★★★★
Imagine a heist film in which the heist itself was conceived almost as an afterthought. That’s not a criticism, mind. No, it is a key selling point for Steve McQueen’s powerful new drama, his first since 2013’s Oscar dominating 12 Years a Slave. Widows is essentially light-hearted by comparison to that tale of slavery but still packs a powerful punch. As for genre, it matters little; in McQueen’s own words: ‘it’s all about the story.’
★★
Charm and likability can paper over even the most bloated of gaping romcom cracks. Sleepless in Seattle, for instance, is stalkerish hokum, but people still adore it. Rose Byrne, star of Jesse Peretz’s new genre offering, Juliet, Naked, has both charm and likability in abundance, so it’s odd just how drab this all feels. Based on a contrived Nick Hornby novel, the film has a ready audience; unfortunately, they’re ready to be a little bored.
★★★★
Matthew Holness may well be best known for his comic alias Garth Marenghi but his feature debut is no laughing matter. Possum evokes an era of vintage horror nasties, not to mention some Lynchian surreality, to raise and rupture fairytale thematics of the darkest hue. Holness tells a chilling tale of childhood trauma and concludes with a genuinely frightening climax.
The Film Blog 