- The Black Phone
When he is abducted and locked in a soundproof basement, a school boy begins receiving calls on a disconnected phone from the killer’s former victims.
A tension filled throwback horror from director Scott Derrickson, anchored by Ethan Hawke’s menacing villain and an irresistible sibling bond from young leads Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw.
- The Unbearable weight of Massive Talent
On the surface, Nicolas Cage playing himself in an action comedy should be a disaster, but writer/ director Tom Gormican strikes gold with this delightfully meta gem. Offered a million dollars to attend the birthday of Pedro Pascal’s dangerous super fan, things take an unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by the CIA to spy on his host.
Happy to poke fun at himself, Cage channels his most iconic characters in order to save the day. Fantastically zany entertainment.
- Top Gun: Maverick
Returning to one of his most iconic roles, Tom Cruise is back as hot shot Navy pilot Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell for this long awaited sequel. Director Joseph Kosinski shepherds an irresistible mix of nostalgia, thrilling aerial action and emotional stakes, coupled with a magnetic performance from its lead actor. Harnessing everything that made the original so popular, this is crowd pleasing cinema at its very best.
- Brian & Charles
David Earl writes and stars in this charming mockumentary style comedy, which follows Brian, an eccentric inventor, who’s lonely existence in the Welsh countryside is irrevocably altered, when the robot companion he builds from a washing machine, comes to life and develops a yearning to explore the world outside. An endearingly sweet natured homegrown gem.
- Licorice Pizza
This latest offering from acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson, stars Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim, and focuses on the meandering exploits of child actor Gary Valentine as he attempts to win the affections of Alana, an older girl from the San Fernando valley. On the surface the film appears to lack direction, but the incredible chemistry of the two leads will soon have you hooked. The result is a warm, emotionally complex and at times, laugh out loud funny snapshot of 70’s life in California.
- The Northman
Robert Eggers big-budget follow-up to the Lighthouse, features Alexander Skarsgård as Amleth, a muscular rage filled Viking prince, on a quest to avenge his fathers murder and rescue his mother from the shores of windswept Iceland. A beautifully realised tale of brutal revenge, which also features Anya-Taylor Joy and Nicole Kidman. The film delves deep into Norse mythology and delivers an occasionally psychedelic slice of barbaric Viking folklore.
- The Woman King
Inspired by true events, this historical adventure charts the remarkable story of an all female team of warriors who protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey in the 18th century.
Oscar winner Viola Davis delivers another awards worthy performance as the seasoned General Nanisca, responsible for training a generation of new fearless warriors and readying them to face a vicious enemy. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and co-starring Lashana Lynch and John Boyega, the film is an empowering epic which combines visceral action with an affecting story. Captivating viewing from start to finish.
- Nightmare Alley
Bradley Cooper leads a star studded cast as an ambitious grifter with a talent for manipulation in this outstanding drama from Oscar winning director Guillermo Del Toro, who continues to deliver bold and compelling stories.
The stellar cast, which also features Rooney Mara, Toni Collette and Willem Dafoe deliver a raft of fine performances, as the film charts the thrilling rise and agonising fall of a 40’s conman. An unsettling yet riveting tale from a master filmmaker.
- Bones and All
When seemingly innocent High schooler Maren, bites off her classmates finger during a sleepover, it’s sends her life spiralling into the unknown. Abandoned by her father, she unites with fellow cannibal Lee, on a coming of age road trip to find her mother.
Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet star in this beautifully disturbing romantic drama from Italian director Luca Guadagnino. Mesmerising and heartbreaking in equal measure, and featuring a brilliantly creepy turn from Mark Rylance.
- Everything, Everywhere, All at Once
Discovering she alone can save the world from a malevolent force, Michelle Yeoh’s ageing Chinese immigrant Evelyn, is swept up in an insane universe hopping adventure, as she explores alternate universes and harnesses skills from the other lives she might have led. Co-starring Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis, this wildly imaginative tale from director team the Daniels, is packed with over the top inventive action and occasionally puerile comedy, but has a thematically dense and profoundly moving core. The stand out film of the year.
Paul Steward @Grittster
31/12/22
