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Reviews
Pax Massilia (2023)
The French do it again
Superb show, gripping from start to finish. The pace never lets up from the first scenes. Fine acting from all involved. Suitably menacing villains, compromised cops, and the looming threat of bureaucracy/ internal affairs. 6 episodes - perfect, none of this never ending series nonsense. The fact that is a genre piece means we all know the basic plotlines and so no need for overly boring character exposition. Plenty of space for the viewer to fill in the gaps and round out the characters for ourselves. If only the yanks and the brits could make something half as decent without all the usual fanfare.
13 Minutes (2021)
America grows up
Finally an adult movie that wonderfully juxtaposes human conflict against the background of the power of nature. Understated acting from an ensemble cast, genuine dilemmas and conflicts rising out of the human condition and society's current fissures and tensions. Rather than the usual one dimensional hero stuff, this has an ensemble feel with multiple storylines, and a depth that is developed in a patient and articulate manner.
Of course it is Hollywood and all that goes with that, but that doesn't take away from a Mamet like script, and a Brechtian dialectic that gets to the heart of an America that often feels like it's on life support. Well done to all and a fitting tribute to Anne Heche, who encapsulates so much of what is good about this movie.
Journeyman (2017)
Ah come on
So, fine acting but really. Why not just get a nurse and a cleaner and save half the carry on. I get it why people loved it but it really strains the credibility factors to the point where the weight of the love story collapses under the weight if the narrative incoherence.