Tag / film review

by Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein

Film review: Teen Titans GO! to the Movies

 

There’s a terrible rift in our household. A Civil War, if you will. You see, I’m Marvel. And my kid is (whisper it)… DC.

It’s tricky. And since neither one of us has a mother called Martha, that line of resolution is closed to us. But if there’s one space where I’m willing to let divided loyalties lie it’s in front of the TV for a family viewing of the hilarious, anarchic show Teen Titans GO! So when we were invited along to a preview of the big screen outing for the Justice League’s biggest fans, it would have taken a feat of superhuman strength to hold us back. Continue reading →

Incredibles 2 UK premiere red carpet
by Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein

Film review: Incredibles 2 – plus a Jack Jack drawing masterclass with Brad Bird

When I was eight years old, my cinema experiences involved attending a reasonably clapped out West London screen – still with ashtrays built into the seat backs – and being permanently scarred by Who Framed Roger Rabbit? It led to a lifelong love of films all the same. My daughter just attended her first film premiere, alongside Holly Hunter and Samuel L. Jackson, weeks after being given the opportunity to draw alongside an absolute animation hero of mine.The universe likes its little surprises. But that’s parenthood for you. Continue reading →

by Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein

Film review: Mary and the Witch’s Flower

I have a confession to make. I have only seen one – count ’em! – Studio Ghibli film. It’s the one everyone has seen (no, not that one with the friendly cat Moomin, the other one with the pigs). And I liked it! Well, it scared me a little but that’s not necessarily a bad thing and I really enjoyed it. I would absolutely watch more. I will. I just… haven’t yet. Continue reading →

by Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein

A Wrinkle in Time: A film review with a difference

It’s not every day you have to say “no” to meeting Ava DuVernay.

Having a full-time day job means I do have to decline quite a few of the invitations I get, but this one really hurt. And I was honestly really excited about seeing the film. Luckily, I had the perfect stand-in up my sleeve: web series whizz, producer, actor and writer Rochelle Dancel, who attended a roundtable with Ava and A Wrinkle in Time’s lead actress, 14yo Storm Reid. Continue reading →

by Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein

Why the most important character in Lady Bird wasn’t Lady Bird.

Some of us are born Julies.

The story isn’t often about us – and when it is, or at least when we get a chunk of the story, it’s usually not a Julie telling it and then they get it all wrong.

(Contains spoilers if you haven’t yet seen Lady Bird. Though you should get on with it now.) Continue reading →

by Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein

Four minute film review: The Florida Project

It’s taken me weeks of thinking about The Florida Project to even consider trying to write this in four minutes. But if I gave myself longer, I might never stop.

Named after the code for what would become Walt Disney World, The Florida Project takes place in the shadow of Cinderella Castle, centering on a young mother and daughter living a transient motel room life worlds apart from the glossy, expensive vacation kingdom up the road. Continue reading →

by Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein

Film review: Paddington 2

 

I’ll dollop on marmalade analogy early: this film is deliciously sweet, but with a gently tart edge, and if there were a cinematic equivalent of comfort food this would be it. But it would be unreasonably twee to spread it on too thick, given this is a film that wears charm on its sleeve, but never becomes sickly. Continue reading →

by Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein

Four minute film review: Thor: Ragnarok

These are good times for comedy. Giving the most maverick wing of the MCU outside Guardians of the Galaxy – this one ripe for resurgence following a shaky sequel – to a reliably off-the-wall comedy genius managed to be both a brave and low-risk move from Marvel; fortunately, Taika Waititi doesn’t disappoint.

In his first work to involve massive budgets and existing characters, he effortlessly pins his intimate, wise-cracking style on the overblown, operatic drama of the Thor franchise. Continue reading →

by Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein

BFI London Film Festival 2017: four-minute film reviews

Featuring: The Meyerowitz Stories; Battle of the Sexes; Call Me By Your Name; The Shape of Water

I’m taking a different approach to my festival filmgoing this year – a round-up rather than a post for each. I’m sure SEO experts will be shaking their heads and I’m certainly not winning on frequency or volume of content, but I’m hoping this will mean a distillation of quality – more useful stuff, delivered more efficiently, with less waffling.

She says, waffling. Continue reading →