Palatkik

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar [2023 short] Chronicles a variety of stories, but the main one follows Henry Sugar, who is able to see through objects and predict the future with the help of a book he stole. This movie short of the Roald Dahl story done by Wes Anderson in his own inimitable style, has a strong cast and is both intriguing in style and seemingly perfect.

Jules [2023] A man lives a quiet life of routine in a small western Pennsylvania town, but finds his day upended when a UFO and its extra-terrestrial passenger crash land in his backyard. Uplifting slightly formulaic light weight sci-fi comedy drama about aging, loneliness and an alien from outer space.

The Retirement Plan [2023] When a woman and her young daughter get caught up in a criminal enterprise that puts their lives at risk, she turns to her estranged father, currently living the life of a retired beach bum in the Cayman Islands. It's Nic Cage's retirement plan so no matter how bad it is, and this is really bad, one of his worst, it'll still get shown.

Talk To Me [2022] When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Whilst the horror genre can often come over as silly to some, this is an original and entertaining Australian made supernatural thriller that appears fresh and vibrant.

Lady Chatterley's Lover [2022] An unhappily married aristocrat begins a torrid affair with the gamekeeper on her husband's country estate. The 1928 book by DH Lawrence that was originally banned for obscenity has been put to screen several times since, but this latest version is probably the best yet making it worth a look.

The Last Duel [2021] The Knight Jean de Carrouges must settle the dispute over his wife Marguerite's rape by challenging his accused squire to a duel to the death. Only his survival will save him and his wife getting burned at the stake. An interesting and well-made fourteenth century period piece based on true events, depicts what was supposedly the last ever duel under French law. Based on the 2004 book of the same name with graphic recreations of the era, some strong performances, odd castings and the strange use of scene repeats jar at first. Overall worth seeing.

Special Ops: Lioness [2023 TV Series] A CIA agent attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the spear in the CIA's war on terror. She enlists a female special operations Marine, as an undercover operative in the Lioness Program. Overly polished eight part American special forces series is standard production line entertainment, could have been written by AI with characters we don't care about and a dumbed down script that seems too derivative, offering few surprises. Dull and forgettable. Potential for more series if bean counters want it, let's hope not.

Strays [2023] An abandoned dog teams up with other strays to get revenge on his former owner. The first R-rated potty mouth talking dog movie. This is US humor at its basest, but every dog has its day, worth a look if you are in the mood for simple crudeness!

To Olivia [2021] The story of the tumultuous marriage between actress Patricia Neal and writer Roald Dahl based around the time they lost the eldest daughter aged seven to encephalitis caused by measles. Based on Neals memoir, the solid cast just about carries a unevenly delivered storyline about depression and recovery.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny [2023] Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary artifact that can change the course of history. Old school entertainment with Spielberg written all over it, done many times before, has its moments.

Wolf [2023 TV Limited Series] In an isolated house in the country a family find themselves the victims of a terrifying psychopath's cruel games. A deliciously wicked crime thriller starts off going for the throat with some dramatic scenes but ultimately fades. Two strong central performances are let down somewhat by the rest of the cast and convoluted story.

White House Plumbers [2023 TV Limited Series] A five-part series that tells the true story of how Nixon's own political saboteurs and Watergate masterminds, E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy, accidentally toppled the presidency they were trying to protect. Amusing historical take varies from the absurd to the ridiculous with two good leads hamming it up, hard to tell the jokes from the realty. Worth a look, starts off slow but picks up.

Fool's Paradise [2023] A down-on-his-luck publicist discovers a former mental health patient who looks just like a misbehaving movie star. He soon becomes an unlikely celebrity when he gets thrown into the bright lights and behind-the-scenes bustle of Hollywood. Several well-known actors are in this satirical movie about Hollywood movies (yawn). Possibly one of the most self-indulgent and annoying movies ever made. The lead character who also directed has a very punch-able face throughout.

Steeltown Murders [2023 TV Limited Series] Three murders in Wales - unsolved but never forgotten. Thirty years on, can the police find the serial killer who terrorized 1970s Port Talbot? Slow burning story based on real events and how new DNA technology revived the case, could have done with a better screenplay as the four episodes whilst interesting, drag as slowly as the real case took.

Lakelands [2022] Tells the story of an Irish footballer who gets attacked on a night out and the struggle to come to terms with his career-ending injury. A hidden gem of a drama set in rural Ireland with performances that are brilliant and subtle. Worth seeing.

Annika [2021 TV Series] Witty DI Annika Strandhed heads up the Marine Homicide Unit, tasked with solving murders in and around the Scottish waters. Watchable six part crime series with a new murder case each episode, might seem a lot for rural Scotland if binge viewing. Droll humor presented in a gimmicky style with the lead talking directly to the camera occasionally to keep you alert. Neat twist at the end. A second series came out in 2023.

Pearl [2022] In 1918, a young woman on the brink of madness pursues stardom in a desperate attempt to escape the drudgery, isolation and loveless life on her parents' farm in the rural US. This Judy Garland style horror show is an absolute blast with the lead stealing every moment on the screen through the incredible closing credits. Prequel to the X-slasher movie of the same year.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry [2023] An ordinary man has passed through life, living on the side lines, until he goes to post a letter one day...and just keeps walking - from South Devon to Berwick On Tweed. A wonderfully unassuming feelgood road movie with a fine cast.

The Sixth Commandment [2023 TV Limited Series] Follows the deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin in the village of Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire, and what unfolded in the following years. Based on extraordinary awful real events, this is one near perfect TV crime drama miniseries with strong performances. Hitchcockian, compelling, creepy, evil and yet full of humanity. Not to be missed.

Sisu [2022] When an ex-soldier who discovers gold in the Lapland wilderness tries to take the loot into the city, Nazi soldiers led by a brutal SS officer battle him. A Finnish movie about Nazis all in English with a Tarantino style is an entertaining over the top popcorn gore-fest, nothing else. Worth seeing when the mood suits for something ridiculous.

Sympathy for the Devil [2023] After being forced to drive a mysterious passenger at gunpoint, a man finds himself in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse where it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems. A cheap popcorn flick tailor made for the wild mannerisms of the lead, but with little sympathy for any of the characters this movie fails to leave an impression.

The World To Come [2020] Somewhere along the mid-19th century American East Coast frontier, two neighboring couples battle hardship and isolation, witnessed by a splendid yet testing landscape, challenging both physically and psychologically. This somewhat banal story of forbidden friendship is kept alive with a strong cast and cinematography.

Justified [2010 TV Series] Enforcing his own brand of justice, US Marshal Raylan, a strong-willed, quiet law-man haunted by his past, returns to his native town in Harlan county to see that justice is served to those in need. Enjoyable if repetitive, character driven US crime series started in 2010, ended in 2015. Hillbilly soap opera monotony as they pad each of the six series with 13 episodes, that keeps afloat with strong lead performances and ends with a strong final. In 2023 the lead character was resurrected in a spin off. Production line TV fodder.

Asteroid City [2023] Following a writer on his world famous fictional play about a grieving father who travels with his tech-obsessed family to small rural Asteroid City to compete in a junior stargazing event, only to have his world view disrupted forever. This is classic Wes Anderson theatrics, done to perfection with a strong cast in only his inimitable style, that may not be for everyone. Colorful, original but ultimately self-indulgent pointlessness!