Eleanor Reviews

    ****   An aspiring actress and a down-on-his-luck jazz musician enjoy an all-singing, all-dancing romance in Los Angeles.     Originally, I wasn't going to see La La Land. Yep, you read that right - I wasn't planning on seeing one of the most talked-about films of the past few months. Why? Well, I just don't like musicals. With the exception of Moulin Rouge! I just don't find them to be all that enjoyable. Anyway, go along I did. From the very first scene, I had a big grin on my face. The opening montage is a real treat, with hundreds of people pirouetting on the tops of cars to a lively tune. And, I have to say, that smile remained with me through the rest of the film, right up until I started sobbing at the end (be warned, this is not the feel good movie everyone says it is!). Bathed in a beautifully immersive colour palette and gifted with two charming central stars, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling,  La La Land's simple story of life and love is ri

    ****    Returning to his hometown after his brother falls ill, sullen janitor Lee must face up to the demons of his past whilst rebuilding the broken relationship with his estranged nephew. After watching Manchester by the Sea , I tried to work out at what point you find yourself so immersed within a film that all you can think about is on the screen. For me, I think it was when depressed central character, Lee (an outstanding Casey Affleck) sat arguing with his boss without raising his voice. Immediately, so many questions sprang to mind, and I had to know more. This was a feeling that continued throughout the film, and even after the ending - what would the characters go on to do next? It is testament to the film (and Kenneth Logeran's poignant script) that we don't become bored or frustrated watching these two bereaved men carrying out their everyday lives - we are instead intrigued. Filled with trauma and tragedy, Logeran's brilliant screenplay also

   ***   Upon hearing that their teacher has apostatised, two young Jesuit priests travel to Japan to find him at a time when Christians were being persecuted within the country. There, they will find their faith will be tested to the utmost in the face of cruelty and torture.   Honestly, I can't remember the last time I went to the cinema only to find that, half way through, I was more aware of the aching in my bum and my stiff legs than what was happening on screen. Unfortunately, this was the case with Silence , Martin Scorsese's incredibly long foray into religious fervour. Following the desperate journey of two Jesuit priests (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver, both sporting wonderfully thick heads of Disney prince hair), this biblically lengthy movie combines the shocking treatment of Japanese Christians with the ridiculous, including a truly irritating character whose reappearances on screen left more than a few members of my audience groaning. Filled with Gar

    *****   Struggling to cope with the failing health of his dying mother and the relentless torments of the bullies at school, Conor calls upon the help of a Monster, who agrees to tell him three stories in return for Conor's 'truth'.   I've always been a big fan of having a little cry in the cinema. You know, that moment when what is happening on screen is so deeply affecting that you can't help but close your eyes and feel those big, hot tears come seeping out from under the lids. I held back the tears for the majority of A Monster Calls , but in those final two scenes, I had become so deeply embroiled in the life of Conor (a brilliant Lewis MacDougall) that I couldn't help but weep. But in a strange way, I was happy to - the film had worked its magic upon me from the beginning, after all.   Yes, I would agree that it is somewhat predictable what the story's arch is going to be - we have the dying mother, a Monster who agrees to tell t

Well, it's that time when everyone looks back and picks out the good, the bad and downright ugly of 2016. So, what the hell - I thought I'd put together my own little compilation of films released in UK cinemas between January and December this year:   My Top-Rated Films, in no particular order: 'Room' 'High-Rise' 'Sing Street' 'The Girl With All the Gifts' 'Captain America: Civil War' 'Midnight Special'   Biggest Disappointment: 'Star Trek Beyond'   Went for fun, ended up really enjoying it: 'Pride & Prejudice & Zombies' 'Eddie the Eagle'     A big 'thank you' to all my readers - and a very Happy New Year to you all :) x