Eleanor Reviews

Director:  Will Becher, Richard Phelan Cast: (voices) Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Chris Morrell, Amalia Vitale Where can I watch?: Farmageddon  is streaming on  Amazon Rating:  5/5 Review: Has there ever been an Aardman film that isn't a delight? Each and every one of this studio's wholesome creations has bought raucous, lighthearted entertainment to viewers both young and old, and this latest outing, Farmageddon , is no different. The plot, the story of a wayward alien longing to go home, is undoubtedly a simple one, but it's the way this understated premise is made into a real gem of a film that makes it so special. As with all Aardman creations, Farmageddon may have a U certificate, but there's plenty here for adults to enjoy too, with references to War of the Worlds, Doctor Who and Close Encounters peppered throughout. The attention to detail is also second to none, with inconspicuous asides being as humorous as the central jokes - you could rew

Director:  Bill Forsyth Cast:  Burt Lancaster, Peter Riegert, Fulton Mackay, Denis Lawson, Norman Chancer, Peter Capaldi  Where can I watch?: Local Hero is streaming on Amazon . Rating: 5/5 Review: Members of the Church of Wittertainment  will have undoubtedly heard Mark wax lyrical about Local Hero time and time again, so when it popped up during a session of mindless scrolling through Amazon's more dubious film suggestions, I had to give it a go. And what a delight it is! Wholly odd and yet undeniably charming in both its simplicity and message, this quaint tale of an oil-hungry Texas businessman falling in love with a remote Scottish coastline will get under your skin in the best way possible. If you're looking for an action-packed drama with a clear beginning, middle and end, then you'll definitely be disappointed - there isn't as story, as such, rather a series of innocent, interconnected scenes and gently humorous interactions that build into a qu

Director: Steven Spielberg Cast:  Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bruce Greenwood  Where can I watch?:  You can watch The Post on Netflix . Rating:  4/5 Review:  Spielberg. Hanks. Streep. They may be part of cinema's 'old guard' now, but there's still something reassuring about seeing these 'titans of the movies' getting together to make a film - you immediately know you're in safe hands. Taking on the momentous occasion when the female-owned Washington Post took on the US government over the publication of a damning Vietnam report, this meaty topic certainly gives our auteurs something to sink their teeth into: there are secret phone calls; tense standoffs; scenes of the printing press whirring and clanking; and Tom Hanks posturing like only Tom Hanks can. Despite the outcome being well-known, such is Spielberg's deft direction, it's still nail-biting in some sections, as characters grapple with the enormity of t

Director:  Autumn de Wilde Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Bill Nighy, Mia Goth, Josh O'Connor Where can I watch?: You can rent Emma from Amazon Prime Rating:  4/5 Review: Another decade, another adaptation of Jane Austen's arguably most scathing novel, Emma. One could argue that if you've seen one, you've seen them all, and yet I would suggest that Autumn de Wilde's latest foray does indeed add something new to the canon. For starters, Anya Taylor-Joy's Emma isn't always likeable. In fact, she's comes across as far more sly and malevolent in this adaptation than in any of the others, making her salvation (not a spoiler!) all the more rewarding. De Wilde, familiar with photography and music videos, directs stylishly - each scene is dressed to the nines, the costumes are nothing short of sumptuous, and each shot could indeed be a standalone photo, such is the expert composition. The cast is ubiquitously excellent, with Johnny Flynn br

Director: Dan Scanlon Cast:  (voices) Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer Where can I watch?:  You can currently stream from Amazon , but Onward will be available on Disney+ soon Rating:  4/5 Review:  Onward probably won't go down in history as one of the Pixar Greats - a release date in the middle of a global pandemic will do that for you - but that doesn't mean it's anything but a real gem of a movie. Based in a universe where magic was once prevalent but has now been cast aside in favour of cars, electricity and smartphones, this fairytale-esque parable once again proves that Pixar are masters of storytelling. When two brothers (Holland and Pratt) are given the opportunity to see their father again, they embark upon a humorous, action-packed quest involving Hell's Angels-inspired sprites, litter-eating unicorns and a driving lesson that honestly didn't look too dissimilar to my first time behind the wheel... Admitted

Director: Guy Ritchie Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery Where can I watch?: There are a few streaming options available - find out more here . Rating: 3/5 Review: After watching The Gentlemen , two things struck me more than ever: a) all Guy Ritchie gangster films are essentially the same and, b) Guy Ritchie would rather be a gangster than a film director, such is the blatant glorification of the violence, illegal pastimes, fast cars and slick suits on show. You already know the story: a rich marijuana farmer (McConaughey) is looking to sell his business when disaster strikes - double-crossing, shoot-outs and C-word peppered confrontations ensue before Ritchie tries to wrap it all up in a clever little bow. However, despite the lack of originality, the less tasteful sections and Hugh Grant's inconsistent accent, there is some mindless fun to be had - it looks good, it pips along at a good pace and there are a couple of chu