Palatkik

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!

Better [2023 TV Limited Series] A corrupt police detective has a painful moral awakening and decides to put right 20 years of wrongdoing following the near death of her son. Above average bent copper drama series in five parts with some strong performances and tension. Worth a look at another good UK crime TV caper.

Infinity Pool [2023] Super-rich tourists are enjoying an all-inclusive beach vacation in the fictional island of La Tolqa, when a fatal accident exposes the resort's perverse subculture of hedonistic cloning tourism, reckless violence and surreal horrors. A highly original well directed R-rated visual feast for the eyes with a lead by Goth that is outstanding. A top movie to enjoy the hell out of.

Pretty Red Dress [2022] Follows a South London family, one a budding Tina Turner singer, her partner just out of prison with a hidden habit, a troublesome kid and how one red dress is the center of their lives. Modern style UK feel good drama has some surprises to keep you viewing.

Reality [2023] A former American intelligence specialist was given the longest sentence for the unauthorized release of government information to the media about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections via an email operation. This HBO movie of the stage play "Is This A Room" is a compelling piece of drama based on recent real life events, direct and to the point with an outstanding lead. Worth seeing.

Hereditary [2018] A grieving family is haunted by tragic and disturbing occurrences. The horror genre movie may not appeal to everyone, but this is one of the better ones with a blood curdling lead performance and fine support cast set in a modern style, in your face production. Worth screaming, same director as Midsommar and Beau Is Afraid.

Air [2023] Follows the history of sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan. An eighties nostalgia sports drama with a good production and smart dialogue is an entertaining experience. Worth seeing.

Champions [2023] A former minor-league US basketball coach is ordered by the court to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. He soon realizes that despite his doubts, together, this team can go further than they ever imagined. A difficult comedy to make without seeming patronizing, this feel good movie kind of works but is too formulaic to be good.

Rye Lane [2023] Two youngsters reeling from bad breakups connect over an eventful day in South-London. Colorful, infectiously funny and vibrant biting comedy drama with a clever script. This film is fun, but those averse to the genre may find the ending a bit naff as it wallows in a typically melodramatic UK rom-com style ending.

Beau Is Afraid [2023] Following the sudden death of his mother, a mild-mannered but anxiety-ridden man confronts his darkest fears as he embarks on an epic, Kafkaesque odyssey back home. An original art-house film from this new director makes for a bizarre three hour anxiety rush. Worth seeing if you want something different.

I Am… [2019 TV series] UK Channel 4 series explores the experiences of various people, all women, in personal life moments. This went to three series to date with the latest third series a single longer award winning episode called I Am Ruth about social media addiction. Good in your face intense drama uses some of the UK's best TV actors, too intense to binge the series, but OK to pick off an episode once in a while in no particular order as each story is unique.

Blackberry [2023] The story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world's first smartphone. This is one of the best tech movies out there with a sharp intelligent script, very entertaining screenplay that engages from the start and never stops being interesting. Worth seeing.

Influencer [2022] While struggling on a solo backpacking trip in Thailand, a social media influencer meets a follower, who travels with ease and shows her a more uninhibited way of living, but the followers interest in her takes a darker turn. A thriller filmed mostly in Koh Samui, an OK second rate effort with forgettable, shallow characters, a metaphor for influencers perhaps.

Ted Lasso [2020 TV series] Follows an American football coach Ted Lasso who heads to the U.K. to manage a struggling London premier league football team. Whilst this came out as a winner in the 2021 Emmys after the first series which drew attention, series 2 and 3 becomes bogged in sentimentality, virtue signaling and loss of direction. Series 3 is just cringe worthy awful and hard to watch. Enough.

The Hunt for Raoul Moat [2023 TV Limited Series] A true dramatization of the police operation in 2010 to apprehend fugitive Raoul Moat in the UK. He went to Northumbria after killing one person and wounding two others. The story is mostly known already so there are few surprises to be had, the performances are okay, but there is not much else going for this series really and questionable glorification of a killer comes to mind.

The Bay [2019 TV series] A fictional police drama series now completed series 4 in 2023 with a change of characters and new story, centered around a family liaison officer. Solid easy to follow crime fiction with good character development and unexpected surprises. Set in the picturesque Morecambe bay area. Good if unexceptional story-lines mean a season 5 is coming next year.