Palatkik

The Responder [2022 TV Series] A crisis-stricken, morally compromised first-responder tackles a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool, while trying to keep his head above water personally and professionally. This is a UK TV police drama at its best, astonishing lead performance, top support actors in a darkly atmospheric and disturbing plot. Very entertaining, a second series beckons.

Don't Look Up [2021] Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth. A disaster movie in genre and delivery. Star studded smug satire that is mostly cringe with few laughs.

Drive My Car [2021] A renowned stage actor and director learns to cope with his wife's unexpected passing when he receives an offer to direct a production of Uncle Vanya in Hiroshima. A three hour long adaptation of a short story is a worthy, albeit not great, foreign language movie dealing with grief. The subtitles on some copies of this can be a bit confusing.

Our House [2022 TV Limited Series] Based on the novel of the same name, tells the story of a woman, who arrives home one day to find a family of strangers moving into her house and her husband disappeared. Enjoyable lightweight TV thriller for when the mood suits, some good performances, plot holes abound.

Master [2022] Two African American women begin to share disturbing experiences at a predominantly white college in New England. Mediocre thriller, plays the tiresome race card as only US movies seems capable.

Red Rocket [2021] A washed-up porn star returns to his small Texas hometown to scrounge off the wife turned pro and mother in law again. Well delivered black comedy piece of Americana underbelly life in the Texan work belt done to a backdrop of the 2016 election campaign.

Mothering Sunday [2021] A maid living in post-World War I England secretly plans to meet with the man she sleeps with before he leaves to marry another woman. Wonderfully photographed period drama, great performances, with a touch more skin on show than normal for the genre. Worth seeing.

The Eyes Of Tammy Faye [2021] A tiring look at the bizarre rise, fall and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, wife of fraudster Jim Bakker. Overly melodramatic biopic showcases the lead actor potential but this story is too weird for most, an indictment of Americas peculiar evangelical right and ironically Hollywood's need to cash in further retelling it.

Louis Theroux: Forbidden America [2022 TV Limited Series] Traveling the length and breadth of the United States, Louis meets an assortment of content creators who promote far-right views, self-destructive performers - and porn industry predators - all of whose work involves them promoting and enacting the most risqué, immoral and illegal behavior. Engaging three part documentary done in the usual absorbing Theroux way.

Here Before [2021] When a new family moves in next door to a woman and her family, their young daughter quickly captivates her, stirring up painful memories of her own daughter who died several years previously. Enjoyable psychological mystery set in Northern Ireland.

Being The Ricardos [2021] Biopic follows Lucy Ball and Desi Arnaz as they face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage. Top performances, snappy script but the editors made it a bit of a slog to get through.

Licorice Pizza [2021] The story of Alana and Gary growing up, running around and going through their first relationship in the San Fernando Valley, early 1970's. Dreamy nostalgic rom-com comes across as authentic fiction with two good leads both in their first feature, some odd cameos distract, strictly for those not averse to the genre, nothing outstanding here.

Flee [2021] The true story of a man, Amin, on the verge of marriage which compels him to reveal his hidden past for the first time. Award winning Danish made animated documentary about fleeing Afghanistan as a refugee while coming out leaves a lasting impression.

The Souvenir [2019] A young film student in the early '80s becomes romantically involved with a complicated and untrustworthy man. Superbly crafted British relationship drama, one of the year's best movies. The Souvenir: Part 2 came out in 2021.

First Cow [2019] A skilled cook has traveled west and joined a group of fur trappers in Oregon, though he only finds true connection with a Chinese immigrant also seeking his fortune when the two collaborate on a successful business selling cookies. A masterpiece western, bleak, authentic, perfectly photographed and subtly performed by the two leads.

First Reformed [2018] A minister of a small congregation in upstate New York grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, a tormented past and an encounter with an unstable environmental activist and his pregnant wife. Brings to mind Taxi Driver from the same director; it's almost that good with a superb lead and direction.

Amulet [2020] An ex-soldier, living homeless in London, is offered a place to stay at a decaying house inhabited by a young woman and her dying mother. As he starts to fall for her, he cannot ignore his suspicion that something sinister is going on. Stylish and thoughtful horror genre flick, builds up slowly to a crescendo ending. Good one for those who like the genre.

Memoria [2021] A woman from Scotland, while traveling in Colombia, begins to notice strange sounds. Soon she begins to think about their appearance. This has established Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul delving into English language film with an intriguing sonic soundscape that at first mesmerizes then leaves you wondering what you've just watched.

The Bay [2019 TV series] A fictional police drama series now completed series 3 in 2022 with a change of characters, 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. Peaked with season 2, downhill since.

Munich The Edge Of War [2021] A British diplomat travels to Munich in the run-up to World War II, where a former classmate of his from Oxford is also en route, but is working for the German government. A solid entertaining historical drama about the Chamberlain-Hitler agreement in 1938. Worth seeing.

After Life [2019 TV series] This is comedic story telling as good as it gets on TV, three series now of the dark comedy about bereavement hits a whole range of emotions but with more than enough hilarious moments in six succinct episodes per series. Some of Gervais' best work, with no more shows planned this will remain a classic for years to come.

King Richard [2021] A look at how the Williams sisters tennis players became who they are after the coaching from their domineering father Richard Williams. Entertaining albeit overly formulaic sports biopic, full of American racial cliches, saved by an interesting nuanced lead.

The Tragedy Of Macbeth [2021] A Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland, and his ambitious wife supports him in his plans of seizing power. Top notch acting in a wonderfully gothic style black and white 4:3 landscape, this concise movie even makes Shakespeare bearable for those averse to the genre.

Four Lives [2022 TV Limited Series] A true story three part drama takes a look at the aftermath of four murders carried out by Stephen Port between 2014 and 2015 in Barking, UK. Only recently released after the court cases concluded. A reasonable crime drama, highlights poor police work and the disturbing character of a serial killer played interestingly by a lead more familiar with comedic roles.