Palatkik

Empire Of Light [2022] A drama about the power of human connection during turbulent times, set in an English coastal town in the early 1980s. A powerful lead in this homage to 80's cinema houses under the backdrop of racism in Thatchers Britain.

The Devils Hour [2022 TV Limited Series] A woman who wakes up every night at exactly 3.33AM, in the middle of the so-called devil's hour between 3AM and 4AM. Stylish but convoluted TV thriller, the performances fare better than the story.

Lucky [2017] Lucky follows the spiritual journey of a 90-year-old atheist and the quirky characters that inhabit his off the map desert town. Stanton's final and one of his best movies. Every scene with him is a gold mine.

The Menu [2022] A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises. Deliciously over the top entertaining fare.

The Fabelmans [2022] Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth. Moments of brilliance but an overly long self-indulgent piece of Americana strictly for Spielberg nerds and a bit of a yawn-fest for the rest of us.

Causeway [2022] A US soldier suffers a traumatic brain injury while fighting in Afghanistan and struggles to adjust to life back home. Low budget drama with a strong lead in a frustratingly dull script.

Vesper [2022] Struggling to survive with her father after the collapse of Earth's ecosystem, 13-year-old Vesper must use her wits, strength and bio-hacking abilities to fight for the future. An original story for sci-fi buffs, obviously low budget effects, visually interesting to watch at times, more arthouse than sci-fi at times. Worth a look.

Without Sin [2022 TV Limited Series] Explores the relationship which develops between a grieving mother and the man she believes murdered her daughter. Good UK psychological TV thriller, starts out as a prison reconciliation program which turns into a whodunnit, the lead actors nail it, the ending twist a disappointment but worth seeing.

Madoff: Monster Of Wall Street [2023 TV Limited Series] It follows the rise and fall of the American financier and Ponzi-schemer: Madoff. Another Netflix documentary that could have been told in half the time, an interesting finance crime genre true story on how the crook got away with it for long.

Triangle Of Sadness [2022] A cruise for the super-rich sinks thus leaving survivors, including a fashion model celebrity couple, trapped on an island. A uniquely dark comedic swipe at the rich set in three chapters, fades towards the end but the central scenes on the yacht with the unhinged captain and vomit are hilarious. If you want something different this is worth a look.

I Hate Suzie [2020 TV series] Chaotic and funny first season series in 8 episodes follows the ups and downs of a minor TVs star and her family after her phone gets hacked and pictures of her having sex with the producer go viral. Season 2 is just 3 episodes and more manic, highlighting a cleverly made black comedy and lead, but the genre may not fit all tastes! Worth seeing when the mood suits.

The Rig [2023 TV Limited Series] A group of workers on a remote Scottish oil rig are due to return to the mainland when a mysterious fog enshrouds them and supernatural forces take hold. This is cheesy B rate sci fi thriller nonsense with a cheap CGI feel about it. Not worth wasting your time over.

The Mustang [2019] While participating in a rehabilitation program training wild mustangs, a convict at first struggles to connect with the horses and his fellow inmates, but he learns to confront his violent past as he soothes an especially feisty horse. Based on real life stories of inmate rehab, this independent film by a European director resonates with a superb lead and some brilliant scenes with the horses. Worth seeing.

Paris, Texas [1984] A disheveled man who wanders out of the desert, seems to have no idea who he is. When a stranger manages to contact his brother, he is awkwardly reunited with his sibling. Masterful storytelling and acting that stands the test of time. Worth seeing again.

The Old Way [2023] An old gunslinger and his daughter must face the consequences of his past, when the son of a man he murdered years ago arrives to take his revenge. Strictly for those into the genre, this offers nothing new and has been done over many times already.

Code 404 [2020 TV series] A British detective killed in action is brought back to life using experimental Artificial Intelligence. British comedy series now up to season 03 that came out earlier 2022, the gags keep coming in each succinct 20 minutes episode and because Graham is in it cannot be missed.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery [2022] Weirdly speaking Southern detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece for his latest case. Five long-time friends are invited to the Greek island home of a billionaire. The main event is a murder weekend game with said billionaire to be the victim but really, they all have reasons to kill him. This is overpaid Hollywood A-listers hamming it up in somewhat entertaining family fodder with more to doubtless come unfortunately.

All Quiet on the Western Front [2022] A young German soldier's terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I. A remake of the classic story of the futility of war, no heroics just victims, now more timely than ever again, a powerful piece of cinematography.

Detectorists [2014 TV series] The lives of two eccentric metal detectorists, who spend their days plodding along ploughed tracks and open fields, hoping to disturb the tedium by unearthing the fortune of a lifetime. This treasure of a TV comedy drama series previously ended with season 3 back in 2017, but a recent TV movie length episode added to the portfolio at the end of 2022 is also not to be missed.

The Wonder [2022] A tale of two strangers who transform each other's lives, a psychological thriller, and a story of love pitted against evil. Tourists and pilgrims mass to witness a girl who is said to have survived without food for months. Is the village harboring a saint or are there more ominous motives at work? Wonderfully made haunting nineteenth century period literary tale worth seeing.

Slow Horses [2022 TV Series] Follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve as a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes under a leader with a penchant for living like a slob and breaking wind. Entertaining spy action drama series, now with two seasons complete and a third on the way, based on the Slough House novels, top acting, witty dialogue, Oldman steals every scene. Worth seeing.

Aftersun [2022] A daughter reflects on the shared joy and private sadness of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier in Turkey. Memories real and imagined fill the gaps between as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the one she didn't. Two wonderful and seemingly effortless performances in this low budget drama make it rather special.

Bones And All [2022] A young woman, learns how to survive on the margins of society. An unusual romantic US road trip movie involving cannibals with morals that is done in a provocative and intriguing style. Worth a look, although some odd casting choices leaves doubt.