Author: James Partridge

Synopsis In Mexico, “Sicario” means “Hitman”. In the lawless border area stretching between the U.S. and Mexico, an idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by an elite government task force official to aid in the escalating war against drugs. Led by an enigmatic consultant with a questionable past, the team sets out on a clandestine journey forcing Kate to question everything that she believes in order to survive. Thoughts Ignoring the stunning visual aesthetic and the superb performances all-round, this is a gripping thriller that grabs you from the first scene and doesn’t let go. Hollywood, if you’re listening, you can make tent pole film with a great story that reinvigorates the genre rather than (poorly) imitates everything that’s come before. Rating...

Synopsis In New York in the early 1950s, Therese Belivet, is working in a Manhattan department store and dreaming of a more fulfilling life when she meets Carol Aird, an alluring woman trapped in a failing marriage. As an immediate connection sparks between them, the innocence of their first encounter dims and their connection deepens. When Carol’s involvement with Therese comes to light, Carol’s husband retaliates by challenging her competence as a mother. And as Carol and Therese take refuge on the road, leaving their respective lives behind, a confrontation emerges that will test each woman’s assumptions about herself and commitments to one another. Thoughts As much as you try to push “the hype” out of your mind before a screening, it’s hard not to expect a lot from a film that promises so much. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy Carol – I did enjoy it. But it didn’t blow me away, like I thought it would – despite brilliant performances from Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Maybe I have to watch the film again, to truly appreciated it. Rating...

Synopsis It’s love and loss that lead Arthur Brennan, across the world to Japan’s Aokigahara, a mysterious dense forest known as The Sea of Trees lapping the foothills of Japan’s Mount Fuji – a place where people go to contemplate life and death. Arthur enters the depths of the forest and loses himself beyond the guiding ribbons threaded through the trees by many before him. Having found the perfect place to die, Arthur encounters Takumi Nakamura, a Japanese man who also appears to have lost his way. Unable to leave Takumi behind, Arthur invests all of his remaining energy into saving Takumi and returning him to safety. The two men embark on a journey of reflection and survival, which affirms Arthur’s will to live and reconnects him to his love with his wife. Thoughts There was a fair bit of buzz ahead of the screening – not to mention the fact it was a Gus Van Sant film starring Matthew McConaughey and Ken Watanabe! But what a let down – a great idea delivered in a very bland and predicable way. Even the twist you could spot from a mile away. Gutted. Rating...

Synopsis A love story set in the near future where single people, according to the rules of The City, are arrested and transferred to The Hotel. There they are obliged to find a matching mate in 45 days. If they fail, they are transformed into an animal of their choosing and released into The Woods. A desperate Man escapes from The Hotel to The Woods where The Loners live and falls in love, although it is against their rules. Thoughts Talk about a (tail) tale of two halves. The first perfectly cooked, the second over done. Colin Farrell once again shows off his comedic chops, with perfectly timed execution – leaving us in stitches during the first half. But when the love story kicks in and the truth about “The City” is revealed, this become stale and drawn out very quickly – which a stronger edit before general release could well fix. Rating...