Two directors and two films- Ray Enright and Busby Berkeley—only one (Berkeley) is the geniusThe first half is nearly all Enright (I can tell this by the body of work of the two differing directors)—it

Mike Leigh has his own voice, world and characters not unlike Fellini, Bergman or Woody Allen – his is the  blue collar (Broadbent sporting a can of beer in the first 5 minutes and you

Stark visually, bleak in tone, and heavy in subject matter --- Tim Roth (debut as a director, obviously a very talented and accomplished actor) follows in the proud British tradition of Davies, Loach and Mike

An excellent script and lead performances from Steve Martin and Michael CaineFrank Oz certainly puts a stamp on the film because this two-hander does look at feel like the similarly-winning 1991 film What About Bob?

1.0 in June 2019 A subtle character study—a story of first love and additionThe final shot sticks with you—it’s a giant door opening—sounds simple- but given the context of the film, her awakening, naivety (not

Wondrously- a confirmation of Mike Leigh’s auteur status in 1988. High Hopes is a contemporary family drama, an authentic character study, and a political critique of Thatcher’s 1980’sLargely plotless- everyday life and observational. Leigh is

Thoroughly engaging, a damn funny film, and a meditation on greed, depravity, excess—and yes- this is Scorsese—sin. It’s a marathon—3 hours flat—but my god Scorsese has both a knack for narrative (his films are almost

From a content and storyline standpoint it’s a changeup for Scorsese- a softer subject matter, it isn’t violent, modern or set in New York. It’s a period film, Dickensian -- an orphan set in London.

Affleck’s sophomore directorial effort after the impressive 2007 debut Gone Baby Gone (also set in Boston)Like Gone Baby Gone  there are a ton of glorious helicopter establishing shots- this isn’t The Lord of the Rings-level

It is a gorgeous film—full stop.  It has an engaging narrative—and unlike their first collaboration in 2002 with Gangs of New York- features a terrific lead performance from DiCaprio- who is in every scene unlike

Although it’s a step back from Archipelago it is a confirmation of Hogg’s talent and observational style. Static camera, often shot in long takes, about intellectuals or the bourgeoisie, strong compositions (the window theme set

I haven’t seen Mike Leigh’s 1971 Bleak Moments which was his debut, but after a decade of directing television episodes this he made Meantime- albeit a made for TV movie. In an era in the