Palatkik

County Lines [2019] A 14-year-old-boy is groomed into a criminal network selling drugs nationwide on the so called 'County Lines' which exploits young kids. Well-made hard hitting grim UK drama only recently out on digital.

Line Of Duty [2012 S01-S06 TV series] Crime series following the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anti-corruption unit. In 2021 it's series 6 of this popular TV crime drama. As each episode and series feeds on the previous and as the acronyms go into overdrive, this has the potential to self-implode under its own weight but so far it's been a thrill ride and still an impressive latest series filmed under social distancing rules.

My Octopus Teacher [2020] A filmmaker forges an unusual almost bizarre friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world. Mesmerizing documentary with great visual imagery, veers more towards too Disney like than anything too scientific, but worth a look when the mood suits.

His House [2020] A refugee couple makes a harrowing escape from war-torn South Sudan, but then they struggle to adjust to their new life in an English town that has an evil lurking. Impressive supernatural thriller from a first time director offers a visually surreal trip into the horrors of the refugee crisis.

Black Bear [2020] A filmmaker at a creative impasse seeks solace from her tumultuous past at a rural retreat, only to find that the woods summon her inner demons. Somewhat intriguing art house thespians doing what they do best, comes over as self-indulgent and hard to watch.

It Snows In Benidorm [2020] A Manchester banker is forced into an early retirement, decides to visit his brother in Benidorm, only to discover that he's disappeared. A slow quirky melancholic suspense drama of hedonistic pensioners, kind of works with another good lead by Spall who befriends a soulless show girl who pulls pearls out of her vagina for a living.

Minari [2020] Named after the vegetable, a unique kind of film dramatizing a Korean families assimilation in rural 1980s Arkansas with their trials and tribulations starting a farm. Well-made with mixed English and Korean dialogue, intimate character development in a slow going drama that is enjoyable to watch albeit nothing outstanding.

The United States vs Billie Holiday [2021] Based on the War On Drugs book "Chasing the Scream" this biography follows Holiday during her career as she is targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics with an undercover sting operation led by Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she had a tumultuous affair during 1940's America. Other than a top lead performance and some good tunes, the rest of the screenplay is uninspiring.

The Father [2020] An elderly man refuses help from his daughter as he ages and tries to make sense of his changing circumstances. He begins to doubt his loved ones and his own mind. Based on the 2012 play, this movie version has Hopkins at his very best in a masterful display of the devastation of dementia.

Creation Stories [2021] Tells the mostly true story of Creation Records head Alan McGee; and of how one written-off young Glaswegian upstart rose to irrevocably change the face of British culture through a drug fueled haze. A strong lead with music from 70's punk through late 90's Britpop and its associated political links makes for an entertaining movie.

Mank [2020] 1930's Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane. This is sharply written and splendidly atmospheric in the recreation of the period, even those adverse to movies about Hollywood movie making could appreciate this one.

The Trial Of The Chicago 7 [2020] The true story of the trial stemming from various charges surrounding the uprising by activists at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the resulting clash with the police. A rousing courtroom drama done in typical Hollywood style but nevertheless works well with some stirring performances and good dialogue. Worth seeing.

Silk Road [2021] A young philosophical Ross Ulbricht creates Silk Road, a dark net website that sells drugs, while an old school corrupt DEA agent Rick Bowden, goes undercover to bring him down. The Silk Road true story has been recounted a few times already and this, whilst nothing outstanding, makes for an entertaining crime caper.

Bloodlands [2021 TV limited series] A northern Irish police officer connects a suicide note with an infamous cold case with enormous personal significance. A strong lead amongst a cast of forgettable actors we don't care for with a complicated story-line makes it tough going. Line Of Duty comes to mind, just not quite as good.

Mouthpiece [2018] Only recently going mainstream, this unusual movie from Canada that has a wonderfully weird Charlie Kaufman vibe about it. Cassandra, who is portrayed by the two women, expresses the opposing voices that exist inside a woman's head, during a 48-hour period as she tries to organize the affairs for her mother's funeral.

Cherry [2021] An army medic suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder becomes a serial bank robber after an addiction to drugs puts him in debt. Based on a real army vets autobiographical book, this movie direction is altogether too well polished for the subject matter, so there is little to care for the characters plights.

Both fights covered in detail.

Bruno v Tyson [2021] An exploration of the rivalry and relationship between Frank Bruno and Mike Tyson, two boxing heavyweight icons from opposite sides of the Atlantic. The documentary is must see viewing for fans of the sport done in a stylish and exciting trip down memory lane with both players meeting up briefly again for old times' sake.

ZeroZeroZero [2020 TV limited series] An eight part series about a cocaine shipment that makes its way to Europe, starting from the moment a powerful cartel of Italian criminals decides to buy it, its journeys through Mexico, to its shipment across the Atlantic and up through Africa. Lots going on here, with suspense filled corruption in all corners of the world, some subtle use of time jumps between scenes keeps you on your toes, this is a TV thriller of the best quality worth seeing.

Land [2021] A bereaved woman seeks out a new life, off the grid away from everyone in the Wyoming hills, then Miguel turns up to help out just in time. Some lovely scenery and film making makes up for an uneventful story line. Worth seeing when the mood suits.