Eleanor Reviews

Director:  Kevin Macdonald Cast:  Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Shailene Woodley, Benedict Cumberbatch Where can I watch?:   The Mauritanian  is streaming on Prime Video   Rating:  4/5 Review: Director Kevin Macdonald has never been one to shy away from difficult subjects, and The Mauritanian further cements his reputation. The story of Mohamedou Ould Slahi's imprisonment without charge within notorious prison, Guantanamo Bay, is a particularly black mark in the US Government's stain-ridden back catalogue but, by bringing it to the screen, Macdonald has made the injustice even more horrific. Tahar Rahim takes on the role of Mohamedou in a truly excellent piece of casting. Rahim is a very likeable, engaging screen presence, and he utilises this affability with heart-breaking effect, drawing us in so that we feel each low acutely. Opposite Rahin are Jodie Foster, who recently picked up the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her depiction of real-life defence attorney Nancy

Director:  Shaka King Cast:  Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback   Where can I watch?:   Judas and the Black Messiah  is streaming on  HBO Max Rating:  4/5 Review: I recently read an article that suggested that films, books, polemics and other artforms portraying or discussing racism are only deemed 'vital', 'important' and 'necessary' (add other adjectives as required) when a white critic deems to label them so. Once I read that, I realised how true it was, and how, on this very blog, I have assigned similar adjectives to movies dealing with a subject matter so beyond my experience, and yet so depressingly relevant to others. Before watching Judas and the Black Messiah , I saw the latest episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver , in which the host turns his attention to police raids, the vast majority of which are carried out against Black and Latino citizens. It felt chillingly horrific, therefore, to then watch the lethal