#oscars 41

This is a solid little thriller, well-paced and compelling, and really putting Steve McQueen front and centre which, in this sort of movie, is never a bad thing. He’s a commanding performer, particularly as a dead-set cop trying to set things right. It’s a little dated now though, and lags in a few scenes, but on the whole, it’s a good movie. 7/10.

At over 7 hours, this film is best viewed as more of a mini-series than a movie. It’s long, and it really does feel it when you settle in to watch it in one viewing. That said, it really is very good - it’s beautifully shot, with strong performances and well-staged scenes. It’s well and truly worth the watch, and probably one of the better adaptations of Tolstoy’s story, but it’d be a good idea to space out your viewing. 7.5/10.

Sport documentaries aren’t really my thing, but this is a fairly engaging glimpse at history, taking a frank look at race, class and, of course, boxing. It’s well edited and put together, with some cool use of artwork and a compelling look at the sport. It’s pretty fun! 7/10.

This really is such a moving, intimate story, and a compelling look at loneliness. Alan Arkin and Sondra Locke are both really wonderful, and very deserving of their Oscar nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress respectively. It’s special, it’s heartbreaking, it’s moving. 7.5/10. 

This is a pretty interesting documentary on identity in the late 1960s in America. It’s insightful, and quite well shot, and a real snapshot of a time, a group of people and a society, both widely and specifically. It’s a compelling, intimate movie and one worth the watch. 7/10.

On paper, this film has it all - Julie Andrews! Music! Great costumes and art direction! Tremendous supporting performances! Unfortunately, it just never quite finds its footing, and the plot constantly errs on the side of cliche. Still, there’s enough to enjoy in it to make it not a bad way to spend a couple of hours. 6.5/10.

This is such a delightful, jubilant movie, with an intensely French, and an intensely visual sensibility to it. It’s fun, and everyone involved seems to enjoy bringing this story, and Jacques Demy’s vision to life. Plus, it’s so utterly charming it’s pretty easy to forgive it of some of its more dated flaws. 7.5/10.

This is just....really not my thing. It’s slowly paced, with a good cast that’s ultimately wasted in the stilted plotting and the dully conventional scenes. It just never quite seems to find it’s rhythm, and while the actors do the best with what they have, it’s not quite enough to make this movie worth the watch. 4/10.