Palatkik

Thirteen Lives [2022] A rescue mission is assembled in Thailand where a group of young boys and their soccer coach are trapped in the Tham Luang cave system that are flooding. This biographical survival pic is well made if a bit long, but there have been several other movies and TV series re-telling what is a recent event known to everyone so the results are flat without suspense.

Other, Like Me [2020] The Oral History of COUM Transmissions and Throbbing Gristle. In the run down city of Hull, a group of misfits began street theater under the name of COUM Transmissions which later morphed into the band Throbbing Gristle in London. This is a gem of a documentary for fans of the band mostly narrated by members Genesis and Cosey.

The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain [2021] Biopic of the eccentric English artist Louis Wain who rises to prominence at the end of the 19th century for his surreal cat paintings that seemed to reflect his declining sanity whilst capturing the public imagination. Colorful old school style period drama, overly produced, family entertainment that gets a little bizarre but just seems to purr by.

She Will [2022] An aging film star retreats to the scenic Scottish countryside with her nurse to recover from double mastectomy surgery. While there, mysterious forces of revenge emerge from the land where witches were burned. A decent moody art-house revenge thriller that never seems to hit top gear.

Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy [2019] Cookbook author and environmental activist Diana Kennedy reflects on an unconventional life spent mastering Mexican cuisine. Well-made award winning documentary filmed with the charismatic English born author during her 95th year.

True Things [2021] A young woman living on the fringes of society and self-doubt becomes intoxicated by a stranger who overwhelms her in a British seaside town. A powerful central lead makes for an absorbing psychological drama that can feel a little flat, but worth seeing.

This Much I Know To Be True [2022] Explores the creative relationship and songs from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' last two studio albums, "Ghosteen" and "Carnage". One of those special musical cinematic experiences, by the two Australian artists in a documentary that makes the hair on the back of one's neck stand up.

The Old Man [2022 TV Series] A former CIA officer, who's living off the grid, finds himself on the run from people who want to kill him. A lavish thriller, with an absorbing story, the finest lead performers carry this all the way, told in a flash back format with perhaps an overload of twists. Worth binge watching all seven episodes. A second series is planned.

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, based on the Slough House novels, top acting, witty dialogue, maybe feels like it's been done before but a lot of fun and another series coming. Worth seeing.

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande [2022] A 55-year-old widow, is yearning for some adventure, human connection and some sex, with a hired sex worker. A slow burner of a film that comes across as a stage play in style, two wonderful lead performers bring an erotic drama with some clever dialogue to a happy ending.

The Drovers Wife The Legend Of Molly Johnson [2021] At the end of the nineteenth century a lonely pregnant bush woman struggles to raise her children and run the family farm while her husband is away droving sheep in colonial Australia. A formulaic style western which is only carried by a gutsy lead screen presence.

Sherwood [2022 TV Series] Two macabre and unexpected murders shatter an already fractured community leading to one of the largest manhunts in British history. An excellent police drama series, mostly fictionalized for dramatic effect, with some gritty performances combines the hostilities and hurt from the coal miners strikes with a skillfully managed whodunit murder story-line, set in the picturesque setting of Nottingham. Worth binge watching. A second series is planned.

Brian And Charles [2022] After a particularly harsh winter Brian goes into a deep depression; completely isolated and with no one to talk to, Brian does what any sane person would do when faced with such a melancholic situation. He builds an AI robot out of an old washing machine. Hilarious oddball humor in this mockumentary style comedy set in the Welsh countryside.

The Phantom Of The Open [2021] Biopic of Maurice Flitcroft, a dreamer and optimist, who managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship Qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process. A strong lead portrays mediocrity with occasional deft dry humor in a cliché driven production style feel good movie about a rather odd golfing event.

After Yang [2021] In a near future, a family reckons with questions of love, connection, and loss after their 'techno-sapien' AI helper unexpectedly breaks down. A dreamlike science fiction about a family who relied on a robot called Yang so much they didn't notice the distance that has come between themselves until it was gone.

Tigrar [2020] (Aka Tigers) Based on his autobiography, the true story of Swedish teenage football talent Martin Bengtsson's life-and-death journey through a modern-day football industry where everything, including mental health has a price tag. Entertainingly intense drama spoken mostly in English told in a convincing way, with very little of the game shown.

Men [2022] In the aftermath of a personal tragedy, a young woman retreats alone to the English countryside, hoping to have found a place to heal. But someone appears to be stalking her. What begins as simmering dread becomes a fully-formed nightmare, inhabited by her darkest memories and fears in this visionary film of some of the finest performances. Worth seeing for those with a liking for the horror genre.

Nitram [2021] Award winning drama covers events leading up to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre on Tasmania. Fine performances in a disquieting movie offers a timely reminder of the problems of mental health and the ease of access to guns. One of Australia's best movies of recent years.

My Buddha Is Punk [2015] A Burmese group leader, obsessively pursues the dream of seeing the punk scene take off in Myanmar (in 2015!), while raising awareness about persistent violations of human rights. A symbiosis of Buddhism and punk that rejects religious and political dogma. An interesting German backed documentary with close up insight into Burmese life filmed before the recent turmoil that emphasizes the point albeit with little direction or conclusion. Recently available on some torrent sites.

Benediction [2022] Recalls the 20th Century war poet Siegfried Sassoon's life-long quest for personal salvation through his experiences with family, World War 1, his writing, and destructive relationships, never realizing it can only come from within. A vivid and poetic old school period drama by one of Britain's distinctive directors.

Happening [2021] An adaptation of Annie Ernaux's novel, looking back on her experience as a student with abortion when it was still illegal in France in the 1960s. Incredibly powerful French drama, stunning performances, highlighting the brutal reality of illegal abortions in France until the law changed. Worth seeing, one of the year's best films.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent [2022] In this action comedy, Nicolas Cage plays Nick Cage, channeling his iconic characters as he's caught between a super-fan with crime gang relatives and a CIA agent. A wild mix of eccentric Cage Rage self-indulgence, perhaps the movies only redeeming feature, in a b-grade story line.

Navalny [2022] Made before the Ukraine invasion, this follows the likeable Putin adversary who survived an assassination attempt by poisoning in August 2020. During his months-long recovery in Germany he makes shocking discoveries with cameras rolling about the attempt on his life and decides to return home. Good documentary that a fictional thriller might find hard to beat, a central jaw dropping revelation, supposedly live on camera, and the inevitable conclusion to date from Moscow.