Viewing log: 26/3/10

New Releases

The Blind Side C–

We've seen worse, let's face it, but it's hard not to feel unduly hugged and patronised

In the Land of the Free B–

I question the manipulative score and odd omissions; still, potent and commendable

Lion's Den B+

Trapero's direction is characteristically great on detail, texture and rock-solid humanism

Lourdes B

Often dazzling, and great around the edges; does seem evasive about its own point at times

Nightwatching D–

Exposition Hell: one-time alchemist Greenaway transmutes lead into more lead

Perrier's Bounty D+

An inspiration vacuum, with little going for it except the reliable Gleeson

Storm B–

Impressive leads in a welcome feminist take on reconciliation politics, but thrill it does not

(still haven't seen: No One Knows About Persian Cats, Shank, Nanny McPhee)

Other Epic Adventures

Appaloosa C–

Bumbles along, shackled to a terminally musty conception of male camaraderie

on flight to...

...34th Hong Kong Film Festival and Filmart

Crossing Hennessy D+

Helped with my city geography, but not with my ongoing bafflement at opening-night selections

Bloody Shake zzz (jetlag)

Road Train D (but!)

Nothing makes any real sense, but it just about kept me awake

Fire of Conscience B+ (review)

on flight back...

Vengeance C–

Same old sentimental score-settling; the line between this and Taken is thinner than To's fans admit

and on the same day(!)...

...24th London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival

I Killed My Mother B+

I expected precocious and up itself, which it is - but too damn confident not to impress

Mississippi Damned B

Admirably tough, forceful and well-acted, until the pile-up of misery just gets too much

Christopher Strong (1933) B–

Flippant fun when it's being flippant fun, though it's technically dodgy and hard to take seriously

(36 hours' sleep)

Raging Sun, Raging Sky B+

Gay love explicated through a dreamscape of danger and myth; a gorgeous homo-odyssey