic where someone was summoned, the now-passé trapped in a virtual video game route, … Continue reading MIB’s Top Ten Anime of 2019 (Japan)
The Farewell
The Farewell US/China (2019) Dir. Lulu Wang Is there such a thing as a “good lie”? Many might say standard minor untruths like “Yes, that dress is fine”, “Honestly, nobody noticed” and “Yes Boris, you make a great Prime Minister” would qualify but the key there is “minor”. But if the situation was far more … Continue reading The Farewell
Memories (Memoriseu)
Memories (Memoriseu) Korea (2019) Dir. Lee Soo-Sung Imagine being in a job in which you are supposed to help others but in fact you need help yourself? I’m not talking being a politician rather a counsellor who is required to listen to the problems of others but is in need of an ear as any … Continue reading Memories (Memoriseu)
Midsommar (Director’s Cut)
Midsommar (Director’s Cut) US/Sweden (2019) Dir. Ari Aster Some things are best left alone. Curiosity may get the better of you but fighting it is the most prudent thing you can do. There is a reason why people are afraid of the unknown and why this isn’t always a bad thing. And most importantly of … Continue reading Midsommar (Director’s Cut)
The Wolf’s Call
The Wolf’s Call (Cert 15) 1 Disc DVD/Digital (Distributor: Altitude Films) Running Time: 116 minutes approx. “Orders is orders!” Not just the title of a 1930’s British comedy film but also a doctrine adhered to by the military. However, there are times when an absolute order is maybe ill advised or suddenly invalid and without … Continue reading The Wolf’s Call
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