Palatkik

The Duke [2020] In 1961, Kempton Bunton, a 60 year old taxi driver, steals Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. Old school style British comedy drama based on a true story with two established lead actors on form, highly entertaining.

Night Of The Kings [2020] A young man is sent to a prison in Ivory Coast in the middle of the forest ruled by its inmates. With the red moon rising, he is designated by the inmate leader to be the new "Roman" and must tell a story to the other prisoners until dawn. Stylish French made prison drama full of theatrics and compelling viewing.

on loan to United euph. Up on blocks, fallen to the communists, on the blob, riding the menstrual cycle, on tow, packing string, chasing the cotton mouse, dropping clots, smoking short cigars, boiling beetroots, shooting jam, playing Arsenal at home.

Danny Boy [2021] Follows Brian Wood who is humbled when he is accused of Iraqi war crimes by the former human rights lawyer Phil Shiner. A lightweight drama made for TV has a star lead albeit glosses over the details and ends underwhelmingly. Interesting somewhat for those who didn't know the story beforehand.

Limbo [2020] A refugee carrying his oud and separated from his Syrian family, stuck on a remote fictional Scottish island awaiting the fate of his asylum request with other refugees. The premise might seem misguided and a bit sanitized coming from a big movie corporation UA, but the offbeat story is poignant with some wickedly wry British humor and Scottish scenery making for an enjoyable movie, nothing great but OK.

Rare Beasts [2019] A British anti rom-com about a career-driven single mother, who falls for charming, traditionalist work colleague. A movie that starts off well but descends into cliched platitudes best forgotten. Only became available to see in 2021, never a good sign.

A Quiet Place Part II [2021] Following the events at home, the Abbott family now face the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats. Cashing in on the success of the original from 2018, sequels and sci-fi horror flicks are both an acquired taste, but when entertaining mindless alien violence fits the bill this is OK as its still retains some of the originality and the thrills work.

The Reason I Jump [2020] Based on the biography by Naoki Higashida about his autism, this immersive documentary without commentary explores the experiences of non-speaking autistic people around the world. Impressive close cropped in your face framing and sound bites works well to convey the experience.

Clarkson's Farm [2021 TV series] Jeremy Clarkson attempts to run a farm in the countryside. Unlike some of his other more boorish antics on TV, this new series is entertaining, insightful and humbling. A second series beckons.

"I went to Poole on holiday" "In Dorset?" "Yes I can thoroughly recommend it"...

King Rocker [2020] British comedian Stewart Lee talks old times and new with 70's alternative music legend Robert Lloyd who fronted the Prefects and then the Nightingales. Hilarious reminiscing's, both Lloyd and Lee on form here, great music throughout this rockumentary, with a contrived link by Lee to the King Kong statue that got banished from the Birmingham Bull Ring to end up in the Lake District.

In The Earth [2021] The world searches for a cure to a disastrous virus, a scientist and park scout venture deep in the forest for a routine equipment run, but things aren't what they seem. From the same director of the horror comedy Sightseers [2012] and starring that bloke from the inventive Inside No9 TV series, this low budget British horror flick is completely engrossing from start to finish, has the makings of a cult classic.

Shiva Baby [2020] Dragged along to a Jewish funeral service with her parents, a college student runs into both her ex-girlfriend and her sugar daddy who arrives with his wife and baby she didn't know about. A somewhat claustrophobic black comedy brings to mind Woody Allen, is a bit of an acquired taste (not mine), simplistic story line albeit well produced.

Where’s Wayne Kerr when you need him? Mike Hunt can't turn Black Hawk Down Hugh Jarse found this funny