I’m glad I had taken Tuesday last week off for my first trip to the cinema since early March. After going an average 2-3 times a week for the past 30 odd years, it has been a strange time, and on the Monday evening a local lock-down was announced, fortunately starting 6pm the next day. So, my viewing of Tenet was both the first and last for a while!
Christopher Nolan has forged a career making films that are both critically popular and commercially successful. I’m not sure, with the current situation, how the box office returns will end up for Tenet. However, I’m sure it will benefit from multiple viewings as the plot left my head spinning after one watch.
In simple terms, a CIA operative (John David Washington) is given a mission to stop a rogue Russian oligarch (are there any other kind!?) played by Kenneth Branagh, causing World War 3. But, the weapon that is set to cause destruction is one that allows time to be inverted…
Despite the complicated narrative, this is first and foremost a great action movie, with spectacular set pieces and a cracking pace. The intricacies of the plot may reveal itself with later watches, but it is definitely possible to be really entertained without following every scientific nuance.
Washington makes an effective hero and Branagh clearly relishes his Russian accent as much as his Belgian one. Michael Caine makes his customary appearance in a Nolan movie, though in just one telling scene. Elizabeth Debicki also impresses in what could have been an insignificant role in other hands, and she gives the film that otherwise could come across as an intellectual exercise, some much needed heart.
I do have some criticisms though. Ludwig Goransson’s score works well at times but is overused and contributes to some sound issues, especially when the characters are having to wear oxygen masks. Also, the final big action sequence has too much going on and becomes a little too muddled for it to have any emotional impact.Film of the week, by a whisker.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
She Dies Tomorrow is another head-scratcher but is much less enjoyable. Amy (Kate Lyn Sheil) has become convinced that she is going to die tomorrow. As she starts to tell people, the condition seems to become contagious. I have seen this described as a horror film, but it isn’t scary, and a comedy but it isn’t funny. Instead it is a pretentious bore that moves at a funereal pace.
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
Sky have premiered a number of 2020 releases in the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately none of them can really be recommended though the best of the bunch is the uneven comedy How to Fake a War. A pop star has a big charity concert lined up, but when a ceasefire occurs, he sends his PR consultant is sent overseas to spark a new conflict. Lacking the scabrous edge of the sadly cancelled TV series Flack, this satirical look at public relations is largely saved by the always excellent Katherine Parkinson and Lily Newmark.
How to Fake a War: 6 out of 10
I had less expectation for Villain, expecting it to be yet another British geezer gangster film, like 99% of the star Craig Fairbrass’ dismal CV. Though it is that to an extent, it also has a surprisingly melancholy air that may be enough to keep you watching.
Villain: 5 out of 10
You will do well to make it all the way through Behind You, though. This is yet another film where innocent kids inexplicably end up living in a creepy house with a sinister matriarch. Evil things happened. I got bored.
Behind You: 3 out of 10
Proximity gained some attention when it was first released a couple of months ago. A young NASA scientist is abducted by aliens, but no one seems to believe him. The start is promising with time given to establish characters and a level of believability behind the science. But then, it falls apart with the introduction of laughably bad cyborgs, and a religious message that was both ludicrous and clumsily inserted into the story.
Proximity: 3.5 out of 10
An alien invasion movie that takes its subject matter much less seriously is Alien Parasite (also known as The Dustwalker). In a remote Australian town, after a meteor is found, a strange bug starts to turn people into killers. The low budget is obvious and this is silly stuff, but it is done with some energy.
Alien Parasite: 4.5 out of 10
Amidst a slew of new releases on Netflix, is an Argentinian courtroom drama, The Crimes That Bind. Alicia (Cecilia Roth) finds herself wrapped up in two criminal trials as both her son and her live in maid are accused of murder. Despite the excellent Roth, this is far too melodramatic for my taste.
The Crimes That Bind: 5.5 out of 10
In Unknown Origins, a serial killer is wreaking havoc in Madrid by murdering people whilst recreating a superhero origin scene. It is almost inevitable that a film based on such a premise would have an uncertain tone. Flippancy is uncomfortably mixed with a gruesome plot, but it did work out better than I expected. The puzzle is decent and the characters interesting enough.
Unknown Origins: 6 out of 10
For another twist on the superhero genre, Netflix is also offering Freaks: You’re One of Us. A mild mannered cook, Wendy (Cornelia Groschel), discovers she has super powers and becomes involved in a wide reaching conspiracy. This is a neat enough idea and Wendy engaging character, though it does run out of steam towards the end.
Freaks: You’re One of Us: 6 out of 10
Only seems like a timely project. A contagious virus is decimating the population of the world, but it only affects women. However, the scale of the catastrophe is watered down by concentrating on one fairly uninteresting couple.
Only: 4 out of 10
On the subject of dull people, the teen drama All Together Now is completely populated with them. Amber (Auli’i Cravalho), a student has to overcome obstacles to realise her dreams. Within the first minute Amber is spouting poetry, just like all teenagers in films like this, and no teens I have ever met! From then on, the film is full of cliches and predictable situations.
All Together Now: 3 out of 10
On the back of that, the family comedy, The Sleep Over, felt really refreshing. A couple of kids discover their Mum is an ex-criminal in a witness protection programme. When she is forced to go back to her old life, they, and a couple of friends, decide to rescue her. This has a nice 80s vibe, and enough chuckles to get past the silly premise. The performances are uniformly good and Cree Cicchino shows herself to be a comedy star in the making.
The Sleep Over: 7 out of 10
On Google Play, you can find the British indie drama, Perfect 10. 15 year old Leigh (Frankie Box) lives with her troubled Dad and is an aspiring gymnast, though she is bullied by her teammates for coming from an under privileged background. When her half brother, Joe (Alfie Deegan) she forms a bond but also gets sucked into his criminal lifestyle.
I have seen some reviews referring to the young actors’ “mockney” accents. In fact they are spot on for the east Brighton location are both Deegan and, especially, Box are terrific. This is a gritty and unsentimental look at kids’ lives. Leigh’s reaction to Joe showing an interest in her felt very realistic. Writer and director Eva Riley looks destined for big things, as does Frankie Box.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10