Review – Suspiria

Suspiria, directed by Luca Guadagnino, is a viscerally overwhelming experience that had me transfixed by its unrelenting atmosphere and allured by the incomparable work by Tilda Swinton. However, those standout elements weren’t enough to distract me from the remakes many faults, some of which are so infectious, that it leaves me unsure if I can recommend this film. I’m really interested to explore all that Suspiria has to offer, as there are some well-handled offerings in this film – offerings that severely affected me physically and mentally, but there are also points to this film that are interesting to explore because of how damaging they are to a film that had within it the potential to be good. So, with all that being said, let’s dispense with this introduction and get to exploring the sinister depths of Suspiria.

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Review – Bad Times at the El Royale

Bad Times at the El Royale, written and directed by Drew Goddard, is a film that fully luxuriates and indulges – and sometimes languishes – in its dialogue heavy scenes. While some serious trimming could have occurred to help streamline this film, it does mean you’ll never find yourself wanting for more. With nuanced and intriguing characters and a plot that is always full of twists and turns, Bad Times at the El Royale justifies its overly indulgent ways (to an extent). So, let’s dive deeper into the offerings of this film and see if it’s one that you’ll want to see.

The Films That Stood Out to Me in 2016

So 2016 has been a mixed year in terms of films; the summer blockbuster season was… well a bust, and there have been a lot of films that haven’t fully hit the mark (for me). But, there have also been some real treasures – some films that have been absolutely exceptional; ones that I didn’t see coming. Now of course this is all about the films that for me, just couldn’t escape my head. The ones that burrowed themselves into my memory banks, set up shop, and politely – or sometimes quite forcefully – told me that they planned on being there for the long-haul. This was something I was completely okay with.

I suppose I should lay what you can expect from this piece, as I’m not intending for it to be the usual ‘Top 10’ lists that you’re going to be seeing around this time of year. What I want to do with this is not necessarily focus on what might be considered the absolute best-of-the best from 2016; the films that were perfect in their every effort and deserve to be recognised as the next masterpieces. This is more about me shining a light on some films that, for one reason or another (those reasons will be laid out in detail when I talk about each film) just had an effect on me, made it so that they stuck around and kept me thinking about them. The films are in no particular order, but my favourite film of 2016 will be in there somewhere. But don’t worry, you’ll know when that comes up.

I also want to point out that this list only contains films released in the UK in 2016. So films like, La La Land, Midnight, Manchester by the Sea, etc. films which everyone is singing the praises of, will not be contenders for this list. I want to keep it contained to only films released in UK cinemas in 2016. That way I can give everything a fair shot from this year.

So yeah, that’s what I intend to do with this piece. You’ll definitely recognise a lot of these films, and many other people will assuredly be talking about them, but I’m also hoping there will be 1-or-2 that slipped under your radar, and reading about them here gives you that little nudge to go watch them. So without further-a-due, let’s get into the films that stood out to me, and made their presence known, in 2016.

Review – A Bigger Splash

A Bigger Splash, directed by Luca Guadagnino is a film that drops you without warning into a group of people and their very different lives. This is a film that is bustling with 4 very different people, who all in themselves are fascinatingly engaging to watch. A bigger Splash is filled with character after character that all hold your attention, but it is also has an unspoken darkness within it, it’s subtle but it’s always there, and it’s not until it’s too late that you fully notice it. These elements and more A Bigger Splash a film that lavishes itself in watch-ability.

Review – Black Mass

Black Mass, directed by Scott Cooper is a film with an absolutely captivating lead performance by Johnny Depp at its core. Unfortunately the rest of the film focuses on a bland (what should be side plot) that over the 2 hour run time is constantly circling the drain, until it inevitably is sucked down into complete disinterest.