Film reviews part 3 (in order of viewing)

Whiplash (2014). 18&20.3.21. Taut, original and quite brilliant film, despite there being essentially only one plot line. Also the gratuitous swearing was unnecessary and detracted from it. The 3-dimensional character of Fletcher was very believable, and the fact that he didn’t get his comeuppance and the couple didn’t get back together felt true (they broke up because of totally believable reasons with nobody really to blame, and it would have felt wrong for them to reconcile) and was refreshing. 8/10

Wonder (2017). 23&24.3.21. Schmaltzy feel-good movie that was nonetheless more than a little idiosyncratic. Holds the attention throughout. 7/10

Dogman (2018). 27.3.21. Coherent and always involving, although the intended message of the ending wasn’t easy to decipher. Good performances from the two leads. The atmospheric photography / ambience was a plus. 7/10

Foxtrot (2017). 30.3.21. Started off really well but unfortunately it turned into something like art house cinema: an essentially pointless ‘second act’ preceded an at first puzzling final act: puzzling until it was clear what had happened. But by then – after so much screen absence – we no longer much care for the parents, and what is on offer is pretty conventional, sustained artificially by the beautiful soundtrack from the film ‘Wit’. 6/10

Detroit (2017). 2.4.21. Too convoluted. The motel incident was almost too painful and claustrophobic to watch while the rest of the film was all over the place. The film felt basically shallow despite the hugely important, worthy themes; indeed, the direction was curiously uninvolving. The screenplay, too, was lacklustre. 5/10

Climax (2018). 4.4.21. A shocking spectacle - with perhaps the crudest dialogue in a film (which was all improvised) - and essentially pointless. Not much else to say. 5½/10

Topkapi (1964). 19.4.21 and 20.4.21. Good-looking but dated. Female lead, the Turkish sights and sounds and Peter Ustinov are highlights, but too ‘loose’: not enough to hold the attention. 5/10

Elephant man (1980). 21?.4.21. Elegant thriller. Perhaps a bit too slickly directed by David Lynch as it could have been a bit more emotionally involving. The plotline was also a touch crude. But more than enough style and substance to make up for these small issues. 8½/10

Philomena (2013). 1 5.21. Mildly enjoyable, formulaic true-story drama of a disgusting scandal involving nuns in Ireland (although apparently much was embellished / exaggerated). Judi Dench doesn’t quite pull it off unfortunately. 7/10

Internal Affairs (1990). 9.5.21. Preposterous and slightly uneven ‘pulp’ thriller, very much of its time (I think), but not completely formulaic. Doesn’t engage as much as it could do. Richard Gere miscast perhaps. 7/10