Palatkik

The Friend [2024 Movie] When a solitary writer adopts and bonds with a Great Dane that belonged to a late friend, she begins to come to terms with her past and her own creative inner life. A strong lead performance in a borderline maudlin affair.

The Happy Prince [2018 Movie] The untold story of the last days in the tragic times of Oscar Wilde, a person who observes his own failure with ironic distance and regards the difficulties that beset his life with detachment and humor. Beautifully photographed, an uncompromising lead makes for a memorable biography.

Ocean with David Attenborough [2025 Movie] Attenborough explores the planet's undersea habitats, revealing the greatest age of ocean discovery and emphasizing the ocean's vital importance while exposing its problems and highlighting opportunities for marine life recovery. Documentary making at its finest, with breathtaking cinematography, a convincing case for ocean sustainability presented as well as ever by 99 year old Attenborough. Not to be missed.

Dept. Q [2025 TV] A former top-rated detective, is wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralyzed and another policeman dead. On his return to work, he is assigned to a cold case that will consume his life. Great biting dialogue and performances in a hideous plot-line. Another new and excellent crime series, likely more to come.

The Amateur [2025 Movie] When his supervisors at the CIA refuse to take action after his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack, a decoder takes matters into his own hands. Old school thriller format works well with a strong cast and unusaul nerd spy element.

Hurry Up Tomorrow [2025 Movie] An insomniac musician encounters a mysterious stranger, leading to a journey that challenges everything he knows about himself. A modern vibe art house visual cannot save a movie of absolutely no substance, despite some established cast members leading as bait. Cheesy music adds to the slog.

Mountainhead [2025 Movie] Four friends reunite during worldwide economic turmoil. This black comedy satire of a dystopian future overrun with big tech AI is a tough ask, watching four tech bro multi billionaires planning an AI succession plan at a mountain retreat meeting whilst acting like self-indulgent arse-holes for near two hours. Insufferable more than anything else.

The Old Oak [2023 Movie] The future for the last remaining pub, The Old Oak, in a village of Northeast England, where people are leaving the land as the mines are closed. Houses are cheap and available, thus making it an ideal location for Syrian refugees. Another excellent Ken Loach social commentary drama made in the twilight of his career with two solid leads and a subtle screenplay. Worth seeing.

The Luckiest Man in America [2024 Movie] In May 1984, an unemployed ice cream truck driver steps onto the game show Press Your Luck harboring a secret: the key to endless money. But his winning streak is threatened when the bewildered executives uncover his real motivations and then try to monetize a man gaming the system. Based on true events, the movie is about as interesting as a simple game show and thats all really.

Death Valley [2025 TV] Retired crime actor and a detective sergeant team up as an unlikely duo to investigate murders each week in picturesque Wales. Light-hearted Welsh comedy crime series, made in a well worn formulaic old style TV format, with a pre watershed Sunday afternoon vibe. Brings to mind the Ludwig series. Starts off well with Spall hamming up every scene, but with each episode tires.

Strange Darling [2023 Movie] Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand of sexual domination spirals into a serial killer's vicious murder spree. A beautifully shot 35 millimeter horror action thriller that is shown out of order for best shock and surprises, great production and soundtrack. Two superb lead characters, one of the best thrillers of recent, up there with some of the best Tarantino stuff. Worth seeing.

On Falling [2024 Movie] The story focuses on a Portuguese worker in a Scottish warehouse, navigating loneliness and alienation in an algorithm-driven gig economy as she seeks meaning and connection amidst solitude and workplace confines. A subtly powerful slow burning drama from a debut director, sublime social commentary on those in soul destroying jobs in today's one click consumerist world, with a Ken Loach vibe about it - worth seeing.

The Penguin Lessons [2024 Movie] A disillusioned Englishman who goes to work in a school in a divided Argentina in 1976 finds his life transformed when he rescues an orphaned penguin from the beach. Based on a true experience, a complex story to tell about a penguin in an Argentine dictatorship, makes for an novel movie, the subtle understated humor carries and otherwise flat production.

Sharp Corner [2024 Movie] A dedicated family man becomes obsessed with saving the lives of the car accident victims on the sharp corner in front of his house - an obsession that could cost him everything. A slow burning psychological thriller , strong performances, about a husband driven around the bend.

Warfare [2025 Movie] A platoon of Navy SEALs embark on a dangerous mission in Ramadi, Iraq, with the chaos and brotherhood of war retold through their memories based of actual events. One of the most forceful brutal depictions of a single modern warfare incident made in cinema, superbly crafted movie.

The Ballad of Wallis Island [2025 Movie] An eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island tries to make his fantasies come true by getting his favorite musicians to perform at his home. A low key feel good drama set in wonderfully remote UK island setting with enough gentle humor to keep it on tune that never falls into the schmaltzy category. A spin off from the 2007 short movie The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island by the same lead actors and writer. Worth seeing.

Opus [2025 Movie] A writer travels to the compound of a pop icon who disappeared years ago. Surrounded by his cult of sycophants, as well as a group of fellow journalists, she soon discovers his twisted plans for the gathering. A bizarre and original horror thriller that satirizes pop culture. Malkovich steals every scene with his antics. Worth a look.

Havoc [2025 Movie] After a drug deal gone wrong, a bruised detective must fight his way through the criminal underworld to rescue a politician's estranged son, unraveling a deep web of corruption and conspiracy that ensnares his entire city. Spectacular violence over substance. A pointless blood splattering yawn fest but as bad movies go, one of the better ones.

Black Bag [2025 Movie] When an intelligence agent is suspected of betraying the nation, her husband - also an agent - faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage, or his country. A Soderbergh directed spy thriller, is one of his best. Mysterious, dark and unpredictable with some clever dialogue. Worth seeing.

The Monkey [2025 Movie] When twin brothers find their father's old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths start. The siblings decide to throw the toy away and move on with their lives, growing apart over the years. Absurd, pushes the boundaries of horror with inventive and unforgettable deaths, watchable bloody horror/dark comedy, kind of works if the mood suits. Based on a Stephen King story.

Queer [2024 Movie] In 1950s Mexico City, an American immigrant in his late forties leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival of a young student stirs the man into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone. Of interest for its intriguing lead performance, an otherwise all art and no substance messy production and interpretation of the original book by Burroughs makes for some hard viewing. A pass for most.

The Alto Knights [2025 Movie] Two of New York City's most notorious organized crime bosses (Vito Genovese and Frank Costello) vie for control of the city's streets. Once best friends, petty jealousies and a series of betrayals set them on a deadly collision course. Great late 1950's mob historical biographical drama that has the unnecessary distraction of DeNiro playing the two opposing mob bosses, albeit very well. Worth seeing.

Mickey 17 [2025 Movie] Mickey 17, known as an "expendable," goes on a dangerous journey to colonize an ice planet. A bizarre, highly original, goofy and entertaining sci fi with plenty of laughs. Worth seeing.