Eleanor Reviews

**** DVD release Budding comedian Kumail Nanjiani meets psychology student Emily at a bar after one of his sets, and a tentative relationship begins. Differences in their cultures and expectations are brought into perspective, however, when Emily contracts a serious infection and is placed into a medically-induced coma. OK, readers - you're probably as surprised as I am to see a rom-com review being posted on my blog, but the truth is, I really, really like The Big Sick . Prompted to seek it out, I decided to sit down and watch it on one of those weird non-existent days between Christmas and New Year, and swiftly fell under its charm. Not only did I laugh consistently throughout, I actually cried more than once, and actually felt strangely optimistic about love by the end (I know - what on earth is wrong with me!?).  I guess the main reason for this emotional response is that The Big Sick is actually far more than a rom-com - it's a witty, insightful

Hi, all Seems as everyone is creating their reviews of the year, I thought I'd get in on the action too and give a little run down of 2017, via films released in UK cinemas. 5 Top-Rated Films, in no particular order: 'A Monster Calls' 'Moonlight' 'Dunkirk' 'Blade Runner 2049' 'Mudbound' Honourable Mentions: 'Logan' 'Manchester by the Sea' Least Favourite Films: 'Baby Driver' 'Silence' Most Traumatic Experience: 'Okja' - I'm still scarred! Best Performances: Florence Pugh - 'Lady Macbeth' Will Poulter  - 'Detroit' A big 'thank you' to all my readers - wishing you all a very Happy New Year, and I shall see you in 2018.

**** Having tracked down Luke Skywalker, Rey begins to learn more about her newfound abilities, but the Jedi Master is troubled by her powers, reminiscent of a former pupil, Kylo Ren. Meanwhile, stranded in space, the Resistance find themselves pitted against the First Order. With fuel running out and hope fading, Finn sets out on a desperate mission... After the ubiquitous success of A Force Awakens and the status of The Empire Strikes Back as one of the best sequels of all time, it was somewhat inevitable that The Last Jedi should be met with reviews of a more mixed nature than its predecessor. Picking up almost directly from where the first part of the new trilogy left off, we are soon made aware that there are two very different narratives fighting for screen time: that of Rey and her training with Luke; and that of the Resistance. However, supported by a witty, at times laugh-out-loud funny, script, a host of returning characters (some more expected than others!), a powerf

**** Netflix release Out on a farm in the middle of Mississippi, two families live alongside one another: the McAllans and the Jacksons. Whilst the McAllans own the land, the Jacksons are forced to work the unforgiving landscape. But when a young man from each family returns home from World War II, the lives on the farm are changed forever.   It seems a shame to me that big, bombastic, out-of-this-world movies with A-list casts and grand special effects should receive the coverage and release they do when intimate, important tales such as Dee Rees' latest go by largely unobserved. For, whilst the entertainment value of a blockbuster cannot be denied, the effective, sensitive storytelling of a tale as important as Mudbound deserves to be witnessed by an audience just as big. Sneaking out amongst the Original series in the middle of November, Mudbound makes for a tough yet tender cinematic treat for all who press 'play'.   Focusing on two families living aside