January 23

5-question film review: Jumanji The Next Level

Why did you go see this film?

Saw Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and thought it was good fun. Also, my movie buddy loves The Rock. This is the same movie buddy who loves Colin Farrell.

What was the best thing about it?

Awkwafina does Danny de Vito, followed by Fridge’s reaction to cake.

What was the worst thing about it?

The amount of comedy eked from the body swapping gets a little tired after a while.

Who would you recommend go see it?

If you want some light fare with absolutely no nuance that features Karen Gillan pulling some funky moves then this is your movie.

If this film was a car, what would it be?

It’s the dune buggy you made from a golf cart that you’re going to zip around in for a short while until something better comes along.

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January 8

5-question film review: The Gentlemen

Why did you go see this film?

Have enjoyed Guy Ritchie’s other ‘gangster’ work. I don’t mind violent films that are comedy-leaning. Plus my bestest movie buddy loves Colin Farrell so we had to see it together.

What was the best thing about it?

Complex plot layers and interesting structure. Hugh Grant having the time of his life. Any scenes with younger characters (Colin Farrell’s milkbar scene, The Toddlers, the Aslan incident with the phones).

What was the worst thing about it?

The casual racism was not casual at all.

Who would you recommend go see it?

If you’ve enjoyed Guy Ritchie’s other work or other types of stylised, slightly ridiculous action comedy (plus you can put aside its sometimes grating racism), you should enjoy this.

If this film was an item of stationery, what would it be?

Stapler. It is kind of ridiculously complex for what is essentially a device that enables you to hold things together.

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January 3

5-question film review: Marianne and Leonard: Words of Love

Why did you go see this film?

I like Leonard Cohen as a writer and knew Marianne was a significant muse of his.

What was the best thing about it?

Getting to know Marianne. As a muse it’s difficult to have a profile outside of how an artist portrays you. It helps that the documentarian, Nick Broomfield, was also her former lover so he has a lot of decent footage of her and has a different relationship to her, which he portrays. There were also good interviews that gave context for the period and place (Hydra in the Greek Islands).

What was the worst thing about it?

In the last third it meanders a little into just being about Cohen rather than the effect of their relationship on his work. Would’ve preferred a tighter focus on them and their effect on each other. (It does circle back to her, however.) Also: poor Axel!

Who would you recommend go see it?

Leonard Cohen fans plus anyone interested in seeing an example of an artist-muse relationship.

If this film was a piece of clothing, what would it be?

A sarong that floats carefree on an island breeze or can be wrapped like a scarf, protective.

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